Antelope Load Work Up

[Kmcampbe]

I’m planning on a WY Antelope hunt in a couple of years and while I’m acquiring points want to start working up a load for my 6.5 creedmoor. What do you all recommend in terms of bullet weight and design, I was thinking of using something in the 120 gn realm but realized it would be worth a ask before I got myself headed the wrong way.

Thanks
KC

 

[EdP]

Pronghorn are not hard to kill. Find a hunting bullet that shoots good in your rifle and go with it. I like Sierra GKs and Nosler ABs but there are a lot of other good choices. I have used 100 gr GKs from a 6mm Rem. Also both 130gr GKs and 140 ABs from a .270. I had planned to use 117GKs from a .25-06 this year but didn't get the rifle shooting as I wanted in time. Your selection of a 120gr bullet in 6.5 sounds just right to me. I'm sure there are others on here with 6.5s that can chime in.

You might find a bit of relevant info here: https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/6-5-creedmoor-260-for-deer-elk-and-whatever-else.244973/

 

[WormSportsman]

I’ve shot my last few antelope with a 6.5 creedmoor shooting a 142gr accubond lr and 115gr ballistic tip out of a .25-06. 120gr would be just fine if it shoots well out of your rifle.

 

[Caseknife]

100TTSX at about 3200 would work great.

 

[TaperPin]

Antelope are smallish, thin, and easy to kill. Anything you put into the lungs will work. If you have a favorite deer load it will work well and that’s always been my choice, but many friends load all sorts of things and they don’t bounce off.

Because of their small size it’s quite easy to bloodshot an entire shoulder if using a fragmenting bullet, so watch shot angle.

 

[glock233]

147grn ELDM works just fine.


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[SCHUNTER73]

While it’s definitely fun to research and work up a new load, don’t overthink it. I think shooting practice for different positions may be more critical. Practice shooting prone, sitting, etc.

 

[Kmcampbe]

While it’s definitely fun to research and work up a new load, don’t overthink it. I think shooting practice for different positions may be more critical. Practice shooting prone, sitting, etc.

Yes shooting accurately from multiple positions is on the list of prep work to do.

 

[Caseknife]

Sitting with shooting sticks or trekking poles is very beneficial for antelope.

 

[Quandary]

I ran a 140 Elite Hunter at 2,990 out of my 6.5PRC this year. I say a because I only fired one bullet.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

I have used a 25-06 for 60 years with my own loads. I use a Sierra 117 gr boat tail for both deer and antelope. I have never needed to change.

 

[Screamin96]

I wouldn’t switch anything if you already have a load for the rifle, nothing specific needed for speed goats. If you don’t have anything worked up at all look at the 140 Berger’s, 143 eldx, 147 eldm

 

[CJ_BG]

I'd be shooting a 130 TMK over probably h4350 but I don't mind what others would call excessive meat loss

 

[North61]

130 Berger VLD's out of my Creedmoor with H4350 shoot better than anything else I have tried, Not just in that gun but I am getting the best groups out of it than anything else I have tried in 50 years of shooting and reloading. Uncanny, but keep away from shoulders.

 

[HairyScandinavian]

Everybody covered how easy they are to kill, think less about killing and more about shooting well in high winds over distance. Seems to always be windy where they are. Good high BC with some velocity that kills well enough.

 

[2Stamp]

... more about shooting well in high winds over distance. Seems to always be windy where they are. Good high BC with some velocity that kills well enough.

Truth! Those tiny legs are bullet magnets, and a goat on 2-3 good legs can go a surprisingly long way.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

Truth! Those tiny legs are bullet magnets, and a goat on 2-3 good legs can go a surprisingly long way.

.................and fast too!