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

The elk went down quick. Took a few steps then fell. Didn't take any internal pictures. One bullet hit a rib and busted through.
 
Finally got around to testing the 6.5 superlite barrel on my T3. 140 ELDMs shot 5 shots at about .75", but the 130 TMKs were lights out with 5 under .5". I still want to load up 10 of each and shoot a larger group sample size, but is there any reason to prioritize the 140 eld over the 130 TMK? Primary use is whitetail to 200 and deer/elk out to my self imposed max of 500.
 
More retained velocity and wind deflection, but that's only a noticeable benefit with the 140 way past where you're shooting.
 
260 yards with the 143 ELD-X factory load. Quartering away, -18 degree angle. Bullet hit spine and offside shoulder, parts of the core and jacket separated, caught in offside hide. ~2300 FPS impact. Zero blood, buck obviously dropped in its tracks given the CNS shot. He rolled 400' vert down the canyon though. Second pic is with the shoulder and backstrap removed.

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The 6.5 Grendal was shooting 123 gr ELDM bullets. Impact velocity was probably in the 2200fps range (close range bear bait, 12 inch pistol).
What is your load for the 123gr ELDM in your Grendel. I’m going to hunt eastern whitetails with one this fall.

Thanks.

Frank
 
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What is your load for the 123gr ELDM in your Grendel. I’m going to hunt eastern whitetails with one this fall.

Thanks.

Frank
I load a bit for the 6.5 Grendel in a howa 1500 mini. My 123 sst loads are 27.9 and 28.0gr of h335 and Tac respectively speaking. Velocities around 2430fps.

Edit to add: barrel length 18.5”
 
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I load a bit for the 6.5 Grendel in a howa 1500 mini. My 123 sst loads are 27.9 and 28.0gr of h335 and Tac respectively speaking. Velocities around 2430fps
Thank you. I load for a Howa Mini also. Been using quite a boy of AR Comp but looking at Tac as well.
 
This may have been covered, but has anyone tested out the Sierra Tipped Game King, aka gamechanger? Im shooting the 130gr smk out of my rifle because I got a bunch of them pretty cheap. Im curious how that bullet does. I know it is a little tougher than the TMK but not a bonded bullet so it should fragment some.
 
This may have been covered, but has anyone tested out the Sierra Tipped Game King, aka gamechanger? Im shooting the 130gr smk out of my rifle because I got a bunch of them pretty cheap. Im curious how that bullet does. I know it is a little tougher than the TMK but not a bonded bullet so it should fragment some.
I've killed quite a few Texas whitetails with a 129 Interbond launched from a 6.5 Grendel...killed just fine but they definitely ran further than shooting them with 129 SST, 123 SST, or 123 ELD-M.

I had plenty of 129 Interbonds loaded for elk hunting (because I listened to people who said elk were tough) and decided to use them on some whitetail hunts. I've learned a lot since then.
 
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