Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting 6.5 Creedmoor heavy monos?

[align:center][/align] I read where a lot of guys use the 147-156-160gr C&C bullets in the Creedmoor. has anyone used the heavier weight monos? By that I mean the 139 Hammer, 130 TSX. I was thinking that the 120 ELDM/120 TTSX would be a good pair to work up, the ELDM for plinking/coyotes, etc and the TTSX for hunting. I have some 139 Scenars that look like they would pair up with either mono above. I have more faith in monos than Match bullets, even if they are good killers. Just my mojo working I suppose? ha would like to hear about any experiences with them in the Creedmoor, my rifle has a 22" barrel. what speeds you think I could expect to get? Thanks.

I found my answer. Twist rate and magazine length issues. Any heavy mono is going to be long. light to medium weights are best in monos, IMO.

Monos like speed. You lose their advantages by going heavy in a moderate cartridge like the 6.5 Creedmoor.

Try 120 TTSX or, at most, 127 LRX.

I have been using the Barnes 120 "X" in my 6.5x08 wild cat since 1994. Then transitioned to the TSX when it came out. Have taken numerous elk with these weights. Have tried the 130gr Barnes TSX & can tell no difference in killing ability. 120 & 130 gr all have given total penetration every year. Last Sat. I took another elk , a mature heavy bodied cow with one shot using a 121 gr Hammer. completely penetrated both shoulders & out. Over the years the vast majority of elk we have taken has been under 200yds. Occasionally, very occasionally we may take one close to 300yd , but that is rare. One point about the mono's is on close shots you don't have to worry about bullet blow up. Also blood shot meat is kept to an absolute minimum. .We use 260 Rem, 6.5x55, 6.5x06 & 264 mag. Makes no difference, they all kill elk cleanly. As with any cartridge, a properly placed bullet is necessary. Shots thru the gut with a .338 mag means an elk that will run off. Thru the shoulders with a mono from a 6.5 means a DRT elk.

The 127gr LRX seems like a good fit for the Creed, and is probably as heavy as I'd want to go with the case, it's already longer than many 140gr lead core bullets.

I used the 127s to take my cow this year, leaving the muzzle at 2,890 fps they expanded well at 375 yds, hit a lot of bone and exited.

Mono's have been the only thing I shoot in all by calibers. I mainly try to get Barnes to shoot, if my gun doesn't like them, I try the Hornady GMX. I've previously loaded for .300WM, 25-06, 270 etc. Late last year I bought a 6.5 Creed and a .260 Remington and am ready to start loading for both. I'll probably try to get something in 100-120 gr to work for the .260 and maybe something slightly heavier for the creed.

I've always followed the advice that generally speaking, when loading mono's, you pick a slightly lighter bullet weight than typical.

Thanks for all the reports guys. I have some 120 ELDM and some 120 TTSX to try first. I figure I'll work up a coyote/desert plinking load with the ELDM and use the 120 TTSX for hunting. I also have some 140 Scenars for target/plinking. I don't really see myself choosing any Match bullet to hunt with, I guess I'm too "gun shy" from past experiences of others. ha It may be ideal for mule deer, I don't know, but I have seen Match bullets fail to get past a couple inches in very small deer. Granted, this was decades ago, but deer hunting has only so many opportunities, for me. I don't want to waste them on an unknown bullet. I too have trusted Barnes since 1990, ha. I have only killed game with one other mono, the old Failsafe, and that was in the .375 H&H. I "might" try Hammers some day, but right now, I'm happy with the TTSX.

I got some 127 LRX for my 6.5 that I need to develop a load for.

Been using ttsx in my 06 and 270 with great results. My main elk medicine