6.5 Creedmoor/260 for Deer, Elk, and whatever else.....

[gerry35]

You could not pay me to voluntarily get within 10 yards of a Grizzly.

If you listen to the podcast, they had an interesting discussion about what cartridges he would actually recommend. The ability to get off rapid follow up shots was very important. Which is better? A 30-06 in a rifle the owner had confidence in shooting accurately and and quickly or a new rifle in huge cartridge that the owner has limited experience with.

His recommendations in an article: https://www.outdoorlife.com/guns/best-bear-cartridges/

Haven't listened to the podcast (no time) but did read the article and also read the second one you posted. The bear did die pretty quick from the 6.5 CM. I would have total confidence in carrying a 30-06 for grizzly.

Does a charging grizzly care what hits it? I see this discussed in the handgun threads all the time and it seems your only option is to kill it to stop the charge
I’m fairly certain a partition would make it through a grizzly skull at 50 yards ?


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Yes a 6.5 CM would stop a bear cold if you hit the brain. For center mass shots a 375 Ruger would be much more effective compared to a 6.5 CM. That said I know a guy who stopped a full on charge with a 270 Win. Not sure how much better each round is as you go up the scale but I would prefer something that creates a lot of damage regardless of the round. Maybe heavy ELD-X and M's, Accubond's and ABLR's? I used the 375 260 gr Accubond on my grizzly and liked how it performed.

 

[bucksanducks12]

While I don’t have as many critters down behind it as some others, my buddy shared this thread with me today an I’m too excited about bear season here in WA around the corner to not post some 6.5 bleedmore pics.

All killed with a 6.5 Kimber hunter, running 143ELDX.

2022 black bear. 370 yds. Was quartering away, entered little further back then hoped for but exited behind off side shoulder. DRT.


2021 Mt. Lion. 130yds. Spine shot, required a follow up in the chest.



2020 Muley. 230yds. Came out of the canyon below me, hit just behind the shoulder blades and exited the chest. Tumbled down the hill, DRT.


2020 black bear. 260 yds. Broadside behind the shoulders. DRT.


Can’t wait to see everyone’s 6.5 pics from this season!

 

[woods89]

I love seeing this thread continue. Here's to evidence based bullet and cartridge selection!

 

[vonb]

Midway offered some old stock 140 gr Speer Deep Curl hbn a couple years back in .264. I’m looking forward to trying them out this year on deer. Bring a bonded bullet, they should provide 2 holes.

 

[sbaker0029]

Anyone have any experience with the Sig elite hunter?
Bullet looks a lot like a 130 sierra tmk or tgk.
My guess is it might be the tgk since it's supposed to be a controlled expansion bullet.
Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

Anyone have any experience with the Sig elite hunter?
Bullet looks a lot like a 130 sierra tmk or tgk.
My guess is it might be the tgk since it's supposed to be a controlled expansion bullet.
Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks

Yes. Sig partnered with Sierra in this ammo if I remember correctly. Not sure if there are any differences.

 

[sbaker0029]

I know the original bullets had a yellow tip and black coating on the jacket and nickel cases, I guess to fancy things up.
Stripped down to just brass and bullets it definitely looks like they partnered with Sierra.

@mxgsfmdpx You think it's the tgk load in the sig ammo?

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

I know the original bullets had a yellow tip and black coating on the jacket and nickel cases, I guess to fancy things up.
Stripped down to just brass and bullets it definitely looks like they partnered with Sierra.

@mxgsfmdpx You think it's the tgk load in the sig ammo?

I believe so, but not 100% sure.

 

[ViperD]

Just had a box of 130gr tmk's shipped. Anyone have a generic recipe to share? Feel free to PM. Tried to use the search function and didn't find anything particular.

Thanks!

 

[amassi]

Just had a box of 130gr tmk's shipped. Anyone have a generic recipe to share? Feel free to PM. Tried to use the search function and didn't find anything particular.

Thanks!

43.0 gr h4350 @ 2.800
Lapua brass
Fed 210m


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[Jimbee]

43.0 gr h4350 @ 2.800
Lapua brass
Fed 210m


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What kind of velocity are you getting, barrel length?

 

[Jimbee]

I'm using Lapua srp brass, 38.2 grains of Reloader 15. 17" barrel and a hair over 2600fps. I have a jug of Reloader 15 I'm trying to use up but might try H4350.

 

[amassi]

What kind of velocity are you getting, barrel length?

2775 factory 22.4” tikka barrel


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[ztc92]

43.0 gr h4350 @ 2.800
Lapua brass
Fed 210m


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Very similar recipe for me. I settled on 43.5g of H4350 with both 130 TMK’s and 130 ELD-M’s. Loaded at mag length for my Tikka CTR using starline brass and SR Magnum primers. With my 20” barrel + suppressor I’m getting approximately 2790 FPS.

 

[ViperD]

Thanks everyone!

 

[mitchellmountain]

43.0 gr h4350 @ 2.800
Lapua brass
Fed 210m


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My exact load but substitute 140gr accubonds

 

[mitchellmountain]

While I don’t have as many critters down behind it as some others, my buddy shared this thread with me today an I’m too excited about bear season here in WA around the corner to not post some 6.5 bleedmore pics.

All killed with a 6.5 Kimber hunter, running 143ELDX.

2022 black bear. 370 yds. Was quartering away, entered little further back then hoped for but exited behind off side shoulder. DRT.
View attachment 574524

2021 Mt. Lion. 130yds. Spine shot, required a follow up in the chest.
View attachment 574525


2020 Muley. 230yds. Came out of the canyon below me, hit just behind the shoulder blades and exited the chest. Tumbled down the hill, DRT.
View attachment 574526

2020 black bear. 260 yds. Broadside behind the shoulders. DRT.
View attachment 574527

Can’t wait to see everyone’s 6.5 pics from this season!

You're a lucky man, what I wouldn't give to get my wife to go along with me on some of my trips and backcountry jaunts.

 

[bucksanducks12]

You're a lucky man, what I wouldn't give to get my wife to go along with me on some of my trips and backcountry jaunts.

Thanks man! It’s a little harder now that we got kids but she usually makes it out for one day hunt at least during bear season! I’m a lucky man, for sure!

 

[grappling_hook]

Mountain Goat from a few days ago. 6.5 Creedmoor shooting 140gr ELDM over 41.5gr H4350.
The first shot was about 350 and the bullet fragmented in the chest cavity as desired. He ran away a few yards and then tripped and slid in the snow further from me. Here is the bullet from the follow up shot at 440 (through the chest, caught in the off side hide):

 

[ViperD]

Thanks again for the help. Headed over to a friend's and worked up a load.

Sierra 130gr tmk
43.5gr H4350
Avg 2795 fps from an 18" barrel