Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting 6.5-300 Weatherby – for Elk?

I just got one of these, and am waiting a few days for the ammo to arrive. So, I haven’t chronoed it yet or determined the accuracy of any round.



I’m asking all you prolific elk hunters whether you would consider using that cartridge on a Colorado mountain elk hunt where long shots may be the only ones.

FWIW, I am not asking if it’s the best cartridge for elk, or whether you’d prefer something else. I’m basically asking something along the lines of: If you took your favorite elk rifle to a mountain elk hunt; it got run over by a tracked dozer; and you happened to have access to a 6.5-300 Wby all sighted in, would you feel good, bad, indifferent, happy, sad, depressed, giddy, or whatever by the prospect of using a rifle chambered in that caliber on a prized elk hunt.

Assume recoil isn't an issue, as it won't be for me. Also, please ignore rifle weight and all those other things. Assume your friend carried the rifle for you, or whatever, and you're getting ready to take a shot at an elk anywhere from 50 yds to 600 yds.

Assume the following two possibilities at 10,000 ft:
.




Many thanks in advance for any input.

In a heartbeat... not even a debate to be honest. Either of those two bullets you listed will work excellent.

thanks for the comment beretzs. I will find out how accurate these loads are in my rifle later this week.

My gut tells me that the LRX may be the better choice, given that it should still be going above 2,600 fps at 600 yds at that elevation and definitely would stay together, but would be curious about your thoughts on that.

I LOVE Sciroccos myself. I call them the modern day Bitterroots. If they shoot in a rifle, I’ll usually pick them first honestly. No flys on the Barnes either, great Bullets. I’d take whichever shoots well for you honestly. Either are very capable.

Thanks for the info B. I will find out in a few days what works in this gun. So, you think the Sciroccos would be good if I hit one up close at around 3,400 fps? I have no experience with them, so just looking for your thoughts.

Yeah, they’re tough Bullets. They’ve held up well from the 75’s in the 22-250, 100’s in the 25-06, 150’s in the Mashburn, 180’s in the 300 RUM, 210’s in a 338. My only issue is if they shoot. Sometimes they can be fussy. But if they shoot they’re the top of my list in a game bullet.

I've never hunted in Colorado, but lived in Denver for a while and did a lot of hiking and rock climbing there. All my elk hunting has been in Idaho and Montana. With either of those bullets, and probably a dozen others of same or greater weight, I'd have no qualms whatsoever, on the biggest elk. If it shoots MOA, I'd have 100% confidence. I consider rounds like this to be ideal for mountain hunting. For various reasons, I don't own one, but effectiveness isn't one of them.

Thanks HnS. I'm starting to consider it for next fall.

Thanks beretzs. 6.5-300 ammo is almost impossible to get right now, but I found three boxes each of the ones shown above on GB. The 127gr LRXs should arrive Thursday. I will give them ago likely that day. the 130gr SSs likely will come early next week, and I will then give them a go.

Caveat- I don't elk hunt but just thinking about it ---

Quality bullet, why not? No one would have qualms about a stout 7mm, 6.5 with bullets of comparable bullets should be just ok.

Coming from the view that I dont elk hunt and if I did, likely to be a 1 time, expensive hunt where I must make things count so in your scenario - I'd be ok and likely focused on finding fur and everything else that goes into putting me in a spot to use the rifle....

With 130+ grain slugs, I'd go at them with confidence. I'd not be inclined to attempt any bone shattering shoulder shots though.

Nice moose!

Thanks 1M. I generally am a vitals, rather than bone, shooter, but I take whatever makes sense at the time.

My little brother has a Vanguard 6.5-300 we put in a McMillan stock and it does okay with the 127 LRX factory stuff. Around MOA at 200. He ran out of time to get a 140 load going this fall but I think he will be going at it soon enough.

He had to buy a few boxes of loaded ammo just to get brass. It wasn’t available when he first got the rifle.

Thanks B. That's good to know. If nothing else, that the 127s can work with a 1-8" twist.

I can give you my one-shot brass when I have them for your brother to have. I have no use for it, unless I take up reloading, and that's not gonna happen anytime soon I think.

I know my hopes are unrealistic, but my Accumark, which is similar regularly gets groups like pictured below (the larger ones are on a hot barrel), and I was hoping this one might do similar.

Have an Accumark in 30-378 that groups about the same. Other Weatherby's that do as well too, but they are builds. Have no real need, but I do want a 6.5.

I like the Vanguards and Howas myself. They’ve always been very solid rifles and great shooters for me. We have a few of them. I like the newer Howas and Vanguards a bit more since their triggers ain’t half bad and the safety is more to my liking.

That 8 twist 6.5 Wby should be a firing breathing monster. But as will all things big like that, they can be fussy.

I love mine, had it built 4 years ago or so, I wouldn’t hesitate to reach for it to kill a bull. Mine loves the 140 Hornadys, hated the 127’s. Got some 130 SS factory loads I need to try. Love the rifle and chambering

Looking for an extremely flat-shooting rifle, I was looking at getting a 30-378, but it's too close to my .340, even though a bit flatter. So, I went smaller.

Nice. What is your twist on that? And what is the bbl length?

Awesome picture JMan....