6.5 Creedmoor, versus .308 Tactical, (Bolt) rifle

[Bluetip]

I am at crossroad right now, trying to decide which of the above rifles to aquire. The .308 has a twenty inch barrel, and the 6.5 has a twenty four inch barrel. I just turned sixty. Recoil is a minor concern, but I dont want to give up performance. Mostly, I hunt from a tree stand, and the shorter lengths are what I am really after.
Also. I have always wanted to play the 6.5 game. but havent been happy with the guns that were avail. or the ammo. It seems that the Creedmoor, has more going for it. Finally. someone did this one right! My max distance is about 400 yards, from a well supported tree stand. Im torn between the two, great ammo avail for both. if Idecide not to handload. Am experienced with 308.have none with the 6.5. Very curious! Need pros. and cons. or suggestions. Both are Rem 700 Tacticals! Thanks in advance.I

 

[Depart123]

At those distances, six of one and half a dozen of the other. All else (barrel length) being equal of course. A muzzle break will tame either to the point of recoil being a non issue.

 

[CharlieNC]

Bluetip you are torn because both are great rounds and you can't go wrong with either. I also have a 20" 308 and a 22" 6.5x47. The advantage of the 6.5 is long range target shooting with much higher BC bullets. If you plan on LR target fun in the future then the 6.5 is ballistically superior, and I think the factory loads are lower cost than match 308 as well. Probably more hunting loads are available for the 308. For your stated purpose I can't suggest one over the other because I settled on both.

 

[JBT47]

As others have advised...with your stated purpose either cartridge will work well. Good selection of factory ammo for both.

 

[geraldgee]

If you are only going to have one - consider that while the factory hunting ammo selection for the 6.5 Creedmoor is more than adequate but for the 6.5x47L is virtually nonexistent. The .308 has all the factory offerings that you could need or want. Regarding recoil, you could always add a muzzle brake - I have one on every rifle I own with the exception of my .223.

Good luck on your choice.

Gerald

 

[seymour fish]

I am at crossroad right now, trying to decide which of the above rifles to aquire. The .308 has a twenty inch barrel, and the 6.5 has a twenty four inch barrel. I just turned sixty. Recoil is a minor concern, but I dont want to give up performance. Mostly, I hunt from a tree stand, and the shorter lengths are what I am really after.
Also. I have always wanted to play the 6.5 game. but havent been happy with the guns that were avail. or the ammo. It seems that the Creedmoor, has more going for it. Finally. someone did this one right! My max distance is about 400 yards, from a well supported tree stand. Im torn between the two, great ammo avail for both. if Idecide not to handload. Am experienced with 308.have none with the 6.5. Very curious! Need pros. and cons. or suggestions. Both are Rem 700 Tacticals! Thanks in advance.I

Deer, hogs ? Less recoil equals shoot ability in those less than perfect positions Hunting may provide. Flatter traj, less wind drift, thus margin for error when time is short. Still just a kid, so you can handle a 24” climbing. It’s tactical, hell hoist it with a rope

 

[Bluetip]

If you are only going to have one - consider that while the factory hunting ammo selection for the 6.5 Creedmoor is more than adequate but for the 6.5x47L is virtually nonexistent. The .308 has all the factory offerings that you could need or want. Regarding recoil, you could always add a muzzle brake - I have one on every rifle I own with the exception of my .223.

Good luck on your choic
Gerald

The data and field reports really have my attention, and the bc really interest me. Also, the amount of quality factory ammo is quite good, and from numerous makers as well. If I were to reload, there are tons of options there as well. Id like to see what the Barnes LRX 127 would do in it. Niether one has too much recoil, Ive shot big guns my whole life, but just dont CARE to anymore. The portability is also a factor. The 308,is shorter, but the 6.5, has the 24 inch barrel, but still is handy enough.

 

[JFM33]

I hunt with a 260 with a 17" barrel it makes it handle alot better than a long barrel. If the 6.5 creedmoor was around I would have built it.
Now for your intended range and desire for a handy rifle I would look at the 6.5 Grendel on one of the Howa mini actions.

 

[Zero333]

If you're gonna shoot this rifle 1,000 rounds a year then the 308 gets the nod because has double the barrel life of the 6.5cm.

For hunting and the odd range session, the 6.5cm is better since less recoil is always better no matter if you're recoil sensitive or not.

If you want to hunt deer, elk and moose, then the 308win is better.
If hunting deer and smaller than deer animals, then the 6.5cm is much better.

Now you may choose accordingly.

 

[Bluetip]

Deer, hogs ? Less recoil equals shoot ability in those less than perfect positions Hunting may provide. Flatter traj, less wind drift, thus margin for error when time is short. Still just a kid, so you can handle a 24” climbing. It’s tactical, hell hoist it with a rope

Seymour, my quarry is whitetail deer. I totally get the less recoil thing, and that is part of the equation. As mentioned, the recoil of each isn't a problem, and I find that when I know I'm not about to burn 96 grains of RL 22, I shoot much better. It didn't bother me when I shot them alot, just don't want too anymore. I've seen alot of cartridges come, and go, for good and bad reasons, but somehow, I think the Creed is here to stay
That's actually another issue. Not ewanting to invest in something thats gonna fade away. This one smells like a keeper.Knowing that the 308 is the failsafe, leaning toward the 6.5, but doing my due diligence first. Bob

 

[Depart123]

Sounds like you really want the creed. Just get it and chop the barrel if it proves to be too long.

 

[Bluetip]

If you're gonna shoot this rifle 1,000 rounds a year then the 308 gets the nod because has double the barrel life of the 6.5cm.

For hunting and the odd range session, the 6.5cm is better since less recoil is always better no matter if you're recoil sensitive or not.

If you want to hunt deer, elk and moose, then the 308win is better.
If hunting deer and smaller than deer animals, then the 6.5cm is much better.

Now you may choose accordingly.

 

[Bluetip]

If you're gonna shoot this rifle 1,000 rounds a year then the 308 gets the nod because has double the barrel life of the 6.5cm.

For hunting and the odd range session, the 6.5cm is better since less recoil is always better no matter if you're recoil sensitive or not.

If you want to hunt deer, elk and moose, then the 308win is better.
If hunting deer and smaller than deer animals, then the 6.5cm is much better.

Now you may choose accordingly.

Zero, my quarry as mentioned will be whitetail deer, and in the off season, I like to do a little shooting, and it would be fun to wring out one of these 6.5 bc kings. I'm told the barrel life should be in the 2500 range, or so. But I'm not afraid to screw another Brux into if need be. I guess I'm just dotting I's, and crossing T's. I've bought several rifles that set the world on fire, and before the barrel was half worn, they faded away. I just don't feel that's so with this one.

 

[cjames]

I got a Model 7 in 6.5 CM with a #3 20" Shilen Select Match on it. I think I got he best of both worlds. I've had 3 .308's and didn't care for any of them. A 24" barrel can be made into a 20"barrel really easy. I load 120 Barnes TTSX's with H4350 and have killed deer and hogs with it. And that load shoots lights out. If I shoot over a 1/2" 3 shot group, I think what the hell happened. But 1/4" to 3/8" is the norm, if the nut behind the bolt does his job.

 

[shooter65]

308 for the win.

 

[HTSmith]

Take a look at the trajectory/ballistics of deer appropriate loads and it will favor the 6.5 at longer ranges. I'm 61 and I haul a varmint weight 260 with a 26" bbl up into the stand. I works well. The 308 is an iconic round, but my vote is for the 6.5. Your ears will appreciate a little longer barrel also.

 

[Bluetip]

I got a Model 7 in 6.5 CM with a #3 20" Shilen Select Match on it. I think I got he best of both worlds. I've had 3 .308's and didn't care for any of them. A 24" barrel can be made into a 20"barrel really easy. I load 120 Barnes TTSX's with H4350 and have killed deer and hogs with it. And that load shoots lights out. If I shoot over a 1/2" 3 shot group, I think what the hell happened. But 1/4" to 3/8" is the norm, if the nut behind the bolt does his job.

No surprise to me, that those TTSX bullets do their job. Havent tracked anything Ive shot with them. The Twenty four inch barrel dosent bother me so much, I think I could live with it, and not look back. The 120 load must be smoking along pretty good. As my screen name implies, I like them!

 

[DirtySteve]

Get a 6.5 because you want one. Life is too short to not try new things. In the real world either will do the job just fine.

 

[Archer]

Get a 6.5 because you want one. Life is too short to not try new things. In the real world either will do the job just fine.

And WANT is sufficient NEED...

 

[shoot4fun]

For me the 308 was never a DRT round. I never punched a deer that I didn't have to track. Maybe wrong bullets but not bad shots. Again, that was my experience and that was years ago.
I switched to the 7MM08 in the late 80's and never looked back. DRT and never had to track one since (I hate tracking). I had a lot of experience with 6.5 Creedmoor in a precision rifle and curiosity got the best of me. I am finding the 6.5 Creedmoor to be everything the 7MM08 was for me and, in some cases, maybe better. I hasn't replaced my 7MM08 but it sure has taken a bite out of its hunting time.
Get the 6.5 Creedmoor.