Bullet/caliber choice for antelope.

BillyGoatGruff · Jul 25, 2026

I drew a decent tag here in Colorado.
Trying to decide on which rifle i should take. I've got a 6.5 gap pushing a 140 berger EH at 3075
And then I have my NRL hunter rifle in 6.5 creedmoor w/147 eldm at 2705.
Both are tack drivers. The gap just kills stuff. Bunch of elk and deer. But I'm worried it might just go right through an antelope. Any thoughts or am I over thinking it?

Thanks,

nube2.0 · Jul 25, 2026

6.5 gap

K.E.C. Darkside · Jul 25, 2026

Over thinking it.
Go with the one you feel comfortable and confident with.

jseandsje · Jul 25, 2026

BillyGoatGruff said:
I drew a decent tag here in Colorado.
Trying to decide on which rifle i should take. I've got a 6.5 gap pushing a 140 berger EH at 3075
And then I have my NRL hunter rifle in 6.5 creedmoor w/147 eldm at 2705.
Both are tack drivers. The gap just kills stuff. Bunch of elk and deer. But I'm worried it might just go right through an antelope. Any thoughts or am I over thinking it?

Thanks,

A Berger, a ballistic tip, a Speer, aTGK, a Hdy sP in that gap will Tip an antelope over.

You're overthinking just a bit.

imyourhuckleberry · Jul 25, 2026

You're over thinking it, take both and use the one you like the most. The other is your back up, never know what gremlins can show up.

Ol' Red · Jul 25, 2026

I agree with number 3,4 and 5. Go have fun.

lancetkenyon · Jul 25, 2026

Take both.

6.5GAP 4S
6.5CM (backup)

We have killed pronghorn from 140 to 875 yds in my family (not including other hunts I have been a part of).

6CM, 105 Hyb, 3188fps, 460 yds
25SST, 131 SMK, 3280fps, 331 yds
25SST, 133 Elite, 3311fps, 875 yds
25SST, 133 Elite, 3250fps, 160 yds
6.5SLR, 130 OTM, 2922fps, 260, 381, 391, 771 yds
.260AI, 130 OTM, 3086fps, 140 yds
6.5PRC, 156 Elite, 2960fps, 380 yds
6.5PRC/SI, 140 Elite, 3101fps, 581 yds
6.5SS, 140 TVLD, 3200fps, 402 yds
6.5SS, 150 SMK, 3160fps, 186 yds

This August, we will be back out. I will be taking my 25MBK pushing a 131SMK @ 3070fps, a 25PRC/SI pushing a 145 Blackhole @ 3088fps, or a .260AI pushing a 140 Hyb @ 2914fps.
My son-in-law will be using either a 25CM pushing a 145 Blackhole @ 2840fps, or a 6CM pushing a 105 Hyb @ 3188fps.

Either of your choices will absolutely crush a pronghorn. The speed for drops is not what is important. The BC and speed to fight wind drift is. My 1st choice would be the 6.5GAP.

BillyGoatGruff · Jul 25, 2026

Thanks for all the comments! I could literally flip a coin. Both guns are built on the same platform. Same stock, same trigger, same trigger weight, arca rail. The creed is a little heavier. Just different calibers. Also have a 7mag also built the same.

Thanks again

FEENIX · Jul 25, 2026

BillyGoatGruff said:
The gap just kills stuff. Bunch of elk and deer. But I'm worried it might just go right through an antelope.

Most of my antelope harvest is with .300 WM loaded with 180 and up from 200-600 yards without any issues.

BillyGoatGruff said:
Any thoughts or am I over thinking it?

Yesssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss!

jseandsje · Jul 25, 2026

I really think you have perfect cartridges for antelope. Tracking will be minimal.

KDH308 · Jul 26, 2026

6.5 GAP

RYEWSKY25284 · Jul 26, 2026

BillyGoatGruff said:
I drew a decent tag here in Colorado.
Trying to decide on which rifle i should take. I've got a 6.5 gap pushing a 140 berger EH at 3075
And then I have my NRL hunter rifle in 6.5 creedmoor w/147 eldm at 2705.
Both are tack drivers. The gap just kills stuff. Bunch of elk and deer. But I'm worried it might just go right through an antelope. Any thoughts or am I over thinking it?

Thanks,

Seems like a lot of gun for a small speed goat. Anything in a 6mm or 25 cal would work fine . They are EASY to lay down. I've never used more than a 85gr Nosler Ballistic tip.

Okanogan · Jul 26, 2026

6.5 GAP

I run mine with 156 EH a 2850 which is well below a max load.

BillyGoatGruff · Jul 26, 2026

RYEWSKY25284 said:
Seems like a lot of gun for a small speed goat. Anything in a 6mm or 25 cal would work fine . They are EASY to lay down. I've never used more than a 85gr Nosler Ballistic tip.

It's what I have to choose from. I sold my 6GT last year

Bullet/caliber choice for antelope.

BillyGoatGruff

Well-Known Member

nube2.0

Well-Known Member

K.E.C. Darkside

Well-Known Member

jseandsje

Well-Known Member

imyourhuckleberry

Well-Known Member

Ol' Red

Well-Known Member

lancetkenyon

Well-Known Member

BillyGoatGruff

Well-Known Member

FEENIX

Well-Known Member

jseandsje

Well-Known Member

KDH308

Well-Known Member

RYEWSKY25284

Well-Known Member

Okanogan

Well-Known Member

BillyGoatGruff

Well-Known Member

Similar threads

Recent Posts