I have a 6.5x55 and I can reload for it. Should I get a different rifle for elk?

Question

It is a Ruger M77R, so it can be loaded to high pressures. Thanks.

Answer 1

My opinion here.  I have studied ballistics and read reams of hunting articles to arrive at this.  It is a blend of science and personal opinion.

for elk - .270 Win would be the least I would go afield with.  When I was prepping for my first elk tag, I used that as an excuse to get a new rifle.  I chose a groovy new Browning BAR in 300 WSM.  For a back up I use my Thompson Encore in .338 Federal.  (But, I would use my .270 if I had to.)

Bottom line for elk - .30 caliber and up bullets are better. .270 is fine with a well placed shot.  I wanted a little more insurance so I went to the bigger bore and bullet.

I always opt to buy a new gun given the slightest encouragement.

regards  

Answer 2

The Swedish Mauser round can be used for Elk as long as your state DNR office is ok with it. Professional hunter in Africa have taken cape buffalo and other large game using a well placed shot using a full metal jacket bullet. Here is the link:http://www.abovetopsecret.com/forum/thre...

Answer 3

Yes! You may want to think about getting the Ruger in 30-06 or if the recoil is not a big issue a 300 Wim Mag. I have over the past few years had to finish my hunting partners elk off he had shot with a 270 Winchester.

Most anything legal to hunt big game will kill an elk with the proper shot however, too many escape and die in the bush because the hunter was under gunned.

Answer 4

If you're getting another 6.5 rifle so you can max out the pressures, why not get another caliber where the standard loading is equal to that of the maxed out 6.5?

A standard loading for the 7mm-08 , or even the .270 Winchester surpasses the same grain weight standard loading for the 6.5 swede.

The only reason I can see for maxing out a 6.5 swede is because you feel it insufficient for taking the game you want to. Rather than possibly sacrifice a rifle by over pressuring it, go with a larger caliber capable of the performance you require.

Answer 5

Well, if i were you I'd be looking at the .458 Win. Mag or the .460 Weatherby, if you reload then ammo prices aren't a major concern, although the .378 Weatherby mag would probably suffice for elk also, but your'e chances of a one shot kill are reduced drastically with a smaller cartridge like the .378, also if your'e out in the woods and a t-rex sized elk is coming at you, you won't be undergunned.   Seriously though, I think the 6.5 is at best an average smaller white tail caliber, If I were going to hunt elk, I'd probably go with a .300 Win. mag, plenty of energy and tolerable recoil, extremely flat shooting and accurate.

Answer 6

The Hornady 160 grain roundnose 6.5mm bullet can be loaded to 2400 fps. with 45.5 grains of Winchester WMR powder. This load set 3.3 inches high at 100 yards, is dead-on at 200 yards, and 14 inches low at 300 yards. This would be pretty much point-blank-range out to 250 yards with no need under field conditions for any corrections at all! This being a roundnose, power poops out to 1000 ft-lbs at 250 yards, but this is a big bullet, and a broadside lung hit at 250 yards should make a short run. If I can't get closer to any game animal than 250 yards for the initial shot, good shot that I am, I will try to get closer! This gun and load would work for me on any elk. http://www.midwayUSA.com/ has everything. Good luck! Regards, Larry.

Answer 7

People do use the Swede, but if it were me, I'd get something bigger, with a bore size in the vicinity of 8mm. If I were getting another rifle in that range, I'd think hard about 338-06 these days, but I'm not adding another in that vicinity any time soon.

A lot of people, of course, will accuse me of reading too much Elmer Keith in my younger days, and I'll admit to it.

Answer 8

If you want elk hunting as an excuse for getting a new rifle, go for it!

If you really want to hunt elk with your 6.5 Swede, load heavy bullets and go for it.

The 6.5x55 mm Swedish Mauser is a very popular for what the Europeans call elk but which we Americans and Canadians call moose.  If it will take a moose, you can take an wapati elk with a 6.5 Swede if you use the right bullet and stick it in the right spot.

Best of luck to you whichever way you decide.

Doc

Answer 9

The 6.5 is one of the best smaller caliber cartridges out there. But it's almost completely unrecognized by the average american hunter. You don't need to take anything bigger to take an elk. Just make sure you put the bullet in the right spot. That's more important than using some uber magnum. My 1st elk was taken at 355 yards with a 140 grain, .270 winchester and it dropped him on the spot. I have since downloaded to the 6.5 and have had no problems. If you want a bigger gun then get one. But don't feel you have to buy into the average hunter's "must get bigger gun syndrome".