6.5 Creedmoor for moose?

a 6.5 may be fine for moose. if its all i had i would use a premium heavy weight bullet and have at it. my preference would be to use a 300 or 338 06 or even a 375. what's the point of owing multiple rifles if you don't use something well suited to the task.
 
Potashminer said:
Without digging out the magazine articles - European hunting - so have to pass an actual practical shooting test in some countries (like Sweden) to get a licence to hunt - have to be able to hit a moving target, on demand. Many times, jurisdictions require guides, who have further game related training. And they send in reports. So articles that I think that I remember reading discuss cartridge used, range for kill, etc. Not like North America at all. And used to be 6.5x55, but I am sure was seeing multiple 30-06 and 300 Win Mag getting mentioned - because they work. No doubt bazillion "elg" have been and are taken with 6.5x55 - by hunters. But also the same knowledgeable and experienced types are moving to some North American rounds - because they work better, or has been salesman convincing shooters that the cartridges, and therefore the newly purchased guns, work better. Does nothing to diminish the older cartridges - like 303 British in Canada - hardly a "modern" choice for a moose rifle, any more. Tell that to a couple hundred thousand old guys from Newfoundland to Northern B.C. ...
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Exactly. I know a lot of Swedish/Finnish hunters and very few use the 6.5 on moose, just like I know a lot of Canadians that don't own or use a 303 Brit. It's an internet dream that somehow surplus rifles are the norm for use over there. They're limited in how many guns they can own, most are not shot out WW2 guns. The majority of them actually have expensive guns.
The caliber of choice for Europeans seems to be 308, 30-06 and 9.3x62. They have a tendency to shoot heavy bullets and at closer ranges, the complete opposite of the current NA thinking. The man bun caliber hasn't caught on across the Atlantic.
 
45ACPKING said:
I know a hunter who made a texas heart shot on a moose that was standing on the trail in front of him. The bullet went in above the bung hole and travelled up under the spine and deflected down and out of the chest below the heart. Killed it dead right there on the trail. Had to be there to believe it but I would probably not take that shot LOL
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That a LOT of Penetration ! Any idea of the Cartridge and bullet used ? RJ
 
bearkilr said:
Exactly. I know a lot of Swedish/Finnish hunters and very few use the 6.5 on moose, just like I know a lot of Canadians that don't own or use a 303 Brit. It's an internet dream that somehow surplus rifles are the norm for use over there. They're limited in how many guns they can own, most are not shot out WW2 guns. The majority of them actually have expensive guns.
The caliber of choice for Europeans seems to be 308, 30-06 and 9.3x62. They have a tendency to shoot heavy bullets and at closer ranges, the complete opposite of the current NA thinking. The man bun caliber hasn't caught on across the Atlantic.
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6.5CM is gaining popularity in Finland as well. Regulations changed early 2020 making 6.5CM legal for any game, so it's probably becoming more popular all the time. 308 will of course remain popular, but "one caliber hunters/shooters" are not as restricted as they have been before. Of course there is the "why would you need another rifle" crowd, but "why wouldn't you have another rifle" crowd is growing.
 
Having taken moose with cartridges ranging from 6.5CM and 6.5x55 to 9.3x62, in magnum and non-magnum cartridges over the past 37 years, I can attest that they all work to put meat on the table when the bullet is placed properly. And my longest shot to date has been 220 yards (7MM STW) , with the shortest at 15 yards (6.5CM). (My archery kills have all been been inside 40 yards).

The big thing for the OP is finding the rifle that will fit his wife properly and be within her recoil tolerance levels to ensure comfort, confidence and competence. Many good rifles out there that will make the grade for her. Do not go too light, as weight helps with felt recoil. A good recoil pad makes a huge difference, if the factory apd doesn't cut it. Tikka's pads are usually pretty stiff, whereas the Browning pads are softer.
Had to replace the factory pad on my wife's Steyr Mountain Classic in 7mm-08 with a LimbSaver to make it more comfortable for her. 140 gr ammo is where she is comfortable, whether off the bench or shooting sticks (her recoil tolerance limit). She much prefers to shoot her 250 Savage, but will be her deer rifle (her choice).

The other question would be which moose will she be hunting? Alaska/Yukon, Canadian or Shiras. Big difference in body size between the larger and smaller species that may warrant her wanting a little more performance to ensure adequate penetration on less than desirable shot angles, and/or limiting shot distance.
Thankfully, most women are more patient than men and will wait for the right shot presentation, and will usually pass on uncomfortable shots (for them), whether it be distance, presentation, or stability in shooting position, and therefore make better shots.
 
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blackram said:
having taken moose with cartridges ranging from 6.5cm and 6.5x55 to 9.3x62, in magnum and non-magnum cartridges over the past 37 years, i can attest that they all work to put meat on the table when the bullet is placed properly. And my longest shot to date has been 220 yards (7mm stw) , with the shortest at 15 yards (6.5cm). (my archery kills have all been been inside 40 yards).

the big thing for the op is finding the rifle that will fit his wife properly and be within her recoil tolerance levels to ensure comfort, confidence and competence. many goof rifles out there that will make the grade for her. Do not go too light, as weight helps with felt recoil. a good recoil pad makes a huge difference, if the factory apd doesn't cut it. Tikka's pads are usually pretty stiff, whereas the browning pads are softer.
Had to replace the factory pad on my wife's steyr mountain classic in 7mm-08 with a limbsaver to make it more comfortable for her. 140 gr ammo is where she is comfortable, whether off the bench or shooting sticks (her recoil tolerance limit). She much prefers to shoot her 250 savage, but will be her deer rifle (her choice).

The other question would be which moose will she be hunting? Alaska/yukon, canadian or shiras. Big difference in body size between the larger and smaller species that may warrant her wanting a little more performance to ensure adequate penetration on less than desirable shot angles, and/or limiting shot distance.
Thankfully, most women are more patient than men and will wait for the right shot presentation, and will usually pass on uncomfortable shots (for them), whether it be distance, presentation, or stability in shooting position, and therefore make better shots.
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this^^^^
 
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