Rifle selection for sheep

[ianpadron]

We definitely only shoot suppressed
I learned long ago with my boys they associate the sound with recoil. Their shooting changed a lot with the suppressor

Sounds like I’m just gonna upgrade the stock and maybe consider some different ammo and stick with what he knows.

What is y’all’s favorite bullet
Currently shooting 156g EOL bergers but like the terminal ascent

147 ELDM is in the running for my favorite bullet of any caliber, flat out deadly

 

[cuerro viejo]

We definitely only shoot suppressed
I learned long ago with my boys they associate the sound with recoil. Their shooting changed a lot with the suppressor

Sounds like I’m just gonna upgrade the stock and maybe consider some different ammo and stick with what he knows.

What is y’all’s favorite bullet
Currently shooting 156g EOL bergers but like the terminal ascent

130 TMK, 139 lupa scener, 142eldx in that order.

 

[dallen]

My daughter shot both of these with her CM. One was at about 400 the other at about 75. It’s a great sheep cartridge especially if recoil matters.

 

[swavescatter]

6.5 creed is overkill IMO. My son loves the 22CM. More accurate from field shooting positions than my 6.5, and you can also spot your impacts/stay on target. If you don't reload, then a 6mm Creed would be the ticket IMO.

One shot kill at ~665yds with the 77TMK:

 

[Gmoose]

6.5 PRC is solid step up; 7mm BC hits harder at 500yds.

 

[glock233]

Stick with the 6.5cm he’s shooting well. It’s a good round. If you change go smaller.

 

[Cactus kid]

What is y’all’s favorite bullet
Currently shooting 156g EOL bergers but like the terminal ascent

I have shot both the 156 EOL and the 147eldm- I like the terminal performance of the 147eldm better. Both are solid bullets. I

I saw and took many animals in Africa with the 140 terminal accent bullets in 6.5 cm, the largest being a kudu. It put animals down quickly. Did not do a postmortem on the actual damage.

 

[J.B.]

We definitely only shoot suppressed
I learned long ago with my boys they associate the sound with recoil. Their shooting changed a lot with the suppressor

Sounds like I’m just gonna upgrade the stock and maybe consider some different ammo and stick with what he knows.

What is y’all’s favorite bullet
Currently shooting 156g EOL bergers but like the terminal ascent

Sheep are light boned and not overly large. Bergers will work just fine. TA will work fine; they are harder, smaller wounding bullets, and may lead to longer recovery distance if thats a concern. Eldm/x will work fine, seen a number of kills with both the 147m and 143x this past season. Would maybe favor the X slightly with limited exposure to both of them.

Personally Im loading 130 TMK for sheep this year. Ive never used a TMK, figured Id see what all the fuss is about.

 

[Steve O]

Any rifle he’s been using successfully for mule deer, elk, and bear is going to work at least as good on a sheep! You know, not all sheep are shot at over 500 yards. And a lot of the that are really don’t need to be. More often than not you can get closer.

 

[ericthered]

My kid drew
He’s shot everything so far with a 6.5 cm to include deer, elk, and bear

Wondering if 6.5cm makes the list, we’ve honed his shooting and he made a one shot kill on mule deer at 535ydd this past fall but I’m still concerned about the recoil I put him beyond but would love some additional ballistic performance to make sure and really anchor a ram if needed. I don’t think I’d shoot at a ram much past 300yds.

So would also like something that could extend that to a 500yd max with plenty of knockdown.

Would the 6.5 prc be a better option?
Maybe a 7mm backcountry?
Looking for some suggestions.
Thanks rockslide community

My 6.5CM has taken (2) Moose, Goat, Dall, Caribou, Elk, Deer, Antelope. Several of these were killed beyond 400 yards. The round's accuracy and limited recoil make it virtually the perfect round. It will do great on your kids sheep hunt.

 

[The_Yetti]

I'd definitely have him stick with the 6.5 CM, I've used it on deer and will be carrying it for elk this fall!