anmogamdilx
Member
- Location
- Northwest BC coast
What's the biggest game you can hunt using the 6.5 CM? Or what's the biggest you've heard is safe to hunt using the 6.5?
Biggest game?
- Thread starter anmogamdilx
- Start date
BattleRife
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- of No Fixed Address
William Bell, quite famously, hunted elephants with the 7mm Mauser. So, what's 0.5mm smaller than an elephant?
luckythirteen
CGN Regular
- Location
- Yukon Territory
I wouldn’t hesitate a second to a moose with a 140 grain.
Richard Mann has some personal info on 6.5
https://gundigest.com/gear-ammo/ammunition/why-the-6-5-creedmoor-is-so-lethal
How much gun do you really need to hunt North America? The 6.5 Creedmoor might very well be the answer.
What are the facets that make the 6.5 Creedmoor lethal:
Exceptional sectional density, the 6.5 has superior penetrating ability.
With a high ballistic coefficient, the bullets it fires have better characteristics against air resistance and wind drift.
Its standard 1:8 twist rate means 6.5 CM rifle can fire heavier bullets.
It works in a short action.
Its squat case means it can seat longer bullets.
Newfoundland is one of the few places in the Western world where a hunter can take multiple big game species during a single adventure. Those who put a woodland caribou, moose and black bear on the skinning pole within one season are considered to have completed the Newfoundland Grand Slam. When I told an acquaintance that was my intention, he remarked, “I guess you’re taking a .300.” When I told him I’d be using a 6.5 Creedmoor, his face almost fell off.
https://gundigest.com/gear-ammo/ammunition/why-the-6-5-creedmoor-is-so-lethal
How much gun do you really need to hunt North America? The 6.5 Creedmoor might very well be the answer.
What are the facets that make the 6.5 Creedmoor lethal:
Exceptional sectional density, the 6.5 has superior penetrating ability.
With a high ballistic coefficient, the bullets it fires have better characteristics against air resistance and wind drift.
Its standard 1:8 twist rate means 6.5 CM rifle can fire heavier bullets.
It works in a short action.
Its squat case means it can seat longer bullets.
Newfoundland is one of the few places in the Western world where a hunter can take multiple big game species during a single adventure. Those who put a woodland caribou, moose and black bear on the skinning pole within one season are considered to have completed the Newfoundland Grand Slam. When I told an acquaintance that was my intention, he remarked, “I guess you’re taking a .300.” When I told him I’d be using a 6.5 Creedmoor, his face almost fell off.
6.5mm projectiles have great sectional density.
Also, sectional density seems to be a dubious determiner in terminal performance.
I thought 6.5x55mm could be my do it all rifle. It's not.
For nice broadside shots on moose, you need at least 1600 ft-lb of terminal energy. So 6.5 is reliable for broadside shots on moose to about 200 yards. Even then, you are going to be more likely to be taking a swim.
Bottom line is 6.5mm is a good whitetail and mule deer cartridge that can be used on bigger game but is very marginal in that application. A true big game rifle can make effective shots to destroy forelimbs on quartering shots, etc. to at least 300 years with at least 2000 ft-lb of terminal energy.
Note that cartridge selection is the least important thing to consider in a hunt. Bullet selection means slightly more. But these are still the least of your concerns.
Also, consider monolithic bullets and know about twist rates and velocities required. I wouldn't by a rifle today without considering what your lead free loads would be.
Caveat - energy loss due to drag is proportional to the velocity cubed. So it takes a massive increase in power to get a modest increase in velocity. This leads to greater recoil, magnum fever, and often flinching. Beware.
Also, sectional density seems to be a dubious determiner in terminal performance.
I thought 6.5x55mm could be my do it all rifle. It's not.
For nice broadside shots on moose, you need at least 1600 ft-lb of terminal energy. So 6.5 is reliable for broadside shots on moose to about 200 yards. Even then, you are going to be more likely to be taking a swim.
Bottom line is 6.5mm is a good whitetail and mule deer cartridge that can be used on bigger game but is very marginal in that application. A true big game rifle can make effective shots to destroy forelimbs on quartering shots, etc. to at least 300 years with at least 2000 ft-lb of terminal energy.
Note that cartridge selection is the least important thing to consider in a hunt. Bullet selection means slightly more. But these are still the least of your concerns.
Also, consider monolithic bullets and know about twist rates and velocities required. I wouldn't by a rifle today without considering what your lead free loads would be.
Caveat - energy loss due to drag is proportional to the velocity cubed. So it takes a massive increase in power to get a modest increase in velocity. This leads to greater recoil, magnum fever, and often flinching. Beware.
Quote: For nice broadside shots on moose, you need at least 1600 ft-lb of terminal energy.
I am here to assure you that game animals do not read energy charts. That is why so many
Moose and Elk have been successfully taken with chamberings that do not have "X" amount
of energy. [ that some armchair ballistician decided was needed] EE
I am here to assure you that game animals do not read energy charts. That is why so many
Moose and Elk have been successfully taken with chamberings that do not have "X" amount
of energy. [ that some armchair ballistician decided was needed] EE
Shooter's abilities come first, caliber next. Even then, there's always room for error so why limit yourself based on caliber when shooting big game? I would be comfortable shooting anything smaller than a mule deer with a 6.5CM. Sure it can take down a moose or elk, but why take a chance?
Rifles must fire a minimum 175 grain bullet which retains 2800 joules (2000 foot
pounds) or more energy at 100 meters.
https://ww w2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/sports-recreation-arts-and-culture/outdoor-recreation/fishing-and-hunting/hunting/limited-entry-hunting/leh-inserts/2020/12_bison_package.pdf
Ardent
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Noting it’s illegal to use on bison here, even if it was legal I wouldn’t pick it to hunt bison or grizzly bears. Though it will kill either of them, as will a .243.
Those two animals are the only two exceptions on this continent in my mind at average hunting ranges.
Those two animals are the only two exceptions on this continent in my mind at average hunting ranges.
Nobody has every offered to pay me to use a smaller rifle, or added a dozen inches to a score, or extra free meat for using the smallest thing I could find, or hopefully get away with. With nothing to gain; I'm more concerned with what I could lose.
