6mm /.243 hunting success on Big Game

[omicron1792]

Maybe someone will make a factory option soon. I’ll probably use the 77 tmk this year while I start sourcing parts to switch to the 6 ARC.

I’ve used 77TMK a ton on bama deer. Been very impressed.

 

[AlabamaMountainMan]

I am definitely excited to try them out this year before I switch to the 6 arc. If I was not going to be traveling out-of-state I would likely just stick with the .223 and use the 77 tmk. I’m just at a point where I want more adventure in my hunting so I’m working on getting gear set up to spend a week or so each year hunting out-of-state. I figure the 6mm will help me with any state caliber restrictions out there and give me extra yardage and wind resistance.

 

[Gynaroo]

That is very disheartening to hear. I may have to re-evaluate and look at a .243 win or 6.5 creedmoor. I wanted to use the gas gun I already had and have low recoil + ambi controls & modularity. But, if I cannot run the AR, idk that I want the bolt action options available for the 6mm ARC or 6mm Creedmoor. Guess I may be back to the drawing boards yet again.

I’m reloading .243 using 103 eld-x. I easily get 2802 fps at muzzle verified by LabRadar. My 6 arc gas gun would get 2500. I sold it and built a 6 arc bolt gun. Hopeful for 2700 or more using the same eldx. We will see.

 

[AlabamaMountainMan]

I’m reloading .243 using 103 eld-x. I easily get 2802 fps at muzzle verified by LabRadar. My 6 arc gas gun would get 2500. I sold it and built a 6 arc bolt gun. Hopeful for 2700 or more using the same eldx. We will see.

My understanding is the gas gun limits how far you can push the 6 arc load. I am sure you could get a lot more performance in a bolt gun. I’ve been tempted to get the Howa mini, but I am pretty partial to the AR-15 for the ergonomics.

 

[omicron1792]

I am definitely excited to try them out this year before I switch to the 6 arc. If I was not going to be traveling out-of-state I would likely just stick with the .223 and use the 77 tmk. I’m just at a point where I want more adventure in my hunting so I’m working on getting gear set up to spend a week or so each year hunting out-of-state. I figure the 6mm will help me with any state caliber restrictions out there and give me extra yardage and wind resistance.

How many states have that 6mm restriction? Not many I think.

 

[SkunkCabbage]

Ok for the life of me where the heck is the 6.5mm kill thread I found 223 and this one

 

[PaPete90]

6.5 Creedmoor/260 for Deer, Elk, and whatever else.....

6.5 Creedmoor/260 for Deer, Elk, and whatever else.....

Seeing that the 223 thread is such a success, I thought maybe I would start one for the Creedmoor/260. Seems like people are asking a lot about using them and various bullets, especially for elk. I've used mine for the last few years almost exclusively. I have some pics of bullet damage, albeit...

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[Gynaroo]

My understanding is the gas gun limits how far you can push the 6 arc load. I am sure you could get a lot more performance in a bolt gun. I’ve been tempted to get the Howa mini, but I am pretty partial to the AR-15 for the ergonomics.

You are correct. When you look at hornady reloading data they have bolt gun vs gas gun data. When they do factory loadings they have to be careful to not have a load that would be great in a bolt gun but could risk the gas gun having problems.

 

[Gynaroo]

How many states have that 6mm restriction? Not many I think.

Wyoming does for Elk and trophy game species. Deer and Antelope can be 223 or similar center fire

 

[DisplacedHusky]

.243 in WA for big game. .22 for deer and .243 for elk in Oregon.

 

[AlabamaMountainMan]

How many states have that 6mm restriction? Not many I think.

Couldn’t tell you each state, but I saw it mentioned on enough threads I figured I would just avoid it all together. I’d hate to be ready to get a tag and then have to pause and buy a new rifle.

 

[Hurley88]

Couldn’t tell you each state, but I saw it mentioned on enough threads I figured I would just avoid it all together. I’d hate to be ready to get a tag and then have to pause and buy a new rifle.

I agree. I read through all the regs in the places & for the species I hunt, it was going to be an issue for me so I did the same & went 6ARC. Haven’t ever had a 223 for hunting bc it wouldn’t see much use.

Heck I think in one place I was planning to go there was a .25 caliber restriction but I can’t remember where. I have bigger stuff for that. But “minimum 24-caliber centerfire rifle” comes up more often than I would’ve originally thought.

 

[AlabamaMountainMan]

I agree. I read through all the regs in the places & for the species I hunt, it was going to be an issue for me so I did the same & went 6ARC. Haven’t ever had a 223 for hunting bc it wouldn’t see much use.

Heck I think in one place I was planning to go there was a .25 caliber restriction but I can’t remember where. I have bigger stuff for that. But “minimum 24-caliber centerfire rifle” comes up more often than I would’ve originally thought.

It was only this past year that I learned about restrictions in general. Found out some states won’t allowed mechanical broadheads for bow hunting. Some states restrict bullets down to only copper. Caliber restriction, etc.

I keep teetering the line of just going bow only and running fixed blades so I don't have to worry about this stuff anymore. If I didn't enjoy shooting so much, and have a family who wants to hunt but does not shoot a bow, I probably would.

 

[Poe]

115gr DTAC Nose Ring, 2,383fps

Entrance mid ribs-
View attachment 476522

Exit-
View attachment 476528


Lung tissue removed to see wound-
View attachment 476527


Under the fascia and muscle-
View attachment 476529

I am building a 6creed for a new hunting rifle and I am trying to decide on bullet options. The nose ring d tacs I have never found in Canada so they really aren’t much of an option. In the .223 thread you mentioned that the HPBT match options have a tendency to be fairly inconsistent. Does that seem to be the same in the 6mm options and should I just run the ELDM’s like I do in my .223?

 

[The Guide]

I am building a 6creed for a new hunting rifle and I am trying to decide on bullet options. The nose ring d tacs I have never found in Canada so they really aren’t much of an option. In the .223 thread you mentioned that the HPBT match options have a tendency to be fairly inconsistent. Does that seem to be the same in the 6mm options and should I just run the ELDM’s like I do in my .223?

Nose ring DTAC bullets come from one place and one place only, David Tubbs or his website. These are custom made bullets from Sierra that he has made to his design criteria. For the 6CM, you would be best served with the 108 or 109 ELDM instead of chasing bullets you may or may not have available to you as a Canadian.

Jay

 

[Formidilosus]

I am building a 6creed for a new hunting rifle and I am trying to decide on bullet options. The nose ring d tacs I have never found in Canada so they really aren’t much of an option. In the .223 thread you mentioned that the HPBT match options have a tendency to be fairly inconsistent. Does that seem to be the same in the 6mm options and should I just run the ELDM’s like I do in my .223?

108gr ELD-M and 103gr ELD-X are good. So too, the 105gr Hornady HPBT.

 

[Poe]

Nose ring DTAC bullets come from one place and one place only, David Tubbs or his website. These are custom made bullets from Sierra that he has made to his design criteria. For the 6CM, you would be best served with the 108 or 109 ELDM instead of chasing bullets you may or may not have available to you as a Canadian.

Jay

I agree. That’s why I was wondering if I would be better off with the ELD’s or trying the HPBT’s

 

[solarshooter]

Got an opportunity to test my 6CM on an elk damage control tag. Shooting the Berger 108gr Elite Hunter at 2760fps out of this gun. Found the herd at 150yds, ended up shooting a cow frontal at 130-150yds, impact velocity ~2540fps. She ran <100yds and piled up dead against a tree within 5mins (I don't know exact time to death, but I found her dead within 5 mins). Hit just to the right of center of chest, and slightly angled away:


Entry and first couple inches through hide and outer neck meat/front of right quarter meat was small diameter. Massive bloodshoot and bleeding in neck on right side, lots of meat lost in this area, basically turned to jelly:


Then the bullet hit ribs/sternum/front of right shoulder bone and blew a fist sized hole through all that:


At this point I think the bullet deflected off the bone and went laterally across the body cavity - I found it just under the hide immediately in front of the left shoulder:


It looked like a classic "magazine mushroom", which I really wasn't expecting:



52.7/108 = 49% weight retention:


Overall I'm very happy with how the bullet and the overall rifle system performed. I'm a little surprised by how much the bullet deflected, but it clearly hit enough major arteries on it's path to cause massive lethal bleeding, maybe also took out the airways and caused suffocation. There wasn't much visible blood or trauma in the main body cavity, lungs were mostly intact and not bloody. I'm guessing she bled out mostly into her neck area judging by how much blood/bloodshot was accumulated there, I didn't find much of a blood trail but that doesn't mean there wasn't one.

 

[solarshooter]

More takeaways from this experience:

• The light recoiling suppressed rifle was exceedingly comfortable and easy to shoot even with nerves/stress. I felt in control the whole time through the shot.
• I was set to 6x on my Tenmile and it allowed me to aim confidently but maintain situational awareness and watch my hit and the elk's response. I knew exactly which direction she ran and basically walked straight to her.
• I shot seated supported on my pack, just like I practice with Form's drill. My hit was within an inch or two of aim point worst case, which I am happy with. I was better able to get above grass and ground cover than another person with me, who had a bipod but had to find a stump to set up on kneeling, which both alerted the elk more and caused a less accurate shot (see next).
• Guy I was hunting with also shot a cow within a few seconds of me shooting with a Browning X-Bolt in 7PRC, suppressed with a Scythe, shooting Nosler 175gr ABLRs. It was quartering away, he hit 4-6" behind the last rib and bullet was caught under offside hide a few inches behind the front quarter. We found his elk 20' from mine still upright 5mins after the shot. He hit some guts and maybe the liver, but we are lucky his elk stopped running and sat down right next to mine - she likely could have lived for hours with the wound from the first shot.

 

[ScreamingPotato]

Thanks for the detailed report. Hard to argue with an animal on the ground but that deflection concerns me a little bit.