6mm /.243 hunting success on Big Game

[MHWASH]

I'm reading a lot of posts where animals are shot several times, part of this is because the shooter is able to stay on target, I understand this. When it comes to shooting bears, all I really care about hunting these days, They don't seem to stand around after being shot. Leading me to wonder, is the 6mm still a viable option? For reference I think my 6.5 CM and I've used the 260 Rem a bunch before I had the CM, is about perfect for my hunting needs.

 

[atmat]

I'm reading a lot of posts where animals are shot several times, part of this is because the shooter is able to stay on target, I understand this. When it comes to shooting bears, all I really care about hunting these days, They don't seem to stand around after being shot. Leading me to wonder, is the 6mm still a viable option? For reference I think my 6.5 CM and I've used the 260 Rem a bunch before I had the CM, is about perfect for my hunting needs.

People are in here killing grizz with a 223 FMJ. You’ll be fine.

 

[Ajsomp]

I'm reading a lot of posts where animals are shot several times, part of this is because the shooter is able to stay on target, I understand this. When it comes to shooting bears, all I really care about hunting these days, They don't seem to stand around after being shot. Leading me to wonder, is the 6mm still a viable option? For reference I think my 6.5 CM and I've used the 260 Rem a bunch before I had the CM, is about perfect for my hunting needs.

If you have a 6.5 and it works, unless you really want a 6mm - just shoot the 6.5. Both work, 223 works. While there is saving of recoil - it’s not as significant as coming from a magnum.

But they are a blast to shoot. And if you’re considering stepping down, 22 creedmoor is another option, especially if you only want to hunt bear.

 

[MHWASH]

If you have a 6.5 and it works, unless you really want a 6mm - just shoot the 6.5. Both work, 223 works. While there is saving of recoil - it’s not as significant as coming from a magnum.

But they are a blast to shoot. And if you’re considering stepping down, 22 creedmoor is another option, especially if you only want to hunt bear.

I have a 22-250AI that I packed last week in Idaho, but my stupid home state of Washington requires a minimum of 6mm. Plus my 22-250AI weights nearly 10#.

 

[Thegman]

I'm reading a lot of posts where animals are shot several times, part of this is because the shooter is able to stay on target, I understand this. When it comes to shooting bears, all I really care about hunting these days, They don't seem to stand around after being shot. Leading me to wonder, is the 6mm still a viable option? For reference I think my 6.5 CM and I've used the 260 Rem a bunch before I had the CM, is about perfect for my hunting needs.

You're 100% correct in that bears absolutely do not stand around after being shot, but as long as the bullet is placed through their lungs/heart, they're no more difficult to kill than a deer. Miss the heart/lungs though, all bets are off.


A 6mm will work great, just like @Taudisio s just did, but unless you want to change rifles for some reason, your 6.5s are probably as close to perfect as anything else.

 

[ianpadron]

I'm reading a lot of posts where animals are shot several times, part of this is because the shooter is able to stay on target, I understand this. When it comes to shooting bears, all I really care about hunting these days, They don't seem to stand around after being shot. Leading me to wonder, is the 6mm still a viable option? For reference I think my 6.5 CM and I've used the 260 Rem a bunch before I had the CM, is about perfect for my hunting needs.

The most damage I've ever seen on a bear was courtesy of a 143 ELDX at 300 yards. The bear still ran almost 200 yards full speed into the timber with a softball sized hole coming out his chest.

If you want a DRT bear you need to aim high shoulder and get some spine

 

[Norcal18]

The most damage I've ever seen on a bear was courtesy of a 143 ELDX at 300 yards. The bear still ran almost 200 yards full speed into the timber with a softball sized hole coming out his chest.

If you want a DRT bear you need to aim high shoulder and get some spine

Just curious was that with a CM or PRC?

 

[ianpadron]

Just curious was that with a CM or PRC?

CM

 

[Thegman]

The most damage I've ever seen on a bear was courtesy of a 143 ELDX at 300 yards. The bear still ran almost 200 yards full speed into the timber with a softball sized hole coming out his chest.

If you want a DRT bear you need to aim high shoulder and get some spine

Bears are gonna be bears...

I'd still take the lung/heart shot and some tracking as opposed to a CNS shot (have done both). Mostly because if you happen to miss the spine, and don't take out heart/lungs, you may not ever see that bear again (done that too...).

 

[ianpadron]

Bears are gonna be bears...

I'd still take the lung/heart shot and some tracking as opposed to a CNS shot (have done both). Mostly because if you happen to miss the spine, and don't take out heart/lungs, you may not ever see that bear again (done that too...).

Totally. In my experience they've certainly been the most unpredictable when hit, some will act like coyotes and spin around in one place like they got stung by a bee, some of em run like a race horse, some fold like a lawn chair...

I just hate losing sight of them into the timber, so I like them dead on the spot when possible.

 

[MHWASH]

We’ve had several bang flops with the ELDx & M with the 270, 7-08 and CM. None were CNS.

 

[wilkup]

Has anyone tried the 80gr ELDVT on anything deer size?

 

[Taudisio]

Totally. In my experience they've certainly been the most unpredictable when hit, some will act like coyotes and spin around in one place like they got stung by a bee, some of em run like a race horse, some fold like a lawn chair...

I just hate losing sight of them into the timber, so I like them dead on the spot when possible.

Last weeks bear snapped at his side and took off uphill after the shot. I got to watch him go down right before the tree line after his 30 yard dash.

 

[Gettincloser]

Last weeks bear snapped at his side and took off uphill after the shot. I got to watch him go down right before the tree line after his 30 yard dash.View attachment 868412View attachment 868413

What was the impact velocity and how did it look on the inside?

I would assume it had slowed a bit with a 500 yd shot. Do you think it would still penetrant at sub 100 yards? I have zero experience with that bullet personally is why I ask. I thought about it for the 22 ARC but went with the heavier 88gr ELD M instead.

 

[nuffgun]

What was the impact velocity and how did it look on the inside?

I would assume it had slowed a bit with a 500 yd shot. Do you think it would still penetrant at sub 100 yards? I have zero experience with that bullet personally is why I ask. I thought about it for the 22 ARC but went with the heavier 88gr ELD M instead.

All that you ask is stated on the previous page. It seems that you might want to start on page one and read the whole thread through. A lot of kills with eld-m bullets at sub 100 yards….zero issues.

 

[Gettincloser]

All that you ask is stated on the previous page. It seems that you might want to start on page one and read the whole thread through. A lot of kills with eld-m bullets at sub 100 yards….zero issues.

I have read, and our family used the 223 and TMK on 8 animals this year. I was specifically referring to the 6mm and the ELD VT as it is not heavy for caliber and flying faster than my short barreled 223. I am not arguing with it. I am genuinely curious how the "lighter" for caliber bullets do? Especially at closer ranges. I have spots i can shoot slightly over 400 yards but all of our animals last year were under 100 yes. Higher velocities can do goofy things. Not disputing, just learning and inquiring on a fast, light c
"Varmint" bullet at close ranges.

 

[nuffgun]

taudisio killed his bear with a 109 eld-m. I’m telling ya man.. flip back a page and it will all make sense

 

[atmat]

taudisio killed his bear with a 109 eld-m. I’m telling ya man.. flip back a page and it will all make sense

The ELD-X/M are heavy-for-caliber.

He’s asking about the ELD-VT, which isn’t.

 

[nuffgun]

He thinks taudisio killed his bear with a eld vt. In which on the previous page of this thread on taudisio’s original post he clearly states he killed it with a 109 eldm, he also gives the impact velocity of the 109 eldm and states what it did to the lungs of the said bear. Both of you need to flip back a page and read very slowly and methodically up to this point.

 

[Taudisio]

I have read, and our family used the 223 and TMK on 8 animals this year. I was specifically referring to the 6mm and the ELD VT as it is not heavy for caliber and flying faster than my short barreled 223. I am not arguing with it. I am genuinely curious how the "lighter" for caliber bullets do? Especially at closer ranges. I have spots i can shoot slightly over 400 yards but all of our animals last year were under 100 yes. Higher velocities can do goofy things. Not disputing, just learning and inquiring on a fast, light c
"Varmint" bullet at close ranges.

I have NOT seen, touched, or shot the eldvt. I shot two bucks last year, and my rifle was used for a 3rd, with an 87gr VMAX out of a 6x45. My muzzle velocity is 2680ish. All three deer died and were recovered immediately. I would assume the eldvt would do fine/great on big game if you kept your impact velocity low. Looking at the cutaway, the front half of the bullet is just copper jacket. The vt g1 is .410 vs .400 for the vmax. With the hollow front, it would appear that it may be more “splashy” than the lead filled vmax.