- Location
- Ft. Mac. Alberta
308 is easy to neck down into 260, but you can buy quality 260 brass.
Cat
Cat
6.5 for moose???
- Thread starter tommy88
- Start date
Keep in mind that if you buy a tikka there is no such thing as a short action. All of their actions are long action, so there is no added benefit of a short cartridge over a long one.
The owner of one of the top moose hunting outfitters in Quebec says you can absolutely shoot a moose with those calibers you mentioned and harvest them successfully. Shot placement is key, he also recommends NOT shooting for the shoulder or spine no matter the caliber. For a clean kill the heart and lungs are bigger targets and get the job done with the added benefit of draining out a bunch of blood which gives you a better quality meat.
I have shot a fair amount of game with various 6.5mm Chamberings from the 6.5x54 right up to the 264 Win Mag.
I have taken 3 or 4 moose with the 6.5x55, and never had to shoot one twice.
The 264 Win Mag used to be in a class of it's own, and I shot a couple of elk and quite a few muleys with mine.
Again, nothing required a second shot, and a couple of the deer were taken at 450+ yards.
The lowly 6.5 x54 MS accounted for 3 muleys and 2 Whitetails, using that long 160 RN bullet...never recovered one of those.
So, to the OP, the 6.5's as a group are plenty adequate for moose.
Regards, dave.
I have taken 3 or 4 moose with the 6.5x55, and never had to shoot one twice.
The 264 Win Mag used to be in a class of it's own, and I shot a couple of elk and quite a few muleys with mine.
Again, nothing required a second shot, and a couple of the deer were taken at 450+ yards.
The lowly 6.5 x54 MS accounted for 3 muleys and 2 Whitetails, using that long 160 RN bullet...never recovered one of those.
So, to the OP, the 6.5's as a group are plenty adequate for moose.
Regards, dave.
The 6.5 bullets have excellent sectional density. This means good ballistics and excellent penetration.
Large moose shot with 6.5x55 with Hornady 160RN. Bullet found under skin on far side. One shot kill.
260 Rem has similar power.
If I was making another 6.5 for hunting, I would make it an Ackley Improved. I use a 260 AI for F class, and the extra case capacity comes in handy for en extra scoop of slow powder.
Large moose shot with 6.5x55 with Hornady 160RN. Bullet found under skin on far side. One shot kill.
260 Rem has similar power.
If I was making another 6.5 for hunting, I would make it an Ackley Improved. I use a 260 AI for F class, and the extra case capacity comes in handy for en extra scoop of slow powder.
As mentioned, all Tikkas are long actions
Yes, but you can buy .260 brass
.277 cal bullets are not hard to find, neither is .260 or 7-08 brass which are the easiest to form for the .270 Redding or the .270/308. The dies will be the sticker, they are not hard to find, but they are customs so you will pay a premium for them.
It is Thanks, not everyones cup of tea but it works well for me.
I used mid-range 270 Redding data for starting loads and worked my way up.
Not as fast as the Redding version, but not far behind.
As for 6.5s, Bill L. worked his magic with a '50s vintage pre-64 Mod. 70 and came up with a really nice shooting 256 Newton, essentially a stout 6.5-06 and I have yet to hunt with it.
Load data is more difficult to find for it since the Newton cartridge is long gone as far as handloaders are concerned.
However, by next season it will be ready to hunt...
nowarningshot
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
The original poster gave the choice of 25-06, 6.5x55, 6.5 creedmore, and 260. Adding the 270 was my idea as a obvious better choice. But of the four choices the 260 would be my choice.
The OP also stated in a later post that the 270 win had been his first obvious choice until he had come under the impression that is was not a legal caliber choice
When did being competent with your rifle become irrelevant?Many people didn't have a clue about game anatomy[or panicked in a tight spot] and these are the one's who died trying to emulate Bell.He started out with the .303 British,then the 6.5 MS and finally most of his "work" with the 7x57.The 6.5's may not be frontal chest shot charge stoppers but will penetrate skulls or bust both shoulders on a broadside shot like there's no tomorrow I have never yet recovered a 160gr Hornady shot into a moose.I load 42gr of either IMR 4350 or N-204 and a 156gr Sako or 160gr Hornady.Harold
It will work just fine and don't let anyone else sway you
Just go out and buy the one that most catches your fancy. If it were me, I'd likely go with the 260 because of efficiency of a shorter bolt throw over the 6.5x55, but it will likely come down to finding the rifle you want.
Good luck in your search!
Just go out and buy the one that most catches your fancy. If it were me, I'd likely go with the 260 because of efficiency of a shorter bolt throw over the 6.5x55, but it will likely come down to finding the rifle you want.
Good luck in your search!
bearkilr
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Nowhere, ......just past the middle
As opposed to other animals where you don't get results from a vital zone hit?
Heh, no, it was a reference to the potential difficulty of reaching the vitals in some other game and the fact that moose often stand there dumbfounded with a hole through their lungs. Sorry if it wasn't clear.
