6.5 Creedmoor Hornady 140 ELDM for Bull Elk

[bradmacmt]

Anyone that thinks the 6.5CM isn't perfectly adequate for elk is into a bit of self delusion... elk really aren't that hard to kill. Hit them poorly with a rifle you're afraid of (typical guy that buys a magnum because his idiot guide told him to), and they'll give you a heartbreaking chase. Use a rifle you're comfortable with, and put the bullet in the right spot, and it's lights out.

And BTW, someone born in 1967 is not a "boomer."

 

[idahodave]

Anyone that thinks the 6.5CM isn't perfectly adequate for elk is into a bit of self delusion... elk really aren't that hard to kill. Hit them poorly with a rifle you're afraid of (typical guy that buys a magnum because his idiot guide told him to), and they'll give you a heartbreaking chase. Use a rifle you're comfortable with, and put the bullet in the right spot, and it's lights out.

And BTW, someone born in 1967 is not a "boomer."

this

 

[LightFoot]

Now that this thread is off the rails…

As long as you stay within the expansion window… say down to 1800 fps (as stated earlier), the bullet will mushroom and perform as intended.

Use you’d ballistic solver to determine that range.

I am also of the crowd that thinks the 6.5 Creedmoor is a little light for elk, but I would not hesitate to use it if it was the best choice out of my inventory. Like, if my 6.5 was setup for high country backpacking and I needed to save weight. Or, if it was my only hunting rifle. Or, if I was hunting solo and needed to be able to spot my own impacts.


>>>——JAKE——>

 

[etz_cutter]

I don't have experience with the 140g eld-m. I do have experience with the 143g eld-x in harvesting one bull elk and one cow elk. I have experience in taking four cow elk with the 147g eld-m.

On one cow elk, with the eld-m, it dropped upon being hit.

I'm of the opinion if the elk/deer is standing then fire another one. Also, I put another bullet when walking up to the animal (heard too many surprises of animal standing up and running away).

 

[etz_cutter]

I should also say I'm off the opinion to close the distance to the animal. I don't know if I would shoot at 500 yards during my hunt.

 

[Newelkhntr1967]

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.

That’s exactly what you’re doing Elk Guru. This IS the different perspective! Thanks got your input. You must be shooting well with a 375?

 

[tracker12]

I killed about a 1/2 dozen elk with my .264 mag. I never lost one but did have to shoot a couple twice. I then ungraded to a 300HH and am much happier with my results. I can see using a 6.5 Creedmore but I would not be using a Match bullet.

 

[DawnPatrol]

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

You might be after you hit one good but it runs a few hundred yards before it dies. Elk are not armor plated, but they are strong animals, and they can go a ways even when mortally wounded.

I think there’s something to be said for a bullet that expands enough to kill effectively but penetrates enough to create an exit wound and a better chance for a good blood trail. A match bullet may not be the happy medium. Although if the bullet explodes in the elk’s heart and kills it instantly, I guess it’s a non-issue. Just some random thoughts.

P.s. I appreciate this thread. I’m thinking of buying my son his first big game rifle soon and the the 6.5 creed is on the short list.

 

[coast2peak]

I would not hesitate to shoot an elk with a 6.5 creedmoor. In fact I probably will one day. My only hesitation is the match bullet. I can’t imagine it would preform will if you hit the shoulder. Just my two cent but I would probably shoot a mono metal bullet instead. However if your confident and know your effective range and you can put that match bullet into both lungs then go for it! It no doubt can do the job if you do your part, it’s just not the bullet I would choose

 

[TopherDave]

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

No! Leave us .270 guys out of this!!

 

[Sako76]

My outfitters daughter (now in her mid 30’s) has killed a boat load of elk out to 400 yards with a 243 and now a 6.5 Creedmoor! Elk aren’t bulletproof!

 

[Duh]

I’ve killed 7 bulls with the 6.5 and 2 of those have been with the 140 eldm. The remainder have been with the 143 eldx. The gun has been a 24 inch Howa 1500.

To answer your question about the Eldm, they Will absolutely kill an elk. In my personal experience, there didn’t seem to be a huge difference between the eldm and eldx.

I personally would keep my max range at 500. My furthest elk kill was around 475 and he soaked up 4 pretty rapid shots behind the shoulder (no exit holes). That was with the eldx and 2 were mushroomed inside of the offside hide.

I’ve also had horrible close range performance with a eldm. The bull was approximately 15 yards and quartered too. P
He soaked up a front quarter shot and another follow up shot to the neck at about 75 ish yards. Both had minimal performance but I ended up getting him after getting a spine shot a little later. My first two shots were not ideal but not massive carnage like I would have thought.

The rest of the elk died without issue between 150-400 yards. All of the above have been with factory hornady ammo. I handload now and still use the eldx.

All that being said, I still shoot the hell out of the 6.5 but it’s now my backup gun for elk. I shoot the Lords gun now, which is the 300 win mag with a 212 eldx.

 

[Newelkhntr1967]

No! Leave us .270 guys out of this!!

No offense intended Dave...

 

[lak2004]

I've shot 2 bulls with the 140 eldm out of a creedmoor with hand loads that aren't going super fast (2700 fps muzzle). One at 283 yards and 1 at 40 yds. Both died because I put the bullets through their vitals. The guys that say it's not ideal probably have experience with poor shot placement or skis taken farther than the bullet can expand, etc. I would say limit your range to the mentioned 1800 fps and make a good shot. Looking forward to seeing your thread on killing an elk with it!

 

[Newelkhntr1967]

Now that this thread is off the rails…

As long as you stay within the expansion window… say down to 1800 fps (as stated earlier), the bullet will mushroom and perform as intended.

Use you’d ballistic solver to determine that range.

I am also of the crowd that thinks the 6.5 Creedmoor is a little light for elk, but I would not hesitate to use it if it was the best choice out of my inventory. Like, if my 6.5 was setup for high country backpacking and I needed to save weight. Or, if it was my only hunting rifle. Or, if I was hunting solo and needed to be able to spot my own impacts.


>>>——JAKE——>

Thank LF.

 

[Newelkhntr1967]

I've shot 2 bulls with the 140 eldm out of a creedmoor with hand loads that aren't going super fast (2700 fps muzzle). One at 283 yards and 1 at 40 yds. Both died because I put the bullets through their vitals. The guys that say it's not ideal probably have experience with poor shot placement or skis taken farther than the bullet can expand, etc. I would say limit your range to the mentioned 1800 fps and make a good shot. Looking forward to seeing your thread on killing an elk with it!

I'll do my best lak.

 

[Newelkhntr1967]

Thank to everyone who had something useful to use. I'm more confident now, knowing this and will limit my shots to 1800fps absolute minimum, and not trying to shoot in wind that's beyond my capabilities. Thanks again!

 

[wweaver]

You need to two things. Switch to a 140 accubond. And keep your shots to 300 yards and under. My opinion. Elk are not deer. After you kill a few you will figure his out. Good luck this fall.

 

[Ryan Avery]

You need to two things. Switch to a 140 accubond. And keep your shots to 300 yards and under. My opinion. Elk are not deer. After you kill a few you will figure his out. Good luck this fall.

So you prefer a smaller wound channel with the 140 AB over the 140 ELD-M?

 

[ResearchinStuff]

well, there is a reason he has to limit to 300 yards.