Terminal performance of the 6.5mm 140 eld-match (pics)

[Creedmoor shooter]

Those are made for grendel velocities.

Thats what I was concerned about.

 

[Lou270]

Nice poat. If you look at the construction the eldms are basically just thin jacketed sst/btips. Should work fine, particularly at modest impact velocities. I would personally not use them where I wanted deep penetration but I dont use sst ot btips there either

Lou

 

[Andrew Massi]

I havent really decided if I'm going to try a mono or not. The plan is to go lighter for caliber next time around. Maybe in the 120-130 area where I can't get down to in a match bullet and get the penetration I'm looking for. I'm open to ideas

The 130 tipped matchking, 130 berger and 130 eld-m all receive high praise as lighter lethal killers.
Noslers 120gr ballistic tip is no slouch either

 

[slowshot18]

140 eldms hammer on light skinned game. First pick is a black buck that a clients son shot. 200 yards, exit wound, high shoulder, a bit far back. The buck went 15 yards and dropped. Next pick is exit of a youth coyote at 500 yards. Final pick is a whitetail exit wound. Entry went through the front shoulder. Buck dropped in his tracks at 200 yards.
My father in law is getting up in age. He has been using a 7 mag that my cousin has "handloaded" some custom ammo for. It was nosler partitions. Anyways, the past several years I've spent a lot of time in south Texas tracking deer in extremely thick black brush and prickly pear thickets that my FIL hasn't made the best shots on. I find all of his deer but it's been a hastle. This past year he switched to a 6.5 cm and I talked him into using 140 Eldm. He can now take a questionable shot and I'll usually find his deer within 20 yards. Phenomenal bullet for light skinned game.

 

[lancetkenyon]

Match bullet ROCK for hunting.

Not even one iota of sarcasm in that comment either. I would say 80% of my hunting is done with some kind of "match" or "target" bullet.

 

[lancetkenyon]

I havent really decided if I'm going to try a mono or not. The plan is to go lighter for caliber next time around. Maybe in the 120-130 area where I can't get down to in a match bullet and get the penetration I'm looking for. I'm open to ideas

I will tell you, my daughters both shoot the Berger 6.5 130 OTM (AR Hyb) in their rifles (22" 6.5 Creed @ 2840fps and 22" 6.5SLR 2925fps). From 60 to 771, they do not disappoint.

 

[Creedmoor shooter]

Match bullet ROCK for hunting.

Not even one iota of sarcasm in that comment either. I would say 80% of my hunting is done with some kind of "match" or "target" bullet.

It's been awhile since I've killed anything with a "hunting" bullet. It's been years

 

[deadidarren]

I agree which is why I have been shooting monos for several years. I learned my lesson. Sometimes the perfect shot doesn't present itself. And a high majority of the time 300 yds and less. With the magnums I shoot I wouldn't consider anything but a mono with what I do but everyone is free to do their own thing.

If the perfect shot does not presented itself why would you even take it I've passed up more shots than I've taken in the last 40 years discipline is what it's about not bullet choice

 

[lancetkenyon]

If the perfect shot does not presented itself why would you even take it I've passed up more shots than I've taken in the last 40 years discipline is what it's about not bullet choice

I don't think I have ever had a "perfect shot" opportunity.

100 yards, perfectly broadside, animal relaxed and standing still, allowing me to get prone on perfectly level dry ground, no obstructions, no wind, 60°F, good backstop, on a book class trophy animal. But I have never hunted a high fence feeder property either...

 

[Creedmoor shooter]

I don't think I have ever had a "perfect shot" opportunity.

100 yards, perfectly broadside, animal relaxed and standing still, allowing me to get prone on perfectly level dry ground, no obstructions, no wind, 60°F, good backstop, on a book class trophy animal. But I have never hunted a high fence feeder property either...

Yep rarely happens.

On a side note, alot of guys use the argument of monos for when they don't have the perfect shot. Well it really depends where you miss at. If you hit forward, then yeah a mono is probably going to be alittle better. If you hit back, you'd better believe I want something that fragments alittle and causes massive hemorrhaging.

Same argument on mechanical vs fixed blade broadheads. If I hit a shoulder I for sure want that small tough head. If I hit back, I for sure want that massive 2in cut.

There's no perfect bullet for all scenarios. Just know what the limitations are of your setup and work within its parameters

 

[duckhunter175]

Big fan of the ELDM, especially on deer sized critters-- killed a pile of animals (tx, ok, ky, az, nc, wy and just added AK to the list). Used .223, 6cm, 6.5cm, 6.5x284, 7saum, and .308. Smallest being small TX does and the biggest critter was a Red Stag with the .308 and 168 Amax.

I think the modest velocities from the 6.5cm and .308 really shine with this bullet at intermediate distances and they do exactly what they are supposed to do.

My AK blacktail was the only deer I've had to shoot twice-- I hit him hard quartering toward at 110y in a spruce thicket-- it destroyed the front shoulder and he made it maybe 30y downhill but when I got there his head was still up so round #2. Autopsy showed that not as much bullet made it through as I would've liked but he certainly was on his way to expiration. This was a 7saum w/ 162eldm @2925fps. Certainly not the best example for the ELDM but it certainly does not disprove anything. I have 160gr partitions and 169HH for going after bigger critters when that time comes.

 

[BillLarson]

I've seen a 140 eld-m go through a 180lbs dressed northern bucks shoulder. Busted the entry shoulder and bullet stopped on the hide on the offside. I rest my case.

I will repeat again, please don't turn this into match vs hunting bullets debate. This is not why I posted this thread.

VERY GOOD WELL WRITTEN..... WELL DOCUMENTED ARTICLE.....!!!!
The proof is in the pudding...... many...many people are and have used for years match bullets.... mostly SMK`s.... for hunting.....
Shot placement is of paramount importance.......

 

[cajun]

Yep rarely happens.

On a side note, alot of guys use the argument of monos for when they don't have the perfect shot. Well it really depends where you miss at. If you hit forward, then yeah a mono is probably going to be alittle better. If you hit back, you'd better believe I want something that fragments alittle and causes massive hemorrhaging.

Same argument on mechanical vs fixed blade broadheads. If I hit a shoulder I for sure want that small tough head. If I hit back, I for sure want that massive 2in cut.

There's no perfect bullet for all scenarios. Just know what the limitations are of your setup and work within its parameters

Very true statement. I've had mixed results with monos. Of course in between the "match bullets" and the monos are a lot of good choices. Eldx, Accubond, ballistic tip,interbond,sst. Ironically the worst performance I had from a bullet was a 35 caliber game King.

 

[sea2summit]

I will tell you, my daughters both shoot the Berger 6.5 130 OTM (AR Hyb) in their rifles (22" 6.5 Creed @ 2840fps and 22" 6.5SLR 2925fps). From 60 to 771, they do not disappoint.

What powder? Haven't been able to get them moving that fast out of the C.