6.5mm copper monos for Elk - LRX vs CX vs E-tip vs CEB vs Hammer vs Lehigh

[rlshrumva]

Don't know Steve and I'm no credentialed or even self-proclaimed expert, but my advice as an hunter that has some experience with elk hunting is get a bigger gun…

 

[dk17hmr]

I don't have much to add other than I have shot a number of things with Barnes bullets, TTSX and TSX at high and fairly low impact velocity with little issue. In my 6.5SS I have used the 122gr Cayuga from PVA and filled my freezer with elk meat several times. The 129gr Nosler long range accubond from my 260rem works on elk also.

I'm very interested in the Barnes LRX line and am going to test them in my high velocity guns hopefully this summer.

 

[Rebell]

I have very limited experience with any of the 6.5's although have lots of big game experience with the E-Tip. From bison to kudu to whitetail I have not been disappointed yet. I am guessing around 30-35 big game animals with only a few going more than 10-15 yards, and those were on me and shot placement. I have not lost a single one and extremely happy with bullet performance.

One example was a large bull elk in AZ. 441 yards, I shot a bit to far forward and hit directly on the shoulder. It shattered the knuckle on entrance and shattered the knuckle on the off side. It went 10 yards on his lower lip and drt. I recovered the bullet on the off side hide and had 98% retention.

 

[model 700]

I'm shooting a 65/284 and have taken elk with a 260 before using a 130gr TSX. I am partial to the 127LRX but have yet to use it on game. Other experiences with Barnes, though, have all been positive and they've have done the job I've needed them to do. I have no hesitation recommending a Barnes bullet. However, given your concerns about twist rate, I believe the 127LRX also suggests a minimum twist of 1:8. Sometimes a bullet will shoot regardless and if the formula suggests it will work, it's worth a try. If it doesn't work, I'm sure you'll have ready buyers to take them off your hands! If you're not limited to lead-free, a bonded bullet might be worth a try, like a 130gr Accubond. My buddy's brother dumps elk out to 400yds with that bullet using his 6.5-06AI. I've seen the pics and the resultant damage! It's impressive. Good luck.

Glad to hear about the 130gr accubonds. I've been looking for a good bullet for my 6.5-06 without getting too heavy and losing velocity. I'm going to have to try these. Thanks for the tip.

 

[LongestShot]

I want to pick a 6.5mm copper mono for elk and I'd like to stay under 1.42" length for 1.5 Sg in 1:9 twist in 264 Win Mag at high-altitude (6000 to 9000 feet). So that is the pre-determined criteria: .264", 1:9 twist, copper mono. I'm not considering anything outside those parameters.

There appears to be two designs: copper expanding bullets (TTSX, LRX, CX, e-Tip) and copper fragmenting bullets (Controlled Chaos, CEB, Hammer).

Because 6.5mm is regarded as marginal on elk and I'm necessarily choosing lighter bullets due to my twist rate's length limitations, I'm inclined toward the expanding bullets that retain the weight. Perhaps the shank of the fragmenting bullets maintains a sectional density equivalent to the heavier but expanded projectile. I don't know how that translates to actual results.

I see that Hammer claims on their website that their bullets need 1.5 Sg calculated at sea-level for effective terminal performance even if they're used at higher altitude. So, without more spin, does the bullet yaw and fail to open or the shank yaw and fail to exit? It looks like their adamant their bullets won't perform in my twist rate, so I'm disinclined towards the fragmenting type.

I'm inclined toward the Barnes 127 grain LRX because it has a shorter length (1.402") that will comfortably meet Miller-formula Sg of 1.5 at my altitude (I live at 5000' but the game is even higher), even in sub-zero temps, and because it's a proven-performer on elk. I already have them on back-order, but could cancel.

I've got two new 6.5-284 that I been testing different boutique copper bullets, Hammer and Cutting Edge are two I've tried. Be careful, almost everyone require a 1-8 twist. The rifle with the 1-8 twist I have gave excellent results while the 1-8.5 twist, not so much. The Hammer 125 gr definitely wanted a 1-8 twist; they did give excellent results regarding accuracy; on a deer providing great penetration as well. If they want a 1-8 twist for a 125 grain bullet, you're definitely going to need that twist or better for the heavier bullets.

 

[Bob Milek]

Don't know Steve and I'm no credentialed or even self-proclaimed expert, but my advice as an hunter that has some experience with elk hunting is get a bigger gun…

Bigger gun is not necessarily the answer. When you look at the numbers of elk harvested cleanly over the years with the .270 and 130 gr bullets, it's hard to say the .264 isn't adequate. I've harvested more elk with my .25-06 and 117 and 120 gr bullets than any other caliber I have, all clean kills. Longest was 450 yards, so no real long range. Staying within limitations and bullet placement, as always are key.

 

[choprzrul]

This is what I would do if I found myself in your situation....but YMMV..

118gr Hammer HHT is spec'd out for 1:9" twist barrels. Their HHT line's terminal performance is down to 1700 fps. Hammer doesn't say it will open down to 1700 fps, but rather it meets their terminal performance requirements down to 1700 fps.

Hammer's twist rate specifications are not for in flight stability, but rather for on game projectile performance. It appears that once the bullet contacts the animal, the required twist rate is there to keep straight penetration.

I've shot 5 deer with Hammers and I've been quite pleased with their terminal performance.

 

[Old Rooster]

Try the CX out to 700 they have performed well.

While I have not shot an animal with the 30 cal CX bullets yet I can say they are very accurate bullets when you find the right combination.
I am waiting for my LGS to get some in but it was 39 degrees below zero this morning so the only thing I am shooting today is the breeze with my buddies on Long Range Hunting.
By the way,FEENIX is north of me and colder than -39 degrees!FEENIX we live in a freezer!
Checked again,it was -39.It is 11:20 am and -31 right now.

 

[Rebell]

It's a balmy -11 in Lewiston ID today.

 

[Old Rooster]

Rebell get the sun tan lotion out!It's a heat wave!

 

[FEENIX]

While I have not shot an animal with the 30 cal CX bullets yet I can say they are very accurate bullets when you find the right combination.
I am waiting for my LGS to get some in but it was 39 degrees below zero this morning so the only thing I am shooting today is the breeze with my buddies on Long Range Hunting.
By the way,FEENIX is north of me and colder than -39 degrees!FEENIX we live in a freezer!

LOL! Yes, Sir. I had bottled water and beer in my garage and had to bring them inside because they started to freeze yesterday. It's -27 (without the windchill) here now.

 

[Airedale56]

The 127 LRX in a 6.5x47 Lapua kills elk very well for a family up here.

 

[choprzrul]

Lots of negatives to living in CA.....but my weather isn't one of them....

 

[Airedale56]

Braggart!