6mm /.243 hunting success on Big Game

[cornstalker]

@Taudisio, that's a Great bear! Congrats! If he was that fat in early spring, could you imagine what he looked like last September/October?

 

[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.