Best overall rifle for guys over 70

[Thatlabguy]

I’m 72 and did a Wyoming mule deer hunt with a 6.5 creedmoor with 140grain ammo. I am not happy with this caliber. I knocked the deer down but lost him in an aspen thicket. I’m trying to decide whether to go back to my 30-06. I’m also researching 7mm prc so I can use it for deer and elk. I just didn’t find the creedmoor to have the killing power necessary. My guide said he had two other clients that lost animals using the creedmoor. Any suggestions would be appreciated!

 

[Brandon.miller.4]

Cartridges have little effect on the terminal end of things, they just determine the starting point. Where was the deer hit? Was the hit confirmed? What bullet? Impact velocity? Etc.

A 6.5mm bullet doesnt know if it was shot from a grendel, creedmoor, prc, or 300 weatherby case, and will behave similarly out of each, given that its impact velocity is the same.

 

[TN2shot07]

I’d be tempted to give the creedmoor another chance with a different bullet.

Sierra tipped game king, federal terminal ascent, or a partition would be my choice. Whatever the rifle liked

 

[hiker270]

6.5 Creedmoor should be enough for deer although it would not be my choice for elk. The good old 270 has been around since 1925 and killed plenty of deer. The new boys on the block the 6.5 PRC and th 7PRC would certainly be great cartridges for both deer and elk. Although as you stated your 30-06 will kill anything in North America.

 

[DLSJR]

I’m not a fan of the 6.5 Needmore, though I do think some 6.5’s make great deer cartridges and are OK for elk at moderate distances. I shoot a .264 Win Mag as my light rifle and it’s a great cartridge for deer sized game. The only difference compared to the Needmore is about 400 fps in favor of the .264. I shoot a 127 grain Barnes LRX at 3,220 fps and we’ve shot deer, antelope, desert sheep and several Roosevelt elk with that bullet and all were killed efficiently.

Why do you want a different rifle than your 30-06? It’s as good a caliber for deer as anything else and it’s better than many. If you want better than a Needmore but less than an ‘06, get a 270 Winchester. It’s a fantastic cartridge for most North American game. I’ve killed deer, elk, antelope, dall sheep, Alaska moose and African game up to Zebra with 150 grain bullets in the 270 and it worked great on all.

Unless you just want a new rifle and caliber, you’ve already got a great one.

 

[wapitibob]

I've seen 2 rodeo's with a 6.5 and 140 Bergers. The bullet has been the issue.

 

[Brandon.miller.4]

I've seen 2 rodeo's with a 6.5 and 140 Bergers. The bullet has been the issue.

Which berger?

 

[Matt5266]

.223 with a Sierra 77 TMK

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

Why should they change from what they have been shooting for years.? I still shoot my .300 Wby for elk & larger animals and my 25-06 for deer and antelope.

I shoot 117 gr bt Sierra 's in my 25-06 and have for 50 years for deer and antelope. I have not had to use more than one shot on deer, except for 2 or 3 that I didn't do my part. Shot placement is the most important thing IMHO!

 

[wapitibob]

Which berger?

140 hunting vld

rodeo number 2, 1st shot


30 minutes and a 1/2 mile later, 3rd shot thru his adams apple at 15 yards finished the job.

 

[Thatlabguy]

Cartridges have little effect on the terminal end of things, they just determine the starting point. Where was the deer hit? Was the hit confirmed? What bullet? Impact velocity? Etc.

A 6.5mm bullet doesnt know if it was shot from a grendel, creedmoor, prc, or 300 weatherby case, and will behave similarly out of each, given that its impact velocity is the same.

The shot was behind left shoulder with 140grain hornady eld-m. Confirmed hit but it was a 300lb buck. Knocked him down but with only about 20’ to cover we couldn’t find him. Shot was 335yds over solid rest. Not my choice on ammo but my 140 grain accubond came too late for me to use. My fault on that

 

[Brandon.miller.4]

140 hunting vld

rodeo number 2, 1st shot
View attachment 992182

30 minutes and a 1/2 mile later, 3rd shot thru his adams apple at 15 yards finished the job.

Assuming the bullet wasn't recovered?

 

[Brandon.miller.4]

The shot was behind left shoulder with 140grain hornady eld-m. Confirmed hit but it was a 300lb buck. Knocked him down but with only about 20’ to cover we couldn’t find him. Shot was 335yds over solid rest. Not my choice on ammo but my 140 grain accubond came too late for me to use. My fault on that

Interesting. Ive seen and used the 140 eldm alot and it consistently produces large wound channels. Much larger than my 200 grain accubonds i used to use.

 

[wapitibob]

Assuming the bullet wasn't recovered?

no

 

[Brandon.miller.4]

no

Wonder if it was the case of a plugged tip.

 

[wapitibob]

Wonder if it was the case of a plugged tip.

We're thinking so. Rodeo number 1 was 2 shots, 1st at maybe 70 yards, 2nd at 10 feet, both penciled thru. He uniformed the meplat after the 1st issue but I don't know for sure if he used those on this last hunt. He's switching to ELD's.
I've had great results from 180 hvlds, and 195's EOL's but I have a lot more horsepower behind them.

 

[stevevan]

I crossed the "70" threshold too. I found the 7-08 to be the sweet spot for manageable recoil/great bullets etc. I too have 2 6.5 CM rifles and I prefer the 7-08 by a wide margin.

 

[Thatlabguy]

I’m not a fan of the 6.5 Needmore, though I do think some 6.5’s make great deer cartridges and are OK for elk at moderate distances. I shoot a .264 Win Mag as my light rifle and it’s a great cartridge for deer sized game. The only difference compared to the Needmore is about 400 fps in favor of the .264. I shoot a 127 grain Barnes LRX at 3,220 fps and we’ve shot deer, antelope, desert sheep and several Roosevelt elk with that bullet and all were killed efficiently.

Why do you want a different rifle than your 30-06? It’s as good a caliber for deer as anything else and it’s better than many. If you want better than a Needmore but less than an ‘06, get a 270 Winchester. It’s a fantastic cartridge for most North American game. I’ve killed deer, elk, antelope, dall sheep, Alaska moose and African game up to Zebra with 150 grain bullets in the 270 and it worked great on all.

Unless you just want a new rifle and caliber, you’ve already got a great one.

I got the 6.5 because I’ve had two neck surgeries and needed something with less recoil. Now I’m regretting that decision. My hunt was a once in a lifetime guided hunt. I’m wishing I had stayed with my 30-06. I’ve taken about 60 deer with it but was afraid my neck wouldn’t handle it

 

[eaglemountainman]

I'm 69, and my favorite overall rifle, right now, is a 7-08 Montana. I'm fairly certain that when I turn 72, nothing will have changed.

 

[Pony Soldier]

I'm still shooting a 7RM BAR at 75. A high grade model shaves some pounds off. The BAR cuts the recoil and its quieter. I like 175 gr bullets. They make up for my mistakes in shooting.