Favorite 6.5 PRC bullet for elk?

[justin davis]

The girlfriend got a 6.5prc this year and she’s using eld. They group really well.

Shot any elk with them?

 

[mtnbound]

ELD-M or X, if you are worried about close range over expansion issues (not really an issue) then go with the X as it has a tougher jacket.

 

[Nickels]

I shoot a lot of the Norma Golden Target 143s out of my PRC in the offseason so when my rifle didn’t like the Berger 156s it made sense to try the Bondstrikes. This was at 350 broadside. First shot was thru the shoulder and did not make it to the offside shoulder. Second was back a few inches through the ribs and lodged in the offside shoulder. I would say both bullets dumped their energy inside the chest cavity - was a mess in there. Recovered bullet was just under 60 grains FWIW.
Bull initially had no reaction but after a few more seconds it was apparent it was a dead on his feet. Took a couple steps and kicked over.

 

[MakAttack]

147 ELD-M

 

[StupidLightweight]

1
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7
E
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Lights out, bull

 

[.270]

The only bull I have killed with a 6.5 caliber was with a 6.5 Saum and 143 eldx at about 45 yards. One frontal shot and he dropped. Between the 143, 147s and 156 bergers, find what shoots best out of your rifle and use it with confidence.
On a side note, I am building a 20" 6.5 WSM in an XM action geared towards the 156s for elk.

 

[jk_minn]

The only bull I have killed with a 6.5 caliber was with a 6.5 Saum and 143 eldx at about 45 yards. One frontal shot and he dropped. Between the 143, 147s and 156 bergers, find what shoots best out of your rifle and use it with confidence.
On a side note, I am building a 20" 6.5 WSM in an XM action geared towards the 156s for elk.

Who is chambering your 6.5 WSM? What velocity you anticipating with that combination?

 

[270quest]

139 scenars are bone crushing killing bullets…

 

[.270]

Who is chambering your 6.5 WSM? What velocity you anticipating with that combination?

A local gunsmith who has done several builds for me, and I think 2850 will be reasonable with 156s.

 

[Sliverslinger]

I just got my 6.5 prc. I worked up good loads for 156 EOL and 140 Elite Hunters. Still haven’t decided which one I’ll use or if I’ll use them on elk instead of my tried and true 300wsm. I’ll see how they do on deer and bear first.

 

[Don Fischer]

Have killed three elk with my 6.5x06 and the bullet used was 140gr Hornady inter lock. front shot into the chest at about 200yds and elk simply fell down. Using my 30-06 on elk now but if the notion hit me again I'd use my 6.5x55 and 140gr Speer Hot core.

 

[Baconsnake64]

Would I be under gunned with federal’s 120gr trophy copper in 6.5 PRC out of a 22in barrel? I ended up picking up a couple of boxes of those for a discount and was wondering if I should shop around for a heavier load or if those are decent enough.

 

[Trauma Guru]

I'm curious what 6.5 PRC bullet everyone likes for elk within ~400 yards. I've seen a lot of guys talk about Berger 156 and ELD-M's, my only concern is that I'm almost positive most of my shots will be within 4-500 yards, and I know those bullets perform best when they have time to expand.

At shorter distances, I'm thinking the Nosler AB or another bonded bullet might be a good option, and I'd prefer some heavier bullets if possible.

Does anyone have a bonded bullet they recommend at those shorter distances?

Form has put out quite a bit of info on how bullets act on tissue at velocity. The ELD-M and several other tipped match bullets will work as long as they are over that 1800ish fps. 400-600 is really perfect for these bullets.

 

[Don Fischer]

I suspect finding the right bullet could turn into a real witch hunt. About everyone makes a bullet that will work in one opinion or another. I've used Hornady Spire points a lot of years and no problems with them, they were mostly from a 308 and 30-06. In a 7mm Rem Mag years ago I had a hard time finding bullet's that didn't damage to much and finally tried Speer Hot Cores. but think damage was coming mostly from using to light bullets. When I went from 145gr Speer HC to 160gr HC everything fell right into line. 160's held together at the 7mm mag velocity's much better but accuracy fell off. Finally had the chamber opened at the lands a bit so I could seat the 160's to the base of the case neck and accuracy came whizzing back. That was one great rifle! In my 6.5x06, I also seat bullet's to the base of the neck, 140gr Hornadys and 140gr Speer HC. Accuracy is very good and damage on the animal exceptable. I think sating depth had a lot to do with it but using heavier for caliber I believe works also, slows down velocity enough to better hold the bullet's together. Found the same result's in my 25-06 on deer. Left the 100gr bullet's behind and went with 117gr seated fairly shallow and inside damage went way down. Thing I think a lot of people don't get is used properly every bullet from any rifle will kill well, depends on how you use the rifle. Everything about killing with a bullet is determined by how the selected bullet is used. I don't shoot much past 300 yds and seldom even that far. Use heavier bullet's and they slow down some but well placed still kill as well. Matter of fact only recall one shot past 300yds in my life and it was 330 on my range finder with my 25-06. Limiting my range let's me shoot at smaller targets and still hit places very deadly. Being there is no real need to shoot at excessive range I don't do it, need be I get closer!

 

[Don Fischer]

Form has put out quite a bit of info on how bullets act on tissue at velocity. The ELD-M and several other tipped match bullets will work as long as they are over that 1800ish fps. 400-600 is really perfect for these bullets.

What do you do if the animal is only say 200yds, wait for it to get farther out so the bullet won't fail?

 

[jonnyviceroy]

I’ve watched the ELDM 147s perform incredibly well on many animals the past several years (including multiple elk) and with many of those being in your specific shot ranges mentioned. I wouldn’t hesitate to use it again and again in those ranges.