6.5 prc

[thinhorn_AK]

I know a guy who killed a large bull moose with a 6.5 creedmoore so a prc should be fine. Not that it wouldn’t work but it would probably be among my last choices for moose hunting.

 

[sveltri]

I wouldn’t go so far as to call you an ass. I imagine you’re a nice guy. Cut yourself a little slack. However, your question isn’t all that smart.

Ok, well I tried, so here goes. Elk are considerably tougher to kill than moose. It seems very apparent that their will to live is greater. They do come in a more compact package and it seems to me that their skeleton structure is similar with the bones being closer together. Elk also have smaller lungs. So please enlighten me how an animal with larger lungs (and vitals altogether) with more space between their bone structure is harder to kill than an animal with that does not enjoy the same physiology? Telling me my question isn't smart, but not answering the question is telling. What then is the minimum caliber you recommend, only for dispatching an alaskan moose? Protection from other species not withstanding.

 

[Akirie]

Ok, well I tried, so here goes. Elk are considerably tougher to kill than moose. It seems very apparent that their will to live is greater. They do come in a more compact package and it seems to me that their skeleton structure is similar with the bones being closer together. Elk also have smaller lungs. So please enlighten me how an animal with larger lungs (and vitals altogether) with more space between their bone structure is harder to kill than an animal with that does not enjoy the same physiology? Telling me my question isn't smart, but not answering the question is telling. What then is the minimum caliber you recommend, only for dispatching an alaskan moose? Protection from other species not withstanding.

This is an age old debate. I know better but here we go....

For me personally its about versatility- I want to shoot moose near and far. Maximize opportunity for an ethical harvest. So I carry a big stick with range that can be effective on a large mass animal with a thick hide. I'm admittedly a meat hunter. Much respect to those recurve sheep guys!

But smaller calibers can and do ethically harvest moose. So do bow and arrows. To each their own!

 

[Arcticmanak]

I had a bad experience with Berger 168gn VLD Hunts out of a 308 on a moose that was hit broadside in the front shoulder at 75 yds. Bullet blew up and left a 5 inch laceration at point of impact, needless to say the moose did not go down and my only blood trail experience involving a moose ensued. We ended up finding it and finishing the job, but I will not hunt with those rounds ever again. I've never had an issue like that with partitions, Barnes, or even core-lokt for that matter.

 

[madcalfe]

I had a bad experience with Berger 168gn VLD Hunts out of a 308 on a moose that was hit broadside in the front shoulder at 75 yds. Bullet blew up and left a 5 inch laceration at point of impact, needless to say the moose did not go down and my only blood trail experience involving a moose ensued. We ended up finding it and finishing the job, but I will not hunt with those rounds ever again. I've never had an issue like that with partitions, Barnes, or even core-lokt for that matter.

thats cause you used a VLD at 75 yards in a shoulder..... cant really compare a berger vld to a partition completely different.

 

[Arcticmanak]

On game the size of moose I would use a tougher bullet made for deep penetration to ensure good results even in the case of a less than ideal hit.

 

[VernAK]

I had a bad experience with Berger 168gn VLD Hunts out of a 308 on a moose that was hit broadside in the front shoulder at 75 yds. Bullet blew up and left a 5 inch laceration at point of impact, needless to say the moose did not go down and my only blood trail experience involving a moose ensued. We ended up finding it and finishing the job, but I will not hunt with those rounds ever again. I've never had an issue like that with partitions, Barnes, or even core-lokt for that matter.

Friends have come up to hunt Geezer Ridge with us and we ask them to bring bullets designed for deep penetration and bone breaking. We've seen some very poor results with VLDs. With all of the great hunting bullets on the market, we see no sense in bringing thin jacket bullets for moose and grizzly sized game.

Bonded core is our minimum. Barnes TTSX and Trophy Bonded Bear Claw are two of our favorites.

 

[rope]

Not a PRC but I used the 6.5 GAP (SAUM based) and shot 3 with the Barnes 127 LRX and 1 with the Lapua 139 Scenar and continue to use the 6.5 GAP. Avatar has one on the 127 LRX kills. A buddy also shoots a 6.5 GAP but shoot the Berger 140 hybrid he has no complaints. Neither one of us has 156 experience, but from what you describe, it sounds like you should give it a try.

 

[Short Track]

I'm proud to say I took a Moose with a 6.5 CM. 140g Accubond. Big tremendous cow. So old the meat was tough, and not good eating. One shot through the lungs did it.

 

[PRC_GUY]

Did you try Hammer bullets?

 

[PredatorSlayer]

Did you try Hammer bullets?

Super over rated and the owner is an ass.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Super over rated and the owner is an ass.

Whoa!

 

[thinhorn_AK]

I'm proud to say I took a Moose with a 6.5 CM. 140g Accubond. Big tremendous cow. So old the meat was tough, and not good eating. One shot through the lungs did it.

Should have just made burger with it all.

 

[UpTop]

Makes you wonder how people kill these animals with archery equipment I’d venture to say your setup is just fine.

 

[Clarson757]

Bringing this back since I’m in this exact situation. My 6.5 prc loves the Barnes 120. Stumbled into a moose hunt later this year. I have been considering buying a new rifle but I’m not sure if I really need to. I’m ringing steel at 600 yards and that’s enough range for me.

Any updates on Moose/ 6.5 prc experiences over the last few years?

 

[FranklinBluth]

Killed a bull last year with the 147 murder bullet. Shot him 4 times - didn't get any exits but the lungs were totally destroyed.

For this year, I am probably going to shoot a round along the lines of what VernAK recommended in this thread a few years back.

 

[Jimss]

Moose often live in wet country with dense willows. What happens if a bull after a shot takes off into 10 to 15’ tall jungle and it’s raining out?

If you think it’s worth risk wounding a once in a lifetime bull, try a PRC! If you want something that will put one on the ground usually in short time use at least a 30 cal and keep shooting until he’s down!

I shot a shiras at 7 and again at 15 yards this year with a 50 cal. Both were lung shots through the front lungs and he stood there like nothing happened. He went around 75 yards after the 2nd lung shot but it took a lot longer for him to die than I ever would have thought, especially after 2 double lung shots.

 

[roymunson]

I understand the smaller gun, I just shoot my 30 cal good enough that if I do happen to hit a shoulder or a rear quarter, I want it to do as much as I can.

Maybe if I'm hunting out the back of the house after work it'd be different. I don't wanna travel across the country with a gun I feel is competent if I do everything just right. JMO

My moose I ended up having the scope bumped, unbeknownst to me. I was happy for the 180 grain TTSX when it hit where it did.

 

[bigunit]

I wouldn't hesitate to use my 6.5 prc on a moose. Ive killed a few with 150s in a 308 and a 140 from a 7mm-08 and they all died fast. Quickest one i ever saw die was a good sized bull that I shot at about 150 yards with a 7mm mag with a 140 nosler etip. I shot him behind the shoulder and he just took about a half of a step and tipped over and never wiggled again. I probably wouldn't use a berger or eldm because I prefer a tougher bullet but I'm sure they'd work.