Elk Hunt: 45-70 or 6.5 x 55

Slooshark1

Slooshark1

CGN frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
90   0   0
My Dad was just invited to go on an elk hunt this Fall out West. His options are a Ruger #1 in 45-70 or a Sporterized Swedish Mauser in 6.5 x 55. There could be shooting opportunities out to 400 yards, apparently. He shoots very well with both but I told him to forget about the 45-70 and load up some good loads for the 6.5, either Barnes TSX or Nosler Accubond 130 grain bullets. What do you elk hunters think about that recommendation?
 
OK, I have the can of worms, somebody hand me the can opener and I will open it!
If you hit a mature elk at 400 yards with a 6.5 x 55, there is probably about a 50-50 chance that it will get away wounded.
 
Yes, I understand that the 45-70 is not a 400 yard rifle. I guess I should have asked if the 6.5 would be a suitable 400 yard elk rifle?
 
A 6.5 with a decent bullet and a well placed shot to the vitals will kill a elk at 400, the two keys are a well placed shot and a good bullet (partition, tsx)

A shot to the shoulder at 400 yds with a 6.5 will most likely result in a unrecovered dead elk.

Be sure you can shoot and hit the target at 400, place the shot right, enjoy elk steak and roasts.
 
Not sure where he is hunting - but of the dozen or so Elk I have killed, the longest shot was 400 with a 300 wby. 180 grain bullets at high velocity still retain the energy required to break shoulders/penetrate. Everyone claims you need to shoot super long distance, and my experience has been in the vast majority of situations you can sneak to 200 or less.

That being said - my better half has dropped a couple with a 25-06. Both were inside of 200 and fell to 120 grain Nosler Partitions at around 300fps

That 6.5 is likely a fair enough elk round to 300 but given a chance I would try to get even a bit closer. I would look to a 120 ttsx Barnes, a 120 GMX hornady or a Partition.
 
I would not take a 400 yard shot at an elk with either of those rounds. Well ...... to be honest ..... it's actually pretty unlikely I would take one with my .300 Win, which I consider as my "elk rifle". If you decide you can live within some more realistic limits, either round will kill an elk. Why not make up your mind to just "hunt" elk until you are closer, or don't shoot?
 
H4831 said:
OK, I have the can of worms, somebody hand me the can opener and I will open it!
If you hit a mature elk at 400 yards with a 6.5 x 55, there is probably about a 50-50 chance that it will get away wounded.
Click to expand...

You took the words out of my mouth. I don't think either of those chamberings are 400 yard elk rifles. The 6.5x55 in a modern, strong action with modern loads...even that is on the light side, imo.
 
400 yards would be pushing it on a elk for me with a 6.5, i would go with my 8mm Mauser with a 170gr speer sp @ 2650fts, even with a big magnum , i wouldnt feel confotable shooting at that range, 300yards and under is good for me.
 
I love the 6.5x55 and have killed my share of animals with mine. One of which was a 6x6 bull elk at 260 yards. He dropped in his tracks. That was with a 140g partition. As much as I love my 6.5 and have faith in it I would not pick it for my 400 yard elk rifle. With a good good quality bullet up to 300 yards sure but beyond that and I'm getting closer or investing or borrowing a bigger gun. In my experience elk are tough. The 45/70 up close Would be fantastic. Getting close is more fun anyway
 
mossyhorns is correct. Just because you can see an elk that is 400 yds away doesn't mean that you should shoot at it! How about stalking closer? Both cartridges are good elk rounds, but not at 400 yds. Most elk hunters aren't good enough shooters OR trackers to have any business taking a shot that far away. Almost all the elk that I have heard of that were hit and lost were by people who did not attempt to stalk closer. It is called hunting not shooting!
 
Four hundred yard elk shots need some serious horse power.
The pretty little Swede I believe is lacking a bit on this venture.
I think a magnum chambering would be best.

And not a 22 mag......... :p
 
Swedes prefer a 140grn. bullet. For two legged targets and deer weight it's awesome out to 500 yards.

For Elk over 300 yards, go with a 7mm magnum of any type 160grn. and up.
 
i have some of the older barnes 140 grain x bullets loaded for my 6.5x55 .

if that was the gun and bullets in my hand at the time , and sneaking closer was not a option ..... if i could get a good shot at the lungs , with enough room around the animal to get a second shot off , i'd do it .....

BUT ... only because i am very familar with the gun and the bullets

it would not be my first choice , i would prefer my stw , but my stw is on the heavy side , and the 6.5x55 is just plain ###y , so it gets picked just because it smiled pretty at me that day :D
 
burnt_servo said:
i have some of the older barnes 140 grain x bullets loaded for my 6.5x55 .

if that was the gun and bullets in my hand at the time , and sneaking closer was not a option ..... if i could get a good shot at the lungs , with enough room around the animal to get a second shot off , i'd do it .....

BUT ... only because i am very familar with the gun and the bullets

it would not be my first choice , i would prefer my stw , but my stw is on the heavy side , and the 6.5x55 is just plain ###y , so it gets picked just because it smiled pretty at me that day :D
Click to expand...

I doubt the 140X would open up at that range.
 
I love the 6.5x55, and have shot a fair bit of game with it, including Elk and Moose.
While it is quite capable on deer-size game out past 400, I would be just a bit nervous about poking away at an Elk at 400 yards.
I shot a moose with a 6.5x55 at 380 yards, but the shot was a perfect presentation, and in deep snow conditions.
In my experience, moose are easier to kill than are elk.
My choice for an elk at 400 yards would be the 270, the 280, the 7mm Mag, or any 30 cal from the '06 up.
They would be loaded with a decent bullet as well. [Partition, TTSX, etc]
Regards, Eagleye.
 
this thread pretty much has it nailed. I'd go with the 6.5x55, and limit myself to about 250 yards. Actually, if it were ME, I'd get myself a different gun altogether. It would look a lot like a 7mm magnum or one of the 300 wm's at a minimum if I seriously expected 400 yards to be on the programme. Better still, a 338 rum, lapua, or 340 weatherby - they'd give an ideal trajectory, ample energy, and plenty of downrange velocity for optimal bullet performance.
 
H4831 said:
OK, I have the can of worms, somebody hand me the can opener and I will open it!
If you hit a mature elk at 400 yards with a 6.5 x 55, there is probably about a 50-50 chance that it will get away wounded.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't have any qualms about using the .45-70 at that range. No real danger of wounding the elk - I probably wouldn't even wake him.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom