New to hunting

If your new to hunting DO NOT take 500 yard shots on big game or any game. As others have stated shooting at paper, steel is very different then any game. Paper, or steel wont suddenly and unexpectant move just a split second before you pull the trigger, paper/steel wont elevate your heart rate like your having an opportunity on your first elk, deer or moose will. I have seen good shooters get a dump of adrenaline while hunting and miss an elk at 80 yards. Like completely miss.

If you want to see what its like, do about 20 burpees, grab your rifle then hit your target bang on at 500 with your first shot in the next 15 seconds. Its only the first one that counts, that target isn't going to wait while you walk it in, or have a redo, wounding is not an option, this is a living being that deserves more then a "take a poke at".

For the 6.5 creed. Take a look at your ammo and the ft/lbs it produces at all distances you would hunt at. A simple google search will pull up the recommended ft/lbs for big game. Know the limits of your bullet combo and stay within them. A good shot in the vitals is always better then a magnum shot where it doesnt matter too.
 
Foot pounds of energy are pretty much meaningless in this day and age.
Impact velocity, bullet construction, bullet shape, and barrel twist are much more relevant than “energy”.
Keep your impact velocity above 1800 fps and you’ll be fine with a cup and core bullet. 2000fps on a bonded, 2200 fps on a traditional mono like the Barnes or Hornady offerings.
A 6.5 Creedmoor is a fantastic starter rifle. You’ll shoot it a lot, and become more proficient at a faster rate over something that recoils more.
 
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Heck yeah. I'd go down to 6.5 Grendel even, if there were rifles chambered in it that he likes.

Hits in vital organs with bullets that disrupt/expand/fragment are gonna kill. Period. As long as it can do that deeply enough inside the animal, you're good.
 
I don't agree that foot pounds of energy is meaningless ...... sorry, i find that plain wrong but you are entitled to the opinion.

I don't think think the 6.5 creedmore, with any bullet, is an optimal cartridge for quick kills on Moose or Elk sized game out to the OP's desired 500 yards. Perhaps a well trained long distance shooter could get it done but average hunter? It's just not an optimal choice.
My rifle for Elk and Moose out to 500 yards is a 7mm rem mag. That said, I know the rifle and my skills can make those shots out to 500 but I won't pull the trigger past 400. So much can change in a split second at those distances, I opt to get closer.
For whatever reason, the firearms industry has turned the 6.5 creedmore into some kind of ultimate caliber or something. I have lost count of the number of friends who have gone into the various gunstores across the country and the counter staff tries to sell them a tikka in 6.5 creedmore LOL They got my buddy the other day at international with a rifle he was buying for his girlfriend...... a tikka in 6.5 cm :ROFLMAO: I hope and pray that's not the rifle she is bringing for her bull moose draw this fall :devilish:
 
My choice3 for hunting big game would be a carbine style (shorter barrell) in 308, at least in my part of the World (Eastern Canada) bush country type. I would have to rely on those from more open country to provide the expertise as to requirements there. Muzzleloader ( again short barrel) in 50 calibre. I love the 6.5 Creedmore for varmints and target shooting but won't be carrying it into the bush.
 
i would advise picking up something in the mighty .223 rem AND something much bigger, say a 30 cal of some flavor.

Practice a lot or that 500yd distance will just be a big unrealistic distance. This will help you realize that recoil makes you shoot worse and it really isn't that pleasant.


While practicing, read the rokslide thread on the .223 with an open mind and understand that the .223 is perfectly viable (with the right bullets) out to 400ish yards.

Practice practice practice. Keep shooting that 30 cal and come to the realization that you would rather shoot something with less recoil.

Sell the 30 call and buy a lighter recoiling 243/257/264 cal or just use the cash on ammo to practice with.

A lot can happen in the bullet flight time out to 500, it doesn't matter the caliber.

Really what it comes down to is the smaller calibers with fragmenting bullets can outperform larger calibers with mushrooming bullets. While penetrating and not recoiling.
 
Hockeyman said:
What caliber would you say is the best for hunting big game. I have heard 6.5 CM is the way to go. Any thoughts?
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The 6.5 Creeedmoor is just fine for big game. This cartridge is a triplet to the 260 Remington and the 6.5x55 Swede. All of them have hammered/killed big game from antelope to moose. Best of luck and have fun shopping for you're newly aquired rifle!
 
track said:
The 6.5 Creeedmoor is just fine for big game. This cartridge is a triplet to the 260 Remington and the 6.5x55 Swede. All of them have hammered/killed big game from antelope to moose. Best of luck and have fun shopping for you're newly aquired rifle!
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and you would suggest it to a new hunter looking to kill things like elk and moose out to 500?

come on now.
curious to know what you would have suggested if the 6.5 creedmore wasn't availlable
 
45ACPKING said:
and you would suggest it to a new hunter looking to kill things like elk and moose out to 500?

come on now.
curious to know what you would have suggested if the 6.5 creedmore wasn't availlable
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I would never suggest to kill big game out to 500 yards, with most cartridges. I'm a veteran Fudd and would stricty suggest, to any hunter, to stalk their prey. Distance was never mentioned into the equation of cartridge choice.
 
45ACPKING said:
and you would suggest it to a new hunter looking to kill things like elk and moose out to 500?

come on now.
curious to know what you would have suggested if the 6.5 creedmore wasn't availlable
Click to expand...
I don't think anyone new to hunting should be taking any shots at 400 to 500.

300 would be a stretch without the option for me to lay prone with my bag as a rest.

Id happily use my 6.5x55 with 140s and 156s on moose within 250 yards give or take. 140s at 2650fps and 156 at 2500fps.
 
I'm surprised that no one has mentioned the venerable 270 Winchester, yet. This round is more than capable of taking most North American game...up to and including moose and elk. Ammo is plentiful and easy to find. The caliber is very easy to reload for. Plus, there's a variety of available bullet weights to cover most hunting scenarios.
The 6,5 CM may be the trendy new kid on the block. But, hard to beat a caliber with the pedigree of the .270. May be worth checking out.
 
Think the big 4 if you aspire to take 500 yard pokes at elk and moose.
.270 Win
.308 Win
30-06
7mm REM Mag

Oh ya please learn how to shoot from field positions before trying any shots past 200 yards…. Last time I checked shooting benches aren't out in the wild.
 
In 28years of moose hunting I had 2 moose out past 120m and none past the 300m mark all the others were 120 and in!
Caribou much the same.
Black bear same.
learn to shoot, but more importantly learn to hunt!!
 
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