True, and I get that the 6.5 has an awesome SD. The best I can get out of my CM with 143 ELD's is around 2700 through a 26" barrel. My 24" 7-08 pushes a 140 partition or Accubond around 2950 with a little more diameter. More speed + larger frontal area = bigger smack. Just different schools of thought and this is a tried and true combination for me. If the 6.5 is the largest round that a person (of any age or gender) can shoot accurately then it is absolutely the best choice for whatever game they choose and the Barnes are outstanding bullets.
Like I said, I'm new to the 6.5 world and have limited real world exposure on game. For now I'll stick to deer sized game, especially after my outfitters reaction. The hunter with the 6.5CM did get his elk, but apparently there was about a 1/2 mile tracking job. I'm sure shot placement had a large part in it, but this is my limited field experience with the round. My Savage is a joy to shoot and very accurate with several different loads. Again, can't wait to try it on deer this fall. I just don't have the personal experience to feel confident for using it on elk or moose yet.
I don't know what powder you are using, but you can get more out of that round with a 26-inch barrel. You need to try some Reloder 26. I get 2745 easily with the 147 ELD-M, from my 24-inch barrel.
I have shot deer, elk and antelope for years with a 7 mag. I have always liked it, but now that I have a .260 and 6.5 Creed, the mags are sitting still. I have shot probably 40 deer and several antelope with my 6.5s, and they perform every bit as well as the 7 does on deer etc. I have not shot anything bigger with them, as I would still take my 7 mags-because I have them! However, I would definitely not feel under-gunned, if all I had to take after moose, bear, or whatever, was a Creed, or other 6.5. Based on what I have witnessed, the 6.5s kill much better than even their paper ballistics would indicate.
