Post by: jason stevens on June 16, 2022, 04:13:14 PM
Post by: duckmen1 on June 16, 2022, 04:18:15 PM
Post by: duckmen1 on June 16, 2022, 04:23:27 PM
My personal preference on an elk would be a 150 gr partition or accubond out of the 308. But other bullets can work great too. And the 6.5 is dropping elk as well. But I like the .308.
Congrats on the tag. I had a cow tag last year. Used a .270 with 150 grain partition. Took a very hard quartered away shot and it entered at the back of the ribs. Traveled right between both shoulders and out the front of the neck. That elk went down very fast. Absolutely hammered it. Took a few steps over the edge of the hill and tumbled until it came to a stop down the hill about 25 yards. I was extremely happy with the terminal performance and penetration. . 308 would be very similar results with a similar load.
Post by: fishngamereaper on June 16, 2022, 04:24:13 PM
Assuming creed.
And the answer is yes.
Post by: jason stevens on June 16, 2022, 04:26:24 PM
6.5 what ..
Assuming creed.
And the answer is yes.
Yes creedmoor I'm sorry I wasn't clear.
Post by: jason stevens on June 16, 2022, 04:27:40 PM
Post by: craigapphunt on June 16, 2022, 04:39:30 PM
Post by: buckfvr on June 16, 2022, 04:54:16 PM
Post by: duckmen1 on June 16, 2022, 05:04:59 PM
Compare your loads/ammo ENERGY @ 300 yards and go with whats highest for elk since you have the choice. Me?, Id go with the most energy.
This is true. And a very good point. One good thing about the 6.5 is it holds a high ballistic coefficient. Although to 300yards I am not sure how much of a change that will effect. Both will get the job done. Done well with shot placement. I've seen a lot of deer and bear fall as well as 1 elk with the eldx bullets and have seen good results.
Post by: bobcat on June 16, 2022, 05:37:50 PM
Post by: MeepDog on June 16, 2022, 05:50:26 PM
Either cartridge will work but I'd prefer the 308, and no ELD-X bullet no matter which one you use. That's not an elk bullet, in my experience.I second that, use a bullet that's either bonded, partitioned, or monolithic. Eldx, match, and sst ain't on that list.
Post by: jason stevens on June 16, 2022, 05:57:26 PM
Post by: Bob33 on June 16, 2022, 06:10:10 PM
Post by: Berin Denson on June 16, 2022, 09:55:55 PM
Either cartridge will work but I'd prefer the 308, and no ELD-X bullet no matter which one you use. That's not an elk bullet, in my experience.Bobcat once again a speaks the truth.
My unpopular opinion, 6.5creed is not an elk gun. Me personally, wouldn’t even use it for mule deer. Shooting targets and/or maybe a whitetail under 200 yards.
Post by: WapitiTalk1 on June 16, 2022, 10:01:55 PM
Post by: dvolmer on June 16, 2022, 10:10:31 PM
Post by: duckmen1 on June 16, 2022, 10:13:31 PM
Either cartridge will work but I'd prefer the 308, and no ELD-X bullet no matter which one you use. That's not an elk bullet, in my experience.Bobcat once again a speaks the truth.
My unpopular opinion, 6.5creed is not an elk gun. Me personally, wouldn’t even use it for mule deer. Shooting targets and/or maybe a whitetail under 200 yards.
I know of a big desert buck shot a couple years ago through both shoulders with a 6.5 creedmoore and eldx bullet. 250 yard shot and it was a clean pass through and deer fell very quickly. No hesitation on a 6.5 creedmore on a mule deer or any deer. That shooter has been dropping bears and deer all very quickly with eldx bullets on the 6.5 creedmoore the last few years. That is not to say I think it is a great elk round. But deer that caliber is way more than adaquate. Especially for those that think a better constructed bullet could be used than eldx for hunting. But again those deer and bears are getting a hurtin put on them with that combo. Just my personal experience with what I have seen with the 6.5 creedmoore
But in general a 6.5 creedmoore can be an elk killer if the shooter does his job and puts shot placement.
But again a 308 win will be a perfectly fine elk caliber to 300 yards.
Post by: Berin Denson on June 16, 2022, 10:34:27 PM
Both of these guns can kill elk. A 243 can kill elk. But I don’t go on an elk hunt without my 300 Win Mag. Get a 7mm or a 300 Win. Best elk guns. You can feel good about energy at 400 yards to put an animal down at that size. Feel confident and your not on the edge. Just my opinion. Lots of people talk about shot placement and bullet design/makeup and this does make a huge difference. But the same shot placement and bullet design out of a 300 Win mag at 300-400 yards will get the job done better than the calibers you are talking about with the same shot placement and bullet design. No need to mess around and you owe it to the animal for a quick kill. Just my opinion.I agree with this - it is spot on!
Post by: AROTTY on June 17, 2022, 05:38:51 AM
Post by: hunter399 on June 17, 2022, 06:01:48 AM
https://www.speer.com/bullets/rifle_bullets/grand_slam_rifle_bullet/19-1444.html
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1010538145?pid=349407
I agree both these calibers will perform well as long as you
Can punch a hole in the right spot.
Posted a couple links to what I call the.
Poor man's partitions.
They work at a fraction of the price ,made in America,
Kinda like the old remington cor lok ,not some foo foo high BC bullet but at 300 yards you just need expanding tough bullets.
Post by: Berin Denson on June 17, 2022, 07:35:47 AM
Guy went from talking about 6.5 vs 308 and now we have people suggesting magnums. You could recommend a 30-06, 280, 270 etc class cartridge first to gain another 100 yards of range. Anyway to the OP, if you handload you may want to consider a 7-08. 150gr partition will kill elk fine to at least 300 yards. You want to stay above 1500 ft/lbs of energy at impact with a premium bullet for an ek round.The gentleman who initiated the thread inquired about a proficient "elk" caliber. It is not out of line for anyone to suggest a magnum. I think too many of us read these forums and guys gloat about killing elk with a 6.5 at 800 yards, blah blah. Sure, you poked a hole in the elk and he bled out for two hours... that is not killing elk to me. I agree with you completely at 1500-1600ft./lbs. of energy at impact. If I were an elk and you were hunting me, I would hope you shoot me with a large caliber rifle.
Post by: Pathfinder101 on June 17, 2022, 07:46:38 AM
Make the choice on rifles, not caliber. Whichever one you more confidence in is what I would choose.
:yeah:Sound advice. Both will do the job. Bring the rifle you shoot best. :tup:
Post by: mburrows on June 17, 2022, 07:51:06 AM
https://www.themeateater.com/hunt/firearm-hunting/caliber-battle-308-win-vs-6-5-creedmoor
Post by: h20hunter on June 17, 2022, 07:55:37 AM
Post by: pickardjw on June 17, 2022, 08:21:16 AM
Guy went from talking about 6.5 vs 308 and now we have people suggesting magnums. You could recommend a 30-06, 280, 270 etc class cartridge first to gain another 100 yards of range. Anyway to the OP, if you handload you may want to consider a 7-08. 150gr partition will kill elk fine to at least 300 yards. You want to stay above 1500 ft/lbs of energy at impact with a premium bullet for an ek round.The gentleman who initiated the thread inquired about a proficient "elk" caliber. It is not out of line for anyone to suggest a magnum. I think too many of us read these forums and guys gloat about killing elk with a 6.5 at 800 yards, blah blah. Sure, you poked a hole in the elk and he bled out for two hours... that is not killing elk to me. I agree with you completely at 1500-1600ft./lbs. of energy at impact. If I were an elk and you were hunting me, I would hope you shoot me with a large caliber rifle.
Well technically, he asked about advice between two specific calibers....
Post by: Igor on June 17, 2022, 08:29:32 AM
Both are important but in many, if not most, hunting situations you don't have the luxury of making the perfect shot, or lots of time. So, using a marginal caliber for the situation is just not being responsible. Just my 2˘.
Post by: Berin Denson on June 17, 2022, 08:41:05 AM
Please see original post " Do you guys feel that these calibers will put down an elk up to 300yrds."Guy went from talking about 6.5 vs 308 and now we have people suggesting magnums. You could recommend a 30-06, 280, 270 etc class cartridge first to gain another 100 yards of range. Anyway to the OP, if you handload you may want to consider a 7-08. 150gr partition will kill elk fine to at least 300 yards. You want to stay above 1500 ft/lbs of energy at impact with a premium bullet for an ek round.The gentleman who initiated the thread inquired about a proficient "elk" caliber. It is not out of line for anyone to suggest a magnum. I think too many of us read these forums and guys gloat about killing elk with a 6.5 at 800 yards, blah blah. Sure, you poked a hole in the elk and he bled out for two hours... that is not killing elk to me. I agree with you completely at 1500-1600ft./lbs. of energy at impact. If I were an elk and you were hunting me, I would hope you shoot me with a large caliber rifle.
Well technically, he asked about advice between two specific calibers....
feel free to contribute your thoughts pickardjw
Post by: fishngamereaper on June 17, 2022, 08:42:46 AM
In so many of these discussions about one caliber vs. another caliber I read "If you do your part", and "shot placement is key".
Both are important but in many, if not most, hunting situations you don't have the luxury of making the perfect shot, or lots of time. So, using a marginal caliber for the situation is just not being responsible. Just my 2˘.
Not to be to argumentative :chuckle:..but,
along those lines don't take the shot if you don't have it...
So many guys want a magnum caliber in case they have to "punch" through bone...or miss by a little, or can't shoot sub moa and don't want to practice...
The argument can be made for all flavors of hunting methods. Muzzy, archery etc...we owe it just as much to animals to take the good shot and not force it because we brought the big gun with us...
In the ops case we have two options and a distance range..
Both options will work just fine. That's real world experience. Not paper math or what someone says on a hunting show....
Anyway...in typical hunt wa fashion we've turned this into a best elk caliber thread :chuckle:
Post by: pickardjw on June 17, 2022, 08:52:31 AM
Please see original post " Do you guys feel that these calibers will put down an elk up to 300yrds."Guy went from talking about 6.5 vs 308 and now we have people suggesting magnums. You could recommend a 30-06, 280, 270 etc class cartridge first to gain another 100 yards of range. Anyway to the OP, if you handload you may want to consider a 7-08. 150gr partition will kill elk fine to at least 300 yards. You want to stay above 1500 ft/lbs of energy at impact with a premium bullet for an ek round.The gentleman who initiated the thread inquired about a proficient "elk" caliber. It is not out of line for anyone to suggest a magnum. I think too many of us read these forums and guys gloat about killing elk with a 6.5 at 800 yards, blah blah. Sure, you poked a hole in the elk and he bled out for two hours... that is not killing elk to me. I agree with you completely at 1500-1600ft./lbs. of energy at impact. If I were an elk and you were hunting me, I would hope you shoot me with a large caliber rifle.
Well technically, he asked about advice between two specific calibers....
feel free to contribute your thoughts pickardjw
Still putting my 6.5 together, waiting on rings. But from my research a 143 ELD-X pushing should hit with 1600+ ft/# of energy at 300 yds. I plan on using it for elk at that range. If my gun shoots 147 ELD-M's well maybe even out to 400 with that bullet, it should hit with 1500+ ft/# at that range.
Post by: Farmer72 on June 17, 2022, 08:56:54 AM
Post by: buckfvr on June 17, 2022, 09:07:31 AM
I will say I am not the biggest 30 cal. fan but at those distances and on elk I would probably opt for the 308 over the 6.5 Creed. I like the 165/168 gr bullets for the 30 cal. non magnums so I would probably go that route. If those were my guns and only 2 choices I would be loading 308 with 168 gr Barnes TTSX. Again only my opinion based off the 2 options given.
:yeah: RTFOP
Post by: jason stevens on June 17, 2022, 09:56:13 AM
Post by: W_Ellison2011 on June 17, 2022, 12:01:32 PM
Either cartridge will work but I'd prefer the 308, and no ELD-X bullet no matter which one you use. That's not an elk bullet, in my experience.Bobcat once again a speaks the truth.
My unpopular opinion, 6.5creed is not an elk gun. Me personally, wouldn’t even use it for mule deer. Shooting targets and/or maybe a whitetail under 200 yards.
The 6.5 cm has stacked quite a body count of deer, elk, bears, etc since it came put. Its almost on par with the 6.5-284 and people have one and done on elk out to 700-800 yards with that round. Im not saying the average shooter/hunter should try that… but the 6.5 cm with the right bullet and you doing your job right, will drop an elk. Personally i prefer my 300 win mag or 300 wby mag… but if i had to choose between a 6.5 cm and a .308 win, id probably choose the 6.5 cm as an overall round. You can kill game animals with it or load up some match/lr bullets and pop targets at 1,000 yards and a mile relatively easily.
Post by: D-Rock425 on June 17, 2022, 01:16:03 PM
Post by: Rick on June 17, 2022, 04:53:40 PM
Post by: Igor on June 17, 2022, 06:03:25 PM
The 6.5 cm has stacked quite a body count of deer, elk, bears, etc since it came put. Its almost on par with the 6.5-284 and people have one and done on elk out to 700-800 yards with that round. Im not saying the average shooter/hunter should try that… but the 6.5 cm with the right bullet and you doing your job right, will drop an elk. Personally i prefer my 300 win mag or 300 wby mag… but if i had to choose between a 6.5 cm and a .308 win, id probably choose the 6.5 cm as an overall round. You can kill game animals with it or load up some match/lr bullets and pop targets at 1,000 yards and a mile relatively easily.
Not trying to be a PITA, but everybody, except a very few, are an "average shooter/hunter".
There is a world of difference, ballistically, between a 6.5 cm and a .300 WM, or a .300 Wby Mag.
Post by: AROTTY on June 17, 2022, 06:53:20 PM
Post by: jason stevens on June 17, 2022, 07:16:00 PM
This was a question of caliber not shooter. I can shoot very accurate. An can haven't elk with a bow. My question was caliber difference not accuracy otherwise I would have said that.
The 6.5 cm has stacked quite a body count of deer, elk, bears, etc since it came put. Its almost on par with the 6.5-284 and people have one and done on elk out to 700-800 yards with that round. Im not saying the average shooter/hunter should try that… but the 6.5 cm with the right bullet and you doing your job right, will drop an elk. Personally i prefer my 300 win mag or 300 wby mag… but if i had to choose between a 6.5 cm and a .308 win, id probably choose the 6.5 cm as an overall round. You can kill game animals with it or load up some match/lr bullets and pop targets at 1,000 yards and a mile relatively easily.
Not trying to be a PITA, but everybody, except a very few, are an "average shooter/hunter".
There is a world of difference, ballistically, between a 6.5 cm and a .300 WM, or a .300 Wby Mag.
Post by: jason stevens on June 17, 2022, 07:21:15 PM
Post by: johnbmyersii on June 17, 2022, 07:32:29 PM
I messed up the last quote. So my original theory was on caliber between the 2 not accuracy. I can shoot better then most an I know a bow hunter can harvest an elk with a stick an blade. So let's keep it to that. Big calibers can do the trick for people you can't shoot they need that knock down power. But I believe in 1 shot 1 harvest. 300 yards was pushing it for me for clean kill. Don't want the animal to suffer. Just wanted opinionsI've killed multiple deer (mules and whitetail) and a very large black bear all with one shot with a 6.5 shooting the 143 ELDX and varied ranges from 100 put to 350 yards and none have gone more than 30 yards. A friend has also killed a Roosevelt cow at 250 and the round put a tennis ball sized hole in the ribs. I've recovered perfectly mushroomed bullets like the picture shows on the box. My limit is 400 yards and I won't hesitate to shoot any Washington animal with a 6.5. I also shoot a lot and am very proficient with my rifle.
Post by: jason stevens on June 17, 2022, 07:38:14 PM
I messed up the last quote. So my original theory was on caliber between the 2 not accuracy. I can shoot better then most an I know a bow hunter can harvest an elk with a stick an blade. So let's keep it to that. Big calibers can do the trick for people you can't shoot they need that knock down power. But I believe in 1 shot 1 harvest. 300 yards was pushing it for me for clean kill. Don't want the animal to suffer. Just wanted opinionsI've killed multiple deer (mules and whitetail) and a very large black bear all with one shot with a 6.5 shooting the 143 ELDX and varied ranges from 100 put to 350 yards and none have gone more than 30 yards. A friend has also killed a Roosevelt cow at 250 and the round put a tennis ball sized hole in the ribs. I've recovered perfectly mushroomed bullets like the picture shows on the box. My limit is 400 yards and I won't hesitate to shoot any Washington animal with a 6.5. I also shoot a lot and am very proficient with my rifle.
Thank you for that. This was not a pissing match just a general question for others opinions.. an there has been alot of real opinions that I appreciate.
Post by: jason stevens on June 17, 2022, 07:50:35 PM
Post by: Caseknife on June 17, 2022, 08:04:24 PM
Congrats on the tag and go kill an elk with which ever rifle you like.
Post by: Magnum_Willys on June 17, 2022, 08:18:03 PM
Post by: hunter399 on June 17, 2022, 08:26:08 PM
And harvest EVERYTHING in North America
Never pickup another rifle and never look back.
:chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle:
Spreading some love now.
Tell me I'm wrong.
:chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle:
Post by: HntnFsh on June 17, 2022, 08:30:03 PM
Post by: W_Ellison2011 on June 18, 2022, 03:34:45 AM
Ya or just buy a 7mm rem mag
And harvest EVERYTHING in North America
Never pickup another rifle and never look back.
:chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle:
Spreading some love now.
Tell me I'm wrong.
:chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle:
Or build a custom 7-300 win mag and have even more push behind the 180-195 gr .284 cal bullets.
Post by: Cougartail on June 18, 2022, 06:24:28 AM
The 6.5x55 Swede has been killing Moose for over 100 years. They are very similar to the Creedmoor.
Good luck!
Post by: hogslayer on June 18, 2022, 07:46:22 AM
Post by: dilleytech on June 18, 2022, 11:27:53 AM