Real World Ammo Results

[adamR]

It kind of sounds likes anyone of them or the ELDM would be a good option, whichever shoots best. So, new question:

With your ammo choice, would you change your shot based on game, deer or elk, or distance? For example a deer at 150 compared to a deer at 600? An elk at 50 compared to 300? A deer at 300 compared to an elk at 300? Do you normally aim for vitals but at a distance, you change to high shoulder?

[jrebel]

I have handloaded for a very long time so I can't speak to factory ammo with the exception of one....Nosler trophy grade 140 accubond (not the 142 ABLR).  Shot great and to be expected the accubond is an amazing bullet.

I load 140 accubonds for two 6.5 creeds and they shoot very well and again are devastating on game.  Never had an accubond disappoint in any caliber.

ELD-X real life experience...not in a 6.5 though...I wouldn't use the ELD-X for anything more than target shooting or varmint hunting.  I have killed two moose and a couple bears.  They grenade on big bone, once never making through the shoulder of a bear.  The moose we have killed with them have died, but took multiple shots and some dynamited while others penciled through with what appeared to be no expansion.  Not a fan....I have a lot sitting on the shelf and they are being loaded for target only....they do shoot well. 

If you get to handloading....we shoot a lot of 124 gain hammer hunters out of our 6.5 creeds and they are amazing.  I would have no problem shooting deer or bear to 500 yards.  We have killed bear and deer with excellent terminal performance. 

[adamR]

Yeah, ELDX really make me nervous. I know someone that killed a bull elk with a 143 gr 6.5 Creedmoor ELDX. Yes, it died, took two shots, no blood, no sign of a hit, bull started to walk off and the just fell over. The bullets were found on the far side and they literally did not expand; they looked like bullets ready to be loaded. Thank God it was right in the heart because it would not have killed that bull otherwise, in my opinion.

[Sneaky]

I shot ELD-X 143gr, Terminal Ascent 130gr, and Barnes LRX 127gr for groups out of my 6.5CM. The barnes were best for accuracy and the ELD-X were the least accurate out of my rifle. That being said all three groups were sub 1" and the federal/barnes were closer to .5". All are great choices for hunting anything that you should hunt with a 6.5CM.

I went with the terminal ascent and shot a whitetail at about 120yds. The bullet passed through and deer dropped in its tracks. happy with the results and hoping the terminal ascent factory ammunition will be as accurate out of my .300WM