7mm-08 or 6,5CM
- Thread starter rascal1
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I carried a 9lb scoped 308 Norma Mag every step during the 2019 elk season. Average full day is 19km on the boots. It's bearable, but plenty of weight to lug around. This fall I will go back my 7.5lb 338-06, I just almost never need the reach of the 308NM. I will not be carrying my 7lb scoped 260 Rem. I have a dozen hunting rifles though, so I tend to pick optimum choices for my hunts
I've seen elk killed with 243, 6mm, 6.5cm, 260, 7-08, 280Ack, 308 Win, 30-06, 300wsm, 300wm, 8mm RM, 338-06, 338 Lapua, 375R, 375HH 45/70 Gvt. All of them died. Premium controlled expansion bullets are used across the board, and that seems to be more important than cartridge.
I've seen elk killed with 243, 6mm, 6.5cm, 260, 7-08, 280Ack, 308 Win, 30-06, 300wsm, 300wm, 8mm RM, 338-06, 338 Lapua, 375R, 375HH 45/70 Gvt. All of them died. Premium controlled expansion bullets are used across the board, and that seems to be more important than cartridge.
Good input on this thread. A reminder that a good bullet in the right place is more important than the cartridge. Reminds me of penetration tests where. 7-08 with a Barnes bullet did as well or better with penetration and wound channel as a 30-06 with a traditional 180-200 gr cup and core bullet. It would be foolish to say the 3006 load was a poor choice for moose or elk as thousands have been killed with such. And if a smaller cartridge with a premium bullet produces the similar results, it would be difficult to argue it is a poor choice too.
But some people just like to ##### about cartridges, so have at it.
Have you found different?
One of the bigger bulls Iāve killed was shot at just over 565 yards with a 270 and a130 gr bullet. He literally went nowhere. Now if you shoot them in the guts, all bets are off. But to be shocked that a 6.5 CM will kill an Elk cleanly is ridiculous.
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I'm curious about the choice being a T3 in a short action cartridge? How Tikka keeps the T3/T3X of decent quality in moderate price is that the action across the board is the same, with just bolt stops and magazines different. If you are going to bother with a long action rifle I'd suggest taking the long action performance of a 270, 7x64B, 280 or 30-06.
That's just my nickel... I only mention it because you mentioned weight as being part motive for the purchase: the better performance of the long action cartridges I mentioned do not come at the cost of extra weight in the T3's universal action. If it must be one of the two, the slight advantage is in favour of the 7mm-08 and the larger bullets that can be delivered with it. Elk aren't small (<900lbs), if you are buying a new rifle for the purpose I am curious why you'd intentionally obtain "adequate" performance when there is no disadvantage to obtaining optimum performance? Sure it might be worth packing a very light Remington 7 in 7mm-08 if you are going up and down mountains all day, and then being very picky about taking the shot... but the higher performance obtainable with long action cartridge is not going to mean you have to wait (and possibly pass up) on a shot as that added assurance of deep penetration is just waiting to prevent some long tracking.(not to infer that large caliber is compensation for poor shot placement)
That's just my nickel... I only mention it because you mentioned weight as being part motive for the purchase: the better performance of the long action cartridges I mentioned do not come at the cost of extra weight in the T3's universal action. If it must be one of the two, the slight advantage is in favour of the 7mm-08 and the larger bullets that can be delivered with it. Elk aren't small (<900lbs), if you are buying a new rifle for the purpose I am curious why you'd intentionally obtain "adequate" performance when there is no disadvantage to obtaining optimum performance? Sure it might be worth packing a very light Remington 7 in 7mm-08 if you are going up and down mountains all day, and then being very picky about taking the shot... but the higher performance obtainable with long action cartridge is not going to mean you have to wait (and possibly pass up) on a shot as that added assurance of deep penetration is just waiting to prevent some long tracking.(not to infer that large caliber is compensation for poor shot placement)
Disclosure: I have not personally shot an elk with either cartridge. There, thatās out of the way.
0.020ā difference is not worth talking about. For shots of 400 yards and in, I would say so long as you only take good shots (broadside) and are using a premium bullet (say accubond) either would be fine. Seeing as how you already have a 6.5 I would use that one. I use 143 eld x bullets in my 6.5ās, I donāt think Iād try a bull elk with that bullet, I donāt think it would hold together well enough if it hit the shoulder. This based off of my experience with shooting deer with it. I could be wrong though.
Also, my dad has shot two elk with 243 win with 100 grain partitions, one shot for each. I would feel much better launching a 140 grain bullet from either of the two you have mentioned, just pointing out (as others have) that lighter chamberings can work fine. Shot placement kills.
0.020ā difference is not worth talking about. For shots of 400 yards and in, I would say so long as you only take good shots (broadside) and are using a premium bullet (say accubond) either would be fine. Seeing as how you already have a 6.5 I would use that one. I use 143 eld x bullets in my 6.5ās, I donāt think Iād try a bull elk with that bullet, I donāt think it would hold together well enough if it hit the shoulder. This based off of my experience with shooting deer with it. I could be wrong though.
Also, my dad has shot two elk with 243 win with 100 grain partitions, one shot for each. I would feel much better launching a 140 grain bullet from either of the two you have mentioned, just pointing out (as others have) that lighter chamberings can work fine. Shot placement kills.
That was me last year with my 9 pound + A bolt .300. Hence the reset to try out hunting this year with a lighter rifle. I have been packing the A bolt as my primary hunter for about 24 yrs. Thought it was time for something new. 6.5 CM was chosen as I have one for long range target shooting and will eventually start loading for it. Not so worried about hand loads for the hunting iron as good factory ammo will be fine for the amount I will be shooting it.
Read post #75. I have 2 long action 30 cal rifles already. I might still go 7mm08 yet,. Just picked up a Leupold VX3i 3.5-10x40 CDS windplex to mount on top of which ever rifle I go with in the end.
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Having harvested a couple dozen elk over the past 25 years, I can say that an experienced hunter can take elk with a wide variety of cartridges, and as already mentioned, shot placement is key. The other main issue here is that these experienced hunters know when to take the shot and when not to! A lighter cartridge placing a bullet in both lungs on an unwary, relaxed elk, is a far cry different than a shot at an awkward angle on a rut crazed bull, even with a larger caliber and heavier bullet.
Elk have the densest bone of any animal in north america, and you do not want to hit the heavy shoulder bone with a lighter bullet froma less powerful cartridge, as it will not reliably break that bone and still make it into the vitals. Tests have shown that a 250gr bullet from a 338 Win Mag is the minimum that will reliably break that bone from any angle and still make it into the vitals. Then you add into the mix, the fact that elk have a tenacity for life, second to none of any game in north america. Follow a wounded elk sometime and you will quickly realize that a wounded elk can cover an awful lot of ground in a very short amount of time.
No, they are not bullet proof, but are tough and should be given the respect that they deserve, as no one will get the most opportune circumstances for a shot at an elk all the time, and poor shot placement does happen, even under the best of conditions. I have harvested elk with a 6.5x55,but have had much better success with larger calibers, heavier bullets and more velocity.
Both the 6.5 CM and 7mm-08 will cleanly kill elk with a well placed 140gr bullet. But as mentioned above, I would prefer a premium bullet for elk in these cartridges and ensure the shot is taken at shorter ranges (200 yards or less), under optimal shot conditions and presentations.
I do agree with the post above that refers to looking at a long action cartridge versus the short action cartridge in the Tikka T3 rifles. A 270/280/30-06 will provide more velocity and energy in the same weight rifle and give you an edge in performance for elk with this in heavier bullet weights. As for the extra recoil in the light rifle, replace Tikka's harder recoil pad with a Decelerator or a LimbSaver and still have a mild recoil level that will aid in the shooter's accuracy. The Tikka's are known for their accuracy potential, and you should have no problem finding a load that will work well in the rifle, whether handloaded or in factory ammunition.
Elk have the densest bone of any animal in north america, and you do not want to hit the heavy shoulder bone with a lighter bullet froma less powerful cartridge, as it will not reliably break that bone and still make it into the vitals. Tests have shown that a 250gr bullet from a 338 Win Mag is the minimum that will reliably break that bone from any angle and still make it into the vitals. Then you add into the mix, the fact that elk have a tenacity for life, second to none of any game in north america. Follow a wounded elk sometime and you will quickly realize that a wounded elk can cover an awful lot of ground in a very short amount of time.
No, they are not bullet proof, but are tough and should be given the respect that they deserve, as no one will get the most opportune circumstances for a shot at an elk all the time, and poor shot placement does happen, even under the best of conditions. I have harvested elk with a 6.5x55,but have had much better success with larger calibers, heavier bullets and more velocity.
Both the 6.5 CM and 7mm-08 will cleanly kill elk with a well placed 140gr bullet. But as mentioned above, I would prefer a premium bullet for elk in these cartridges and ensure the shot is taken at shorter ranges (200 yards or less), under optimal shot conditions and presentations.
I do agree with the post above that refers to looking at a long action cartridge versus the short action cartridge in the Tikka T3 rifles. A 270/280/30-06 will provide more velocity and energy in the same weight rifle and give you an edge in performance for elk with this in heavier bullet weights. As for the extra recoil in the light rifle, replace Tikka's harder recoil pad with a Decelerator or a LimbSaver and still have a mild recoil level that will aid in the shooter's accuracy. The Tikka's are known for their accuracy potential, and you should have no problem finding a load that will work well in the rifle, whether handloaded or in factory ammunition.
Non-answer ......... Fail!
Haha...
I'm sure tb and chuck have killed, and seen killed, far more elk than me. And by a wider variety of cartridges. (I've only hunted elk with the 3o-o6 and 6.5CM.) But I've seen them killed by a variety of chamberings, up to 338WM, and all but one have expired quickly and cleanly. The single bull we've lost was hit too far back with a 338WM. Not the rifle or rounds fault, stuff happens. But a cannon is no substitute for placement IME.
Also IME, some rifle/cartridge combos tend to produce better marksmen. The original subjects of this thread being prime examples.
