6.5CM hunters, what ammo do you recommend?

SilentKnight

SilentKnight

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Looking to hear from hunters out there who use the 6.5 Creedmoor and what ammunition they hunt black bears and/or mule deer and other big game with.
I've read plenty of reddit threads on the topic and watched the usual YouTube videos already. I'm looking to hear directly from Canadian hunters who have experience with this cartridge for hunting. I am gathering information to see if it's a viable option or if I should step up a bit.
Thanks in advance for any information provided!
 
SilentKnight said:
Looking to hear from hunters out there who use the 6.5 Creedmoor and what ammunition they hunt black bears and/or mule deer and other big game with.
I've read plenty of reddit threads on the topic and watched the usual YouTube videos already. I'm looking to hear directly from Canadian hunters who have experience with this cartridge for hunting.
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Remember Bullet Placement is the #1 Concern - that being said i like Bonded or Mono bullets - I don't like cup and core bullets as they tend to make a Mess - BUT they do KILL ! jmo RJ
SilentKnight said:
" I am gathering information to see if it's a viable option or if I should step up a bit. "
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Not sure WHAT your sayin or asking in your last sentence ? RJ
 
remington jim said:
Remember Bullet Placement is the #1 Concern - that being said i like Bonded or Mono bullets - I don't like cup and core bullets as they tend to make a Mess - BUT they do KILL ! jmo RJ

Not sure WHAT your sayin or asking in your last sentence ? RJ
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I'm thinking he's want's to see if a 6.5 CM is suitable black bear/mule deer/big game or if he should look at a more powerful cartridge.
 
As RJ mentioned above.

Bullet placement is key. I try very hard to shoot monolithic projectiles in my guns for hunting big game. If not possible due to accuracy issues I’ll switch to a bonded.

I will be taking a 6.5CM rifle Blackbear hunting this weekend. Doing some final factory ammo testing tomorrow and currently it looks like I’ll be using some Barnes LRX. However, that may change.

B
 
Mik123 said:
I'm thinking he's want's to see if a 6.5 CM is suitable black bear/mule deer/big game or if he should look at a more powerful cartridge.
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I guess I'm wondering why anyone would think they need more?! Calibres like the .243 have filled freezers all over North America. For deer-sized game, the 6.5 Creedmoor, along with many other calibres, are perfect for the job.
 
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I have shot or been around many cow elk, a few bull elk, moose, deer, antelope, coyotes etc from 10 yards to 450 yards shot with the 143 eldxs and have never been disappointed. A couple times maybe a bit messy but nothing has ever gone more then 20+ yards. As always bullet placement is key.
 
remington jim said:
Remember Bullet Placement is the #1 Concern - that being said i like Bonded or Mono bullets - I don't like cup and core bullets as they tend to make a Mess - BUT they do KILL ! jmo RJ

Not sure WHAT your sayin or asking in your last sentence ? RJ
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I'm saying exactly what Mik123 said I was saying.
I am gathering data and seeing if the type of hunting that I want to do, here in the western mountains mainly, would be better suited to a larger cartridge, possibly a magnum, for elk, black bear, mule deer etc. The areas that I frequently shoot at here are often in places with the shot coming from a high angle and/or at farther distances. I'm just asking so I can make a more informed decision and use the right choice in rifle/cartridge.
 
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bdb.hunting said:
As RJ mentioned above.

Bullet placement is key. I try very hard to shoot monolithic projectiles in my guns for hunting big game. If not possible due to accuracy issues I’ll switch to a bonded.

I will be taking a 6.5CM rifle Blackbear hunting this weekend. Doing some final factory ammo testing tomorrow and currently it looks like I’ll be using some Barnes LRX. However, that may change.

B
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Let me know how it goes and what ammo you end up going with, if you don't mind.
 
4n2t0 said:
I guess I'm wondering why anyone would think they need more?! Calibres like the .243 have filled freezers all over North America. For deer-sized game, the 6.5 Creedmoor, along with many other calibres, are perfect for the job.
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I have a .243, it's a great rifle and cartridge.
I also have a 6.5CM that I have wanted to use.

"For deer sized game" my .243 is great and my 6.5 would also be great. I do plan to hunt other game as well though, like elk, bear and potentially goat/sheep/moose, so I am asking about the 6.5 for my use case out west here in the mountains and if I would be better suited with a magnum cartridge.
 
SilentKnight said:
I have a .243, it's a great rifle and cartridge.
I also have a 6.5CM that I have wanted to use.

"For deer sized game" my .243 is great and my 6.5 would also be great. I do plan to hunt other game as well though, like elk, bear and potentially goat/sheep/moose, so I am asking about the 6.5 for my use case out west here in the mountains and if I would be better suited with a magnum cartridge.
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I don't want to start a $hit storm, but the 6.5 Creedmoor (or something ballistically similar/close), will easily do for black bears and deer. Now, in my opinion, and that's all it is, for moose, elk, and big bears, I would want a little more umph. Can the 6.5 Creedmoor successfully harvest that game? Sure, but personally, I would like a little more margin of error. Also, the fact that you're out west and might be taking longer shots matters. There really is no perfect for everything calibre; it's always a series of compromises.

If you're willing to try a "modern calibre" that has magnum-type performance, coupled with high bc bullets for the open country, I would suggest that you read up on 7mm PRC, if you aren't already familiar with it.
 
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