I've been mulling over a similar question for my 6.5 CM Montana. Wanting a tougher style of bullet for elk I decided to focus mainly on the 130gr AB, the 140gr AB, and the 127gr LRX. The 130gr AB didn't shoot that great in my rifle with H4350 and I can't get the LRX at my local SW, so I'm going to try loading the 140gr AB up with some of my newly acquired Reloder 16. Is there any reason you didn't look at the 140gr AB other than availability? The only elk I've shot was with a 140gr AB from a .270, and it worked well, so I figured the 140gr 6.5 AB might be a good option, but who knows.
My rifle really likes the 143gr ELDx both in factory guise, and in my handloads, but I'm afraid that if it's SST-like it might be a bit fragile for elk. I'd put one through a Muley or Speed Goat no problem though. What is the draw of the 140gr Hornady? Is it known as a fairly tough 6.5mm bullet?
Last edited by Gtscotty; 03/20/17.
