6.5 Creedmoor

by Chuck
(OR)

7mm 130grain Barnes Recovered from a Moose

7mm 130grain Barnes Recovered from a Moose

My first moose hunt might be this fall. I bought a Savage Weather Warrior for Elk. Would this be an adequate caliber for moose?



Thanks for the question Chuck,

Simply: I wouldn't recommend the 6.5 Creedmoor loaded with 120 grain bullets for moose sized game.

The 6.5 cartridge is based upon the TC30 which is based on the .308 cartridge. The Creedmoor certainly has enough speed (similar to that of the .300 Winchester Magnum), but I would say that the small bullets just won't have the energy to do enough damage to take down a moose.

Now the 143grain bullet on the other hand, would do it! I know quite a few hunters that use and are successful using bullets as small as 130 grain.

If you want to use small bullets, you must be diligent to take ethical shots. There are lots of proponents for using large cartridge bullets like the .338 but as a personal preference I don't use such a big hunk of lead.

I have have killed moose with, .270 Winchester shooting 130's, .308 loaded with 150's and .30-06 spitting out 180 grain bullets. They all work... well!

Comments for 6.5 Creedmoor

Click here to add your own comments

Better Options than 6.5 Creedmoor
by: John D

AS per my previous comment. This is not a Moose cartridge. It is a great deer, antelope, cartridge, low recoiling and not the do all cartridge everyone is raving about. I would use a 7mm-08, 270, 308. 30-06. 7mm magnum which I have on Moose before taking the 6.5 Creedmoor. It is a great round, but not magical. This is based on my own experience on a 150 yard broadside shot. Rifle used Sauer 100, ammo Hornady 143 grain factory load. The best calibre and round I have ever used, is the 30-06, 165 grain Trophy Bonded tip. Five Moose, ranging from 180 to 275 yards, one shot on the ground.

Good all around gun
by: Terrance Lerat

I’ve used my 6.5 143 grain on just about everything. It’s dropped deer, bear, and surprisingly last night a moose with one bullet. Couldn’t be happier with this calibre.

6.5 Creedmoor Bull Moose
by: Johnny D

Hello all,

I just returned from my annual moose hunt and was fortunate to harvest a 55" bull moose. In the past I had used a 30-06 with 165 grain Federal Premium Trophy Bonded Bear Claw factory ammo and of all the different calibres I have used that combination was incredibly lethal.
I shot this years bull one shot at 200 yards through the heart with Hornady Pro Hunter 143 grain factory load. He reacted like he was not hit, ran about thirty yards and dropped. I went to get my wife and daughter and he was not where he dropped and I could not see him. We waited fifteen minutes and paddled across and he had walked out to the lake and dropped and was dead. I do not think I would used this calibre again for moose hunting and would definitely recommend the 30-06 over it without hesitation.

Moose Medicine
by: Anonymous

I have harvested many moose and have used the following calibres in the order I have owned them.

308 - 180 grain ( Too Heavy for this calibre) best to use 150 grain or 165. Browning BLR ( first rifle)

270 Win - 140 grain Trophy Bonded Bear Claw.

6.5 x 55 Swede - 156 grain Norma. Shot one moose and sold the rifle, not pleased with the performance. Broadside shot at 75 yards.

7mm Remington Mag. 160 grain Nosler Partition.

30-06- My favourite moose calibre. Last five moose one shot each and down on the spot, 165 grain Trophy Bonded Bear Claw. Devastating combination.

30 TC I have not shot a moose with this calibre, but I am using Hornady 150 grain GMX factory load and just guiding for my daughter these days, who by the way, uses a Sako 85 Stainless synthetic 165 grain trophy bonded tip, 2 bull moose, one shot each.



Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Hunting Rifle.

Want to learn how to hunt moose? Or are you wanting to increase your moose hunting skills?

Look no further!

Our moose hunting tips book is written with not just the novice in mind, there are tips in the book that even the most seasoned moose hunter will find of value.

The book includes 57 chapters, with more than 150 pages of information, jam packed with tips, techniques and discussions - The Ultimate Guide to Moose Hunting!

And don't forget to order one of our Fiberglass Moose Calls. In stock and ready to ship.


Like this page?