Best weight bullet in 6.5x284 for Elk

[Hard rock]

My boss owns a Wyoming hunting ranch. The guide uses a beat up .243 to take elk. Just goes to show....sometimes it might not need to be the carbon fiber titanium hammer in the Snap On tool box.....but the beat up old hammer hanging on the wall. Both accomplish the same task. Now that being said....I just finished up my 6.5x284 for antelope....will see how the hammers work out in 124.

Keep in mind a lot of 6.5-284s are with a 1-9 twist both of mine are . I wouldn't waist my time on load development with any ting heavier than a 130 gr bullet . What is the barrel twist on the OPs 6.5-284 . If it is a 1-9 twist the 121 gr Hammer Might be his best choice.

 

[Hard rock]

I used to load mine with barnes lrx 127 grain and recently switched to Hammer hunters 124 gr. Hammers are much better. I will however give Badlands Precision Bulldozers-2 in 125 gr a try. They have much higher BC and like that they come with aluminum tips. I use lapua brass, Feds match 210's and H1000. 3000 fps with no pressure in 100 degree weather in California.

You will make up any lost BC with the Hammer bullet by a 150 too 200 fps vel gain in my experience with the 123and 124 gr and even more with the 121 gr . I would try a little faster powder N165 N560 Rl23 Rl26 and H4831

 

[scottpt]

2 yrs ago local farmers were trying to fill their tags and asked for help up here in southern Alberta. I sent a 143 ELD-X into a cow at 600yds. I barely got a head turn. I saw, and heard, the bullet impact. Thwap!!! I was completely shocked. I had just taken a WT buck at 615yds about an hour prior. Dropped on the spot. All other elk kills from me have been with .30 calibers. 30.06 with 200gr. Accubonds, .300 WBY mag with 180gr. partitions. I know others have taken elk at greater distances with the same 6.5 bullet combination so I don't have an explanation for you. I'm just letting you know my experience. Maybe it was a faulty projectile? All I know is that if I'm planning on an elk hunt it is with .30 or .338 calibers I own. As mentioned by a few prior posts ... elk are tough animals. If I happen to be in the same situation with my 6.5 I would try and get closer or go for a neck/head shot based on my prior experience.

Good luck!!!!

 

[mcerick]

I've submitted an application for an Elk hunt and want to be ready if I'm lucky. What weight should I use as I have 127gr LRX, 140GR ACCUBOND BT, 143GR ELDX, 140Gr VLD Hunting, 130GR VLD Hunting and 156EOLs. Thought of getting HAMMERs as they're very consistent in weight and structure. Any load guidance would help also.

I'd go with the 156 gr Berger!

 

[mcerick]

I've submitted an application for an Elk hunt and want to be ready if I'm lucky. What weight should I use as I have 127gr LRX, 140GR ACCUBOND BT, 143GR ELDX, 140Gr VLD Hunting, 130GR VLD Hunting and 156EOLs. Thought of getting HAMMERs as they're very consistent in weight and structure. Any load guidance would help also.

I'd go with the 156 gr Berger. 127 definitely too light for Elk!

 

[Chas1]

156 Berger. They have been available lately. Failing that I'd look at the 130 gr AB.
Bruce

+1. 156 Bergers.

 

[OldElkHunter1961]

I would discourage a head/neck shot. Too small a target area and too much to go wrong. An elk shot in the jaw or thru the wind pipe will put miles of rugged terrain between you and it far faster than you can imagine. If you don't find it the animal will die a long, miserable death and go to waste feeding coyotes and ravens. The heart/lung region is a large, lethal target area. From backbone to brisket a mature bull averages 30" in height and from back of the front leg to the diaphragm runs around 18" with a mature cow being 1/4 to 1/3 smaller. Go with the high percentage kill shot, not a high risk shot. Yes, yes multiple respondents will reply claiming to have killed rail cars full of elk with head shots. That's not my experience in actual field situations. Live with your decisions. I hope you make the right decision the first time. Enjoy the hunt.

 

[Hard rock]

+1. 156 Bergers.

The Hammer and Barnes do not need too be as heavy too get better terminal performance . You will not get the penetration especially if you hit heavy muscle or bone in comparison . The Hammer after shedding 30 too 40 percent of its weight still has the shank pushing through and leaving more wound channel . If you hit the shoulder with the 156 gr or 143 gr most likely you will have wounded animal with very little penetration too the vitals . Once again was is the twist , a 1-9 will not stabilize the 143 or 156 gr bullet.

 

[born2hunt4ever]

I have a custom 6.5-284 pushing 147 eld m at 2950 with some retumbo behind it. I have shot two elk with this combo. A cow at 600 yards and a spike at 450. The cow was standing feeding broadside. Dialed the gun and sent it. I watched the bullet hit right behind her shoulder and she started to wobble. I am a firm believer if the animal is still standing I'm still shooting. I racked the bolt and sent another and she dropped where she was standing. Both shots about 2" apart and the first one definitely would've worked but I wasn't risking it. The spike got pushed to us from below us. He was trotting and stopped at 450 I dialed the gun and sent it. Hit the bull square in the shoulder. He hunched and started to fall backwards back down the hill. He had regained his feet and was standing there wobbling when I gave him another in the ribs and down he went. This spike was my most memorable hunts because my grandpa dad and sister were with me on it. My two experiences with elk with the 6.5-284 were great. I know both elk would've died within 20 yards of where I shot them if I didn't give them another. It is an awesome deer and antelope caliber too. With that being said I have killed every other elk with either a 300 win mag or ultra mag. I do think the 6.5-284 killed elk just as fast as the elk I've seen taken with a 270, 308 or 30-06. Plus it bucks the wind a lot better. If you're comfortable shooting it I say let it rip. I do a lot of practice at 1000-1300 yards. Would I ever shoot an animal this far no especially elk with this particular rifle. Deer 700 for me with this gun elk 600. But it's like practicing with your bow at 100 yards on the target or further for some of you but once you shoot your bow at 100 and then move into 30-40 yards it seems "easier" same for me with rifle shooting. If I can hit a target consistently at 1000 from different shooting positions and angles then when I get a shot at 300 yards it feels like a chip shot. Just my two cents. I say shoot either 143 eld x 140 eld m or 147 eld m or the berger 156. I just loaded some 156 berger but they aren't quite getting the velocity I was hoping for so I'm gonna have to lean on them a little bit more. I'm getting 2840 out of the 156 berger and all I took last season was a mule deer doe with them at 350 yards. I think it has potential but if I can't get them a little faster I'll be going back to my 147 eld m load. Good luck and happy hunting. I hope this helped.

 

[Eric H]

I would discourage a head/neck shot. Too small a target area and too much to go wrong. An elk shot in the jaw or thru the wind pipe will put miles of rugged terrain between you and it far faster than you can imagine. If you don't find it the animal will die a long, miserable death and go to waste feeding coyotes and ravens. The heart/lung region is a large, lethal target area. From backbone to brisket a mature bull averages 30" in height and from back of the front leg to the diaphragm runs around 18" with a mature cow being 1/4 to 1/3 smaller. Go with the high percentage kill shot, not a high risk shot. Yes, yes multiple respondents will reply claiming to have killed rail cars full of elk with head shots. That's not my experience in actual field situations. Live with your decisions. I hope you make the right decision the first time. Enjoy the hunt.

Would not even try that on an Elk. I'd go for the sure thing.

 

[Eric H]

The Hammer and Barnes do not need too be as heavy too get better terminal performance . You will not get the penetration especially if you hit heavy muscle or bone in comparison . The Hammer after shedding 30 too 40 percent of its weight still has the shank pushing through and leaving more wound channel . If you hit the shoulder with the 156 gr or 143 gr most likely you will have wounded animal with very little penetration too the vitals . Once again was is the twist , a 1-9 will not stabilize the 143 or 156 gr bullet.

Mine is an 8 twist 26in barrel.

 

[littlebighorn]

I'm shooting the 124g Hammer Hunter in my 6.5x284. It has a 24" 1:8 twist barrel and I'm getting lights out performance at 3150 fps.
It's easily a .5 MOA shooter. I'd use this combination on elk.

 

[HTJ]

I've submitted an application for an Elk hunt and want to be ready if I'm lucky. What weight should I use as I have 127gr LRX, 140GR ACCUBOND BT, 143GR ELDX, 140Gr VLD Hunting, 130GR VLD Hunting and 156EOLs. Thought of getting HAMMERs as they're very consistent in weight and structure. Any load guidance would help also.

6.5x284 is a great caliber. If that's your only caliber option best to use a deep penetrating bullet. Elk are big animals with heavy bone. 6.5 not really the best option. Good luck

 

[Eric H]

I'm shooting the 124g Hammer Hunter in my 6.5x284. It has a 24" 1:8 twist barrel and I'm getting lights out performance at 3150 fps.
It's easily a .5 MOA shooter. I'd use this combination on elk.

May I ask what combination of powder and COAL?