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Posted: 2/20/2025 8:38:49 PM EDT
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Hey guys, I'm from flatland NW Iowa. Until just recently the only thing you could hunt within 2 hrs of me with a centerfire rifle is predators/varmints where .22 cals are plenty. I do not deer hunt during slug deer season, too many dangerous and unethical hunters. Used to bowhunt. A buddy floated an elk hunt idea. Seems to have lost steam, but then I saw an episode of Meateater where he did a freelance antelope hunt in Wyoming on BLM land. Looked fairly easy, inexpensive and fun. Could also do similar for mule deer closer, maybe sodak or nebraska. Anyway, I'd like a cartridge more suited for the job in a bolt action. Something that would do well on open ground med/small game like antelope or deer, but hopefully have enough for elk within 400yds or so tops. Was initially thinking .270, as 6.5 creed might be a little light for the elk. .308 and 30-06 also considered. Then started researching 6.5 PRC. Looks like it should out do the 270 and 06/308 ballistically with similar or slightly less recoil, as well as drift less. Am I missing something other than ammo cost/availability? I do reload. And honestly wont shoot it enough to worry about cost, just to get practiced up pre hunt and hopefully 1 shot on the hunt. Leaning 6.5prc over 7prc because of recoil, as well as staying in a short action. The elk is a big maybe and I know my limitations of range, no more than 400 maybe 250 or 3. |
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Originally Posted By Bosqueboy: 30-06 is the boring answer but really is a cartridge that can do it all. I took my first several elk with an -06. .308 works too. I got a deal on a 300WM and yeah it that works, but overkill for me. It definitely lays them down. I hardly take it anymore, too hard on the shoulder for practice so I braked it. Huge improvement and loud as hell. |
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I think you are on the right track with a PRC. I was an early adopter 6.5CM and wish 6.5 PRC had existed back then. My next (elk) rifle will be at least 7, possibly 300 PRC. |
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Originally Posted By Bosqueboy: 30-06 is the boring answer but really is a cartridge that can do it all. |
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Napoleon Bonaparte
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I really love the 6.5CM. I have only killed two cows with it but it did fantastic. One at 200 yards the other 356 yards. The other key factor id it is very light recoiling so you will enjoy shooting it. It should work great for deer and antelope as well. Also PSA is making very good and very affordable practice ammo for it. You will need a LOT of practice if you are not used to shooting out at longer range. All that being said I have been very intrigued with 6.5 PRC. So I would give that a good look. If you want to really step up in power the 6.8 Western is a popular option out west. But I think plain old 308 and 30-06 will work as well. But they lose energy quicker than the 6.5 and usually have even more recoil. A lot of guys I know like things like 300 Win Mag. I know they are a lot more experienced and knowledgeable than I am. But I was trying to be real with myself when shopping for a rifle. I know I wouldn't practice as much with a 300 Win Mag as much as i do with my 6.5 CM. For me the 6.5 CM was a better choice. Maybe as my skill and hunting range increases, I will need something with a little more power behind it. When that happens I think I will be looking at the 6.5 PRC. Mostly pick something you shoot well and will practice with at the ranges you plan on hunting. If you go 6.5 CM i think bullet choice is important. My elk at 356 was Federal Terminal Accent and the 200 yard cow was Hornady ELDX. Both worked well and both shot well below MOA. |
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Keep the opinions coming fellas. I am leaning 6.5prc for the reduced recoil in a light rifle over a magnum. Also anyone have input on staying short action over others? I only own a 700 in 22-250 sa, and recently after expressing interest in heading on a western hunt, Dad sent Grandpas old rifle home with me. Nice rifle, a JC Higgins model 50. 30-06 built on a FN Mauser action and in great shape. But a little heavy with a terrible buttpad, and a bit long in the stock for me as it is. I handled some Bergaras, Tikkas, Savages, and Rugers a couple weeks ago. Didnt like the action/feel of the Tikkas or Savages. Preferred the action of the Bergara, but were kinda heavy. Really liked the Ruger American 2 rifles. Was unsure on caliber so didnt follow me home. |
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I've killed 2 bull elk with an 18 inch 6.5 Grendel ar that I built myself. 6.5 creed would be plenty for anything in N.America. Shit man. I want to shoot a moose with a 308 just to say I did. you could go old school and get a 30-30 marlin. That's killed plenty elk. |
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| 6.5CM is really popular around here for all three of those. |
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I have hunted all over the US and 3 trips to Africa and I have killed more animals with an 06 than all my other rifles combined. 150 BT’s for Antelope 165 BT’s for deer 165 TSX for Elk and Africa. It’s boring and it works. Nothing wrong with the 6.5 PRC but I just prefer something bigger when Elk are an option. The actual correct answer is get the PRC for deer and antelope and the 06 for Elk. 😁😁😁 |
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I’ve been hunting elk in the West for a long time. I’ve grown partial to calibers and bullets that are more forgiving on quartering shots and that are flat shooting. I like to shoot magnums with bonded or solid bullets and sight them in at around 250 yards so it is point and click out a ways. If you see something further you have time to range and dial. I hand load but it is also nice choosing a rifle/caliber that you can obtain ammo for in a pinch: purchase at a gas station in Nowhereville, or bum in camp. For me, 300 win mag or 7mm rem mag are hard to beat. |
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| Thanks for the replies. Im now thinking that since the odds of an elk hunt are pretty low for at least a few years, this may be a 2 rifle situation. Maybe a 6.5 creedmore short action for deer/antelope, and if the elk hunt comes along I will get something with more punch. Maybe a 300wm or 7prc. |
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Any of those calibers will work. I have never shot an elk with a 6.5 creedmoor, but I have seen what similar cartridges do. Even a 243 Winchester with a tough bullet will work. They are not powerhouses, but they penetrate through the vitals on reasonable shots, and the animal dies. Bullet selection is much more critical the smaller you go. I don't know how much rifle shooting experience you have, but it is not as easy as people online would have you believe. Youtube is the worst for it, as it is full of cherry picked shots, and over confident hunters. A 300 yard shot is not a pot shot. 400 yards is really a tough shot. It's one thing to do it on flat ground, under good conditions, on non-moving targets, with tons of time. It's a whole other deal to do it with a rifle set up for field shots, while you are tired, under less than ideal light, under whatever weather, on uneven terrain, and on an animal which isn't going to just sit around for you to set up perfectly. Misses happen in practice or competition. They are unacceptable when hunting. Western South Dakota is great for longer shots, but it has challenges. Watch where you lay down or put your hands, those cactus really hurt. It's a windy area, it's a rare day you see under 10mph winds. Very typical is 10-15mph winds with higher gusts. That makes for some really challenging shots. I just ran some quick numbers to give you an idea of the challenges of a 300 and 400 yard shot. You likely will not have the luxury of a wind meter, at least I don't carry one and don't know anyone who does. If you misjudge a 14mph wind as 20mph, or simply get a gust during a shot, you can be off about 4 to 5" at 300 yards with a range of typical 308 bullets. At 400 yard that discrepancy grows to 7.5" to 9.5" off of target, simply due to a wrong wind call under very typical western SD winds. Read that carefully, it is not your wind call, it is how much you would be off if you made the wrong wind call on only 6mph. This is only my opinion, but if you aren't shooting enough to worry about the costs of the PRC, then you likely aren't shooting enough to worry about 400 yard shots either. I don't shoot that far myself, I know my limits, I won't even take a 300 yard shot unless I have good conditions. I bring that up because to be taking those 400 yard shots takes quite a bit of practice. Wind is only one of the many factors. While 6.5 PRC is a hot round, it can burn a barrel out in around 1000 rounds. You can practice with other rifles, but i like to practice with my hunting rifles, exactly as they will be used in the field. Between trying different ammo and just a few range trips, it does not take long to put 500 rounds through a rifle. That can be half your barrel life right off the bat. That's the price you pay for that high performance. That's why I tend to stay away from rounds like 6.5 PRC, or even 7mm Rem Mag which is a very popular round. A good thing with those classic rounds like 30/06, 308 Winchester, 243 Winchester, and even the newcomer 6.5 Creedmoor, barrel life isn't bad. You are usually looking in that 3,000 to 5,000 round range for those type of cartridges. Especially with 308, they are going to be up at that 5,000 range, and sometimes longer if you get lucky. The smaller 6.5 CM and 243 WIN are going to be closer to that 3,000, if not 2,500 range. I've only ever hunted antelope in South Dakota, although Wyoming is very similar. They are smaller bodied than you would think. They have deer sized heads, on tiny little bodies. I've never weighed one, but I doubt too many get over 125 pounds. They are really a ton of fun to hunt, although I would not classify it as easy. What you have seen on TV may not align with reality. There is a TON more road hunting in western SD and eastern WY than you would think. Lots of trucks driving around, lots of idiots. A lot of the challenge is just finding enough land to get away from the roads. Once you do, it's fun. It's a lot more engaging since you can see so much, but that still doesn't mean they are easy to see. It's amazing how well they can hide in seemingly nothing. They act so much different than you may be used to with deer, and their eyesight is absolutely phenomenal. Where you find antelope tends to be flat or mild rolling hills. They live where their eyesight benefits them. The grass is short, and a lot of your shots are likely best done prone. I think the weight of a bipod is worth it, shooting off your backpack has issues, even if stable, now you need to take time and do so much movement taking it off and pray the antelope lets you have the time to do that. I much prefer folding the legs on a bipod, and laying down right away. A 243 Winchester would be a great choice for antelope, although anything would work. A 223 would work, but I'm not sure what is out there for bolt action orientated factory ammo for it. If you handload there are a couple bullets that would work good. 243 gives you a lot of good options. Nothing wrong with the big calibers either. I shot mine with a 308, and nothing crazy happened. Western SD mule deer is similar to antelope, but you can find them in some different areas. Due to some regulations and the way tags are given out here, real big mule deer are not very common. I hunted an area in the fall that had the worst road hunting I have ever experienced anywhere. In that area they did not close the dirt paths farmers use, and people with no shame drive down those constantly. I can not stress enough how crazy it can be. Some areas, likely most do close these small roads to hunters, and some have large enough patches of land you can get away from the roads, so pick your area carefully. I would worry more about that than finding the absolute highest deer density area. There's not a lot of areas here that are purely mule deer. Generally you can find areas that are mostly mule deer, and mostly whitetail but are only a few miles from each other. White tail tend to prefer the thicker brush, cattail swamps, etc. Mule deer tend to prefer more open areas, maybe thin patches of trees, etc. There is a lot of overlap though, and lots of areas have an even mix of both. One thing I would consider is if you want a deer for sure, whitetail doe tags are easy to get. Get a doe tag, fill it right away. Then the stress is off, and you can hunt however long you want for that big buck, and if you never get him, oh well. No sense shooting that 1 or 2 year old buck just adding to the problem. The firearm season here is the same for all of west river SD, so there's no special late tags to get. Opening weekend is when it's really crazy, and honestly I am starting to get to the point I don't even like hunting opener. If you were going to make a trip out of it, I would consider starting that Monday after opener weekend, and you will likely see 25% of the problems I described. If you were willing to wait till later in the season, I can only assume it will be even less, but it's not a super long season. 3 weeks I think. As for shooting, it can vary so much. Mule deer are just deer. You are just as likely to have one pop up at 100 yards while you are looking for them, as you are to spot and stalk to 300 yards on one. I've shot deer in all kinds of ways, sitting, prone, off rests, off bipods, even free hand. I've never needed to take a long shot yet. My farthest I can remember is 200 yards so far. Mule deer really aren't much different in size to an Iowa whitetail. 308 is a phenomenal choice for deer, but so is 6.5 creedmoor and 30/06. I tend to prefer heavier and slower bullets, I don't want to call it meat loss, but less mess that I have to clean up. A 180ish gr bullet in 308 is fantastic, punches a clean hole. I have hunted elk in Wyoming, but have never shot one. I have shot them here in South Dakota, but as far as I know it is a resident only tag. The thing to really be careful about Wyoming is they give out a lot of tags in poor areas. There is usually a reason those tags are easy to get, they suck to hunt. That's not to say they are all like that, but you have to be very, very careful which one you apply to. Wyoming also is in a bit of a battle with a public vs private land issue, with various things from road access to corner crossing. You really have to know what you are looking at on a map, and a lot of the public land there is not even treated as public since you can't get to it. I have very limited experience with elk hunting. I have never drawn a bull tag. Cow tags are reasonably easy to get, and FAR less expensive. It's almost criminal what they ask for yearly preference points, on top of the already overpriced tag itself. There are prairie elk, but I have never got a tag for one. Elk seasons can vary much more than deer or antelope. I think some open up in August, but September into October is their rut, which many love. Yet seasons continue into November, December, and sometimes even January. What might be nearly lone animals in early season, turn into vocal mating animals mid season, and end up as giant herds late season, so it really varies. Mountain hunting is kind of cool, although I'm not as big on it as some are. It really throws flatlanders like us off on distances. What looks like it is SO FAR away in the mountains, often in reality turns out to be like 500 yards. High elevations can of course be a strain, here in SD the black hills aren't that high, and I have never felt anything at all. That's another factor in Wyoming, early season elk can be very high, and a lot of those high elevations are "wilderness", which they don't allow non residents to hunt for whatever reason. There's an ideal time when elk are coming down, but by late season a lot end up on private ranches where you can't touch them without a lot of money. That's not every area though, so you really have to do a lot of homework. For shooting, I am so limited in experience I don't know that I can say much. Shots in the mountains can be long if you want, but at the same time it's generally easier to get closer to animals in the mountains than it is in areas like west river SD. The last elk I shot I think was Christmas day 2023, 180 yards prone off a bipod. People bow hunt elk, so shots can be close, especially in the woods. As a rifle hunter I probably wouldn't go still hunting, but that's just me. For all I know that technique is dynamite. Elk are big, but they aren't bulletproof. I have no doubts a person could use a 6.5 creedmoor and never be disappointed. Bullet selection is going to matter a lot more, I probably wouldn't be shooting a SST or ELDX, but again, that's just me. Nosler Accubond, Barnes TTSX I know those do well. I used a 308 again, and I can't imagine how much more someone could want. It was a basic Hornady 180gr Interlock, full pass through, elk died. 30-06 would be great. I wouldn't be looking at something like a PRC as more for elk. If I doubted a 308 or 30-06 (I don't), I'm not sure a PRC is the answer. 300 Win Mag is a common one. I don't see anything wrong with jumping up to something like a 35 Whelen either. I'm a big fan of 308 if you didn't already notice. 30-06 is about the same. If you are dead set on bolt action, 30-06 is a great choice. 308 is available in other platforms including semi-auto. 308 recoil is no big deal, and if you are used to slug guns it will feel like nothing. In competition the recoil difference between a 6.5 creedmoor and 308 may matter to some. In hunting, it's never going to matter. Both are super gentle shooters. |
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Thank you for the detailed rundown fgshoot. I agree, I dont plan on taking 400-500yd shots. I doubt my capabilities on that in anything but ideal circumstances. But want my rifle/cartridge to be capable of it. I also understand to a degree the difficulties of rifles and the wind of the west/prairie. Went on a prairie dog hunt some years ago. Crosswinds of 20-30mph, and shy/educated dogs. Sure wish I had more than 22 cal rifles. Wanted to run 53gr vmax in the 223/5.56 rifles but couldnt find any (thanks Obama). 55s it was. Also couldnt get enough powder, so had to run white box 45gr hollowpoints in my 22-250. They may start out at 4000fps but man do they fall on their face quick! No shots under 100yds, last day we started reaching for them. Furthest was 408yds with a hit. There was plenty of misses in there though with that crosswind and light bullets. |
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I didn't mean to make it sound like you couldn't make those shots. I have no way of knowing your experience or desire to practice. I only meant it in the context you had mentioned you don't care about the cost of 6.5 PRC. I meant that I think you should consider the cost, not just ammo, but barrel life, and overall enjoyment of shooting as well. The PRC's are not particularly enjoyable cartridges, although in the right rifles they can be, so even that isn't a black and white statement. They are great for what they are, but if you are looking or a do-all cartridge, they come with drawbacks. What really matters when it comes to effectiveness is velocity down range, and that depends on the bullet. Here's an example. A 6.5 Creedmoor with a basic Hornady 140gr Interlock SP at 2750 fps. At 400 yards it will be just under 2000 fps, which is still well above the stated 1800 fps needed for good performance by Hornady. Another comparison may be the perceived lesser long range cartridge, the 308. If we use the 178gr ELDx, in a 20" barrel you are going to be around 2550 fps muzzle velocity. Despite that, the bullet is very aerodynamic, and will perform well at an even lower velocity of 1600 fps. It will hold that to over 600 yards. You can take that even more extreme, with my 16" barrel I am down at 2435 fps, but it is still going to hold that 1600 fps threshold to 550 yards. Yes those are cherry picked examples, the point I'm trying to make is effectiveness at 400 yards is not that dependent on cartridge. It really is about the bullet, and most important of all, actually hitting where you want. The great thing about going to the 30 calibers is you have to think about it less, just about anything works then. |
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Any of the cartridges listed in your OP (6.5CM included) are perfectly capable of dropping an elk inside of 400 yards. You could even step down to 6mm’s that will do what you’re wanting. I would personally worry more about the quality and accuracy of the rifle and ammo than any of the cartridges mentioned. With that said I think a 308 is the perfect round for hunting North America. There’s load options that will get it done to 600 yards on any animal that walks the continent, barrel life is phenomenal so you can practice a lot without worrying about barrel replacement, and ammo is cheap and probably more available than any other centerfire rifle cartridge as far as hunting ammo goes. You can also often find someone selling boxes at gun shows for half of what it costs because they’ve switched to something else because someone told them their lowly 308 was no relevant. I’ve bought thousands of rounds of 308 ammo that way. It’s also still a great LR target round. |
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Originally Posted By hiih8r: With that said I think a 308 is the perfect round for hunting North America. You know, you guys are making me rethink this. Maybe not the new hot rod. .308 would offer plenty and alot of shootability in cost, recoil, and barrel life. Also dont own a 308, I feel like thats a sign. Been putting off an ar10 platform. |
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I'm not thrilled on 7 PRC. I think Hornady is flat out dishonest with the cartridge as a VERY significant number of people are finding it often does NOT come close to the advertised velocity numbers. Yeah, I know the advertised numbers are always high, it's market hype. But there's acceptable and normal bullshit market hype, and then there's " this is just wrong". I reload. Availability isn't a huge issue. With that said, 7mm Rem Mag is always a good choice. I'm shooting 280Ackley. It's wonderful, but 7 mag beats in most ways that matter except "it's cool" . I'm getting 160 Nosler Partitions to chronoed 3003 fps Ave. This can easily handle anything short of large bears. I will say one thing about the Creed and PRC families of cartridges: their recent release seems to have been managed well, and chamber reamers are apparently specced with a better than usual sort of coordination. It seems easier to get a Creed or PRC to shoot accurately than trying to frog around with something that's been around for 80 years, and has a dozen different variations on the same cartridge... |
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If you decide on two rifles... A 257 Roberts Improved will keep up with a 25/06, there's your deer/antelope round. A 100gr. SPBT will reach out beyond your 300 yd limit. It will also work well as a varmint round For elk, it would be hard to beat a 35 Whelen. Hard to beat a 250 gr spitzer, even at longer ranges. It'll hold it's own even on the big bears, moose, etc should that possibility come to fruition. Recoil won't be as sharp as the magnums, and barrel life would be good... |
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Originally Posted By frozenny: I'm not thrilled on 7 PRC. I think Hornady is flat out dishonest with the cartridge as a VERY significant number of people are finding it often does NOT come close to the advertised velocity numbers. Yeah, I know the advertised numbers are always high, it's market hype. But there's acceptable and normal bullshit market hype, and then there's " this is just wrong". This horse has been beaten to death already and you clearly don’t have your facts straight. It sounds like you’re just parroting BS from YouTube videos. I actually own a 7PRC (Seekins Element) and despite having a shorter than standard test barrel I’m getting advertised velocities or over with everything except the Hornady and the Hornady is only 50-100fps behind which varies lot to lot. The Hornady ammo is junk anyway compared to the Federal so I don’t really care. I’ve also owned 7RM and 280AI rifles and I’ll take the 7PRC every day over any of them. It is head and shoulders above the rest and the best 7mm chambering available right now all around. It’s way overkill for what the OP is wanting though and not worth the cost of admission to shoot inside 400 yards which will equal less shooting and practice outside of hunting. |
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Originally Posted By Grid556: You know, you guys are making me rethink this. Maybe not the new hot rod. .308 would offer plenty and alot of shootability in cost, recoil, and barrel life. Also dont own a 308, I feel like thats a sign. Been putting off an ar10 platform. You’re not looking to push the envelope on shooting, therefor you don’t need a cartridge that’s capable of 1000 yard shots on animals. The same stuff that’s been working for half a century or more for doing what you want is still applicable. An AR10 is absolutely not the way to go for a hunting rifle though. They tend to be very heavy and are much harder to shoot accurately than a small frame or a bolt gun. Make it a lightweight platform for hunting and that only gets worse. |
| Ive killed plenty of elk with both 6.5 creedmoor and 6.5 prc. Both got the job done no problem. That said if i was stuck with either caliber i wouldnt feel under gunned. With the creedmoor I limited my range. I choose to hunt with the 6.5 prc as i feel that gives me a little better range. |
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Originally Posted By hiih8r: An AR10 is absolutely not the way to go for a hunting rifle though. They tend to be very heavy and are much harder to shoot accurately than a small frame or a bolt gun. Make it a lightweight platform for hunting and that only gets worse. Large-frame ARs can certainly get heavy quick, and, for that reason are not ideal for hunting, but this notion that they're significantly harder to shoot than a bolt action needs to go away. |
"What is socialism? The most difficult and tortuous way to progress from capitalism to capitalism." -Stated at an intel conference, East Berlin, Oct. 1988
"Every election is a sort of advance auction sale of stolen goods." -H.L. Mencken
"Every election is a sort of advance auction sale of stolen goods." -H.L. Mencken
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As others have noted - lots of caliber choice to pick from and shot placement and projectile type matters a bit. Seems like for a first hunt where your experience may determine if you want to do it again or not - might want to choose a reasonably priced short action in 6.5 Creedmore or 308. If you want a long action 30-06. Although the 308 and 30-06 are old and maybe boring, they are very effective and the ammo can be had most places easily and a wide variety of factory loads - especially important if you want to expand hunting. 6.5 Creedmore is wildly popular and can be had in plinking rounds and lots of hunting selections - As one of many examples CDNN has reasonably priced Sauer 100 and Ruger rifles in 6.5 and 308. get a decent budget scope that holds zero and practice. Howa, Weatherby, Savage, Remington all have some budget friendly hunting guns that serve for introductory hunting rifle that can last a lifetime as well. 6.5 Creedmore will be effective enough, allow you to shoot and practice more cost effectively and not be excessive on recoil - Frankly I like shooting 270 Winchester but people are kind of getting tired of it and it's not as popular as 6.5. Originally Posted By Grid556: Hey guys, I'm from flatland NW Iowa. Until just recently the only thing you could hunt within 2 hrs of me with a centerfire rifle is predators/varmints where .22 cals are plenty. I do not deer hunt during slug deer season, too many dangerous and unethical hunters. Used to bowhunt. A buddy floated an elk hunt idea. Seems to have lost steam, but then I saw an episode of Meateater where he did a freelance antelope hunt in Wyoming on BLM land. Looked fairly easy, inexpensive and fun. Could also do similar for mule deer closer, maybe sodak or nebraska. Anyway, I'd like a cartridge more suited for the job in a bolt action. Something that would do well on open ground med/small game like antelope or deer, but hopefully have enough for elk within 400yds or so tops. Was initially thinking .270, as 6.5 creed might be a little light for the elk. .308 and 30-06 also considered. Then started researching 6.5 PRC. Looks like it should out do the 270 and 06/308 ballistically with similar or slightly less recoil, as well as drift less. Am I missing something other than ammo cost/availability? I do reload. And honestly wont shoot it enough to worry about cost, just to get practiced up pre hunt and hopefully 1 shot on the hunt. Leaning 6.5prc over 7prc because of recoil, as well as staying in a short action. The elk is a big maybe and I know my limitations of range, no more than 400 maybe 250 or 3. |
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Originally Posted By lew: Large-frame ARs can certainly get heavy quick, and, for that reason are not ideal for hunting, but this notion that they're significantly harder to shoot than a bolt action needs to go away. Ask literally any good precision rifle instructor and they’ll agree. They absolutely are harder to shoot accurately than a bolt gun. |
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Originally Posted By hiih8r: Ask literally any good precision rifle instructor and they’ll agree. They absolutely are harder to shoot accurately than a bolt gun. As someone who shoots both, has introduced a number of new shooters to the practice, and knows a lot of precision rifle shooters- some very damned good- they won't agree, but keep repeating it if it makes you happy. |
"What is socialism? The most difficult and tortuous way to progress from capitalism to capitalism." -Stated at an intel conference, East Berlin, Oct. 1988
"Every election is a sort of advance auction sale of stolen goods." -H.L. Mencken
"Every election is a sort of advance auction sale of stolen goods." -H.L. Mencken
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Originally Posted By lew: As someone who shoots both, has introduced a number of new shooters to the practice, and knows a lot of precision rifle shooters- some very damned good- they won't agree, but keep repeating it if it makes you happy. So because you say so lock time and operating system mass doesn’t effect accuracy and shootability. I guess that’s why they’re so popular in PRS and why when a top shooter decides to run one they’re all of a sudden mid pack. Or why they have to have their own division because they’re so competitive against open and factory class bolt rifles. Also why at DMR matches shooters with large frames shooting ballistically superior 6’s and 6.5’s get beat by guys running small frames… often in 223. LOL Believe what you want. Some people believe the earth is flat too. |
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PRCs are for people who are looking to shoot and hunt max range, often or regularly. Not that they won't do what you want to use it for but no real benefit for what you described. Your original thought of 270 honestly is spot on. Huge factory ammo selection, easy to reload if you choose, Very common round that is easily found anywhere. 30-06 for the exact same reasons. 30-06 bigger bullets-270 flatter shooting. Either way, I see no benefit for you in the new hot rounds. Good luck, have fun! Also don't exclude 7mm-08. It will do everything the 6.5 creedmoore will do in the ranges you described with bigger bullets. Recoil less then the 30-06 and 308. Really, really underrated round |
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I picked my 6.5 Weatherby RPM for exactly this. Mule deer and antelope with occasional elk. 140 gr Nolsler Accubond is just lethal on deer. And it's a tough enough bullet for the elk. I picked up a Weatherby MkV. With factory ammo I can easily get half MOA when I'm doing my part. This pic is a half inch 3 shot group at 198 yards. This was when it was new and I was getting it zeroed. Attached File Attached File Having said that...there are dozens of rifle and caliber choices you could pick for your needs. Just get what you want and go hunting. Good luck. |
F$$K CANCER!!! RIP Jeff Reed.
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I think the OP is on the right track with picking a rifle for deer and antelope where he lives. Whitetails in Iowa can get pretty healthy in size. Honestly as much as I hate the 6.5 CM because of the hype it’s a great choice. I chose the 6.5x 55 because I already had it before the CM existed. Hand loaded the Swede is a slightly better round but the animal will never know the difference. I would pick something in the 140 gr range because if the larger deer you have up there. I run Hornaday 140 SST’s and except for a doe last year, have put down 11 big Missouri Whitetails with that load since 2020. A simple shift to a 120 gr for antelope would be an easy change. If you ever make the trip west for elk then buy something bigger. |
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My uncle killed elk his entire life with a Marlin 30-30. He didn't even scope it until sometime around 1980. Lots of folks over-gun when it comes to North American game. My preference would be .270 and my second choice .308, but that's because I have both in a Winchester Featherweight, not because of any caliber advantage. Since you reload, ammo price/availability really isn't a factor so I'd focus on getting the best gun deal in a bolt action regardless of caliber. |
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Originally Posted By GrummanTiger: The vast majority of Elk I have taken over the last more than half century was with a 357 Magnum carbine or an M1 Carbine. Either are more than enough for smaller game. https://i.postimg.cc/15zP2X9Q/temp-Imagen-A7-DJo.avif What’s the furthest and typical range you’ve taken them with the 357 and what bullet(s) did you use? |
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Originally Posted By Grid556: You know, you guys are making me rethink this. Maybe not the new hot rod. .308 would offer plenty and alot of shootability in cost, recoil, and barrel life. Also dont own a 308, I feel like thats a sign. Been putting off an ar10 platform. If you'd consider copper ammo, the TTSX loads have insane penetration. I'm currently running a 130gr TTSX at just a touch over 3000fps. Copper development has come a long way and 308 loads are readily available just about everywhere. |
Watching the kids shoot Pieeater's 1919 was great. Nothing warms the heart more than seeing a little kid kneeling in a pile of brass and links.-Pthfndr after the Nov 13th NorCal shoot
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I'd worry more about stacking preference points and draw odds. With modern hunting bullet quality/construction, there's dozens of calibers that will work. Pick something between .243 and .300 RUM and practice. I mostly use a 6.5 CM here in SD. I've filled antelope, whitetail, and a cow elk tag with it, all with the 143 gr ELDx. Before I bought the 6.5, I used a .270. My next rifle will probably be something 7mm hot flavor of the month just to play around with. |
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I used to lean heavy towards bigger bullets for elk. .300 H&H and .300 Wby Mag were what I hunted with. Then I bought a .270 Wby Mag. Still a magnum, but after I watched it blow through a cow elk at 220 yards using 130grn TTSX's, I had no issues taking that on my last bull hunt (sadly I didn't get a chance to use it, but have no doubt it would've worked just fine). Because of this, when it's time to get an all-around hunting rifle for my youngest, it'll probably be a 6.5CM. I just think that bullet construction has reached the point that you can go with a smaller caliber and still achieve ethical kills at 400-500 yards. And if you can do that while shooting something that has a mild recoil, why not use that? |
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Bullets kill, not cartridges. Any of those cartridges you typed are capable of launching effective bullets that will kill elk all day long at the range you listed (and beyond). The TMK, ELDM/X will create much larger wound channels than a Barnes or CX while extending your effective terminal range compared to other options. |
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