6.5 Creed for Elk?
I’m in a group chat with a bunch of Neanderthals who like guns. It’s a safe space for rifle loonies. And just like all things, eventually someone says something (or types in this case) which causes me some mental anguish or gets my blood pressure up.
In this case it was an off the cuff comment about how one of my friends would be quite confident shooting an Elk at 800y with his 6.5 Creedmoor.
Now, I have no issues with anyone shooting an Elk with a 6.5 Creedmoor if you’re using the right ammunition. What I do have an issue with is shooting an Elk at 800 yards with one no matter what kind of ammo you’re using, regardless of whether it’s store bought or handloaded.
Now let’s be clear, I have used 280 Remington on Elk. And learned my lesson. Within 250 yards it works, but bullet placement is paramount! The ballistic difference between 6.5 Creed and 280 is hardly worth mentioning, but apparently I have acquaintances who need me to point out the obvious. A wider and heavier bullet going the same speed (likely slightly faster) is inadequate on Elk past 250 yards, so why would you even consider a smaller lighter slower one at 800?
I stepped up to a 300WM and I’m currently pushing 190gr projectiles at 2900fps. I wouldn’t try that on a Elk at 800 yards. According to my Ballistics app, the 300wm with my handload is only providing 967 foot pounds of energy at that distance. I believe you should have 1500 foot pounds to adequately anchor an Elk, which means I need to keep my 300 within 500 yards. Not that I would try it at 500, I consider my 300wm’s maximum effective range to be 350 yards on Moose & Elk.
Run the numbers on the 6.5 Creed with a 160gr projectile @ 2600 fps and you hit 1500 foot pounds at 175 yards. Heck at 800 yards you have only 300 foot pounds of energy. I believe you need 400 foot pounds for thin skinned soft targets….. Deer, I’m talking about deer…..
– John –
Leave a Reply