Home Forums Hunting & Shooting General Big Game 6.5 Creed - moose bullets

140 grain partiton would do just fine.

You are welcome

A number of your earlyer reasons seemed pretty good, especially the shoulder surgery part.

I guess for me it comes down to the fact that I've never had to shoot a moose at anywhere near 400 yards. One at over 200, a couple at under 20, and I'd say my average would be somewhere around 50 yards. Since you seem to be looking heavily into the numbers to support this claim (but also later claiming they dont matter?) I'll say this, while the 6.5 and its magic bullets might be closing the gap out at longer ranges, at 50 yards the old 30-06 is hitting WAY harder. How much does this matter? Not sure, but I've only rarely had a lung shot moose make it more than 30-40 yards. As for the recoil, between checking zero and shooting my moose the total shot count will likely be less than a half dozen rounds, in two sittings. If thats a problem then so be it, but for me its a non-issue.

Once again, I had a 6.5SE in the safe for many years, Im entirely confident it could cleanly kill moose and elk. That said, with a 30-06 sitting right next to it the choice always seemed pretty logical. I get to hunt moose more often than most but I still treat every single moose tag I draw like its my last, and when I head out the door with that tag in my pocket its with the sole purpose of putting a moose on the ground, not messing around with whatever ballistic theoreticals are currently en vogue.

JMO.

"high BC more frangible bullets, modest velocity"

That would be my only concern.
I saw what 178eld-x's did from a .30-06 and .308 win at less than 100 yards on a moose and a caribou.
Schit penetration.
I'll never use them.

Wouldn’t that be similar to…….bringing a knife to a gunfight?

There are many applications where common sense should be applied…..just say’n! Or perhaps, just because in can be or has been done……isn’t a good answer! 😉 memtb

It appears you were about to go hunting with a bird who knew nothing about firearms. An 8mm/06 with a quality constructed bullet of almost 200 grains will most certainly send a bull moose to the happy hunting ground and I'd be willing to bet a big pile of money on that.

156 norma oryx

Not the 6.5 but the Oryx has been a very good bullet in a 270 and 300 Wea on Maine moose.

I have no strong feelings one way or the other. I don't know where in Ontario you plan to hunt. Many areas in Ontario are low probability hunts with respect to seeing animals. Also don't know whether your hunt will be guided or d.i.y. If guided it may be a positive or a negative depending on who the guide is.

Since your opportunities may be limited this is why I tend to lean toward what I feel may be a more suitable caliber.

Hope you have an enjoyable hunt.

Jim

I'd feel fine with anything over a 120 TTSX, wouldn't turn down blue box federal or a 129-140 interlock either. Might not be sexy but a shot in the lungs would probably end things quickly. Back before the internet told me it wasn't possible I used a Sierra 160 SMP in a 6.5x55 to make short work of a bull elk at about 270 yards. Bullet mushroomed great, retained 73 percent of it's weight and ended up caught by the offside hide in a nice little lump. Seemed to work better then the 7 mag shot elk that week but the placement was a little better too...

I'll tell you what man, I've been running the Barnes 130 gr TSX (Full copper) out of any 6.5CM and have been very impressed. To date we have shot a couple dozen deer with them (I know not moose) but some of these were big mulch deer bucks, and it has performed very well. I would at least take a look at these.

Never Killed a moose but over the years I've learned killing seems more likely with heavier for cal bullet's. Have killed three elk with my 6.5x06 and 149gr Hornady spire points and sure the same would work in my 260. But if I were to go moose hunting I'd take my 30-06 with 180 or 200 gr bullet's. I believe just because something seems it should work doesn't mean it will. A moose is a big animal and heavy bullet's penetrate better than light do and heavy bullets don't come apart at decent velocity's. Two thing's cause penetration, speed and weight. But speed also causes bullet failure! I don't shoot magnums at all any more. Don't like the recoil. Shoot non magnums better so my choice is non mag with a heavier bullet. As for the 6.5's in Scandinave on moose, yea seems they do use it a lot but they are using 156gr bullet's as I understand it. Makes sense to me. Only draw back for me there is my 6.5's have a twist that is not suppose to stabile the heavier bullets. have three of them 6.5x06, 260 and 6.5x55. I believe all would work well but also have a 30-06 and believe it would be a better choice.

I have learned that just because a person doesn't believe that something will work, doesn't mean that it doesn't.

I have been in on the killing of several moose with various 6.5 mm and 7 mm bullets, including the 127 LRX, 140 TTSX, 162 AM, 180 ELD, 140 Fusion, and others, and they work extremely well if they are placed well.

Ive never shot a moose. But They are not bullet proof.
If I was using my 6.5.
120/127 ttsx/lrx
140 SGK/TGK

I've only killed one with the 6.5cm, and that was with 143 ELDX. I cheated though, and shot him in the head/neck intersection.
I'll probably go with 139 scenars on the next one if I ever get around to reloading for the creed.

Many will likely find relief that I'm probably not taking my 6.5 creed on this moose hunt. I'm having a 6.5x55 barrel affixed to a Montana LA. Rumor has it that the 6.5x55 will work way betterer.

Surprised you didn’t go 7x57 on that action, Bill.

The inherent accuracy of the 6.5 CM will work better on moose than the 6.5x55. Plus, its modern case design works better on modern animals.

... maybe, but swede is still betterer for traditional old school vs. modern animals ;-)

I was but then had a 280 Rem barrel screwed onto my 8400. I thought both a 280 and 7x57 would be a bit redundant. I'm always on the look out for Kimbers that "don't shoot". Usually a few tweaks or a new barrel works wonders.

The 140 grain Partition would be my choice in just about any rifle with a 0.264" bore.

Old school that has a long and proven record of success.

6.5 Creedmoor and 6.5x55 is less redundant?