Elk and mature bulls are tough and very large creatures, while there are stories that a poorly hit elk keeps running towards the attacker without any signs of slowing down. This is the main reason why the hunters who go after an elk with their rifles must be armed in an adequate manner. In recent years, 6.5 calibers have been rising in popularity, and it's a cartridge that is developed to fulfill the requirements of elk hunters.
6.5 Precision Rifle Cartridge (PRC) ammo offers you increased kinetic energy on impact, and this combination of cartridge and caliber has undoubtedly shown a promise to the hunting community. The viability of 6.5 PRC with a larger cartridge against elks is more practical as compared to its predecessors, and when you select the right bullet, you will find it to be the best choice for your next elk hunt.
List of the best 6.5 PRC Ammo
Barnes VOR-TX LR 127gr LRX BT
There are different types of 6.5 PRC ammo produced by Barnes featuring their excellent Copper X-Bullet. Their VOR-TX LR, in particular, is an excellent choice for anyone who would like to use 6.5 to hunt a big game from a long distance. It is worth noting that LRX BT is somewhat more aerodynamic as compared to their regular TTSX bullet, whereas it is also designed to expand at low velocities. This design is highly effective for anyone who would like to take down a big game.
Specs:
- G1 ballistic coefficient: 0.715
- Length: 2.260 inches
- Weight: 127 grains
- Muzzle velocity: 2,700 ft/s
- Energy: 2,385 ft/lb
Pros:
- It is a reliable and proven performer.
- Offers extremely deep penetration.
- Fast 1.5" grouping at 200 yards.
Cons:
- Leaves a lead residue behind.
- Not the cheapest.
Hornady Precision Hunter 143gr ELD-X
You will find the Hornady Precision Hunter line to be the best all-around option for the 6.5 PRC ammo, especially for pronghorn and deer hunting. But if you like to use 6.5 for hunting an elk, then ELD-X can be an excellent option but may not be the first choice. There is no doubt that the 143-grain bullets are some of the heaviest projectiles, but the ballistic coefficient of the ELD-X bullets is very high, and it is designed for a controlled expansion.
Specs:
- G1 ballistic coefficient of 0.850
- Length: 2.260 inches
- Weight: 143 grains
- Muzzle velocity: 2,700 ft/s
- Energy: 2,626 ft/lb
Pros:
- It is a reliable and proven performer.
- Offers consistent accuracy on impact.
Cons:
- Priced slightly high as compared to the rest of the best 6.5 PRC Ammo available on the market today.
- The bullet leaves a lead residue behind.
- Not the easiest to find.
Winchester Deer Season XP 125gr
Although 6.5 PRC is considered to be a controversial choice to hunt elk, it is still capable of delivering you what you want. It is specially designed to compete with the high-class ammo like the Hornady American Whitetail and Remington Core-Lokt, but Winchester has tried to make an accurate as well as a reasonably priced bullet that is capable of producing a giant wound channel.
Specs:
- G1 ballistic coefficient of 0.400
- Length: 2.250 inches
- Weight: 125 grains
- Muzzle velocity: 2,850 ft/s
- Energy: 2,518 ft/lb
Pros:
- It is an accurate bullet with a great size-to-weight ratio.
- Affordable ammo for big game hunting in the 6.5 PRC caliber.
- Offers deep penetration on impacts with high energy transfer to the target.
Cons:
- Not the most reliable performer when it comes to accuracy under 100 yards.
Nosler Trophy Grade 140gr Partition
Nosler is famous for its best-hunting bullets and is one of the most popular choices for the elk hunters in America. Their 6.5 PRC ammo can be suitable for everything from deer to elk and even the moose. If you plan to use it for elk hunting, then Nosler Trophy Grade can be your best option out of all the available choices in the market. Not only does it have a heavyweight, but it is also designed for deep penetration.
Specs:
- G1 ballistic coefficient of 0.672
- Length: 2.250 inches
- Weight: 140 grains
- Muzzle velocity: 2,700 ft/s
- Energy: 2,823 ft/lb
Pros:
- It delivers excellent accuracy at long distances.
- Performs great on impact with high energy transfer to the target.
- Offers extremely deep penetration due to its higher sectional density number. Cons:
- The costliest among all the mentioned best 6.5 PRC Ammo.
- Not a good option for beginners to practice with.
Federal Fusion 140gr
Federal Fusion is another excellent hunting option for you who have a plan to take the 6.5 PRC for elk hunting. The main advantage is that such type of load is among the least expensive ones and is great for hunting. Some people misunderstand that since this ammo is priced reasonably, its quality is low. But this is not the case, and with Federal Fusion, you can confidently count on the load to get your job done.
Specs:
- G1 ballistic coefficient of 0.477
- Length: 2.160 inches
- Weight: 140 grains
- Muzzle velocity: 2,700 ft/s
- Energy: 2,618 ft/lb
Pros:
- Affordable yet accurate and reliable for hunting smaller games like deer and elk at long range.
- Great terminal performance on impact with high energy transfer to the target.
- Also suitable for hunting smaller game like coyote, fox, and even hogs.
Cons:
- There is no reliable information about the quality control used by the Federal that may result in overpressure issues during the manufacturing process.
- The bullet leaves a lead residue behind after impact on bigger targets.
- The accuracy is slightly lower than the other best 6.5 PRC Ammo available today.
Conclusion
If you are planning to use a 6.5mm cartridge for hunting an elk, then 6.5 PRC ammo is the best one to get the job done. But you have to keep in mind that for all the strengths of the 6.5 PRC, it may not be of the same class as the .300 Win Mag or the 7mm Rem Mag cartridges. Good shot placement will still get the job done for you, but you need to keep in mind that the margin of error will be minimum, and you need to be very careful about the shots you take while using it.