JBT47
Silver $$ Contributor
Maybe it was the bullets...I’ve had exactly the opposite experience. I’ve hunted with a .308 in various forms since I was very young. Killed many deer with the round and most DRT.
6.5 Creedmoor, versus .308 Tactical, (Bolt) rifle
- Thread starter Bluetip
- Start date
Maybe it was the bullets...I’ve had exactly the opposite experience. I’ve hunted with a .308 in various forms since I was very young. Killed many deer with the round and most DRT.
shoot4fun, this will probably become a question thAt will keep popping up, over time, because, I feel like both are great rounds, similar qualities, and abilities, yet the trade off really isn't tremendous, but factory ammo is reasonable on the 6.5, if I decide not to handload. It does seem to be well excepted, and its accurate, as all get out. The 308, is no slouch, I know of a many a deer that have DRT. I guess I'm trying to fill a niche, with a unknown, of which ALL My senses are telling me to go with the 6.5, and don't look back. Threads like yours make it easier, albeit the .308 will definitely smoke a deer. I like you, love the 7mm08, but have not been able to get it in what I wanted. I should have built one, but that's another story. Closing in on my decision, its going to happen VERY soon. Ho, ho, ho.
shoot4fun
Gold $$ Contributor
With me, it's more of a margarita. Can't just have one!
LOL
At one time, a few years ago, I had four rifles, in the same caliber, all four, entirely different set ups, and personslities.
This 6.5 thing, could become another.!!!!!!!
shoot4fun
Gold $$ Contributor
I have a 6.5 Creedmoor in a hunting rifle, a Tikka T3X TAC A1 and a custom build on a Badger M2008 action. But, just to be fair, I also have a SPR built Stiller in 260 Remington and a 6.5x47 barrel for my BAT LR bench gun. I've owned other 6.5s as well and may as well mention that a 6.5PRC is in the works right now.
Larryh128
Silver $$ Contributor
Yes, it does I believe. Very Berry.
.Bluetip - The first 6.5 I owned & shot was a 6.5x55 30" Palma bbl I had done for my 308 Palma rifle in 2002; wanted to shoot a 6.5mm round in 1000yd any rifle/any sight prone HP matches instead of being stuck with a 308. That bbl shot lights-out at 1000 with N160/S142MKs at just a hair over 2900fps, and was very pleasant to shoot in prone with a heavy shooting coat/sling/glove. A few years later, after buying my first lathe and learning to do my own bbl work, I did a 6.5x47 Lapua, then bought a 6.5x55AI reamer & have done a few rifles in that chambering, as well as getting a 6.5-08 Improved 30* reamer and doing a few more bbls in that chambering. I think it's fair to say that yes, I like the 6.5s - I've even got one of the little Howa Mini 20" rifles in a Boyds ProVarmint stock with adjustable cheekpiece, though I've yet to shoot it.
However, to this point in time, I've yet to do a bolt rifle in 6.5 Creedmoor, simply because I still have all the other 6.5s mentioned. I have done six Aero Precision M5s (AR10 format) in 6.5 CM, since the shorter ctdg length allows seating heavier bullets out farther than can be done with a 260, especially in a rather AR10 short magazine. I'd really kind of like to do a 6.5 CM for myself, but it just doesn't make any sense when I've got other 6.5s that bracket the Creedmoor's case capacity, and are really fine rifles. However, I think you're on the right track - can't really think of a single important downside to going with the 6.5 CM, and would be willing to bet that you'd be more than happy with your choice.
However, to this point in time, I've yet to do a bolt rifle in 6.5 Creedmoor, simply because I still have all the other 6.5s mentioned. I have done six Aero Precision M5s (AR10 format) in 6.5 CM, since the shorter ctdg length allows seating heavier bullets out farther than can be done with a 260, especially in a rather AR10 short magazine. I'd really kind of like to do a 6.5 CM for myself, but it just doesn't make any sense when I've got other 6.5s that bracket the Creedmoor's case capacity, and are really fine rifles. However, I think you're on the right track - can't really think of a single important downside to going with the 6.5 CM, and would be willing to bet that you'd be more than happy with your choice.
I got a Model 700 in 260 Rem with the Magpul Hunter stock last year. Very happy with it, and got it for around $800 on sale. It’s almost a twin of the 6.5CM ballistics. There are less factory ammo choices than for 6.5 CM but if you are loading them yourself it would also be a great choice for 400 yd hunting from a tree stand. 22” Cerakote barrel with 5R rifling, twist is 1:8. If you aren’t going real long distance with extra long bullets I don’t think you will see any difference between the .260 and the 6.5 CM. The only thing I don’t like is I got the highest cheek rest and I have to remove that to run a cleaning rod through but it’s only 1 screw. It doesn’t come with a rail if you wanted that but otherwise it’s good to go for hunting.
Flatlander, I also had a fetish, a few years back, and it was spelled 7 mm. Ninety percent of my gun cabinet was in that caliber, from 7stw, to seven mag, right down to .280. Even had a 7RUM, for a short time.
I have always wanted to play the 6.5 game, but never could get the right platform to play it with. It was either the wrong gun, or the ammo wasn't avail, or brass avail, or things like that. On the other hand, this Creed seems to have some decent rifles, in factory flavorI, and plenty of ammo, multiple brands. I probably will handload, but it's nice to know that I can get some somewhere if need be. So, long story short, it seems as though, my criteria, has been met, on all fronts, reasonable to carry, very accurate, ample enough horsepower to kill out to 400-450, great ammo available, and probably the beginning of another addiction. I've seen alot of rounds come and go, but Hornady got this one right.
Tick tock, the clocks ticking!
THANKS, Bob
I have two .308s that punch 1/2 moa groups and smuck deer just fine. The .308 is boringly reliable, easy to load for and has tons of factory offerings available, if you don't want to reload.
I jumped on the 6.5 bandwagon a couple years ago, with the re-barreling of a burned-out 6mm Remington model 700. I chose a .260 Criterion Rem-age barrel, heavy sporter, 1:8 twist, 24-inch. It shoots phenomenally well with any bullet, but my go-to is the 129 Interlock at 3000 fps. DRT.
That was not enough. I inherited a left-hand, 22-250 from my wife's dad. I have no use for a 22-250, so another Rem-age barrel in 6.5 Creed got the nod. This barrel is another shooter and has been a blast-literally!
Both of these 6.5s have been great on deer at woods ranges, as well as open fields (longest kill 430 yards). They recoil very little and kill past what paper says they should.
My other rifles are generally gathering dust, now that I have the 6.5s. .308s and 6.5s both kill anything you want to kill, are accurate and are not load-finicky. You cannot go wrong with either, but for deer and targets, I now prefer the 6.5s.
I jumped on the 6.5 bandwagon a couple years ago, with the re-barreling of a burned-out 6mm Remington model 700. I chose a .260 Criterion Rem-age barrel, heavy sporter, 1:8 twist, 24-inch. It shoots phenomenally well with any bullet, but my go-to is the 129 Interlock at 3000 fps. DRT.
That was not enough. I inherited a left-hand, 22-250 from my wife's dad. I have no use for a 22-250, so another Rem-age barrel in 6.5 Creed got the nod. This barrel is another shooter and has been a blast-literally!
Both of these 6.5s have been great on deer at woods ranges, as well as open fields (longest kill 430 yards). They recoil very little and kill past what paper says they should.
My other rifles are generally gathering dust, now that I have the 6.5s. .308s and 6.5s both kill anything you want to kill, are accurate and are not load-finicky. You cannot go wrong with either, but for deer and targets, I now prefer the 6.5s.
Sb, Santa, and children, are giving Pop, gift cards, at HIS, favorite gun shop, and I BELIEVE, that, the prize, begins, with a 6, and ends with, .5.
This is almost like a new drug, or being a kid on Christmas day. Everything just makes sense, ballistics don't lie, and father time marches on. Those are the hard fact , truths. Can't wait to get my hands on it. I know a guy, who has for years, used a 6.5, swede, and never complains, and don't track deer either. You can't pry it out of his hands either. This is my first post, on this site, and am impressed with the responders.
I've always been a seven man, but the 6.5 has its place here too.
Merry Christmas to ALL.
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Whichever you choose I would configure it to your preference. If you like short barrels that's what I would shoot for. Either the .308 or if you get the Creedmoor then have the barrel cut and crowned to suit you. For hunting, stock fit means a lot and whatever caliber you choose I'd pay attention to stock fit.
Personally I'm a .284 diameter bullet for whitetails man myself. I have shot the old 284 I built myself years ago until the groups are just starting to open up from 5/8" to around 13/16" at 200 yards for 5 shots. I recently decided to semi retire all my bolt rifles except 1, a Browning A-Bolt long action I rebarreled and chambered in 30-06. It will put 5 shots into 1/2" at 100 yards with either the 150 Ballistic Tips (whitetail & under), and the 180 Accubonds (everything bigger than whitetails, mainly elk)I do LOVE the 35 Whelen, but don't hunt enough big stuff to need it. I am rolling it around in my head to build myself a fly weight 7mm08 (under 6# scoped, loaded, slung, & ready to shoot) for exclusive use as a pack all day, days on end for mostly whitetails. Finally getting to your question if someone was holding a gun to my head, and said choose either, I'd grab for the 6.5 Creedmoor, or if I caught them looking away, a 7mm08. A bit less recoil, a bit flatter shooting, it's MY firm opinion the 7mm08 is arguably THE best all time cartridge ever designed for all-round use on whitetails! The 6.5 Creedmoor is closer to the 7mm08 than the 308 is, not case size/shape of course, but ballistics/recoil wise.
It's too bad that Remington screwed the pooch so badly in regards to the 260 Rem. They never would give in to the demands from lots of shooters/hunters for a 1-8tw bbl on factory rifles, which was a serious handicap for those wanting to run 140+gr bullets. Only a few years ago, they could've sold a lot of M700s in 260 to guys who were wanting a suitable LR rifle to get into the practical/tactical side of things (PRS-style shooting), if only they'd pulled their heads out and seen fit to make them available with the 1-8tw bbls. Might still sell a goodly number of them, although an awful lot of PRS shooters have since moved away from the 6.5 to 6mm cases. Of course, even a blind man could see what sort of impact the availability of Ruger's RPR in 6.5 CM has had on the market...but has Remington reacted to that? I don't think so...
Flatlander, couldn't agree more, and the same applies to the 7.08.
If they had offered those two in the VSSF, version I think they would have gotten far. I remember when Craig Boddington, did a article on the .260, saying that it was the perfect target- hunting round, I thought maybe Remington, would have jumped right on that, and produced, LTR's, VSSF, and what have you. Rather, the offered them in model sevens, and didn't make avail, what serious shooters, really wanted. The same applies to the 7.08. Almost as bad anyway.
I do feel, however, that at least that didn't happen with the Creed. Everyone makes rifles for it, there is fantastic ammo avail, if you don't want to handload. I could go either way with that. IF, the factory fodder, shoots as well as I'm hearing, why bother. If not, I'm sure I can concoct a formula that works, and shoots well. Thanks for your feed back
Happy Holidays!
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I think the 6.5 Creedmore is going to stick around for a long time. Have seen a bunch at the range. However I'd opt for the 308, I have two. If you don't reload ammo for the 308 is available almost everywhere. Also there are a large selection of rifles to choose from.
If portability is an issue take a look at the Tikka T3. I have one and it's joy to carry. The recoil can be an issue with this rifle but I've got mine loaded with 125 grain SST's which is pleasant to shoot and very accurate.
In my Model 700 Rem, 24" barrel 308 the 150 grain bullets are deadly on white tail.
In 40+ years of deer hunting I never shot a deer beyond 185 yards so I know nothing about shooting deer at 400 yards nor would I ever attempt such a shot, it's beyond my level of skill.
If portability is an issue take a look at the Tikka T3. I have one and it's joy to carry. The recoil can be an issue with this rifle but I've got mine loaded with 125 grain SST's which is pleasant to shoot and very accurate.
In my Model 700 Rem, 24" barrel 308 the 150 grain bullets are deadly on white tail.
In 40+ years of deer hunting I never shot a deer beyond 185 yards so I know nothing about shooting deer at 400 yards nor would I ever attempt such a shot, it's beyond my level of skill.
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