I blame this on my constant over analyzation of everything.
So, my outing this morning was successful. Took the first coyote with my 6.5 Creedmoor.
Now, im not out here trying to save pelts. I did require a second shot though... My hit was a bit low. Requiring a second to stop the spinning song dog.
I normally use a 223. I sold it opting for the 6.5 CM because it preforms better in the wind. I did this in the fall. Thinking im some super sniper who is going to be shooting coyotes at 800 yards and farther also forgetting punching paper is different then flesh. A bench is different from a butt cushion.
Hitting this yote a little off the mark and it making one heck of a mess made me question my choice in caliber. Yes it works. Its it optimal though ?
Just going off Hornady Charts (all I shoot anyways) and using the ammo I have used or would use it would seem there may be a bit better.
200 yard zero
Rem 223 55 grain vmax
300 yards -7 inch drop
400 yards - 21 inch drop
500 Yards - 45 inch drop
6.5 CM 120 ELD Match
300 -7 drop
400 -20 drop
500 -40 drop
So a slight improvement in the 6.5 .. This is on the 24" barrel though. So mine is a bit off, with only a 20 inch barrel.
Obviously the 6.5 will not get pushed around as much by the wind also. With the short barrel though I dont see much of a flatter line in shooting distance.
It got me thinking, a lot of the die hard guys use 22-250. They are also keeping the pelts and selling them. So I took a peek.
22-250 55 grain V max
300 -5 inch drop
400 -15 inch drop
500 -33 inch drop
An obviously flatter shooting cartridge. I thought they where expensive though ? *checks legs prices* 30 bucks a box...
hmmm... Lets throw the round I know some of you are thinking in here.
243. Win in a 58 Grain V max
300 -4 inch drop
400 -12 inch drop
500 -29 inch drop
Well then... It would appear the 243 ballistics are the flattest. Im not worried about energy because all of them will drop a yote in 500 yards.
Now I reasoned with myself the 6.5 is a do it all rifle in Canada. I can hunt almost everything with it. Realistically.... I dont hunt much in SWO but small game, waterfowl and yotes.
So we have seen the 243. Win has the best ballistics... How is it for price ? *checks lgs*
223 $30
22-250 $30
243 $40
6.5 CM $41
Hmm so the 223 and the 22-250 are the lowest in price... I Can recall a time 22-250 was going for $60 locally and wasnt on any shelf's... So that makes me weary.
The 243 and the 6.5 CM are about the same. The 243 being the ballistic superior.
Now I said the 6.5 CM is a do it all gun... Not so much for the 243... Mind you.. I haven't hunted deer or bear in YEARS. Dont see it happening any time soon either.
Laying it out, cutting off my need to have the new cool thing. I think the 6.5 CM may have been... Not the optimal choice.
Looking back... 243. Win is how I should have gone. It may be harder on the pelts up close but im out here for farmers not to make money on pelts.
10 inch less drop at 500 and 8 less at 400 over the 6.5
Where it would have made the difference I think today is that 300 yard marker.... Thats the distance I shot the yote ! lol
So I hit a bit low, that 3" inch difference on a yote is a big difference... The dog was sitting facing towards me. So that 3 inches would have been still in the boiler room and not in the guts.
Also on a side note, super sniper me here wanting a 24 power lmao. Rocking it dialed back to 10x for hunts.
So, my outing this morning was successful. Took the first coyote with my 6.5 Creedmoor.
Now, im not out here trying to save pelts. I did require a second shot though... My hit was a bit low. Requiring a second to stop the spinning song dog.
I normally use a 223. I sold it opting for the 6.5 CM because it preforms better in the wind. I did this in the fall. Thinking im some super sniper who is going to be shooting coyotes at 800 yards and farther also forgetting punching paper is different then flesh. A bench is different from a butt cushion.
Hitting this yote a little off the mark and it making one heck of a mess made me question my choice in caliber. Yes it works. Its it optimal though ?
Just going off Hornady Charts (all I shoot anyways) and using the ammo I have used or would use it would seem there may be a bit better.
200 yard zero
Rem 223 55 grain vmax
300 yards -7 inch drop
400 yards - 21 inch drop
500 Yards - 45 inch drop
6.5 CM 120 ELD Match
300 -7 drop
400 -20 drop
500 -40 drop
So a slight improvement in the 6.5 .. This is on the 24" barrel though. So mine is a bit off, with only a 20 inch barrel.
Obviously the 6.5 will not get pushed around as much by the wind also. With the short barrel though I dont see much of a flatter line in shooting distance.
It got me thinking, a lot of the die hard guys use 22-250. They are also keeping the pelts and selling them. So I took a peek.
22-250 55 grain V max
300 -5 inch drop
400 -15 inch drop
500 -33 inch drop
An obviously flatter shooting cartridge. I thought they where expensive though ? *checks legs prices* 30 bucks a box...
hmmm... Lets throw the round I know some of you are thinking in here.
243. Win in a 58 Grain V max
300 -4 inch drop
400 -12 inch drop
500 -29 inch drop
Well then... It would appear the 243 ballistics are the flattest. Im not worried about energy because all of them will drop a yote in 500 yards.
Now I reasoned with myself the 6.5 is a do it all rifle in Canada. I can hunt almost everything with it. Realistically.... I dont hunt much in SWO but small game, waterfowl and yotes.
So we have seen the 243. Win has the best ballistics... How is it for price ? *checks lgs*
223 $30
22-250 $30
243 $40
6.5 CM $41
Hmm so the 223 and the 22-250 are the lowest in price... I Can recall a time 22-250 was going for $60 locally and wasnt on any shelf's... So that makes me weary.
The 243 and the 6.5 CM are about the same. The 243 being the ballistic superior.
Now I said the 6.5 CM is a do it all gun... Not so much for the 243... Mind you.. I haven't hunted deer or bear in YEARS. Dont see it happening any time soon either.
Laying it out, cutting off my need to have the new cool thing. I think the 6.5 CM may have been... Not the optimal choice.
Looking back... 243. Win is how I should have gone. It may be harder on the pelts up close but im out here for farmers not to make money on pelts.
10 inch less drop at 500 and 8 less at 400 over the 6.5
Where it would have made the difference I think today is that 300 yard marker.... Thats the distance I shot the yote ! lol
So I hit a bit low, that 3" inch difference on a yote is a big difference... The dog was sitting facing towards me. So that 3 inches would have been still in the boiler room and not in the guts.
Also on a side note, super sniper me here wanting a 24 power lmao. Rocking it dialed back to 10x for hunts.
