6.5 prc elk bullet poll!

[mulie]

7 mm LRM or 7 mm PRC BETTER bullet weight for long range. Less drop @ 1000 yrds.

 

[WYO300RUM]

Thanks Hard rock, I have hunted with hammers for a couple of years now and have had no issues with them. All the animals shot were dead within five to ten yards. None have made it out of sight. I will clarify that all of the were Deer, Antelope and Coyotes. I don't generally take my 6.5 PRC or 6.5 x 284 elk hunting, not because I don't think it can handle the job but just because I have to many different calibers and always want to try something different. I was just hoping to hear what the guy had to say on his issues with the hammers. I hate to see a product talked down without explaining why they don't like it or what the issue was.

You're like me on the calibers for different animals . I don't like the idea of being undergunned or experimenting with less powerful calibers on elk etc.

 

[WildRose]

I would stay away from bone with the 147 but a good choice.

Especially at close ranges where they tend to be pretty explosive.

Put it through the lungs though and you have a dead critter.

Personally, being more of a fan of mono's every year on that list I'd take the Hammers and punch the shoulders/spine so they drop in their tracks.

 

[WYO300RUM]

Especially at close ranges where they tend to be pretty explosive.

Put it through the lungs though and you have a dead critter.

Personally, being more of a fan of mono's every year on that list I'd take the Hammers and punch the shoulders/spine so they drop in their tracks.

I have always shot elk in shoulder with Barnes TSX and TTSX. They are DRT. I wouldn't with a Berger or ELDX and maybe not a Nosler LRAB. I would with a regular Accubond. Have 180 Hammer/300 win mag set up for elk here. General season over but still have a cow tag. Taking it and 300 RUM to Az. Late bull hunt with 215 Berger. What my CDS dial is set up for. Dam. Philies scored . 5 to 5. Go Astro's !

 

[Railguner]

Are these good at shorter ranges too?

Yes, just stick with behind the shoulder shots. Keep away from the shoulder and leg

 

[Highvoltage]

I've seen my buddy hammer elk with his 26 nosler and a 140 accubond for a long time. After a few years of shooting a 300 I built me a 6.5 saum for this elk season that both me and my 12 year old can shoot it without a break. I loaded 140 accubonds with h1000 and had excellent results this first rifle season. Very minimal recoil and a dead bull. I can't add much to this thread about the bullets in question but I'll say a 140 accubond from a 6.5 caliber is very elk capable regardless of what folks say. I tried to get the 143 to shoot but it wouldn't in my rifle. The 147 shoots lights out for me, but when you travel 1700 miles for an elk hunt I'd rather take a bullet I have confidence in. Best wishes lots of great choices!

 

[WildRose]

I'm curious. Does this logic apply to all bullets or just target bullets? If a bullet fails does that mean it shouldn't be used going forward?

How did the bullet fail exactly? Were both it and the animal recovered?

Is this a failure that is being commonly reported?

Logic dictates you don't make permanent decisions with limited data when it can be avoided and what, "Joe Bob Told me" isn't data.

 

[WildRose]

Here's my question for you hammer fans, In the 6.5 weather it is a creed or a PRC why don't you ever hear of anyone using a 140gr. Hammer. I would think it would be a awesome bullet choice in the PRC!

Twist rates are a limiting factor, other than that I can't say.

 

[horsefor4]

I really think the 6.5 PRC is just the 6.5x284 reinvented burns a little more powder.

 

[WildRose]

Wonder if the logic applies to Viagra. It was developed as a cardiovascular medication. They discovered it had some other benefits and changed the label. Presumably if berger or another "target" bullet put a hunting label on the box......everything is just ducky.

I have no opinion on the OP's bullet conundrum. Not a fan of the 6.5 cal.

It performs the same function on both the scalp and heart, increased circulation.

The ELD-M is constructed with one particular purpose in mind, long range target shooting, not as a cartridge de jour for all shooting disciplines.

They would not produce the ELD-X if they believed the ELD-M was the bullet of choice for both applications.

 

[WildRose]

I have always shot elk in shoulder with Barnes TSX and TTSX. They are DRT. I wouldn't with a Berger or ELDX and maybe not a Nosler LRAB. I would with a regular Accubond. Have 180 Hammer/300 win mag set up for elk here. General season over but still have a cow tag. Taking it and 300 RUM to Az. Late bull hunt with 215 Berger. What my CDS dial is set up for. Dam. Philies scored . 5 to 5. Go Astro's !

Sound thinking. When considering bullets think of shot placement and how tough skinned and bodied your prey is as well as shot placement and it eliminates lots of problems.

 

[Andrew Massi]

Next time you guys hammer a big bull elk trim the meat off the scapula that is defeating all these high powered rifle projectiles, then examine for a moment how incredibly thin it is.

Time for some folks to admit they miss more than they think and gut shot a bunch of game "RiGhT iN ThE sHoUlDER"

 

[General RE LEE]

Although the 143 ELD-X is polling last, ironically it has killed more elk than the others combined.

 

[NorthRiverGuide]

Thanks for comments everyone. Wish I had a 300 but all I have to work with is the 6.5 prc for now. I'm going to stick with the hammers and I'll report back after the hunt. Cheers

Next time you guys hammer a big bull elk trim the meat off the scapula that is defeating all these high powered rifle projectiles, then examine for a moment how incredibly thin it is.

Time for some folks to admit they miss more than they think and gut shot a bunch of game "RiGhT iN ThE sHoUlDER"

You are right people think they are tanks or something. People rarely admit misses, bad shots, or bad bullet choice. A elk's shoulder blade is very thin around 2/10" thick or less depending on the size of the bull elk. I heard all the time how tough elk are. Yet with a good bullet and shot placement they go down hard and fast every time.