What is the smallest grain 6.5 Creedmoore ammo you would use to shoot your trophy Buck with if you are going to shoulder mount it?

smallest they make if you are High shoulder shooter. more about what groups best out of OTC ammo then bullet weight.

my favorite bullet performance is 129 ABLR but it s hard to find OTC and its seems the most picky from rifle to rifle. I currently run Cooper Creek 139gr scenar in three different CM’s. barrels length range from 28-24 and it group great in all three,

143gr. Why? Because I shoot everything with that load.

Curious, what does shoulder mounting or not have to do with it?

I have the twin caliber, the 260. I’ve shot deer and hogs with the 100 gr Nosler Ballistic Tips and the 120s. I really couldn’t tell the difference in effectiveness between the two, and nothing bigger would’ve made em deader. I have more of the two on hand, but if I didn’t I’d probably go to the Hornady 123 gr SST, which works fine out of my Grendel, on hogs.

Of trophy status. I cull with a 223 now but would i use it to kill a trophy buck. Yes under 300 yards

So, you think hes saying that a shoulder mountable worthy trophy is more special, so does it deserve a different weight bullet…?
I thought that might be what he meant but thought maybe he was worried about messing up the cape, or something else entirely.
Bobo I’m curious about you “trophy” hunting with 223 or 6.5 but I’m not asking cause I really dont want to derail the thread.

Thats my observation on Trophy. Im more of controlled situation vs uncontrolled situation. 80 yard feeder vs Wheat field vs spot and stalk

Ill Pm

Obviously that the 6.5 Creedmoor is such a devastating cartridge, that a whitetail deer will likely be blown in half by it, so only certain projectiles should be used in order to salvage a shoulder mount.

This doe was DRT with 140 gr Nozler AB factory ammo. Internal damage was extensive and destroyed both front shoulders. I reload for everything but this gun shoots this factory ammo extremely well.
Gun is a Weatherby Vanguard.

Im done using it on bears, its not fur friendly under 100 yards

I like the Hornady SST bullet. I don't deer hunt with it in 6.5 Creedmoor but my hunting partner does and it's been 100% effective on larger than average whitetail. Are you concerned about making an ethical kill with a light bullet? You won't have any problem with the SST, I dropped this big boy like a sack of feed with it (SST 129 gr.)
More on the bullet, in .308 I have about a 10 year history with it. I shoot deer here:
It does this:
No exit. Don't need one.
See inside the cavity and notice spine:

Like I posted above, my hunting partner uses same ammo, same bullet in 6.5, 129 gr.

They only blow in half on the inside. He be alright..........

All Vanguards offer exceptional value. Mine is the most accurate rifle I own. I'm seriously considering adding a Series II in Turkish walnut to my collection.

Mine likes the 140 grain Federal Fusion DRT all the time.

i'll kill deer and pigs with just about anything that groups well. that said. my Bergara 6.5CM absolutely seems to hate Nosler 120 gr BTs. So, I don't shoot those.

I used to and it was very effective. Then I had three mgt kills in two years (one with 300 WM), hit hard where I right where I wanted it and found two them right away within 50-75 yards, but no blood trail. The 3rd zigged instead of zagged and was not found until the next morning. That was all on me. Remembered something aroutinely supported by some guy who has shot hundreds upon hundreds of deer and always talks high shoulder. Moved my aim point only slightly forward and the results are, well, rather obvious. they are always right there in front of you. Ain't gong back.

High shoulder can ruin some backstrap. I plug em in the lungs. Very rare for me to not get a blood trail, but when I know I hit them right, not much trailing, if any, is needed. Don’t ruin meat. Waste not, want not.

I’ve heard stories about it stopping a Panzer tank. I know it’s the only thing that will kill a unicorn.

I've only done this shot placement with the SST bullet, so it's the right bullet in the right place. The wound channel it creates takes out the CNS and major arteries. The way they die, hogs included, I believe the internal shock stops their heart immediately and it's light out. Without fail they all just fold up right there.

That would be shooting above the shoulder blade. I've never damaged a backstrap.

Your way is very good & extremely effective. I used to do it that way what had to be over a hundred times (Nilgai also) and with great success. The three WT I referenced got my attention. I am surpised at how little meat gets wasted. With as many deer as I shoot each year, the small amount I have had to cut away is none the issue.

Only if you miss. I brought home 130 lbs of processed meat from the one in the picture. I'd rather kill them in a way that they never hear the shot.

Miss? Miss? What is this you speak of? I am slightly intoxicated, and therefore 10 feet tall and bullet proof and blessed like Big John Holmes.

Thanks for explaining the logic behind your original post.