6.5CM hunters, what ammo do you recommend?

4n2t0 said:
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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Totally agree with you. You basically summed up where my thoughts are on this topic there quite nicely.

Yeah, I was considering 7mm PRC already as probably the top choice so far. I do enjoy my 6.5 a lot, so I'm not itching to trade up by any means but I would, if it made sense to do so. I can shoot my 6.5 well and it packs / carries nicely but I am open to the idea of going up a bit in cartridge size/energy.
Either way though I will be using the 6.5 and the .243 this season for a variety of hunts, and I would be looking at upgrading to 7mmPRC for 2026, if that were to go ahead.
 
I'm in the "if it makes a hole in the vitals that stops air and blood from circulating its gonna die" camp and a good 6.5mm bullet does that with aplomb. But hunting rifle/cartridge is a very personal and somewhat subjective choice. That point about reaching far is good too if you put the work in to mastering it.

Most importantly though...you should always buy another gun!

Maybe a 280 Rem or 7 PRC really does belong with ya. Or anything else! Why not.
 
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. 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!
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I've always used Hornady 143gr ELD-X on whitetail. Worked perfect every time. That being said, I used a Hornady 212gr ELD-X on a moose and wasn't happy, it grenaded and I only found around 30gr of copper jacket. So I switched to 190gr CX for the next hunt and it totally rocked his boat and stayed together.
 
143 ELDX, kills 'em dead on the spot (mostly, sometimes they go 20 or so feet). I bought 4 boxes of 120 TTSX's but haven't used them yet on any game cuz I still have 600+ ELD-X's and I get tighter groups with the 143's as compared to the Barnes monos in my Kimber Montana.
My experience is the cup and cores kill way quicker than the mono...YMMV, just my experience and my 2 cents worth on the subject
 
Smokinyotes said:
If I was going to hunt with a 6.5 cm I’d be using a 127gr LRX, Lapua brass, H4350. I’ve shot enough game now with the 200 gr eldx out of my 300wm, 145 gr eldx out of my 270wsm to know that they are far to frangible for my liking. I gave 300 143 gr 6.5 eldx away.
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Doing pretty much that but Starline brass cause I'll never personally see a difference like you guys get from the Lapua!

Although 40.3 gr Staball Match and a 120gr CX showed potential, since I cant see myself shooting game past 300m
 
Joel said:
Doing pretty much that but Starline brass cause I'll never personally see a difference like you guys get from the Lapua!

Although 40.3 gr Staball Match and a 120gr CX showed potential, since I cant see myself shooting game past 300m
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I get 4.5-6.5 SD’s using starline brass, barnes MB, CCI BR’s and H4350 in my 6.5 Creedmoor.
22 loads so far on my first bag of 50 and zero sign of aging. Well, not zero. Trimmed them twice now.
I have yet to see a reason to use lapua or Peterson.

Mind you, that’s a target load.

I have yet to hunt with my 6.5 CDM but I have a box of 127 LRX in my larder that I will be trying first. Also have a few different “cutting edge” options in 6.5 on the way.
 
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In the past 12 months I’ve seen 4 black bears and 2 deer killed with the factory 143 eldx out of a 6.5 PRC at 2920 muzzle velocity. 7 impacts with distances from 20 yards to 375 yards. Velocities will be a little lower with the 6.5 CM but you can extrapolate results. Recovered 4 of 7 projectiles against the offside hide. All wounds were incredibly traumatic, with more damage than the mono copper or bonded bullets I’ve used in 308 and 7mm rem mag recently.
Considering all 4 recovered bullets had over 60% weight retention and penetrated to the offside hide through bone and meat, and the other 3 exited, I have zero concerns about penetration with the eldx at high velocity.
Honestly, if I was shooting the lower velocity of the 6.5 CM I would consider switching to the ELDM to get better fragmentation, especially at distance.
 
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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. 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!
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Sellier&Bellot, good ammo and great price.
Check and compare the price for value and it gets even better.
 
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