So, my plans on building a 300wsm for elk this year tool a turn. Wife’s pregnant so we are saving up money so I decided to delay my bigger game rifle. I do have an elk tag this year (true spike) and will be hunting with my 6.5prc. I usually hunt deer with eld-x bullets. I haven’t shot any copper bullets with my rifle yet but definitely will be getting a couple to try. I generally take high shoulder shots on deer. Is it recommended to stick with a traditional heart/lung shot on elk using a smaller copper bullet or is a high shoulder shot worth taking? I’ve only taken elk with muzzle loaders before so this is my first time using modern. Hoping to gain more confidence in my shot placement.
If I were picking a bullet, I’d choose… the ELDX. Killed several elk with it and it worked great. This is especially true for a high shoulder shot where you want to shock the spine. The shrapneling and wide wound channel is great for that.
I shot my last bull with a 270 wsm and a 130 grain all copper nosler went in between two ribs took out the heart and lungs stopped on a rib on the opposite side bull went 10 yards and was dead. If the elk are running and wild they can take shots anywhere from any gun and run away
The factory eldx doesn’t shoot well from my rifle. So for factory ammo I’ve been using the norma bondstrike. 2 elk dead right there one was a spike at @ 380 yards.
What is your shot placement? Do you like the high shoulder or lung?
I aim for double lung every time if possible.
I’ve shot 2 elk with the b6.5 prc and my niece shot one with the 6.5 creed. One of the spikes I shot was 380 yards, the cow my niece shot was 400 yards she was shooting factory eldx. I used the Norma bondstrike. The 6.5 creed eldx shoots great in the couple 6 5 creeds I have. I can get eldx to shoot great in the PRC if I hand load.
In my experience the modern 6.5 cartridges and projectiles are effective in elk. I would rather have that than winchester PowerPoint in 300wm because I’ve been down that road too. But If I absolutely positively have to make something dead nothing I’ve found does it better than a 50 cal federal borlok behind 100-120 grains of 777. That combo has put more elk in the freezer than any rifle in my safe.