6.5 Bullet for antelope

6.5 bullet for antelope

  • 127 LRX

    Votes: 49 25.1%
  • 140 ELD-M

    Votes: 31 15.9%
  • 143 ELD-X

    Votes: 96 49.2%
  • 156 EOL

    Votes: 19 9.7%

  • Total voters
    195
Joined
May 7, 2023
Messages
626
I shot an antelope at 642 yards with a 143 ELDX out of a creedmoor. Complete pass through and he died pretty quick.
 
Joined
Jul 27, 2021
Messages
1,599
Will let you know this October how the 143 ELDX works on the prairie speedsters, so far they work great on whitetails.
 
Joined
Aug 17, 2016
Messages
1,219
Location
Kansas
Literally any of those will work great.

This this one 2 years ago with my 22Creedmoor at 450 yards with a 75grain ELDM

IMG_0541.jpeg
 
Joined
Nov 24, 2020
Messages
314
The only one of those on my bench is the 127 gr LRX so I'd go with that. In the past I've used Hornady 129 gr InterLocks or Sierra TGK. Also on my bench are some 120 gr and 130 gr Barnes TSX and 123 gr Absolute Hammers. Be out of a 6.5 x .06.
 
Joined
Jun 23, 2019
Messages
1,327
Location
Florida,Dwneast Me,Catskills
I'm sorry. I just now realized that the question was specifically for a 6.5 bullet, and my previous answer was based on the 7-08, which I use for almost all of my western hunting.

If I were to use my 260 for antelope, I'd feed it 100 TTSXs.
 
Joined
Nov 24, 2020
Messages
314
Also have 125 gr and 140 gr Nosler partitions and a 120 gr expansion tip lead free Nosler and IIRC 120 gr Hornady GMX.
 

Verdugo60

FNG
Joined
Mar 5, 2022
Messages
12
I would almost go 140 ELD-M due to the small size of antelope. The match bullet will start expanding quicker vs an all copper alloy or even the 143 ELD-X, which has a thicker jacket than the 140 version.
 
Joined
Jul 6, 2018
Messages
305
Location
Colorado
My vote goes to the 143gr ELD-X. They have served us well on antelope out here in the Eastern plains of CO. We have killed most of our pronghorn between 200-600 yards with that bullet.
 

Wrongside

WKR
Joined
Jun 3, 2012
Messages
720
Location
AB
A buddy and I were drawn for Trophy Antelope here in Alberta. I’ll be using the 147ELD in a Tikka SL 6.5CM.
 
Joined
Jul 31, 2023
Messages
61
I get an antelope every year in Wyoming. I use a 6.5 creed with Hornady 143gr ELD-X. Not only are the terminal ballistics amazing, the bullet can buck the wind better than anything else I've shot. Last year I got my antelope right through the heart at 485 yards. I have also had to put the bullet through the shoulder at 375-400 years and the ELD-X did just fine. There is no point in using match ammo (140gr ELD-M) because the ELD-X was designed to be a match round with hunting ballistics so why not use a better round...that being said, if you can put a bullet through the vitals, it doesn't really matter what you shoot, it's going down.
 

Shosky

FNG
Joined
Jul 24, 2023
Messages
12
I use a 142 grain Nosler ABLR. Definitely a lot of bullet for antelope, but it's what I use for other species. Consistent performance, dope, etc. takes a lot of stress out of hunts.
 

Dbbell

FNG
Joined
Apr 4, 2020
Messages
25
Probably overthinking this but figured I’d see what everyone thinks. Got in on an Antelope hunt here last minute in eastern CO. I have the 4 bullets on my shelf that I can load for my 6.5 PRC. No appreciable precision difference between the 4.

Sounds like there’s a possibility of a “long” shot, but I think that probably only means 3-400 yards. I’d like to shoot the 156, but not sure if I should be worried about that bullet performing if it ends up being a 75 yard shot.


Thx.
I love the 140 eldm
 
Joined
Jul 19, 2021
Messages
35
Location
Texas
I just wrapped up a pronghorn hunt in NM Unit 46 with my 6.5 PRC. I used the Hornady 143 gr. ELD-X. I did what I was supposed to, and the round did what it was supposed to. This is my 2nd pronghorn with this particular rifle & round. Both have been shoulder shots, with the latest being at 318 yds. No race, No chase either time.
 

No_Murphy

FNG
Joined
Sep 5, 2023
Messages
31
Anything in 6.5 would be enough for Antelope. Just shoot whatever your gun likes and aim for the heart. They won’t go far if you put the bullet in the pump station.
 
Joined
Sep 1, 2023
Messages
10
Location
Lander, WY
I had no problems with exit wounds on the two I took last year with 140 elite hunters. Both exits were in the neighborhood of orange or baseball-sized.
 
Joined
Jul 9, 2023
Messages
10
As others have said, I think any one of those will do the job.

She hasn’t gotten it on an antelope yet, but we’ve selected the 127 LRX in a factory Barnes loading for my wife’s new 6.5 CM. It groups at about .6 MOA out of her rifle when she does her part.
 

kcm2

WKR
Joined
Feb 26, 2012
Messages
414
I'm the guy who shot a pronghorn with a 103 gr ELDX out of a 6mm Creedmor at 100 yds only to see her get up and run away, never to be found again. Wittessed shot and lung hit. An hour later, I shot one at 275, bullet penetrated 3-4". I recovered that one. I give Hornady a lot of credit but that was a bad lot. So, I use their CX bullets for pronghorn to elk out of my 270. Added benefit, less meat damage.

YMMV, but then again, I'm not interested in 900 yd shots at anything.
 
Joined
May 16, 2021
Messages
1,425
Location
North Texas
Buddy & I each shot an antelope last week.

He used a 143 ELDX in a 6.5CM @ 230 yards. Velocity was 2740.

I used a 264 Win Mag Ackley Improved with Berger 156 EOL at 220 yards. Velocity was 3150.

Both antelope died, mine died a lot quicker (DRT). His ran about 70 yards.


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