Which 6.5 Creed load for sable sized PG

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I believe a Roan is slightly bigger than a Sable. Use a Barnes TTSX in what ever weight your 6.5 shoots most accurately. A well placed heart, heart lung, double lung shoot will take care of it …

Here is a Roan I took with my .243 using 80 grain Barnes TTSX.

View attachment 739225


Here is the report if you want details:

Thread 'SOUTH AFRICA: Waterberg SA Safari - Progress'

Aug 29, 2024

I’ll try to make this more up to date than previous posts. This being my 5th or 6th safari to hunt with Boseveld Jacobs Safari and my old friend Riaan Jocobs I’ve lost count. Several animals on the list: to include, Hippo, Roan, small cats, Lechwe, remaining Tiny Ten, any interesting warthogs, and whatever else presents in the way of old mature animals that I’ve not hunted. The goal is to hunt a Hippo on land and maybe another buffalo, depending on the circumstance. I think I’m in country for 14 days… Nice thing about Riaan is if he hears about something special or interesting, we’ll pack...

• NIGHTHAWK
• Replies: 65
• Forum: Hunting reports Africa

• 

@NIGHTHAWK
At least you use a bullet that actually works.
The average 243 owner would have used an 87gn cup and core because that killed a goat and rabbit once so it's good for everything.
One-day they will learn but I doubt it.
Bob

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

@NIGHTHAWK
At least you use a bullet that actually works.
The average 243 owner would have used an 87gn cup and core because that killed a goat and rabbit once so it's good for everything.
One-day they will learn but I doubt it.
Bob

To your point Bob; there seems to be a lot of second hand opinions about deficiencies of smaller calibers. Now, if people actually practiced shooting in field conditions, used quality ammo -with a good quality bullet, then went into the field and hunted, they would likely have a differing opinion. Or at least first hand opinion that I might pay attention to…

When the response starts with “my cousins neighbor lost a _____ because of a (name your less than .30 cal rifle) I just tune out!

The truth is, I’d still be using a 7MM REM MAG if my PH hadn’t suggested I bring the .243 back after my first trip with him. The first time I took it, I just used it on warthog, jackal, and baboon. And, that was just to get some practice with a left hand action in anticipation of my LF SAKO .375H&H that was being shipped.

It was my PH that convinced me to bring the .243 as a dedicated plains game rifle, and based on my ability to shoot it very accurately and at greater distances. Also, the fact that he, his brother, and other PH’s use them.

I appreciate that as long as I do my part and make a steadied and accurate shot, the Barnes TTSX get the rest done. Very predictable in most hunting scenarios. It’s the same result with most any rifle…

My next safari that .243 will be paired with a 450 Dakota.

 

[Elkeater]

Sable are big, tough, and expensive, I took mine at 220 yards with a single frontal chest shot using a 35 Whelen. If I was using a 6.5CM that day I would have passed on that shot. I'm in a very similar situation with my daughter, I’m planning a family safari in 2027 and if she can’t handle our 7mm-08 I will probably look at a 6.5CM or a suppressed 308.

Every kid is different. Mine handled a youth model 7-08rem just fine. And the outfitters rifle they used in 2024 at 9 and 10 years old (both are pretty small sized kids) was a suppressed .308. What I’ve discovered at least with my kids is that they can handle more recoil than we give them credit for. What they cant handle is a massive muzzle blast and a headache and getting scoped.
The suppressors I’ve bought have been a game changer. If the 7-08 you have either has a threaded muzzle or you don’t mind getting it threaded I’d toss a suppressor on the end of it and call it good.

 

[dogcat1]

I use suppressors at every opportunity. However, my 14 yr old daughter handles a .300 WM just fine in Africa.
Each kids needs to shoot what they can handle as should each adult.
I do not handle .458’s and bigger very well, so I stay in my zone.

So, as to the 6.5 CM, shoot it, but as for me, I like more “poke”.

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

I have threaded barrels on my:

.22-250
.223/5.56
.243
7MM REM MAG
.300 RUM
Even my 450 Dakota came with threaded barrel and brake.

I have cans for most of them. Obviously, not the .450

 

[Throwback]

I will be taking my kids to SA for PG in 2027. The largest animal hunted will be Sable & Waterbuck. They have taken several Whitetail in TX with the 143 ELDX out of the 6.5 CM. I’m wanting a tougher bullet for the safari. I’m thinking the 120 CX, 130 Sirocco II, or the 140 Nosler Partition. Anyone have experience with any of these bullets out of the 6.5 Creed? Or something different that worked well?

I think all of those three bullets you mention would work. At the time my son was 12 when we went to SA and he shot a 6.5CRM using that 143 grain ELD-X and it worked great. I will agree with others here though that I would reach for a different caliber if it was me given the game you are going for. We also had a 300WM on that trip, using ELD-X as well, and we reached for that way more than the 6.5CRM. He took the recoil just fine. We had trained with it extensively though. Your plan will work but just consider many people's comments here about bringing a bigger caliber. Bring the 6.5CRM but maybe also bring a 30 cal of some sort. Just a thought. Waterbuck are super fun to hunt and built like a tank. Cheers

 

[Philip Glass]

I will be taking my kids to SA for PG in 2027. The largest animal hunted will be Sable & Waterbuck. They have taken several Whitetail in TX with the 143 ELDX out of the 6.5 CM. I’m wanting a tougher bullet for the safari. I’m thinking the 120 CX, 130 Sirocco II, or the 140 Nosler Partition. Anyone have experience with any of these bullets out of the 6.5 Creed? Or something different that worked well?

I do not like anything under 150g for Africa. None of the bullets you mention would suit my experience I'm sorry to say. Barnes TSX, Swift A Frame, and Nosler Accubond are what I recommend. I shot my Sable 5 times with a .300 and he still took time to go down.
If you insist in taking the 6.5 please get some Barnes for it. Careful shot placement and immediate follow up on each animal.

 

[Hififile324]

I will be taking my kids to SA for PG in 2027. The largest animal hunted will be Sable & Waterbuck. They have taken several Whitetail in TX with the 143 ELDX out of the 6.5 CM. I’m wanting a tougher bullet for the safari. I’m thinking the 120 CX, 130 Sirocco II, or the 140 Nosler Partition. Anyone have experience with any of these bullets out of the 6.5 Creed? Or something different that worked well?

My friend and I were hunting in RSA, May 2023. He was with his PH who brought along his Creedmoor with 143 ELDX. They spotted a waterbuck. The PH ranged the Waterbuck set the dial for my buddy, who took the shot. They found one drop of blood and no waterbuck after 2 days of looking with 4 trackers. Lost Waterbuck. The PH was very apologetic. My buddy still paid for a Waterbuck.

I personally would not use a 6.5 Creedmoor for an expensive safari hunt on a Waterbuck. I would want everything in my favor to include stopping power.

 

[fourfive8]

Reminds me of similar true story. Why use marginal calibers? … I’ll never figure it out. While hunting in Zimbabwe, trackers, my PH and I found a waterbuck which had been shot and lost by a self-proclaimed “sharpshooter” with a 6.5 manbun of some flavor (possibly a 6.5 needmore ?) earlier in the year. Ribcage with neck/head still attached.

 

[MT53]

Out of the three you mentioned, I would go with the 120 CX. We run four 6.5mm Creedmoor's as camp rifles for game up to eland and including sable, amongst other calibers (.270 win, 7x57, 7x57 AI, .308, .30-06, 9.3x62 and .375 H&H). One of the 6.5CM's are fed 120gr CX and it works well.
Provided you use a decent bullet (which the 120 CX is), and they place their shots in the vitals (which is easy with the 6.5 CM) there will not be any problems.

ThinusS what bullets are you using in your other creedmoors? Specifically on the eland and etc?

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

To your point Bob; there seems to be a lot of second hand opinions about deficiencies of smaller calibers. Now, if people actually practiced shooting in field conditions, used quality ammo -with a good quality bullet, then went into the field and hunted, they would likely have a differing opinion. Or at least first hand opinion that I might pay attention to…

When the response starts with “my cousins neighbor lost a _____ because of a (name your less than .30 cal rifle) I just tune out!

The truth is, I’d still be using a 7MM REM MAG if my PH hadn’t suggested I bring the .243 back after my first trip with him. The first time I took it, I just used it on warthog, jackal, and baboon. And, that was just to get some practice with a left hand action in anticipation of my LF SAKO .375H&H that was being shipped.

It was my PH that convinced me to bring the .243 as a dedicated plains game rifle, and based on my ability to shoot it very accurately and at greater distances. Also, the fact that he, his brother, and other PH’s use them.

I appreciate that as long as I do my part and make a steadied and accurate shot, the Barnes TTSX get the rest done. Very predictable in most hunting scenarios. It’s the same result with most any rifle…

My next safari that .243 will be paired with a 450 Dakota.

@NIGHTHAWK
The problem with the 243 in Australia is 99% of users use the wrong projectile for the game.
They had a couple of lucky spectacular kills and swear by those inadequate projectiles despite the fact they keep wounding game with them.
No amount of educt will change their mind and it has turned me off that cartridge and those that just won't learn.
As you said with the CORRECT projectiles it works.
For game in Australia like fallow deer a nice 95 gn SST works wonders and for pigs in the scrub a nice 100gn RNSP puts lights out in short order.
But the majority of eejits still want to use an 87gn varmit bullet for hunting despite the fact it just don't work 90% of the time and they can't figure out why.
Bob

 

[sgt_zim]

@sgt_zim
Have you tried those big 160gn round nose Woodleigh in your 6.5 yet.
If so how did they go.
Bob

I'll be shooting them for the 1st time the weekend of the 15th Feb. Time to get the missus shooting a mild load off of sticks before I really get her introduced to the 375 H&H

 

[ThinusS]

ThinusS what bullets are you using in your other creedmoors? Specifically on the eland and etc?

Currently, I use 118gr Peregine VLR4 and Hornady CX 130gr. One of our other PH's use the 120gr hornady CX. I have used 143gr ELD-X and 140gr Nosler Ballistic Tip, and they are fine for game up to red hartebeest size.
I have also used the 140gr Swift A-frame., which worked well on everything including larger antelope. For the larger antelope the two above mentioned monolithics have never let me down, so I use them on everything now.
It is important to understand that bullet construction is much more important than bullet weight. A 118-120gr peregrine/CX/Barnes penetrate better than even the 140gr Swift A-frame, especially when thick bone is hit. This is from actual experience on game.