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6.5 140 Partition on Griz.

There is a reason why you have to use 375 in Africa for dangerous game . That is what I would probably want in big bear country
 
Interesting thread. Glad it was revived.

I think the author of the article wisely picked the partition for this chip on his shoulder creedmoor piece. He probably hit that bear with a fair bit of velocity from a known kick butt bullet. I'm not surprised with the result honestly.

With all that being said, he still has not convinced me the CM is all that.
 
I seem to recall a story of a famous old hunter in Alaska who used 220 Swift as his favorite cartridge and ran into a grizzly with it. He had a heck of a time but managed to put the grizzly down. I'm in the camp of just because you can, doesn't mean you should. The 6.5 CM is certainly capable of killing a grizzly. The cost if you make a mistake is potentially your life, everyone can run their own calculations to see if the risk/reward of using a 6.5 CM makes sense to them. Personally I'd want a little bit more velocity and mass headed downrange to put the odds more in my favor...
 
Sectional density (SD) of 140gr 6.5mm Nosler Partition is 0.287

Sectional density of 180gr .308 cal Nosler Partition is 0.271

Considering the velocities of each, the 6.5 Creedmoor 140gr Partition will likely match or exceed the penetration of the "theoretical" .30-06 Springfield w/180gr bullet the author mentioned in his story, a round he felt many would consider a better/more socially acceptable choice than the 6.5 CM he was using.

He has a point. The 6.5 isn't giving up anything in penetration to the grand old .30-06 cartridge. It is giving up diameter & kinetic energy, though. From a tree stand on a bear bait, the 6.5 CM is a plausible choice (not anyone's first choice) and the author concedes that fact. But the point was, penetration & shot placement are the keys in any hunting situation and he had those covered.

The article made me think about how wrapped up in CARTRIDGE choice we get when bullet choice, sectional density, and ease of shooting accurately are the more significant factors to consider. A guy or gal shooting a 160 grain bullet out of a .338 Win Mag in a rifle that kicks like a mule & makes the shooter flinch would probably be a worse choice than a 6.5 Creedmoor shooting a deep penetrating, soft kicking 140 gr Nosler Partition bullet. The key factors being shot placement & penetration. Expansion helps enlarge the wound channel so that has a roll to play, too. 6.5 CM met those criteria without being ridiculously underpowered.

I wouldn't pick the 6.5 Creedmoor for a grizzly or brown bear hunt, but considering the author's living location (Fairbanks, Alaska) & hunting situation (hunts from tree stand, over bait) and occupation (journalist for hunting magazine) his use of the 6.5CM to show it can be done & isn't an outlandish choice, as many might assume at first glance, makes a lot of sense. Gets clicks, sells magazines, generates conversation, and makes millions of 6.5mm Creedmoor owners pleased as punch. Mission accomplished!
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Friend of mine (Scenar Shooter) went to Alaska several years back and took his GAP 260 and 130 Scirocco's. Took a darn nice interior griz with one poke. I gave him crap for not taking his beloved Sako/Swift.

Pat's the most experienced living North American hunter we have. To him it was just another day at the office:)

Take out the lungs/heart and where are they gonna go...........? Killing just isn't the rocket science that many make it out to be.
 
Friend of mine (Scenar Shooter) went to Alaska several years back and took his GAP 260 and 130 Scirocco's. Took a darn nice interior griz with one poke. I gave him crap for not taking his beloved Sako/Swift.

Pat's the most experienced living North American hunter we have. To him it was just another day at the office:)

Take out the lungs/heart and where are they gonna go...........? Killing just isn't the rocket science that many make it out to be.
If you get him killed before he gets to you.
 
Friend of mine (Scenar Shooter) went to Alaska several years back and took his GAP 260 and 130 Scirocco's. Took a darn nice interior griz with one poke. I gave him crap for not taking his beloved Sako/Swift.

Pat's the most experienced living North American hunter we have. To him it was just another day at the office:)

Take out the lungs/heart and where are they gonna go...........? Killing just isn't the rocket science that many make it out to be.


I killed a mountain grizzly with a 6.5x284 shooting berger 156's and 140 gr aframes
You need to be more selective with your first shot, but usually you have more than enough time
My 3 year wait is up and ill probably be back up in the yukon to get another one this fall
 
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