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

[Brontosaurus]

Anybody kill anything with that 145 Match Burner?

I was looking at those as well

 

[ianpadron]

525 yards with a 6.5 CM running 147 ELDMs at 2800.

Hit high shoulder, 6.5mm entry, golf ball exit out the other side. Ran 40 yds and piled up, vitals were jello per usual.

I've been using my CM this year with 270 WSM ammo non-existent. This thread convinced me I would still have an 800 yard capable cartridge in a more shootable package.

 

[Fowl Play]

Apologies if it’s been explained before, browsed a bunch but we are 35 pages deep…

What is the main reason one chooses to shoot the ELD-M vs ELD-X? Both obviously do the job, so not questioning results. Is the thought the thinner jacket allows the bullet to perform better at lower velocities (500 yards +)?

 

[fwafwow]

525 yards with a 6.5 CM running 147 ELDMs at 2800.

Hit high shoulder, 6.5mm entry, golf ball exit out the other side. Ran 40 yds and piled up, vitals were jello per usual.

I've been using my CM this year with 270 WSM ammo non-existent. This thread convinced me I would still have an 800 yard capable cartridge in a more shootable package.

Great harvest, and amazing picture.

 

[tarheelpwr]

Apologies if it’s been explained before, browsed a bunch but we are 35 pages deep…

What is the main reason one chooses to shoot the ELD-M vs ELD-X? Both obviously do the job, so not questioning results. Is the thought the thinner jacket allows the bullet to perform better at lower velocities (500 yards +)?

I don’t think there is. It seems like the 140, 143, and 147 are interchangeable. The choice would come down to external factors.

Is one more available
Is one cheaper
Does one shoot better for you

 

[Rusty Shackelford]

The ELD-M are typically cheaper and more available in my neck of the woods. Before I buy some boxes, anyone had any issues shooting the 147’s out of a factory Tikka 1-8 twist barrel? Is the 1-8 enough to stabilize the heavier bullet?

 

[ElPollo]

The ELD-M are typically cheaper and more available in my neck of the woods. Before I buy some boxes, anyone had any issues shooting the 147’s out of a factory Tikka 1-8 twist barrel? Is the 1-8 enough to stabilize the heavier bullet?

Yes

 

[buckman300]

Been lurking here for a while and decided I should add my 2 cents to this thread. I’ve been shooting a 20” 6.5 Creedmoor 8 twist with 147 ELDm for a few years now. I’ve read many comments on other forums about the “needmore” and how it shouldn’t be used on big game beyond relatively short distances. All the while I’ve been killing game at extended ranges without a problem. Multiple mature bulls out to 960 yards, both mule deer and antelope from 200 out to 1150 yards. My experience has mirrored what Form has stated. The 147 ELDm just plain works. Oh, it also works well on small game.

 

[ianpadron]

I don’t think there is. It seems like the 140, 143, and 147 are interchangeable. The choice would come down to external factors.

Is one more available
Is one cheaper
Does one shoot better for you

Bingo ^

 

[ianpadron]

Great harvest, and amazing picture.

Thank you sir. Special day in God's country.

 

[beerbucksducks]

One more data point for the 6.5 cm, 139 Scenar at 2780. I wasn’t there to see it, but my wife shot this buck at 56 yards, slight quartering away. Entered behind the right shoulder, took out the top of the heart and both lungs, passed through the left shoulder and stopped under the hide. I only caught a glimpse of the bullet before I lost it while skinning. Deer made it maybe 50 yards before piling up. It didn’t leave any blood on the ground.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Hnthrdr]

Excited to hopefully add some more evidence to the thread in a couple weeks. Using my CA 6.5CM with 143eld-X been printing nice little groups will crono this weekend and confirm dope then it’s off to the races on Veterans Day weekend!

 

[General RE LEE]

The 143gr ELD-X might be the best most available all around 6.5mm bullet.

I agree. Every deer I’ve shot with the 143 grain ELD-X has gone down quickly.

The multi-billion dollar behemoth Hornady got the 143 ELD-X right when they designed and produced it.

 

[tpicou]

Shot this at the beginning of the month with 142gr accubond lr. I was higher in elevation and he was quartering towards (almost facing me) at 210ish. Not a long shot at all but he went straight down with no problems.

 

[fwafwow]

Speaking of 143 ELD-X, I just got a notice that Ammo Guy has them in stock for $1.00 per round. But you are limited to 3 boxes, and there was (at least for me) a $23.99 shipping fee. So I quickly got to over $1.50 with taxes. YMMV

 

[sbaker0029]

Speaking of 143 ELD-X, I just got a notice that Ammo Guy has them in stock for $1.00 per round. But you are limited to 3 boxes, and there was (at least for me) a $23.99 shipping fee. So I quickly got to over $1.50 with taxes. YMMV

Already out of stock. Probably a good thing, I might have ended up with an ammo embargo myself lol

 

[fwafwow]

Already out of stock. Probably a good thing, I might have ended up with an ammo embargo myself lol

I was very tempted, especially because my 6.5 CM that is on the way doesn’t include the 143 ELD-X, but I expect I will be fine.

 

[11Justin22]

Have a date point for the federal 140TMK loads. Bull elk at 563. First shot bull was quartering away and turned slightly at shot. Hit the spine and bullet did not exit. Assume it went towards the front half but I didn't open the chest cavity to find out. At shot the bull rolled down the slope 50-60 yards. I was set up good and saw the impact. When he stopped rolling I was already ready and sent another through the scapula. That one did not exit. Didn't take many pictures as it was well after dark by the time I got over to him but I got one the next morning with the shoulder removed.

 

[packgoatguy]

A few more for the 140eldm this week. 2660fps mv, 18 inch tikka in an hnt26 chassis, magnus suppressor (made to be as kid friendly as possible... quiet and low recoil, although not the lightest weight rifle out there).

10yr old nephew, doe. 260 yards. Center ribs, with golf ball sized exit. 1 shot, dropped from view.

My 17yr old son, mature mule deer buck (boned out meat was over 90lbs) 290 yards, quartering to us, shot entered between neck and shoulder, bullet ended up in the spine. Dropped on impact.

12 year old niece, 4 point mule deer buck 212 yards, broadside, slightly quartering away. Not great shot placement, bullet entered just behind the ribs. Buck was out of sight before she could get another shot. Found him only 104 yards from where he had stood. Bullet ended up in offside hide, about mid rib. Appears to have nicked lung, liver, etc. Plenty of blood. Luckily it didn't go further.

My 14 year old son, 316 yards 3 point mule deer buck, center front shoulder. Buck went 20 yards on 3 legs and tumbled out of view. No exit, but heart was a mess. Bullet caught in offside shoulder. 41gr retained. The other 99gr was left in the chest cavity I assume.

 

[BrentH]

I love my 6.5 CM, but I’ve got a few questions after going thru this thread.

I see people posting impact velocities for the 143 ELD-X and 147 ELD-M that are ~ 300fps faster than what my applied ballistics is showing based on my rifles MV for the 143 X. Are guys just handloading them that hot?

For the 143 X and 147 M, what is everyone aiming for to keep their impact velocity at/above for optimal performance?