6.5 for elk

[twil]

what factory load for elk is preferred?

 

[Hnthrdr]

what factory load for elk is preferred?

140/147 eld-m, 143 eld-X, 130 tmk…

 

[Dom186]

The velocity needs to be enough to deform/upset the bullet enough for a large wound channel. For the TMKs, ELDXs, ELDMs and similar bullets people are having so much success with, a safe minimum is 1800fps. It makes little difference if it's a 77 grain .224" or a 180 grain .284".

Think of it as a collision between the animal and the bullet. Better yet, imagine the bullet is stationary and the Elk is flying through the air at the bullet. Is the Elk going to hit the bullet with enough velocity to smash it into a big mushroom or sharp fragments? At 1800fps or more, likely yes. At under 1800fps, maybe not.

The mass, and therefore energy, of the bullet isn't really relevant.

It’s relevant, more velocity equals more energy. Can’t deny physics.