6mm Creedmoor first elk hunt

[17remhunter]

Ive hunted all my life with a 243 my Dad bought me when i was 16. Shot a lot of Black Tail, Black bears and Antelope but never an Elk. My Rem 700 is gone but now i have a 6mm Creedmoor. TS Customs. 1x7.5. I've mostly loaded 90 gr Scirocco ll and dont see a reason to change. I will be going on my first Elk hunt this year. I guess i could borrow my brother in laws 7mm Rem Mag but im so use to and confident in the 6 mm. Your thoughts

 

[17remhunter]

I purchased some 87gr Absolute hammers and some 90 Gr Hammer hunters to try out

 

[turbobrick]

I purchased some 87gr Absolute hammers and some 90 Gr Hammer hunters to try out

I'm hoping to try the 87ah on game next year, but for now they are shooting amazing out of my 6arc. I am in the process of putting together a 6cm, mostly to get just a little bit more velocity out of 6mm. My 6arc is 19", and after a ton of reloading, I have them at 3005fps and well under an inch. I would use that for elk at reasonable distances, no hesitation.

 

[WeiserBucks]

Shoot em where they should be shot and you'll be fine.

 

[Agueybana]

Ive hunted all my life with a 243 my Dad bought me when i was 16. Shot a lot of Black Tail, Black bears and Antelope but never an Elk. My Rem 700 is gone but now i have a 6mm Creedmoor. TS Customs. 1x7.5. I've mostly loaded 90 gr Scirocco ll and dont see a reason to change. I will be going on my first Elk hunt this year. I guess i could borrow my brother in laws 7mm Rem Mag but im so use to and confident in the 6 mm. Your thoughts

Go with the 7mm way better the 6mm will do the job but is very marginal cartridge for Elk. 7mm is my new favorite with 175 gr for Elk.

 

[3800fps]

Assuming you have not been elk hunting, I would borrow the 7 mag go shoot it with the ammo you will hunt with…wring it out so to speak.

As a very long time shooter and western hunter (Nevada) I speak to this notion, that our favorite cartridge/gun darling of the moment can do all things…amazing things in our hands…under ideal conditions.

Allow for un-ideal conditions (wind, weather, a longer shot)…all wild animals seem to have a little extra tenacity for life…quickly taken make shift rests in field conditions coupled with elevated levels of excitement can detract from your ability deliver that perfect shot that was easy from the bench.

 

[7mm man]

I second 3800fps. 7RM, make sure you have a load worked up otherwise you will be caught without knowingthe rifle. I would never say you can't kill an elk with a 6CM but it leaves no room for error. I want to be able to take quartering shots at extended ranges. I go 7mm or 30 cal with bonded or monometal. Preferably 7 SAUM or 7 SS, or 30 Nosler.

 

[d.downey24]

Go with the 7mm way better the 6mm will do the job but is very marginal cartridge for Elk. 7mm is my new favorite with 175 gr for Elk.

Agree 100%. I just don't get why people think a 6 mm creedmoor is more powerful than a .243, just get a 243 with a 1-7.5 twist which Weatherby is actually producing in there rifle line up. I have a custom 243 with 20" barrel 1-7 twist shooting 115 Berger VLD hunting bullet @ 2950 which will realistically kill an Elk, but ethically I' ll use my 300 WSM with a 208 LRX just in case I screw up and hit that big ole shoulder bone. Which will eventually happen.
These new cartridges have people brainwashed like a leftist liberal with no common sense. These cartridges were designed for long range 1000 yards plus. At hunting distances they're no better than the cartridges that have been around for 60 years.

 

[BillLarson]

Shot placement is key...... but to compare a 7 mag. to a 6mm on a 1000 # animal is foolish..... I would definitely stay with more horsepower...... accuracy wise being comparable......
OMHO....let the flames roll....

 

[ThorThor]

Go with the 7mm, so many variables can happen on an elk hunt. Range angles etc. There seems to be a trend towards smaller elk cartridges, go elk hunting with an elk cartridge. 6mm just has no room for error and energy falls off so fast. That being said I kill them with a sharp metal tipped stick every few years also so there is that, Good luck !

 

[med358-boise]

Several thoughts come to mind:

1) just because something will work under the right circumstances doesn't mean it's a good idea to use it.
2) don't use a cartridge that works under the good circumstances, use one that works under bad circumstances..
3) I doubt your shooting skills are limited to your 6mm rifle, a rifleman with good fundamentals can quickly adjust to a new rifle with a handful of practice sessions. Those practice sessions will alleviate any benefit you perceive the 6mm has and all you will only be left with the risks that 6mm presents.

 

[WWP2012]

Don't do it, use the 7mm Mag. Elk are a tough animal and the conditions always seem to be less than ideal.

 

[huntinfool18]

I hate recoil and love my smaller guns just as much as the next guy but have some respect for the animals your hunting. It really hits a nerve with me seeing all these people using creeds to hunt elk and moose. Yeah it can do it when hit in the right spot but it's still not a quick humane kill like a larger caliber. I hate to say it but I hope game and fish start putting a minimum caliber restriction of 270 for elk and larger game. I've shot close to 30 elk and a 6mm/6.5 don't belong on an elk hunt.

 

[Buffalobwana]

Hornady has done such an amazing job convincing us that anything "Creedmoore" is an appropriate 800 yard Elk round.

Borrow the 7mag. The Elk deserves your respect.