New Rifle !

I got a new light weight Kimber rifle in 6.5c. I been studying this caliber since before it was popular, I recently had a failed rotator cuff surgery so had to go light. After hunting elk in the mountains I wanted light anyway. This new rifle is 4lbs.13 oz. bare and I put talley rings and a lightweight Leupold on it. It is very accurate they claim 1/4 minute of angle out of the box, which is beyond my capability but I got a nice tight group zeroed 2" high at 200 yds. So I am reloading and plan to use this on Antelope,Deer and Elk, I know some will sat "too light for Elk" but there are some great bullets out there these days, soo whos got some great load data for this caliber for Big game and maybe coyote?

Picture or it didnt happen

Those that say it's too light for elk need to work on their shot placement. I watched a 6.5 C take down a young bull at 350 last year and the cartridge performed great and had great bullet weight retention.

It’s not too light for elk. As long as you use the right bullet and don’t take any super long shots. Not because of accuracy. But meaning you won’t have a lot of bullet energy left for a clean kill at long range.

Nice rifle. My wife has a kimber m84 in 6.5 cm. She got a Leica 2x10x50 on it. It's a great shooting gun.

NICE...agree with hobbs and handi, NOT too light for elk.
It all about bullet placement.....the largest THREE B&C Idaho bull elk I ever saw on a wall were killed with a 243 Win.
He used it for mulies and pronghorn too.

130 accubond will handle elk to 400 if you do your part.

Thanx for the input! I been hunting for 50+ years and will do my part , I've shot a few elk,caribou,bear and untold # deer whitetail blacktail and mulies, and one buffalo,300 win mag was always my go to gun and many said over kill! but never seemed to lose much meat in my opinion. The animals I've seen shot with the 6.5c we had a hard time finding the hit spot. I rarely take a long shot , I'd say 98% are under 300yds. I'd post a pic if I new how,itsa a purdy gun.

If that is the case? And your obvious experience. You will be just fine. Like Monster Toms said; 130gr. Accubond would be a good choice for elk size game. Maybe a 120gr for deer/antelope

All great answers above.

Nothing agains you Bosco or your choice in rifle or caliber.
Its just I am getting sooooooo bored with the 6.5CM thing. Every time I open a new rifle three .... guess what ... someone just got a CM ....... like its the best thing on the planet. The swede has done that and better for over 100 years. ...... Ohhhh no you hear some folks say...... this way, you can have the swede in a short action....... and that caves you at least 4 ounces in weight. And thats really important ..... so you can carry an extra mars bar in your pack.

BOOOORRRRRINNNG

OHHH and if you want a 6.5 with more power......... well there is the 6.5x55 as it has more case capacity... ups thats the Swede sorry ...old hat....... I guess the Cm goes well with a man bun

Geeze Scuba, guy got a new rifle and a nice one at that.

Congrats on the new piece Bosco.

Zim

Hmmm......FWIW - the 6.5 Swede does not have more case capacity than the 6.5 Creedmoor. The 6.5 Swede, 260 REM and the 6.5 CM are all so very close in case capacity, max velocities, etc., that the elk, deer, whatever game you're pursuing will not know the difference.

The 6.5 Creedmoor is a great little cartridge. Very efficient and will fit into a short action rifle, where a 6.5 Swede requires a long action. Most hunters don't care either way. Yes, I'm a bit tired of all the hoopla regarding the 6.5 CM, like most everyone else, but it will settle down someday.

Bosco.....Best wishes with your new rifle ! Certainly a nice, light platform for your hunting.

Regards, Vic

Going by my manuals. The Swede has 3.75 ccm case capacity and the Creedmoor only has 3.40 ccm ....... Now I am no expert with math but I think that 3.75 is the bigger number out of the two.
In non metric that equates to 57.9 gr H2O for the swede and 52.5 for the Cr. .. that is quite substantial in reloading terms.
The thing is, you can only use that advantage if you reload as factory ammo for the 6.5x55 is pretty anemic because of the antique mousers that are chambered in that round and they don't know what those rounds get stuffed into.
FWIW ... more powder is more louder and thus more better.

Congrats on the new rifle. Although I am a long time 260 fan the 6.5 cm is another good 26 cal cartridge. It’s popularity will pave the way for more bullet and powder development around the 26 cal cartridges. Which is a win for everyone that has a favorite 26/6.5 cal cartridge. The 6.5 cm along with many other 6.5’s will be good for elk with proper bullet placement and selection. Have fun and enjoy your new rifle.

No disrespect to the OP as this thread is about his new Kimber rifle and I wish him the best.

My references are the latest Hornady and Nosler Manuals. Everyone can believe what they like.

I assume that’s the Kimber Mountain Ascent? I want that gun, and I’d get it in the 6.5c. Why not? It’s the lightest version of the gun!

6.5mm bullets are great. I don’t have a 6.5c. I am sort of with Scuba, I just wish the Swede got more love (and was available in more modern firearms). Nothing wrong with the 6.5c.

To the OP, it shoots submoa? I’ve had gun store guys tell me they’ve seen the Mountain Ascents go back to Kimber not meeting the submoa guarantee.

I hear ya all, im familiar with the swede, and as I said I studied long before pulling the trigger. Every year there's a new caliber just a little different , but with the popularity of this round there should be availabilty of ammo for it, the light weight was the decider for me due to rotator cuff surgery gone bad. They claim submoa, I believe it , I never had groups as tight as this,no fliers yet, but I'm still feeling her out and havent done any long range shooting yet. Right know Its dead nuts at 200yards. I got a TC Pro hunter that shoots great but alot heavier .