6.5 CM as a hunting cartridge... why?

[cgasner1]

No. But, like everything, it's good to do some investigation into the capabilities of the gun to confirm it fits your use case. It is akin to buying a Honda Fit and then complaining it doesn't have an 8ft bed or can't haul a trailer.....

Full disclosure, I own a Honda Fit.

This is true I’ve seen it

 

[Justabirdwatcher]

No. But, like everything, it's good to do some investigation into the capabilities of the gun to confirm it fits your use case. It is akin to buying a Honda Fit and then complaining it doesn't have an 8ft bed or can't haul a trailer.....

I will admit it was mostly the "inherent accuracy" claims that first got my attention with the round. I saw some accurate performance, but nothing more than what I'd been able to produce with a number of other cartridges. The little 6.5 Grendel (even in a lowly Howa Mini) is still the most accurate cartridge I've ever loaded for and I never did have the 143 ELD-X's knock my socks off. Certainly not to the point where I'd feel comfortable at 500-600 yards. 162 ELD-X's out of my Tikka 7mm-08 on the other hand... those were gtg as far as I could see.

 

[Justabirdwatcher]

More 6.5 death

I haven't hunted Auodad but I hear those are some pretty tough critters. Nice one.

 

[sclancy27]

I will admit it was mostly the "inherent accuracy" claims that first got my attention with the round. I saw some accurate performance, but nothing more than what I'd been able to produce with a number of other cartridges. The little 6.5 Grendel (even in a lowly Howa Mini) is still the most accurate cartridge I've ever loaded for and I never did have the 143 ELD-X's knock my socks off. Certainly not to the point where I'd feel comfortable at 500-600 yards. 162 ELD-X's out of my Tikka 7mm-08 on the other hand... those were gtg as far as I could see.

I think there is something to the inherent accuracy, you really don't see them that shoot shitty. But, alot of calibers are accurate.

 

[cgasner1]

I haven't hunted Auodad but I hear those are some pretty tough critters. Nice one.

That one rolled down the hill about 50 yards after the bullet hit

 

[Wind Gypsy]

Excellent, logical, mature answer. Thank you for that.

When you say "ballistically capable to 600" do you mean with 140+ class high bc bullets, or also with others? I was underwhelmed by the velocities I was seeing from 143 ELD-X, generally in the high 2600's and occasionally in the low 2700's. My 7mm-08 140's are always mid 2800's and sometimes 2900's so I just didn't see any real advantage of the 6.5 for me. I also didn't feel any of my 6.5's were any more accurate than my 7mm-08 or .308, with the exception of one 120 grain CX load that would cloverleaf but at a disappointing 2750 fps.

I should probably buy a new chrony. I read some of the speeds others are getting from their 6.5 CM, with the same bullets and powder, and it really makes me wonder how. But my .308 based loads and my .300 WSM are pretty close to book, so I dunno.

In regards to the poor velocities, how did you decide what the max charge weight you tested was?

I'm not an advocate of loading way over book max until you're piercing primers or getting obvious pressure signs because a lot of cartridges/brass/rifles will hide pressure well above SAAMI max. However, if i'm not getting any pressure signs and not seeing velocities that generally seem to be reasonable based on multiple sources and an understanding of how it all works - Im not hesitant to load above book max until the velocity tells me I must be building some pressure or pressure signs show up.

 

[Justabirdwatcher]

Well my questions have certainly been answered and I appreciate all the responses. I agree this one ran its course. Kinda wish the forum had a close thread feature like others do.

 

[Justabirdwatcher]

Do you load to book max or until you see pressure signs?

I'm not an advocate of loading way over book max until you're piercing primers or getting obvious pressure signs because a lot of cartridges/brass/rifles will hide pressure well above SAAMI max. However, if i'm not getting any pressure signs or the velocity that generally seems to be reasonable based on multiple sources and an understanding of how it all works - Im not hesitant to load above book max until the velocity tells me I must be building some pressure.

I've loaded over book a few rare times, particularly with Hammers since they don't seem to build pressure like other bullets do. I had 131 Hammers going 3100 fps. out of a 7mm-08 with CFE 223 and they were very accurate and produced several bang-flops for me.

I really can't recall seeing any pressure signs with any 6.5 CM loads so maybe I should have just kept going. I was just a bit disappointed that even H4350 which is supposed to be what they load in the precision hunter ELD-X, gave me nowhere near book velocities out of two of my guns. So I moved on to Barnes and Hornady CX's and then just lost interest.

 

[cgasner1]

Well my questions have certainly been answered and I appreciate all the responses. I agree this one ran its course. Kinda wish the forum had a close thread feature like others do.

I can send you some memes to post it’ll get it closed down

 

[Justabirdwatcher]

That one rolled down the hill about 50 yards after the bullet hit

West Texas?

 

[cgasner1]

West Texas?

New Mexico we drew tags

 

[Justabirdwatcher]

I can send you some memes to post it’ll get it closed down

not my style, but still funny.

 

[Justabirdwatcher]

New Mexico we drew tags

those always look like epic hunts. I lived in Roswell for four years and never even got drawn for elk, as a resident! Would have cost me $44 for a tag too. I have the worst luck with draws of anyone I know.

 

[F250]

To the OP… I think some people just like to say “Creedmore “… cooler than saying 7mm-08.

 

[Justabirdwatcher]

To the OP… I think some people just like to say “Creedmore “… cooler than saying 7mm-08.

Probably. I mean, it is cooler than 7mm-08. The lore of the Creedmoor! ha, ha. I'm actually more a fan of the 7x57 but I don't want to lug around long actions either, so I finally gave in to the modern version.

 

[El Jason]

Late to the game here (as usual) but it only dawned on me that without the 143 ELD-X or it's kin, the cartridge loses some luster, after trying to roll monos (Barnes in particular) out at a velocity that will ensure expansion at 300-400 yards. As some have said, wrong application for the tool

Again, I’d like to see the supporting data for this claim. I like to stay close to 200 FPS as my max terminal velocity. A Hammer Hunter will reliably expand at 1800 FPS. How can you not get 3-400 yards?

Even with Barnes and slower MV I’m still failing to see how you won’t have 1800 FPS at 400 yards.

 

[cgasner1]

those always look like epic hunts. I lived in Roswell for four years and never even got drawn for elk, as a resident! Would have cost me $44 for a tag too. I have the worst luck with draws of anyone I know.

We travels through for the hunt

 

[Justabirdwatcher]

We travels through for the hunt

Was definitely a money-making gimmick for that town. But I liked Roswell. Met a lot of good people there and had some great bird and mule deer hunts while living there. Learned to play golf there too, mostly because there was no place to fish!

 

[Justabirdwatcher]

Again, I’d like to see the supporting data for this claim. I like to stay close to 200 FPS as my max terminal velocity. A Hammer Hunter will reliably expand at 1800 FPS. How can you not get 3-400 yards?

Even with Barnes and slower MV I’m still failing to see how you won’t have 1800 FPS at 400 yards.
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I'm not comfortable trusting a TTSX or E-Tip below 2200 fps, or an LRX below 2k. At the starting velocities and BC they have, I felt I was working on the margins which isn't real confident inspiring in a practical hunting situation. I loaded and shot a lot prior to my last two mule deer hunts and at the end of the day I reached for my 7mm-08. The likelihood of 400 yard shots where I was hunting was very real and I nearly took one if it hadn't been the 2nd day of the hunt. A ridge over 1/4 mile away at dawn or dusk is a tough place to start blood trailing an animal by yourself.

 

[El Jason]

Sounds like you made the choice for your own personal limitations. Probably a wise move.