6.5 Creedmoor for moose

I can see I have hurt some feelings talking poorly about the 6.5 creedmoor, but I was very confident in my shot placement and tracking skills. I will bow out of this conversation and let you guys have it.

It has absolutely nothing to do with cartridge choice but everything to do with your ability to put the bullet it where it needs to go. Like I said earlier, shot placement or tracking ability. If the bullet fails, you need to be able to track. You owe it to the animal to be proficient at both. A penciled double lung is going to yield the same results as a mushroomed out bullet hitting the same place. Dead.
 
It has absolutely nothing to do with cartridge choice but everything to do with your ability to put the bullet it where it needs to go. Like I said earlier, shot placement or tracking ability. If the bullet fails, you need to be able to track. You owe it to the animal to be proficient at both. A penciled double lung is going to yield the same results as a mushroomed out bullet hitting the same place. Dead.
This all started with the question 6.5 CM for moose, so it has everything to do with cartridge choice. It has everything to do with hurt feelings.
Since the time of firearms there has been two very real things , number one always looking for something better. Better ignition , better accuracy ( rifling ) better and bigger stopping power. The mountain men needed it, the plains rifle was developed for stopping power for bigger dangerous game.
Number 2 we all make do with what we have ! This is also true from the beginning of time, I have this rifle ..... can I make do? Do I need all that power , does my rifle have enough power ?
Look shoot whatever you want , no one really cares ! If someone on here ask a question we give him or her our opinion! I know as most of us do you can kill big animals with small guns. Slaughter houses used a 22 , Bell killed elephants with the 7x57 and 6.5 he liked the 7mm better for penetration . We all know and have heard all the arguments!
Fact is bigger faster bullets deliver more hydrostatic producing energy. Yes it comes at a price , more money more powder more recoil! I keep reading that for ever we didn't have the 338's and there were a lot of moose killed but the same can be said that ten years ago we didn't have the 6.5 Creedmoor !
Truth is yes you can kill a moose with the 6.5 CM , yes accuracy is the most important thing ( good shot placement is a must) and yes moose are killed around the world with the 6.5 . Many are killed quickly many are not. Bigger truth is there are many much better choices out there than the 6.5 Creedmoor for hunting moose so why would you limit yourself unless you have no other alternative ? Also let's get rid of this poor shooting with big rounds nonsense, practice with reduced loads or a rifle that is similar in a lesser caliber! Recoil is never felt in the field and there are so many things that help with recoil these days ( recoil reducers , breaks etc ) that I can't believe it's still a topic of discussion. Yes dead is dead but what happens in the time between trigger pull and dead is very relevant ! I'm sure big bear hunters and and big 5 hunters would disagree.
 
This all started with the question 6.5 CM for moose, so it has everything to do with cartridge choice. It has everything to do with hurt feelings.
Since the time of firearms there has been two very real things , number one always looking for something better. Better ignition , better accuracy ( rifling ) better and bigger stopping power. The mountain men needed it, the plains rifle was developed for stopping power for bigger dangerous game.
Number 2 we all make do with what we have ! This is also true from the beginning of time, I have this rifle ..... can I make do? Do I need all that power , does my rifle have enough power ?
Look shoot whatever you want , no one really cares ! If someone on here ask a question we give him or her our opinion! I know as most of us do you can kill big animals with small guns. Slaughter houses used a 22 , Bell killed elephants with the 7x57 and 6.5 he liked the 7mm better for penetration . We all know and have heard all the arguments!
Fact is bigger faster bullets deliver more hydrostatic producing energy. Yes it comes at a price , more money more powder more recoil! I keep reading that for ever we didn't have the 338's and there were a lot of moose killed but the same can be said that ten years ago we didn't have the 6.5 Creedmoor !
Truth is yes you can kill a moose with the 6.5 CM , yes accuracy is the most important thing ( good shot placement is a must) and yes moose are killed around the world with the 6.5 . Many are killed quickly many are not. Bigger truth is there are many much better choices out there than the 6.5 Creedmoor for hunting moose so why would you limit yourself unless you have no other alternative ? Also let's get rid of this poor shooting with big rounds nonsense, practice with reduced loads or a rifle that is similar in a lesser caliber! Recoil is never felt in the field and there are so many things that help with recoil these days ( recoil reducers , breaks etc ) that I can't believe it's still a topic of discussion. Yes dead is dead but what happens in the time between trigger pull and dead is very relevant ! I'm sure big bear hunters and and big 5 hunters would disagree.

Recoil may not be felt in the field but the effects of recoil, anticipation and flinching certainly are and are a big issue for recoil sensitive people.

That problem grows as you add more powder and bigger bullets.
 
Recoil may not be felt in the field but the effects of recoil, anticipation and flinching certainly are and are a big issue for recoil sensitive people.

That problem grows as you add more powder and bigger bullets.
 
Recoil may not be felt in the field but the effects of recoil, anticipation and flinching certainly are and are a big issue for recoil sensitive people.

That problem grows as you add more powder and bigger bullets.
Recoil may not be felt in the field but the effects of recoil, anticipation and flinching certainly are and are a big issue for recoil sensitive people.

That problem grows as you add more powder and bigger bullets.
There are many options to reduce recoil and help with flinching. Something as easy as doubling up on hearing protection can help with flinching. I find it odd that the hunters around my area shoot nothing but 12 gauge with slugs. These high velocity slugs kick ungodly ( stock design and more velocity ) I never hear them complain about being recoil sensitive ! Never! Even the twenties kick hard but the want to hunt and that's their option.
 
The idea one does not feel the recoil while in the field is now true for me. I use good recoil pads and brakes. That is because one day I was hunting deer and using my 7-.300 Weatherby. I shot a deer and really noticed the recoil and heard the shot! I was very surprised. Now I use electronic hearing protection and a brake. Quite modern.
 
This all started with the question 6.5 CM for moose, so it has everything to do with cartridge choice. It has everything to do with hurt feelings.
Since the time of firearms there has been two very real things , number one always looking for something better. Better ignition , better accuracy ( rifling ) better and bigger stopping power. The mountain men needed it, the plains rifle was developed for stopping power for bigger dangerous game.
Number 2 we all make do with what we have ! This is also true from the beginning of time, I have this rifle ..... can I make do? Do I need all that power , does my rifle have enough power ?
Look shoot whatever you want , no one really cares ! If someone on here ask a question we give him or her our opinion! I know as most of us do you can kill big animals with small guns. Slaughter houses used a 22 , Bell killed elephants with the 7x57 and 6.5 he liked the 7mm better for penetration . We all know and have heard all the arguments!
Fact is bigger faster bullets deliver more hydrostatic producing energy. Yes it comes at a price , more money more powder more recoil! I keep reading that for ever we didn't have the 338's and there were a lot of moose killed but the same can be said that ten years ago we didn't have the 6.5 Creedmoor !
Truth is yes you can kill a moose with the 6.5 CM , yes accuracy is the most important thing ( good shot placement is a must) and yes moose are killed around the world with the 6.5 . Many are killed quickly many are not. Bigger truth is there are many much better choices out there than the 6.5 Creedmoor for hunting moose so why would you limit yourself unless you have no other alternative ? Also let's get rid of this poor shooting with big rounds nonsense, practice with reduced loads or a rifle that is similar in a lesser caliber! Recoil is never felt in the field and there are so many things that help with recoil these days ( recoil reducers , breaks etc ) that I can't believe it's still a topic of discussion. Yes dead is dead but what happens in the time between trigger pull and dead is very relevant ! I'm sure big bear hunters and and big 5 hunters would disagree.
Great post.

I love my little 7mm-08, Would I choose that for moose or bear country when I'm proficient with something that offers more energy in the safe, nope. That'd be foolish I think. You won't get through some of the thick skulls here. Albeit fun to try.
 
This all started with the question 6.5 CM for moose, so it has everything to do with cartridge choice. It has everything to do with hurt feelings.
Since the time of firearms there has been two very real things , number one always looking for something better. Better ignition , better accuracy ( rifling ) better and bigger stopping power. The mountain men needed it, the plains rifle was developed for stopping power for bigger dangerous game.
Number 2 we all make do with what we have ! This is also true from the beginning of time, I have this rifle ..... can I make do? Do I need all that power , does my rifle have enough power ?
Look shoot whatever you want , no one really cares ! If someone on here ask a question we give him or her our opinion! I know as most of us do you can kill big animals with small guns. Slaughter houses used a 22 , Bell killed elephants with the 7x57 and 6.5 he liked the 7mm better for penetration . We all know and have heard all the arguments!
Fact is bigger faster bullets deliver more hydrostatic producing energy. Yes it comes at a price , more money more powder more recoil! I keep reading that for ever we didn't have the 338's and there were a lot of moose killed but the same can be said that ten years ago we didn't have the 6.5 Creedmoor !
Truth is yes you can kill a moose with the 6.5 CM , yes accuracy is the most important thing ( good shot placement is a must) and yes moose are killed around the world with the 6.5 . Many are killed quickly many are not. Bigger truth is there are many much better choices out there than the 6.5 Creedmoor for hunting moose so why would you limit yourself unless you have no other alternative ? Also let's get rid of this poor shooting with big rounds nonsense, practice with reduced loads or a rifle that is similar in a lesser caliber! Recoil is never felt in the field and there are so many things that help with recoil these days ( recoil reducers , breaks etc ) that I can't believe it's still a topic of discussion. Yes dead is dead but what happens in the time between trigger pull and dead is very relevant ! I'm sure big bear hunters and and big 5 hunters would disagree.

My reference about it not being about 6.5 CM stems from saying my feelings were hurt when I called him out about making a **** poor shot and blaming it on the cartridge. We weren't talking about the moose hunting.
 
Just because it will do it...doesn't mean it should be done.

Yep, if you are an Alaskan, YOU LIVE IN ALASKA, buy a more suitable rifle for hunting up there. If you are going there on a moose hunt from somewhere else, you are spending a fair amount of money to do so. Buy or borrow a more suitable rifle. Why are people so interested in doing the minimum.
 
My reference about it not being about 6.5 CM stems from saying my feelings were hurt when I called him out about making a *Rule 4 Violation* poor shot and blaming it on the cartridge. We weren't talking about the moose hunting.
Poor shot? You don't know my abilities nor was you there. First deer was under 100 yards. I put the cross hairs behind his shoulder propped up on a shooting bag. After the shot was made. I tracked where the deer ran as far as I could which was about 100 yards in thick south Mississippi woods. Pulled out of the woods and called my buddy to bring his track dog. We went over 400 yards tracking this deer with no blood trail. Unfortunately we never recovered the animal but every effort was made on both deers. I put that pile of junk in my gun safe and pulled out my 270. Guess what when I pulled the trigger on the third deer he dropped in his tracks. I can think of many different calibers far superior then the 6.5 Creedmoor for taking animals. 6.5 Creedmoor is a over hyped cartridge and needs to be left for competition shooting rather then taking game. Will it kill a animal? Yes it will no doubt about that. But is it a the right choice for taking game? No even close.
 
Let's go one step further. The 6.5 is more than capable of killing a Cape Buffalo at 1,000 yards as long as you wait for it to turn broadside and then put that little bullet through both lungs.

So sure the 6.5 CAN do the job but why would you choose the 6.5 to hunt Moose?

I would use a bigger caliber so that if that once in a lifetime shot presents itself before it disappears into the bush and it's quartering away shot, wouldn't you want a big 338 A-Frame, TSX, or Nosler Partition in your gun? I would.

But hey, if you have your heart set on the 6.5 I would say GO FOR IT, but just accept the fact that you might have to pass on a less than ideal shot.

My 2 cents anyway
 
Let's go one step further. The 6.5 is more than capable of killing a Cape Buffalo at 1,000 yards as long as you wait for it to turn broadside and then put that little bullet through both lungs.

So sure the 6.5 CAN do the job but why would you choose the 6.5 to hunt Moose?

I would use a bigger caliber so that if that once in a lifetime shot presents itself before it disappears into the bush and it's quartering away shot, wouldn't you want a big 338 A-Frame, TSX, or Nosler Partition in your gun? I would.

But hey, if you have your heart set on the 6.5 I would say GO FOR IT, but just accept the fact that you might have to pass on a less than ideal shot.

My 2 cents anyway

Exactly.

This is the correct answer in every one of these minimum cartridge for x game questions.
 
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