Post by: adamR on January 11, 2023, 05:05:30 AM
I've narrowed it down to what's most readily available and has decent reviews. For now, I'm strictly looking at factory options. So far, I'm looking for results with Hornady Precision Hunter 143gr ELDX, Nosler Trophy Grade 142gr ABLR, Federal Premium 130gr terminal ascent, and Barnes Long Range LRX 127 grain. My thoughts for this rifle were an all around truck gun. I intend to hunt coyote (Don't care about the hide) to elk with it. For deer, I want to be able to shoot 500 - 600 yards and elk out to 300; but, I also want to be able to shoot a jumped buck at 50 yards.
So, If you have experiences with any of those or similar hunting rounds in the following situations, I would appreciate hearing your results. Did the animal die? Was there a blood trail? Was there an exit wound? Did you hit bone or soft tissue? Did you recover the bullet?
1. 100 yards or less on deer and/or elk
2. 500 yards or more on deer
3. 300 yards or more on elk
Post by: johnbmyersii on January 11, 2023, 05:44:23 AM
Post by: mburrows on January 11, 2023, 05:53:53 AM
Post by: fowl smacker on January 11, 2023, 06:10:16 AM
Post by: Rob on January 11, 2023, 06:21:07 AM
3x4 Mule Deer at 325 yards. First shot hit heart and it walked about 10 yards and fell over. Bullet exited with a modest exit wound. Second shot was a clean miss (was an insurance shot as I was not positive of a good hit so I took a second shot and in the rush forgot to put in the holdover! Even after all these years Buck fever is still a real thing...)
Post by: Weatherby92 on January 11, 2023, 07:03:41 AM
Only one for me. I would imagine success is more about shot placement than bullet performance though.
3x4 Mule Deer at 325 yards. First shot hit heart and it walked about 10 yards and fell over. Bullet exited with a modest exit wound. Second shot was a clean miss (was an insurance shot as I was not positive of a good hit so I took a second shot and in the rush forgot to put in the holdover! Even after all these years Buck fever is still a real thing...)
Was this the ELDX? I also agree, nothing trumps shot placement.
Post by: Rob on January 11, 2023, 07:53:47 AM
This is what I worked a load up for.
Cheap Rugar American Predator rifle with a low cost scope and it shoots sub-MOA with the following load:
Hornady ELD-X
37.0 Grains of H4350
2.161 OAL as measured to the ojive.
The OP indicated factory loads, so I would keep an eye out for this: https://www.midwayusa.com/product/101693199?pid=259413
Post by: Rob on January 11, 2023, 07:55:38 AM
Only one for me. I would imagine success is more about shot placement than bullet performance though.
3x4 Mule Deer at 325 yards. First shot hit heart and it walked about 10 yards and fell over. Bullet exited with a modest exit wound. Second shot was a clean miss (was an insurance shot as I was not positive of a good hit so I took a second shot and in the rush forgot to put in the holdover! Even after all these years Buck fever is still a real thing...)
Was this the ELDX? I also agree, nothing trumps shot placement.
I guess I left out the most important part of the question! which bullet!
Post by: Fidelk on January 11, 2023, 08:40:03 AM
Post by: KNOPHISH on January 11, 2023, 09:06:14 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on January 11, 2023, 01:36:31 PM
Post by: Mtnwalker on January 11, 2023, 01:41:56 PM
Post by: fishngamereaper on January 11, 2023, 01:57:02 PM
Eldx fragged at 350. Hit shoulder.
Eldm is where the money is at.
Both my 6.5s (Creed/ PRC ) spit them well and they hold together extremely well.
Post by: h2ofowlr on January 11, 2023, 02:06:43 PM
Post by: Taco280AI on January 11, 2023, 04:39:40 PM
Post by: adamR on January 11, 2023, 06:28:07 PM
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?
Post by: jrebel on January 11, 2023, 06:42:22 PM
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.
Post by: adamR on January 11, 2023, 06:58:24 PM
Post by: Sneaky on January 11, 2023, 07:47:45 PM
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