6.5 Ammo Question - TexasBowhunter.com Community Discussion Forums

Tex · 01-18-2021, 09:43 PM

I have a mom and daughter coming in to hunt elk this weekend. They had planned on using a 243 so I offered up my 6.5 instead. Being a bow Hunter I never use it and realized I only had one bullet. I haven’t been able to find any for two weeks so the guys that came last weekend sold me a box of 140 grain Hornady Match. A search online produced mixed results so I’m asking people I trust.
Would you use this ammo on an elk?
Would anyone be willing to trade for another type of ammo?

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gatt40 · 01-18-2021, 10:08 PM

Probably no help since I’ve never been elk hunting, but I would not be comfortable shooting 6.5. I know it’s a great little cartridge, but also think shot placement would be key. Personally I would shoot my 308 or comparable.

LFD2037 · 01-18-2021, 10:11 PM

For whitetail/pigs, yes. Elk, no. And that's only if it's Hornady ELD-M match ammo (pretty much the same as AMAX). The 6.5 will be better than the .243 but needs to be an actual hunting bullet for elk. ELD-X, Accubond, Fusion, etc. & shot placement will still be very important. Be prepared for follow up shots. I shoot 6.5 but I'd want something bigger for elk.

*ETA*
What is that 1 bullet? Worst case scenario, if it's a quality hunting bullet make it the first round fired followed up by the other ammo (if the other is ELD-X).

kae006 · 01-18-2021, 10:13 PM

I wouldn't personlly use 6.5 CM on an elk, and if I had to it definitely wouldn't be with a match bullet.

Tex · 01-18-2021, 10:13 PM

We have had several hunters use the 6.5 with great results. But with different ammo. 143 ELDX and American Whitetail

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Dejashoot · 01-18-2021, 10:28 PM

6.5 CM is fine for elk -better than .243. Match ammo I wouldn’t use.

I’m sure some one on here has an extra box they can get you.

wellingtontx · 01-18-2021, 10:40 PM

Not Match ammo on game - especially elk size game

bboswell · 01-18-2021, 10:41 PM

A good lung shot works great on Elk with 6.5 CM with hunting bullets but not necessarily match bullets

LFD2037 · 01-18-2021, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wellingtontx

Not Match ammo on game - especially elk size game

The ELD-M has proven itself for deer & pigs, just like the AMAX did.

LFD2037 · 01-18-2021, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tex

We have had several hunters use the 6.5 with great results. But with different ammo. 143 ELDX and American Whitetail

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No doubt the 6.5 will work on elk, it's just on the smaller size for elk. Best option is a solid bullet that mushrooms well on the heavy end (140+) of the 6.5 spectrum.

DBLHKUP · 01-18-2021, 10:43 PM

Shot my bull with 6.5CM used 143ELD-X, had no issue, dropped him.

Tex · 01-18-2021, 11:04 PM

So it looks like Match ammo is out. Anyone have a box they would sell or trade? This mom is doing all she can to get her girl into the outdoors so any help is greatly appreciated.
Im donating the guide tip and doing the processing for them but none of that means a thing of I can’t get good ammo.

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Tex · 01-18-2021, 11:05 PM

I’ll trade the entire box of Match for half a box of ELDX.

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hooligan · 01-18-2021, 11:07 PM

I’ll check in the morning, may have a box of nosler 140gr ballistic tips I’ll sell/trade ta to help out.

I’d much rather have accusing or partitions for elk but BT will be much better than a match bullet

mrc · 01-18-2021, 11:07 PM

I would shot the 243 with a premium bullet, Barnes or a Partition or something similar. Many an elk have been killed with one get close and out it in the lungs.

bboswell · 01-18-2021, 11:22 PM

I have a box with 16 remaining, I wasn’t planning to part with them but for this I will.

Figure out how to get them there

redfishted · 01-18-2021, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bboswell

I have a box with 16 remaining, I wasn’t planning to part with them but for this I will.

Figure out how to get them there

Brent, I sent the guy a pm, I have plenty and I’ll give him some if he can figure out a way to get it, if you want to keep yours.

bboswell · 01-18-2021, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redfishted

Brent, I sent the guy a pm, I have plenty and I’ll give him some if he can figure out a way to get it, if you want to keep yours.

Good deal

mako191 · 01-19-2021, 04:41 AM

pm sent

TCB · 01-19-2021, 08:19 AM

If you can get the ELD-X, you won't have a problem. My son and a buddies son both killed cull bulls, my buddy killed an elk in Colorado and I've taken 2 oryx with one shot kills on both.

Tex · 01-19-2021, 09:50 AM

Thanks everyone for the offers. Mako is pretty close and has a few so I think I’m set.

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cantexduck · 01-19-2021, 10:01 AM

I have had a few hunters use the eldm on oryx and elk. Both worked good enough with a shot in the vitals.

01-18-2021, 09:43 PM	#1
Tex Ten Point Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Lexington	6.5 Ammo Question I have a mom and daughter coming in to hunt elk this weekend. They had planned on using a 243 so I offered up my 6.5 instead. Being a bow Hunter I never use it and realized I only had one bullet. I haven’t been able to find any for two weeks so the guys that came last weekend sold me a box of 140 grain Hornady Match. A search online produced mixed results so I’m asking people I trust. Would you use this ammo on an elk? Would anyone be willing to trade for another type of ammo? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

01-18-2021, 10:11 PM	#3
LFD2037 Pope & Young Join Date: Dec 2009 Hunt In: Over yonder	For whitetail/pigs, yes. Elk, no. And that's only if it's Hornady ELD-M match ammo (pretty much the same as AMAX). The 6.5 will be better than the .243 but needs to be an actual hunting bullet for elk. ELD-X, Accubond, Fusion, etc. & shot placement will still be very important. Be prepared for follow up shots. I shoot 6.5 but I'd want something bigger for elk. ETA What is that 1 bullet? Worst case scenario, if it's a quality hunting bullet make it the first round fired followed up by the other ammo (if the other is ELD-X). Last edited by LFD2037; 01-18-2021 at 10:14 PM.

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01-18-2021, 10:08 PM	#2
gatt40 Pope & Young Join Date: May 2010 Location: Corpus Christi, Texas Hunt In: San Patricio, Mountain Home & wherever	Probably no help since I’ve never been elk hunting, but I would not be comfortable shooting 6.5. I know it’s a great little cartridge, but also think shot placement would be key. Personally I would shoot my 308 or comparable.

01-18-2021, 10:13 PM	#4
kae006 Pope & Young Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Nebraska Hunt In: Colorado, Wyoming	I wouldn't personlly use 6.5 CM on an elk, and if I had to it definitely wouldn't be with a match bullet.

01-18-2021, 10:28 PM	#6
Dejashoot Pope & Young Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Houston and Brazoria Hunt In: Fredericksburg, Kerrville, Brackettville and Brazoria	6.5 CM is fine for elk -better than .243. Match ammo I wouldn’t use. I’m sure some one on here has an extra box they can get you.

01-18-2021, 10:40 PM	#7
wellingtontx Pope & Young Join Date: Feb 2009 Hunt In: Collingsworth County, Texas	Not Match ammo on game - especially elk size game

01-18-2021, 10:41 PM	#8
bboswell Pope & Young Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Montgomery County Hunt In: Where ever I can	A good lung shot works great on Elk with 6.5 CM with hunting bullets but not necessarily match bullets

01-18-2021, 10:43 PM	#11
DBLHKUP Ten Point Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Katy, Texas Hunt In: Burleson Co, Webb Co	Shot my bull with 6.5CM used 143ELD-X, had no issue, dropped him.

01-18-2021, 11:04 PM	#12
Tex Ten Point Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Lexington	So it looks like Match ammo is out. Anyone have a box they would sell or trade? This mom is doing all she can to get her girl into the outdoors so any help is greatly appreciated. Im donating the guide tip and doing the processing for them but none of that means a thing of I can’t get good ammo. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

01-18-2021, 11:05 PM	#13
Tex Ten Point Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Lexington	I’ll trade the entire box of Match for half a box of ELDX. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

01-18-2021, 11:07 PM	#14
hooligan Pope & Young Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Coppell Hunt In: Sterling Co.	I’ll check in the morning, may have a box of nosler 140gr ballistic tips I’ll sell/trade ta to help out. I’d much rather have accusing or partitions for elk but BT will be much better than a match bullet

01-18-2021, 11:07 PM	#15
mrc Ten Point Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Graham TX. Hunt In: Young and Jack	I would shot the 243 with a premium bullet, Barnes or a Partition or something similar. Many an elk have been killed with one get close and out it in the lungs.

01-18-2021, 11:22 PM	#16
bboswell Pope & Young Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Montgomery County Hunt In: Where ever I can	I have a box with 16 remaining, I wasn’t planning to part with them but for this I will. Figure out how to get them there

01-19-2021, 04:41 AM	#19
mako191 Six Point Join Date: Apr 2009	pm sent

01-19-2021, 08:19 AM	#20
TCB Ten Point Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Denton, Tx	If you can get the ELD-X, you won't have a problem. My son and a buddies son both killed cull bulls, my buddy killed an elk in Colorado and I've taken 2 oryx with one shot kills on both.

01-19-2021, 09:50 AM	#21
Tex Ten Point Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Lexington	Thanks everyone for the offers. Mako is pretty close and has a few so I think I’m set. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

01-19-2021, 10:01 AM	#22
cantexduck Pope & Young Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Florence,Texas/ Willamson Hunt In: all over central Texas	I have had a few hunters use the eldm on oryx and elk. Both worked good enough with a shot in the vitals.