6.5x284 vs 28 Nosler for Elk

[big10hunter]

Anyone have any real experiences with either of these calibers for Elk out to 700 yards? Looking at 140s in the 6 and 180-195s in the 28. Please no suggestions on other calibers, these are what I have it narrowed down to (dont need to hear about the 30 cals, thx).

 

[Kotaman]

I would think the 28 would be a much better choice in your scenario. I killed two elk this year with the 28 with a Barnes 168 lrx...perfect performance.

 

[RosinBag]

If 700 is the max, either would do the job well. If you think you may stretch hat out to a 1000, there is not much out there that is better than the 28.

 

[Ryan Avery]

IMO you're asking an awful lot out of a 140-grain bullet at 700 yards. I would go with the 28. I shot two elk and watch four more get shot with a 28 this year. That said I'm going back to the 300 RUM for elk.

462 yards with 180 Bergers.

My sons bull. 180 Bergers 750 yards

900 yards 195 Bergers had to shoot this cow several times and I still can’t figure out why. She had no lungs after the first shot. But she stayed on her feet for at least three more minutes.

 

[Elkfitness]

IMO you're asking an awful lot out of a 140-grain bullet at 700 yards. I would go with the 28. I shot two elk and watch four more get shot with a 28 this year. That said I'm going back to the 300 RUM for elk.

462 yards with 180 Bergers.

My sons bull. 180 Bergers 750 yards

900 yards 195 Bergers had to shoot this cow several times and I still can’t figure out why. She had no lungs after the first shot. But she stayed on her feet for at least three more minutes.

Ryan (sorry to derail the thread!)

I had the same thing with one of my shots this year. Here is a quick video of the final minute of a bull i took after running to get set. I was set up off my backpack laying on ground., I was working to just get both lungs and save the shoulders. This shot broke a backside rib. I chambered a round right after the first shot and was ready to shoot, but didn't want to ruin any meat. So, I sat and was ready to shoot if he looked like he was going to move. He stood right there for a few minutes, took his last crap standing right there, and laid down. Lungs were gone, and cavity full of blood, but hardly any blood on the ground. Was shooting a 300 win mag with 168g ttsx (which penciled as usual.....) Range was 225yds I think.

2017 Colorado elk hunt - shot sequence - YouTube

 

[Idaho Lefty]

Anyone have any real experiences with either of these calibers for Elk out to 700 yards? Looking at 140s in the 6 and 180-195s in the 28. Please no suggestions on other calibers, these are what I have it narrowed down to (dont need to hear about the 30 cals, thx).

If, you shoot it well and like to carry the 6.5-284, try the 140 Nosler Accubonds or, Hornady Interbonds as, they expand well and usually penetrate deep enough, to give, 2 "Holes" ! It should be no problem to sneak up, on an Elk, to 600-700 yards, IMO ! Most Elk, in the West, are actually shot, closer, anyway. Plug your BC, Bullet weight, elevation of Hunt area and Load Velocity into the Berger Ballistic Data, to see what, the Foot Pounds of Energy remaining are, at those distances, The 140 Accubond in my .270 WSM at 3,150 FPS gets me about, that far, too. Good Luck with, YOUR "choice" of Caliber / Bullet and be sure to practice, all the "Field positions", necessary to make a clean Kill !

 

[Idaho Lefty]

A hit in the Lungs with, a .243 is FAR better than,... a "Gut shot" with, a .300 or, 338 Mag !
ACCURACY, is,.. PARAMOUNT !

 

[Ryan Avery]

But, I rather shoot them in the lungs with a 28 or bigger than a 243 at 700 yards. Especially on elk.


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[Idaho Lefty]

But, I rather shoot them in the lungs with a 28 or bigger than a 243 at 700 yards. Especially on elk.


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TRUE,.. and, I'm NOT, advocating the use of, a .243 on Elk, at extreme distance, but a 6.5-284 with a 140 grain, BONDED Bullet,.. "should", do it fairly well, to 600- 700 yards ! What Gun, does the OP shoot,.."better" ? I personally, LIKE,.. 7-7.5 pound Guns, to carry and they are quick to "point" if, I "jump" one while walking. "Doping" Wind, is VERY important and a LOT of Hunters do NOT take, the Wind, seriously !

 

[Ryan Avery]

Big10hunter, you’re going to get lots of options from us. But I would pick the biggest rifle that you can shoot accurately with and then practice in as many different conditions as possible because chances are you won’t miss because of the elevation dialed, you will miss because of a bad wind call.


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[Ryan Avery]

Idaho Lefty, haha we posted at the same time above.

I agree, wind is always the biggest enemy of any LR shot.


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[Idaho Lefty]

Idaho Lefty, haha we posted at the same time above.

I agree, wind is always the biggest enemy of any LR shot.


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After further review of, the 6.5-284 caliber,.. as, I was NOT that, familiar with, the "spec's" of it, the 6.5-284 is probably at best, a 500- 600 Max. yardage, Rifle on Elk with, the 140 at, 2,850ish velocity. Again, JMVHO as, there may be "better" loads that, I'm unaware of. As you know, "Real World" Hunting "position", practice shooting and wind doping is of UTMOST importance !
YOU are RIGHT, the .28 Nosler would be the better choice IF,.. not too heavy to carry ! OR,.. the OP, needs to,.. GET CLOSER !