6.5cm for elk bullet selection

[louisianahunter]

Looking for recs on 6.5cm factory ammo for elk. Gun is 22in barrel, 1:8 twist. My wife hopes to draw a cow tag in CO and I plan to draw a cow tag in WY. I've seen and heard a lot about using small calibers for elk. Issue is I used to shoot the ELDx and it was very accurate, have taken 2 cows and a mule deer with it. But the last few boxes I've had just don't seem to be as accurate and the chrono fps would agree. Anticipate range 300yrds for my wife, 500 for me depending on how much practice I can squeeze in by then.
Sorry I feel like this is beating a dead horse with the number of posts I've seen on this topic but there are so many options and opinions. Hoping to get 5 factory loads and pick whichever shoots the best. Additionally a trend I've seen is lighter bullets around 130grain shoots better than heavier out of my gun.

Appreciate thoughts!

 

[HairyScandinavian]

For factory ammo I've killed a couple cows with 147 M's and they worked very well, nothing went more than about 35-40 yards. It's hard to find a CM they don't shoot well out of.

I have no experience on animals with them but if you want lighter you may try the 129gr SST's, factory Superformance shot 2800+ fps from my old 18" and shot well.

 

[fmyth]

My Tikka 6.5c with 18" barrel has killed 7 elk and 6 mule deer with 143eldx's. All shots between 300-400 yards. Before I bought the 6.5C I killed 3 elk with 178 eldm's out of my .300WM. My 6.5C is now my primary elk/deer hunting rifle.

 

[louisianahunter]

For factory ammo I've killed a couple cows with 147 M's and they worked very well, nothing went more than about 35-40 yards. It's hard to find a CM they don't shoot well out of.

I have no experience on animals with them but if you want lighter you may try the 129gr SST's, factory Superformance shot 2800+ fps from my old 18" and shot well.

Yeah those are both I've seen recommended. Issue I worry about is Hornady consistency. I used to have great accuracy with the ELDx factory loads now I don't.

 

[NWBLKTAIL]

Have you only shot the Hornady factory 143eldx? If so maybe buy a box of the federal loaded 143 Eldx see if your gun likes their load. You seem to already have a good experience with the bullet.

I’d have a hard time assuming I’m getting much consistency lot to lot with Hornady, having seen this with bullets and factory ammo I’ve bought. However when’s it good, it’s real good.

 

[huntnful]

Berger Ammunition: 6.5 mm Creedmoor 140 Grain, LRP Hybrid Target, 20/Box

65-31011: This Berger 6.5 Creedmoor ammo is a hybrid design that has a high BC for its weight and caliber, making it a top-selling bullet for a reason.

www.milehighshooting.com

 

[louisianahunter]

Have you only shot the Hornady factory 143eldx? If so maybe buy a box of the federal loaded 143 Eldx see if your gun likes their load. You seem to already have a good experience with the bullet.

I’d have a hard time assuming I’m getting much consistency lot to lot with Hornady, having seem this with bullets and factory and I’ve bought. However when’s it good, it’s real good.

That's a good point I'll add that to the list to try a box!

 

[HairyScandinavian]

Yeah those are both I've seen recommended. Issue I worry about is Hornady consistency. I used to have great accuracy with the ELDx factory loads now I don't.

The key is when you find a box that shoots well you buy 10 boxes of that same lot to last a while. IMO that goes for any factory ammo Hornady or otherwise. If you shoot a lot then buy more.

 

[louisianahunter]

The key is when you find a box that shoots well you buy 10 boxes of that same lot to last a while. IMO that goes for any factory ammo Hornady or otherwise. If you shoot a lot then buy more.

Yeah thats what I've tried to do but ammo selection around me is pretty limited. I can find ELDx and corelokt. Anything more niche than that I have to order.

 

[30338]

Berger Bullets 31031 Classic Hunter Hybrid Boat Tail 135 Grain 6.5mm Creedmoor

Best place to buy Berger Bullets 31031 Classic Hunter Hybrid Boat Tail 135 Grain 6.5mm Creedmoor. Cheap bulk 6.5 Creedmoor ammo for sale.

fastammo.com

This stuff shot very well in our's. I'd happily use it on elk.

 

[Meanderthal]

The key is when you find a box that shoots well you buy 10 boxes of that same lot to last a while. IMO that goes for any factory ammo Hornady or otherwise. If you shoot a lot then buy more.

This seems like mostly a Hornady problem to me. I shot Federal Premium with the 160 grain Nosler Partitions out of a 7mm Rem Mag for like 20 years and didn't see much if any change over that time. The Fusion stuff has been consistent for me too.

 

[NWBLKTAIL]

This seems like mostly a Hornady problem to me. I shot Federal Premium with the 160 grain Nosler Partitions out of a 7mm Rem Mag for like 20 years and didn't see much if any change over that time. The Fusion stuff has been consistent for me too.

I think we agree with you, and what we are trying to allude to with some of our suggestions

 

[louisianahunter]

I think we agree with you, and what we are trying to allude to with some of our suggestions

Exactly. I shot 4 different ammos the other day and Hornady had by far the biggest standard deviation on fps.

Also not sure if anyone has opinions on the sig elite hunter 130 but it shot the best by far. Has the Sierra TGK bullet from what I can tell.

 

[6mm Remington]

130 gr. Nosler Accubond would be a great bullet out of the 6.5 Creedmoor. A 120 gr. Nosler E-tip would also be a great pick for elk, deer, antelope. I would have no problem using it on elk. My son shot his first cow elk with a 6mm Remington and one 90 gr. Nosler E-tip. He shot her broadside at 350 yards tight behind the right shoulder. The bullet mushroomed nicely, from the damage it created, and exited the offside shoulder right in the middle of it. She staggered about 20 yards and dropped. The Accubonds are great for about anything you would want to hunt also. Best of Luck.

 

[43.6N]

Exactly. I shot 4 different ammos the other day and Hornady had by far the biggest standard deviation on fps.

Also not sure if anyone has opinions on the sig elite hunter 130 but it shot the best by far. Has the Sierra TGK bullet from what I can tell.

Yes lots of experience with the yellow box sig. The green tipped Sig stuff was incredibly accurate out of 3 different 6.5 creed tikkas.
It’s the 130gr TGK, and will kill fine at the ranges you and your wife are hunting. It’s on sale near me at about $1/round

Back to the 143 ELDX, Since the Hornady ammo is acting funny, you might try the federal loaded version:

Buy ELD-X 6.5 Creedmoor Ammo | 143 Grain, 2700 FPS | Federal

Shopping for the ELD-X, 6.5 Creedmoor, 143 Grain, ELD-X, 2700 fps - Learn more about the latest ELD-X and other hunting or shooting gear at Federal Ammunition.

www.federalpremium.com

 

[NWBLKTAIL]

Also not sure if anyone has opinions on the sig elite hunter 130 but it shot the best by far. Has the Sierra TGK bullet from what I can tell.

I have not shot the sig ammo, but the Sierra and it was accurate.

Have also loaded that bullet for Swede and Creedmoor and seems to be forgiving in Accuracy from what I tested. Just as good as the TMK for me in terms of accuracy.