New guy and ballistics

[4phw]

I am always seeking for truth and respect opinions of others that have more experience than me. I’ve read literally every page of the 223, 243, and 260 success threads. Listened to all forms podcasts on S2H/ Exo.

I’m wanting to buy my “forever” rifle in a sense.

Getting a tikka, and looking at these 3 cartridges. 6.5CM, 6CM, 243 win.

I want to make sure I understand certain aspects before I impulse buy anything. (Been researching the past 4 months haha). I’m comparing the cartridges after picking the most likely bullet I’ll be using. I do NOT reload (yet).

I’ve compared an ELDX (143gr, 90gr, and 103gr) at 0’ elevation, and 20” barrel as a baseline. I came up with 1800fps impact velocity at these yardages.

6CM: 750Y, 243: 600Y, 6.5CM: 650Y.

I really don’t have any business shooting elk that far anyway. I practice with 100 rounds or so a week.

It seems like the 6CM is the most optimal, but is it the most practical?

My question is:
-is a 90gr ELDX going to kill similarly as a 143gr at the same impact velocity? I think I recall hearing that anything over 1.5” in wound doesn’t really give you much for time to death. In my mind I really just want a “500 yard capable elk rifle”


Did I beat the dead horse enough? Hahah

 

[Chris in TN]

I bought my kids a 6.5CM last summer, for elk and whatever else. It's an absolute joy to shoot, for me, and the kids all do plenty well with it, but......

The next rifle I buy will be a 6cm. Yes, for elk, and anything else in North America. My oldest shoots the 6.5cm just fine (eta: at a low volume) but at a higher volume it would wear her down, and that goes double for my two younger kids. We can largely sidestep that being a big deal, by focusing on training more with a .223, but if we're speaking in terms of what is 'optimal' and not merely getting by with what we already have.....yeah, get the 6CM.

 

[nm.otter]

6.5mm Creedmoor if you don't reload. 6mm Creedmoor if you do reload (or plan to start soon).