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....

I haven’t shot anything with mine yet ( no time). But I would not hesitate to shoot anything in North America with it.

At a quick glance, the overall looks quite a bit like the .264 Win Mg and the 140gr. in that has been a great elk shooter for a long, long time.

I recently acquired a 6.5-300 Weatherby 26” barrel burnt bronze cerakote with factory camo stock. Right out of the box it shot tiny groups with 127 gr LRX and 130 gr Scirocco Wby factory loads. I found a box of each to try and given near identical results, I grabbed 2 more boxes of the LRX. Also later found a box of 70 factory cases and couple of pounds of US869. I’m not so sure it outperforms my 7mm and .300 Weatherby Mags, but it should be more than adequate for elk and mule deer. I hope to find out this season!

PS: Looking at the ballistics tables, down range performance is very close and certainly more velocity than required for expansion of either bullet. I don’t shoot at much of anything past 500 yards anyway.

WAM, is your rifle a MkV, VG, or something else?

It’s a Vanguard Sub-MOA similar to the First Lite VG, but with Sitka Optifade Sub Alpine camo and no brake. Model exclusive to RMEF. I won it, but if I had bought one it might have been stainless. 8.5 lb with scope.

Rem 700, broughton rem sporter 8”” @26” McMillan game scout 805 trigger and you see the gold ring on the scope. 😂😂

Thanks WAM. Glad to hear it's a 1-8" twist like mine.

,
I’m betting yours will shoot the LRX and SS just fine! I believe all the Weatherby rifles in 6.5-300 are 1:8 twist barrels. Happy Trails

Last season 2 hunters drove out from Illinois to wack Idaho cow elk with the rifle they shared. Their problems was not with their rifle.

Rather than have them rezero and learn new dope, one of the guys gave 'em a familiarization run with his custom 6.5-300 WM shooting 143 gr. ELDX handloads. Then went out with them to get it done.

Now that is a really nice guy. Afterwards they started the drive back home with 2 elk in the coolers.

If that had been me, I'd given the rifle owner 1/2 an elk....

Keeping my fingers crossed.

Yeah, mine's a 1-8", like all the 6.5 Wbys.

I just also ordered 2 boxes of the 140gr C&C soft point ammo on GB. I'm basically hitting the "buy now" button on any 6.5-300 ammo until I build up a sizeable inventory.

The 140 sp shoot really good in my rifle.

Nice Jud! So, that's 1-8" twist Remington?

I swear that barrel looks like it's 32" long.

Yep 8” . It does look long, she’s 26” though. Pretty light contour

I also see turrets?

You go over to the dark side?

Strictly cosmetic!! Haha need to pull it and have cds installed.

Question: This thing is “free floated,” but the stock touches the barrel. Should I take the stock off and sand it down so that it does not touch the barrel? It has a “full-length aluminum bedding plate,” but I’ve never looked at it to see what that means.

Nice moose. I'd free float it for sure.

In your above scenario; Plug your ears because I'm about to shoot.

I do not know why but that is probably the first cartridge to tempt me into a new rifle in a long time.

But getting back to reality, I'm really not sure how you'll handle the recoil.

Yeah, without a doubt.

My gripe with elk cartridge choices is focused on guys who use little guns in fairly heavy cover where, though the ranges is usually fairly short, it is difficult to really gauge the elk's body position 'cause you can't see lower legs / feet and don't know where the shoulder blade and front leg bone are precisely so you don't know if you've got a clean shot through comparatively soft tissue to get into the chest or you've got a big ol' hunka bone to break to get there. Our in the open where you can see the whole elk is a different game.

The only thing I'd want to do differently than you list is I'd focus on the 140 grain partition. Though it is a flat base, that cartridge will pitch it fast enough to open up and perform well within your 500 yard limit.

Tom

I'll just shoot my .375 Wby first, and then it will feel like a 22LR.

It weighs in at 9.9 lbs, which should help as well.

I'm going to take the Vortex scope off, even though I like it. Just ordered a 42%-off Bushnell Forge FFP 4.5-27x 50mm, which is what is on my .340, except that that one is a SFP.

Thanks for the suggestion TOM. Unfortunately, no one loads the 140gr NP in the 6.5-300, and I don't handload. This cartridge may make me change that eventually. That, and wanting 265-gr ABLRs loaded in .340 Wby, which no one does.

I could convince myself to go beyond 500 yds, but only if the wind is calmer than normal, but I'm sure the NP would do that.

The area around the pond in the pics below is frequented by elk, the center of the pond is about 550 yds away.





I do like the NPs. Just one knocked this guy down in 2010:

MarineHawk, my 11-year-old son saw me reading this thread, and asked me some questions about the moose in your OP, so I thought to ask the guy who would know the answers!

Where did you hunt that moose, and how did you decide that he was a trophy before you shot him? Thanks in advance for the answers.

I’d shoot it first before I floated it myself since those WBYs tend to shoot well the way they come. Checking to see if it likes being floated only takes a minute to set up.

If that rifle shoots well and your optics do as they are supposed to that’ll get to 550 pretty quick MH. Not saying I’d take just any old shot but a broadside bull would be in big trouble with a fast mover like you’ve got.

JMan, that’s a cool shooting iron.

It’s over 100 miles north of Dillingham. The lake we land on loaded is not big enough to take off loaded. So, we unload, and then the pilot picks us up 11 days later 48 miles down river on a big wide stretch that is an infinitely-long landing/take-off strip.

The only mammal I have shot at that I missed was a giant bear at about 450 yds. I should have aimed lower with the .340 Wby through the brush he was in, but I aimed for the spine, which was clearly visible. Just as I pulled the trigger, he dove into the ground after some animal or something. In the ½ second of the bullet’s flight, it went over him. We later saw a moose approaching us at one point, but when we got close, guide said that he was about 47”, just 3” below legal.

Then we had 3 days of terrible weather. 70mph – 80 mph gusts, constant driving rain. When that was over, we had to head down river—leaving prime brown bear country. I was still hunting from the raft and when and where we camped along the way. 7.5 miles along the way, at about 3:30pm on the last day of moose season, we approached one of the countless splits in the river, and the guide decided to go river left, as that looked a bit better then river right, although they both looked decently navigable.

Just as he was committing to the left current, we saw a large cow and her calf running down river on the right bank of river right. The guide managed through intense effort to make it back to the river right current before we had gone too far in the left current. The guide reminded me that, in mid-September, if you see a cow, there is certainly a bull nearby. I listened and looked down river where the cow and calf had run off to. All of the sudden, the guide took three decisive actions very quickly that could have saved me from going home empty handed.

He spotted a bull in the same clearing (now a little behind us on the right bank of river right) where we had seen the cow and calf running down river. From the front of the raft, I was looking away (i.e., the wrong way) down river in the direction the cow and calf had run off to, which was pointed down river. Then, before I saw anything, the guide quickly cranked the oars to spin the boat clockwise so that it was perpendicular to the river, and I was facing the right bank, and he yelled at the top of his lungs “SHOOT IT!!!!!!” Without seeing anything yet, for a fraction of a second, this all registered, and I shouldered my .340 Wby as I scanned the bank from left to right, figuring (giving the emphatic nature of the guide's voice) that I would see either a giant bear or a big bull on the right bank. Within a second, I had a giant bull in my crosshairs at about 60 yards away quickly running to the right (up river) within seconds to some dense alder brush and trees on the right bank that probably would have prevented us from ever seeing that bull again.

Within a second, just as my crosshairs covered his body, I squeezed the trigger on his front quarters. I wanted to shoot a bit more forward of where I otherwise might because he was jogging quickly to the right, and I didn’t want the bullet to hit too far rearward on his body in case I wasn’t leading enough or he sped up. That first shot went through both lungs and exited.

The bull then, while hit up front, sped up his pace going the same direction to the right. Within a second after the first shot, I shot him again. This one again went through both lungs and exited. It was behind where I was aiming, but I was just trying to hit the running bull with an anchoring shot at that point to slow him down. Now, he slowed down. A second later, I hit him a third time through the ribs, through his vitals, and through his left shoulder and stopped under the far hide. He hobbled about 20 yards further away to his left into the brush away from the river and was apparently going down. For a few seconds, I could see his giant antlers wavering back and forth in the one stationary place in the brush where he was going down.

Then, the fun part began.

Thanks Beretzs. That's what I was thinking. I doubt I will mess with the stock unless there is mediocre accuracy to improve. And that is a pretty hefty barrel, which may be somewhat resistant to any modest pressure from the stock.

Great story in the bull! Congrats!

Thanks Beretzs. It scored 231-1/2 on the B&C scale. The all-time record book qualification starts at 224. I looked up on the B&C website all moose that had exceeded 230 over the last 70 years. The hunters’ names appear on the list. Not one hunter ever registered two of those. So, I figure I’ve maxed out on moose hunting, and have moved on to other things closer on this part of the continent.

A few months ago, I noticed that I had a 3-lb bag of its backstraps mixed in the extra freezer with some more-recent deer meat, and my fiance and boys went ahead and grilled it. After six years, it was still really good.

Once I get my ammo, I will start shooting and collecting the empty cases for your brother if you want.

Shoot it first then take it from there.

That tenderloin find was a SCORE.

YES sir, we’ll buy that brass when you’re ready.

Yeah, the backstraps on that thing were 25 lbs a piece. I thought we had eaten them all years ago. It was kind of cool to have one last taste of that moose. I cooked it like prime rib at 170 deg. on the gas grill for about 3-1/2 hours. I know that 6 years is beyond the normal expectancy, but it was awesome.

No need to buy the brass. It's yours. I'm not good at selling that type of stuff, so, it would just sit in the garage, along with other unusable things. I also have a lot of once-fired .375 Wby, .340 Wby, and 7mm Wby brass if you or anyone else is interested. Again, no charge.

Scotty don’t shoot mine much but I’ll send ya my brass as well. 👍

The last ones I ordered, the 140gr Interlocks, are now scheduled to appear first--tomorrow, one day before I get the new scope. So, I might just leave the scope on for now, and try them out. Hopefully, my bore-sighting worked better than last time. I think I've corrected the error.

Thanks fellas. I appreciate it a ton. I figure anything that keeps my little brother energized and shooting is a good thing.

Again, that’s awesome fellas, thank you.

MH, it’s amazing how well meat holds up when it’s packaged up nicely. I’ve eaten some 16 killed elk a fee weeks back. Nothing but goodness.

If you decide to upgrade the stock MH, McM is making and shipping fast and the Sako Classic stock is darned nice on those Vanguards. I just got two in less than a month from ordering. Surprised my credit card quite a lot.

I need to think about that Beretzs. I actually like and have had good success with the Wby MC stocks. They seem to recoil less than expected and fit me well. But, if there is an issue, I will regroup and rethink.

Just got the first 6.5-300 ammo in today – the 140gr.

Scope arrives tomorrow, and the 130gr Sciroccos tomorrow or Friday. 127gr LRXs on Saturday.

Probably going to wait for the 130s and head out to the range on Friday.

Can you identify the five cartridges below, from left to right?

5.56, 308, 7 Wby, 6.5 Wby, 340 Wby....

Looking good buddy!

You got it.

Just for fun, can you name the three additional cartridges?

Sweet ballistics on that cartridge.

Post up the 140g ballistics if you will, please.

Ah, the search for the elusive cartridge that becomes your go-to rifle to fill that superstition, once you put one on the ground….lol.

Have fun with the new toy. Nice setup.

The 300 yd zero ballistics on the 127 is amazing….got my attention.

243, 300 Win, 375 Wby

243 300win 375wby

Yes.

And the 130 Sciroccos as well.

Thanks ES91. I will chrono everything with my Labradar and report back.

PM sent.

Reply sent.

Got five boxes of ammo and the scope mounted and bore-sighted.









Off to the range tomorrow.

Nice. Looking forward to what you see on paper.

I'm hopeful, but apprehensive. With that 27x, it will be all about the rifle, not me. Just rest it, put the crosshairs on the middle of the bullseye, and squeeze. Wait a few minutes to keep the barrel from heating up. Repeat. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Lol nice edit..it’s not nice to copy

Lol.

Truth?

I put 243 300 wby(didn't look close enough at the shoulder), and 378 wby (what I found in my Nosler #3 loading manual, they didn't show the 375 wby listed) I pulled up some pics and seen the difference with pics between the 378 and 375.

So, I originally tried to just delete my whole post, since it was wrong, and you got it right, but it wouldn't let me, so I "corrected it" (Kinda like a mulligan in golf).

Lastly, I knew you would point it out, so it'd give me this chance to expalin and further build my post count, so I, too, can look important on the internet......

At least I'm telling the truth here, like I always do, and can't be called a "liar".....LMAO

What a clown

You should see me when I get serious.....

375/378, it's all good. Hope you both have a great day.

Took the rifle and the 130gr Sciroccos and 140gr Interlocks to the range today.

So far, the rifle seem to like the 140gr Interlocks a bit better. I was getting roughly 1-inch groups with the Sciroccos and around 3/4-inch groups with the Interlocks. Not quite as accurate as, for example, my .340 Wby with 225gr TTSXs. But more than good enough for hunting. Maybe I’ll do better next time. Generally, my Wbys seem to prefer Barnes and Nosler bullets the best, but that likely is just coincidence. While I was at the range, a shipment of the 127gr LRX ammo came in. So, I’m gonna try that out tomorrow. Maybe they’re “the one.”

Here’s my last group with the 140s, right at 3/4" – center to center:



With a five-shot sample, the 130gr Sciroccos averaged 3,416 fps MV, and the 140gr Interlocks averaged 3,277 fps based on a 12-shot sample.

So, based on published BCs, this is what they should do (note that the center of scope is almost exactly 2” higher than the center of bore):





The Bushnell Forge 4.5-27X scope is an FFP one, and the first FFP I’ve owned. For a potential long-range rig, I like that the reticles are always 1 MOA apart at any magnification.

I’ll be curious to see how the 127’s do, my rifle hated em. Saami chamber, broughton snout.

Hopefully the 127s shoot for you. With that particular model of Vanguard, I don't believe it was supposed to be floated, nor does it have the aluminum bedding block. I just has the factory Griptonite stock on it. The Accuguards with the Bell and Carlson stocks have the aluminum chassis, however. I've been paying attention to your posts because the 6.5x300 has me intrigued as well. The 140 interlocks at that velocity might be a little on the soft side for elk, but would still certainly do the job behind the shoulder.

Anxiously waiting to see how the 127s shoot.

Don’t give up on SSlI’s. They can be harder to tweak than some, but capable of fine accuracy. Work with.COAL and jump, not too unlike a VLD. They’re known for good terminal performance, are pretty tough, can stand some speed.

DF

I haven't taken it apart to check, but the Wby website sys that the Accuguard has the same "Full length aluminum bedding plate" as the Accumark, which I have in .340. https://weatherby.com/store/vanguard-accuguard/

But I see you’re saying that because of the Griptonite stock, it’s probably doesn’t have that? The GB entry said that it was “The Vanguard Stainless Accuguard,” which "is an exclusive Show Special for Sports, Inc. Members.” Maybe that’s different. Maybe I should get it free-floated like my MkV.

I'd be willing to bet that it does not have the aluminum block. The Griptonite stocks aren't set up for them. I saw some of the same models last year (almost bought one in .257 Wby, but didn't)

It might be worth getting the aftermarket Bell and Carlson stock that they put on the upper-end Vanguards, and it will have the aluminum bedding block and floated barrel channel.

Thanks!!! This one: http://www.bellandcarlson.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_ID=1152

exactly that.

Thanks 444. You edumacated me.

Ordered in the black with grey spideys, just like the big-brother .340.



When I ordered the rings for that thing, the guy on the phone said "blue, okay?" I thought he said "blued," but I've learned to live with it.

MarineHawk thanks for writing up your moose hunt and posting more photos. My son ooh'ed and aaah'ed and oh geez'ed through the story! I'm grateful.

Do you handload? Like Dirtfarmer said, don't give up on the Sciroccos yet if you do. They have required some tweaking of seating depth in all but one rifle, after finding a consistent powder charge, for me.

Funny about the rings, had the same thing happen with a trigger guard. Blued not blue dammit!

Sciroccos do indeed shoot well, but tend to take a little more work. I really liked the first version of them, the S2 holds together better but are a tad sticky in the bore IME. Can’t quite get the speed out of them before hitting pressure.

Thanks for the nice message HNS. The funny part to me was that we finished about 2/3 of the skinning and butchering by about 9:30 pm. We hung our sweaty shirts on the horns to hopefully dissuade any bears from stealing the moose. Went back to the only place to put up a tent, about 100 yds away. Guide started cooking dinner, and I put up the tent. The moose wasn't visible from where we had to camp. We were at least 80 miles from the nearest road or building and likely dozens of miles from the nearest person. I built a huge trash and driftwood fire to hopefully help keep bears away from the moose. Started drinking with/after dinner. Stayed up to 3:30 am, during which, every 30 minutes or so, I would fire my 10mm semi-auto into the air and we would scream juvenile obscenities at any potential bear thief. I got up at 7:30 am, donned my waders, and was thankful that the moose was still there.

I won't give up on the SS, but I don't reload--yet. I will try the 127gr LRXs, and put the new free-floating stock on, and work again with everything. The SSs didn't do poorly, and are good enough for elk hunting I think. The 140gr ILs were just a bit better. Gonna play around with it and see what I can get. I'm also pretty frazzled and sleep-deprived from work right now. So, maybe a day off will help. I've basically given my 16-yr-old son my 7mm Wby, which this new one somewhat duplicates, only a bit flatter. So, I think I'm going back to the range tomorrow, while he's at work, and then again on Sunday, when we will alternate the 7mm and the 6.5-300.

MH,

Great posts and congrats on your exceptional Alaskan moose, that's a hell'va bull.

I think your rig will be fine once you get everything worked out. I have 2 friends who use Accumarks in 30-378 on CO elk out to 1000yds. Last season my friend's wife took her bull at 433yds lasered no problem next hill over from where I killed my buck.

Yeah, a single consonant can make a difference. Who knew?

Damn bud......Nice.......

Thanks MtnHtr. Dang, 1,000 yards! That's amazing and beyond my goals, especially where I'm going to be hunting.

I was contemplating either a 30-378 or the 6.5-300, because they both equally would fill an unnecessary desire for the ultimate flat-shooting rig. But every time I ran the numbers, the 30-378 came out, better than, but too close to, my .340, and my son has latched on to my 7mm Wby--leaving a hole in that component of my arsenal,

Two of them (father-son) have been doing it a long time, they also have a Rem 700 Sendero in 300WM. They pick their shots carefully and will pass if it's too windy. Handload Barnes 180gr TTSX work well for them.

Cool. How fast does the 30-378 launch the 180s? If I had one of those, I would like to try the 190 ABLR in it.

Thanks MtnHtr. Some of the Wby published MV numbers are a bit optimistic, some are fairly accurate, and some of their downrange numbers are illogical. For example, for the 6.5-300 (https://weatherby.com/store/6-5-300-weatherby-magnum/), they have, at 500 yards, the 140gr AB going 76 fps faster than the 140gr Interlock, but they have the 140gr Interlock putting out 163 fpe than the 140gr AB at the same distance.

I texted two of them, both handload.

200 grain accubond, 3300 fps using Retumbo

180gr TTSX 3450fps using H4831