Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles What cartridge is a clear step up from the 6.5 Creedmoor

My main two hunting rifles are a 6.5 Creedmoor and a .30-06, so I guess that would be my answer. I see the CreedBro as a deer cartridge that will work for elk, and the .30-06 as an elk cartridge that's a bit heavy (but obviously will still work) for deer.

I used 127gr LRX in my 6.5 to take my cow at 375 yds this year, one down through the high shoulder clipping the bottom of the spine, and another through the neck, both hit a good bit of bone, wrecked a bunch of stuff and exited. Same with a 140gr Accubond through the ribs two years ago, two holes, nice damage in between. On the other hand, I caught both of the 180gr Accubonds from my .30-06 in last year's cow at 320yds. Not sure why I see the .30-06 as the next step up, I didn't get as much penetration, but the effect of those 180s hitting was immediately apparent, and the damage they caused was impressive. I might give 200gr ABs or 168gr TTSX/LRX a try next year, I like seeing two holes.