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.

 

[Kimber7man]

Death by 6.5 (PRC and 147 gr ELD-M factory round):

View attachment 964568

Love this pic, congrats to her!

 

[fmyth]

what factory load for elk is preferred?

My 18" 6.5C has killed 5 elk with factory 143ELDX. All 1 shot kills between 300-400yds.

 

[Sled]

This was with a 135 berger classic hunter this week. I'm a lung shooter so I like rapid expansion. To that end I often do not get exit wounds or blood trails. Fortunately, I only have to look under the 4 hoof prints before I shot or follow the slide marks downhill in this case.

In the 6.5cm I've used barnes 127lrx, berger 135 classic hunter, nosler 140gr ballistic tip and 147 Hornady match. Ranges are typically 50-450 yards. No complaints with any of the above. When I used accubonds I had to track short distances up to 150 yards, typically with limited blood trails if the lung plugged the hole. So, I'd rather they stay put.

Fwiw, the pic is the "exit" that never broke the hide.