It already is THE most popular moose (elg) round in Sweden. Their moose aren't huge - but their bigger than our elk. I wouldn't hesitate to use it - with a premium 140 grain (or heavier) bullet.

It used to be the most popular but I believe the .30-06 has overtaken it in recent years.

The 6.5 will do,but when I read that you may have a chance for your first elk hunt. It sounds like you are not going to be able to do this frequently. You would be better served with the 300 WSM that you have mentioned. It would be bad to go home without only because you did not have enough confidence in your gun. And the fact that you asked about it tells me you have some doubt. USE ENOUGH GUN


8mmwapiti

Any of those four chamberings are just fine for elk. Take the one you shoot the best from real hunting possitions. That 6.5 with 140 gr bullets would probibly drive deeper than a 180 gr 30 cal any way.

I should have also mentioned to make sure your rifle is one you like to carry. To light weight a rifle loses shootability for a lot of shooters. Heavy rifles suck after 5 ten mile days in a row.

So make sure you balance out the weight\shootability factor.

Yes the 6.4 X 55 will kill an elk but you are going to be limiting your shots with this caliber, just like I had to do using my 25-06 when I used it to kill a bull elk.

My brother in law years ago used a model 70 Winchester in the .243 caliber and he killed a bunch of elk in his younger days. If the hunter using the caliber can shoot and place the proper weight bullet, all will spell success.

The key to successfully taking a game animal once in range is shooting skill.

Burn about 5,000 rounds of .22LR ammo practicing on paper and steel this spring and summer. Shoot from field positions. Use a scope like the one on your 6.5.

Mix that with varmint hunting with the 6.5. Y'all still got groundhogs up there (coyotes have gotten most of ours)? Shoot at least 100 rounds of 6.5 at vermin.

You'll know your rifle and your own skills and the outcome will be sure when you get in position to take an elk. I love the idea of that big 160, BTW.

Though if you shot one with a 125 Partition or a 140 TSX, the elk would die swearing it was a .270 WSM that kilt him.

In Scandinavia what we call Moose, they call Elk and have been killing them since the 6.5x55 came out with it. Works just fine.

I would want something with a higher SD........oh, wait a minute, the 6.5 is ultra high SD.

shoot your 6.5 often and know it well, you will do fine. a well placed bullet going a moderate speed is far better then a errant one going warp from a shiney new rifle.

They call them"elg" I believe. Not the same thing.