Hello, what do y’all think of using a 6.5 CM with 143 grain Eldx for cow elk? Enough gun to put down a cow? Thanks!

Plenty of gun. Could shoot a bull with it too.

For elk I shoot a .338 Win Mag. Cow or bull their tough animals. Shot a cow with a .300WSM with a 180 gr. Accubond 5 times and she never fell down in the end she layed down an died. I was scratching my head as to why. Never again for me .338 Win Mag only.
You want to find them where you shot them at, not in the bottom of a canyon with a long packout.
Good luck.

I'd split the difference between DUKFVR and angus1956.
30-06 with a good stout 180 grain bullet for shots 350 yds or less.
In my mind, 6.5cm is on the lower end of adequate.

Saw in the ammunition section you asked about a 6.5 PRC, you taking one of each or?

I think either would be fine, the elk cannot read the head stamp on the cartridge, put an adequate bullet where it needs to go and you will be fine.

Never shot an elk, but did kill 2 Red Stags in NZ with my .270 and 130 grain Corelokts. Both were high/point of the shoulder with one shot and dropped in their tracks at about 165 yards or so on both of them. It is more about shot placement with what you use than what you are shooting.

It will be fine for cow elk. She may seem to absorb the shot but be patient if you know it's a good one and don't hematoma the meat with an unnecessary shot.

Shot a cow elk in New Mexico with 7mm-08 and 140 gr TTSX one shot DRT. Past couple years have shot a Red Stag yearling and a cow red stag/elk cross with a 280 and 150 gr BT. Both DRT.

Your 6.5 CM with 143 gr ELD-X will do the job. Just put the bullet where it needs to go.

Hopefully I will let you know in a couple if weeks. I will be using 140gr eldm's and I am not concerned.

You will be fine if you make a good shot. If you’re hunting Texas they will be at a feeder anyway so the shot shouldn’t be difficult

Everyone is gonna tell you the same. Just keep asking on every forum until you get the answer you're looking for!!

Thell all kill em, but for me it's big gun or stay at home.
Have killed 20 + cow elk and other than the .300WSM they were really dead.

I'm lost on how a 300 WSM doesn't kill anything. It's a 300 wm in a shorter package with better powder burn...what am I missing? What was the range? Were you using a bonded bullet like an AccuBond or a cup and core, or a partition? I love Nosler partitions for almost anything, but I can't imagine a trophy bonded tip having issues out of a 300 WSM on an elk.

Yeah, I wonder too. I shoot a 300wsm for everything in Wyoming, up to and including cow bison. One shot kill at 300+ yds with a Swift A frame 165 gr bullet on a 4 12 yr old cow. She went less than 10 yds and died quickly.
I bet I've taken 20+ elk with my Sako 300wsm.
Spouse shoots 300wsm with 180 accubond handloads. Again no issues, his Shiras moose will likely be taken with it this fall.

Not doubting your story at all though, stuff happens angus.

Yes the 6.5 will be fine.

Exactly right

My boy dropped a 5x5 bull in his tracks 5 years ago with a 165gr sierra BT from his 308.

I think far too much is put on caliber instead of accuracy of the rifle and the shooter's capabilities.

6.5 with 143 will work for the right person and situation.
I use a 300 WSM these days. Killed 3 in last couple years out to 600 or close as 80 yds... DRT

Killed a few with a recurve bow but rifle wise I have used the following.
308 Win (2)
280 Rem (6)
6.5 SAUM (4)
270 WSM (1) biggest bull
300 WSM (3)

My close friends grandkids use my 6.5 Creedmoor loads to take elk which I told him weren’t elk medicine but they did it anyway. 300+ Bull at 424 yds with 120gr AMax’s

Ask Judd, 6.5 Creedmoor is all he uses.

The finest combination the world has ever known. .270 and 130 grain Core-lokts.

Yes sir I agree. I do not do my own reloading anymore so it has been the most accurate and readily available factory round out all my .270 rifles I have owned. Same for 6mm also. But any caliber listed above so far will work just fine with the shooters preferred ammo and shot placement. I will take confidence in the ammo and shot placement all day long.

Don’t over think it. They bleed easily.

.300 wsm/.300 win mag is one of the most effective elk cartridges ever made

The biggest bull in the world isn’t a match for a .300 win with a 180 grain bullet placed in the vitals

If you hit them.....rangefinder...rangefinder...rangefinder...

And that's why I'm lost. I wasn't saying it can't do it or disagreeing with you in any way. My post was about what could have possibly went wrong with angus' example

Yep...kills everything DEAD.