6.5 Creedmoor Hornady 140 ELDM for Bull Elk

[Newelkhntr1967]

Sorry fng…haven’t shot Sierra since my 308 days. And then it was a plain match king (168).

 

[Newelkhntr1967]

To answer OP's question, I think the general consensus is that the range should be limited to 1800FPS on ELD-M's. If I'm wrong someone please correct me.

That is likely beyond the 500-600 yard limit you self-imposed. My buddy has killed a pile of Bull Elk out to 500 with ELD-X (factory rounds), but with the match bullets I would not try to punch through the shoulder - slip it just behind the front legs.

Good info. Thanks! What I’m trying to find out right there. So shoulder shots and quartering shots are doable at closer range?

 

[woods89]

Sorry fng…haven’t shot Sierra since my 308 days. And then it was a plain match king (168).

The TMK is a completely different animal terminally than the regular Matchkings. There's a fairly large body of positive evidence on this site regarding them.

 

[nobody]

These threads are hilarious..

First- Mostly people just want confirmation of a decision that they’ve already made. They want to hear that of course, they’re right

Second- How many Elk have the guys giving the confirmation bias, have they killed, seen killed, or helped kill? Probably fewer than you might think.

I’m completely comfortable with my advice….. and BTW, I would hardly say the rounds that I suggested as minimums, are cannons.

https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/6-5-creedmoor-260-for-deer-elk-and-whatever-else.244973/

https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/223-for-bear-deer-elk-and-moose.130488/

Maybe read through these and then you'll understand why none of us are pushing for a bigger cartridge. Read every post, every page, don't just skim, and then come back and tell us that where confirmation bias has kicked in or what's minimum about these wound channels on display dating back into 2019.

 

[Newelkhntr1967]

These threads are hilarious..

First- Mostly people just want confirmation of a decision that they’ve already made. They want to hear that of course, they’re right

Second- How many Elk have the guys giving the confirmation bias, have they killed, seen killed, or helped kill? Probably fewer than you might think.

I’m completely comfortable with my advice….. and BTW, I would hardly say the rounds that I suggested as minimums, are cannons.

They obviously aren’t minimums as elk have been killed with a lot less. No offense, but could you go troll the 270 crowd?

 

[nobody]

To the OP, run a 140 ELDM through the front half and enjoy the backstraps for dinner. You won't be disappointed.

 

[Newelkhntr1967]

https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/6-5-creedmoor-260-for-deer-elk-and-whatever-else.244973/

https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/223-for-bear-deer-elk-and-moose.130488/

Maybe read through these and then you'll understand why none of us are pushing for a bigger cartridge. Read every post, every page, don't just skim, and then come back and tell us that where confirmation bias has kicked in or what's minimum about these wound channels on display dating back into 2019.

You’ll never change the older school mentality with things like this. I’m looking for facts and data….I don’t give a crap about a persons opinion.

 

[Newelkhntr1967]

Check this thread out, you'll see pictures literal tons of elk killed with that TMK bullet (in .223 no less): https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/223-for-bear-deer-elk-and-moose.130488/

Appreciate it very much GH!

 

[Newelkhntr1967]

The TMK is a completely different animal terminally than the regular Matchkings. There's a fairly large body of positive evidence on this site regarding them.

Thanks for that gem. I’m guessing there is a factory loaded ammo with this projectile???

 

[Newelkhntr1967]

To the OP, run a 140 ELDM through the front half and enjoy the backstraps for dinner. You won't be disappointed.

Thanks man. I know to keep shooting until he’s down…wondering what your experience is concerning the frequency of follow up shots?

 

[Brontosaurus]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong but this should be the same as the green tipped killers

Federal LE Tactical | 6.5 Creedmoor | 140GR | Tactical Matchking | (T65CRDTTMK1) | 500rds | No CC fees!

Caliber: 6.5 Creedmoor Weight: 140 gr Bullet Type: Tactical Matchking Muzzle Velocity: 2675 fps Muzzle Energy: 2224ft. lbs. Case: Brass Quantity: 500 Rounds

nrammo.com

 

[Newelkhntr1967]

To answer OP's question, I think the general consensus is that the range should be limited to 1800FPS on ELD-M's. If I'm wrong someone please correct me.

That is likely beyond the 500-600 yard limit you self-imposed. My buddy has killed a pile of Bull Elk out to 500 with ELD-X (factory rounds), but with the match bullets I would not try to punch through the shoulder - slip it just behind the front legs.

Thanks man!

 

[nobody]

Thanks man. I know to keep shooting until he’s down…wondering what your experience is concerning the frequency of follow up shots?

Between the ELDX and ELDM, I've seen Mule Deer, Coyotes, and Elk. One elk I saw killed with ELDX required a follow up shot, but it was to keep him from diving on a death run to the bottom of the draw I was in, but he was dead on his feet. I haven't seen an appreciable difference in terminal performance between the two, so I choose the ELDM due to a lower cost per round than the ELDX (somebody's gotta pay for the marketing budget on the ELDX) and better availability in store. Accuracy, consistency, and terminal performance were so close IME so I just went with the ELDM. But I haven't experienced a "pencil through" or a bullet failure from any bullet from any round since 2002, except for a failure of a 45 caliber 250 grain Hornady SST on a mule deer from a muzzleloader. 3 bullets failed to expand, Too low of impact velocity, I know that now that I understand the minimum expansion velocity threshold.

To get back to your question though, no experienced with follow up shots needed due to a failure of any kind. Just a bull that was dead on his feet but his nervous system hadn't told his brain to lay down and just die yet. Again, just put it in the front half and you'll be golden. I would hunt any game animal in North America with a 140 ELDM and not bat an eye.

 

[Newelkhntr1967]

Between the ELDX and ELDM, I've seen Mule Deer, Coyotes, and Elk. One elk I saw killed with ELDX required a follow up shot, but it was to keep him from diving on a death run to the bottom of the draw I was in, but he was dead on his feet. I haven't seen an appreciable difference in terminal performance between the two, so I choose the ELDM due to a lower cost per round than the ELDX (somebody's gotta pay for the marketing budget on the ELDX) and better availability in store. Accuracy, consistency, and terminal performance were so close IME so I just went with the ELDM. But I haven't experienced a "pencil through" or a bullet failure from any bullet from any round since 2002, except for a failure of a 45 caliber 250 grain Hornady SST on a mule deer from a muzzleloader. 3 bullets failed to expand, Too low of impact velocity, I know that now that I understand the minimum expansion velocity threshold.

To get back to your question though, no experienced with follow up shots needed due to a failure of any kind. Just a bull that was dead on his feet but his nervous system hadn't told his brain to lay down and just die yet. Again, just put it in the front half and you'll be golden. I would hunt any game animal in North America with a 140 ELDM and not bat an eye.

Thanks for that nbdy. I think my mind is made up since I have them and have shot them for the past few years.

 

[camelcluch]

I’ll jump in. First, I’m not a big gun guy so I have no favoritism in calibers or brands.
Is your CM good for elk? I think they that really is answered by you. Are you accurate, and confident of hitting your mark? If yes, then hunt it with the bullet you have confidence in. Choose a quality bullet and shoot it a lot. Hit the spot, stay away from the shoulder and elk go down. Know the limits and stay with in and I’m sure you will be good.
Not sure why the CM gets so much hate when tons of people drag a .243 into the elk woods.
Good luck!

 

[BigTX]

I have killed numerous whitetail and axis deer with the 6.5 ELDX and some with match grade. Definitely wouldn't use the match grade, had some not even exit a small Texas whitetail. The ELDX is a better hunting bullet by far. I am still not a huge fan of the 6.5 for hunting, but the ballistics are good. I have seen some really good shot placement on deer, and not a lot of blood to find them, so elk will be worse.

 

[Newelkhntr1967]

I’ll jump in. First, I’m not a big gun guy so I have no favoritism in calibers or brands.
Is your CM good for elk? I think they that really is answered by you. Are you accurate, and confident of hitting your mark? If yes, then hunt it with the bullet you have confidence in. Choose a quality bullet and shoot it a lot. Hit the spot, stay away from the shoulder and elk go down. Know the limits and stay with in and I’m sure you will be good.
Not sure why the CM gets so much hate when tons of people drag a .243 into the elk woods.
Good luck!

Thanks CC. Good advice!

 

[Newelkhntr1967]

I have killed numerous whitetail and axis deer with the 6.5 ELDX and some with match grade. Definitely wouldn't use the match grade, had some not even exit a small Texas whitetail. The ELDX is a better hunting bullet by far. I am still not a huge fan of the 6.5 for hunting, but the ballistics are good. I have seen some really good shot placement on deer, and not a lot of blood to find them, so elk will be worse.

Thanks man. I’m not as concerned about an exit hole as I am about internal damage.

 

[woods89]

Thanks for that gem. I’m guessing there is a factory loaded ammo with this projectile???

I see someone listed some below, I do know availability has been an issue with factory ammo and this bullet.

I haven't bought centerfire factory ammo for over 10 years.

 

[ElGuapo]

They obviously aren’t minimums as elk have been killed with a lot less. No offense, but could you go troll the 270 crowd?

Holy Sh!t boomer…. I wasn’t actually here to troll. I was giving honest advice from taking, guiding, and helping on dozens, and dozens, and dozens of big game, including a fair number of Elk. Best of luck to you.

You’re absolutely right…. ‘The Creedmoor is the finest Elk medicine there is. Shoot ‘em in the A$$ even, they just drop dead from fear.

The beautiful thing about the internet, is you will always find people to agree with whatever outcome you already had convinced yourself of, and you can just trash talk those that offer a different perspective.