With twin Rem 700 CDL SF Limited Ed's in 260 Rem for my daughter and I, many of you know I've been going through a potporri of load development and well, I've come up with many good loads, all minute of elk to 300 yds.

Of the 120/125/129/130/140 gr bullets, which ones would you "NOT" use on cow/spike elk.

So far I've tested ......

120 gr, Sierra Prohunter, Speer Hot core, Nosler BT, Barnes TSX and TTSX.

125 Nosler Partition

129 Hornady Interlock

130, TSX, Accubond.

140, Sierra spbt GK, Hornady Interlock & Amax, Speer Hot core, Nosler Partition & custom comp HPBT.

Thanks much!

Alan

Out of all the bullets you mentioned the only one with a seemingly valid tainted reputation would be the Ballistic Tip.
Some may grouse about the Sierra's but I have lots of Experience with various Sierra's and am very happy with them and are my go to bullets for many game rifles.
My son shot his first Bull Elk and Mule Deer buck a couple years ago using a .284 Win and 130 grain Speer Hot Cores. Very reasonable performance on both animals and I can recommend the similar bullet in 6.5 diameter. I would say that any one of the bullets you pick will do the job if placed correctly. These are not shoulder breakers as you already know but any one of these bullets placed through heart or lungs and you have an elk.
Others will come on here and profess to know there stuff about elk and tell you to use more gun, I've seen enough elk killed to know that any reasonably well constructed bullet placed correctly will do the job, don't let anyone tell you different. If you use a small gun really pick your shots if you are using a Big Magnum shoot them at any angle you choose and then just keep shooting them some more till they go down. I've seen it done both ways. I prefer no matter what you use that you pick your shots carefully and strive for one shot kills always.
Let the flaming begin from the armor plated Elk and Magnum for everything crowd!

I have to agree with Snellstrom, I would use the Nosler BT's for the Deer and Antelope. AS for the other's, what shoot's best in your rifle and the range you plan on shooting, a well placed shot is the key anyway. The 129gr. and the 140gr. Hornady's work very well in my .264's
homer j.

I have shot a fair number of deer with the 140 A-Max. It is great on deer. Big exits. I don't think I would be much on using the projectile for animals larger than deer. Hornady recommends them for light medium game. Would not be good for poking through shoulders on the big stuff. You look at any of the 156 normas or 160 Hornady round nose bullets? Never shot any, but the Normas are supposed to be a real beast.

Although the elk you listed (cows and spike bulls) are generally pretty darned easy to kill with any reasonable deer gun,, if I was forced to use a 6.5 m/m for elk, I personally wouldn't use anything lighter than a 140 grain bullet...even if mono-metal. Why? 'Cause I don't have to.

That's the same reason I don't normally use any kind of 6.5 on elk. I have a large number of accurate, handy, rifles which deliver larger bullets of equal quality at equal velocities and which I can shoot just as well. So, out of respect for the elk, I use one of them.

I am NOT dis'ing the 6.5s. Have several and love them for smaller animals than elk. If they were all I had, I wouldn't hesitate to use one on an elk. But, they aren't. So, I use something which kills them "deader", "quicker", so to speak. (Of course it doesn't really, but cartridges which deliver more power to where it is needed give one a bit more leeway when circumstances turn out less than perfect.)

Other than that comment, I suggest you use whatever you like the best in your own rifle from your own experiences in the field.

quote:

Which 6.5 bullet would you "not" use for elk?

All of the listed bullets are on my NOT USE FOR ELK list.

While the 129-140 grain bullets may do the trick for you I'd be looking to a 140 bonded bullet or Partition!

I had to recheck to see if I had placed the 140 Partition on there. I did!

Any 140 grain or heavier c&c bullet will do a fine job in the 6.5 Swede. I've been loading Remington's 140 grain Core-lokt bullet for years, and I wouldn't be afraid to point that rifle at anything that can't bite back.

For Elk I would try using bullets that weigh = to or > 140 grains. I am a fan of the 120 NBT, but wouldn't use it on anything larger than deer or antelope. Lou

Out of what you listed,
I'd skip the bullet weight issue, and go with the bullet types... along with appropriate velocity for the bullets performance capabilities...

I'd rule out the A Max and any other match bullets, at least on elk.. they have enough to absorb the damage and get away...

first picks would be the Barnes or the Partition...regardless of bullet weight..followed by the Accubond...

then followed by the 140 grain hunting bullets, then 129 Hornady and finally the 120s...

I'd pick the Ballistic tip over the other 120 grain bullets, BUT would keep my MV at 2700 fps or below... High speed ballistic tips, and low speed ballistic tips are two different bullets...when it comes to performance...

X2 SeaFire

I would also agree with VapoDog ( All of the listed bullets are on my NOT USE FOR ELK list. )

I love my 6.5 and for Deer in a Heart Beat , it's not my choice or preference for Elk .

Then I'm not much for chasing wounded animals either . I simply prefer Bang Dead Drop or lunge forward

drop or knocked over or backwards DEAD !. Bring enough gun too the Hunt and your excuses disappear !!.