6mm /.243 hunting success on Big Game

Smallish data point here (no necropsy photos, I'm just not that guy). We've killed 3 animals so far this fall with 109 ELDM's and so far they seem to upset more violently than the 108. A few small fragments have exited, but no large exits on 2 mule deer does and one good sized pronghorn. Everything has died very quickly, at impact velocity from 2175 to 2450. 108s for me have more often than not produced exit wounds in that velocity range.
 
Smallish data point here (no necropsy photos, I'm just not that guy). We've killed 3 animals so far this fall with 109 ELDM's and so far they seem to upset more violently than the 108. A few small fragments have exited, but no large exits on 2 mule deer does and one good sized pronghorn. Everything has died very quickly, at impact velocity from 2175 to 2450. 108s for me have more often than not produced exit wounds in that velocity range.

That’s interesting.
 
6 ARC Ruger American Ranch shooting the 103 ELD-X over a max charge of Varget at 2620 fps MV. 270 yd shot right in the crease and he took 10 steps and fell over. Estimated impact velocity at 2190 fps. Golf ball sized hole entry hole and wound channel through the lungs. Jacket and core separated and the jacket was found under offside hide.IMG_3144.jpgIMG_3142.jpgIMG_3145.jpgIMG_3147.jpg
 
That’s interesting.

I thought so. It's only 3, so take it with a large grain of salt, but I was surprised. The pronghorn was slight quartering to and shot was a little forward of where I'd prefer, shattered onside shoulder ball and socket and fragments broke offside humerus in multiple places and shredded significant portions of both shoulders, so I'm not too fussed about that one (or really any of them, total distance traveled for the 3 combined was under 50 yards I think).
 
Smallish data point here (no necropsy photos, I'm just not that guy). We've killed 3 animals so far this fall with 109 ELDM's and so far they seem to upset more violently than the 108. A few small fragments have exited, but no large exits on 2 mule deer does and one good sized pronghorn. Everything has died very quickly, at impact velocity from 2175 to 2450. 108s for me have more often than not produced exit wounds in that velocity range.
I suppose that isn't too odd, the 109s have a larger hollow in them, maybe they upset more violently.

Apples/oranges but somewhat relevant since its a ELDM, I've shot a couple critters with the 7mm 162eldm, 2300+ fps impact and haven't gotten exits from those. Small sample set and everything died quickly so there is that. No experience with slower impacts on those yet.
 
Yea from what I have seen out of a family members shooting an 6 arc the 103’s are more violent than the 108’s
There wasn’t much left of a 108 on the off side hide of my bull. That said damage was pretty impressive. Part of me is thinking of using something like a 143eldx next time but that 108 worked just fine.

Grabbed a box of 108 Berger EH to try as well. I’ll hopefully zip them through some deer soon.
 
There wasn’t much left of a 108 on the off side hide of my bull. That said damage was pretty impressive. Part of me is thinking of using something like a 143eldx next time but that 108 worked just fine.

Grabbed a box of 108 Berger EH to try as well. I’ll hopefully zip them through some deer soon.
Curios why jumping to a 143 eldx, trying to decide now whether I want a tikka ctr 6.5 for an everything gun of build one of my others into a 6 dasher or 6 gt
 
Curios why jumping to a 143 eldx, trying to decide now whether I want a tikka ctr 6.5 for an everything gun of build one of my others into a 6 dasher or 6 gt

I’m a big fan of the 6.5 Creedmoor for an across the board cartridge here east of the Mississippi. I love my 6 ARC bolt action, but for most people, especially those that don’t reload…6.5 Creedmoor. The high BC of the 6.5mms are great in the wind.
 
I’m a big fan of the 6.5 Creedmoor for an across the board cartridge here east of the Mississippi. I love my 6 ARC bolt action, but for most people, especially those that don’t reload…6.5 Creedmoor. The high BC of the 6.5mms are great in the wind.
I have a 6 arc bolt and an ar and reload for a buddies bolt gun. Im a huge fan of the arcs they are awesome. Wanting to extend my reach this year for coyote derbies to pick up those 700 yard hang ups that woulda put us in the money a few times last year
 
Curios why jumping to a 143 eldx, trying to decide now whether I want a tikka ctr 6.5 for an everything gun of build one of my others into a 6 dasher or 6 gt

Honestly for a little more range for me. I could do a longer 6 creed too and get there but I am pushing what I want with the dasher for elk, mainly because it’s a much bigger target than a deer. I havnt shot a boat load of animals with 6mm, but have quite a few now with 22,6 and 6.5. As a whole it just seems as if the 6.5 flavors get a little more penetration and have a slightly larger wound. Nothing scientific.
 
There wasn’t much left of a 108 on the off side hide of my bull. That said damage was pretty impressive. Part of me is thinking of using something like a 143eldx next time but that 108 worked just fine.

Grabbed a box of 108 Berger EH to try as well. I’ll hopefully zip them through some deer soon.

Cool. Yea can’t beat the accuracy of the Bergers. I have some 108 EH loaded up ready for mule deer this fall.
 
I was able to harvest a cow elk and my boy harvested a mule deer buck with my Howa Mini in 6mm ARC.

The cow was 115 yards. One shot to the neck shoulder junction put her straight down.

Today my boy dropped a small mule deer buck with a high shoulder shot at 380 yards.

The Howa is in a stockys VG stock with a suppressor. My boy talked about watching the buck fall through the scope.

Both shots were with the 105 Midsouth Exclusive tipped bullet. I was told by a Midsouth staff member that it’s an a-max bullet.

I am very pleased with the combo.
 

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Anyone out here try the 80gr ELD-VT bullets yet? I like the idea of a slightly smaller and faster bullet in my AR platform. From my reading it should perform similarly to the ELD-X.


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