Newboomer
AH legend
If you do... definitely post them on here. The one thing the 6.5 is lacking that some of the other magnums have is performance at a distance. My 6.5x55 works great (as evidenced by the dead deer above) within about 250 yards. Thats the point at which the bullet slows down enough that even good hits might result in slow kills. Thats where I would bring my .300 win mag loaded with 168 TTSX handloads and use those. However, I personally think that a 350 yard shot at a living animal is my personal max. So.... The 6.5mm is perfect and it also requires you to get in close, which is like 90% the fun of hunting. Nothing gets your blood pumping like having the trophy of a lifetime 40 yards away.
That is my thought, too. I really don't like to shoot much over 200-250 yards. Too many variables and where we hunted in RSA it was open plain and rather windy. Several times I had to pass on a good shot because of wind. Got him later on a good stalk at closer range. That's the challenge--outsmart him on his own turf. I think with a heavier bullet at near max load and within reasonable range I should be good.