6.5 Creedmore recoil compared to 308 and 243 cal

[NDAR15MAN]

I am thinking about getting into some real long range shooting , over 1000 yards . target , coyote prairie dogs. I am 56 years old and want something to do when I retire. ha ha. I shoot a Tikka 243 cal. love tmy 243 tikka rifle. It has a 22 inch barrel I think. I have had torn rotator surgeries on both shoulders. I just cannot take the 308 recoil anymore on a bolt gun. Just wondering what the recoils is on a Creedmore 260 cal compared to a 308 cal and my 243 cal gun ? Also do you think it would be worth buying a Creedmore 260 rifle or just keep the 243 Tikka ? I don't reload and have about 1000 rounds of 243 in 100 gr and 80 gr factory ammo for this gun. thanks. Martyd

 

[mac86951]

260 and 6.5 creedmoor about same, recoil dependent on bullet weight. 243 least recoil even with 105-108s, barrel life poor when pushed fast.

6.5 creedmoor with 107 or 123 is not far beyond 243 with 108s.

6.5 Creed with 140s is approx 1/2 way between the heavy 6mm and 308 with 150s.
Alternate answer: LR-308 in 6.5 creedmoor with hydraulic buffer. Mild recoil.

-Mac

 

[DHuffman]

The 6.5 Creedmoor has slightly more recoil the a .243 and that's shooting 140 grain bullets. With lighter bullets it would be hard to tell the difference in my opinion.

The .308 Will have considerably more. Not painful or punishing but you definitely feel it after several rounds. I'm sure someone will be along and tell me I'm a wimp but I just swapped a .308 barrel out for a 6.5 Lapua because I just didn't enjoy shooting it more than a few times per session. Hard to be your own spotter as well even with a heavy barrel on a .308 I suppose a brake would help there though if a guy was determined to shoot one.

I kept the barrel but I doubt it will ever go back on.

 

[SBS]

I'm afraid your Tikka with a 22" barrel (particularly if a factory sporter) would not be of much use for your intended shooting of 1000 yds and beyond. Get a heavy, longer barreled 6.5 Creedmoor or .260. It will stay supersonic at such ranges with the right bullets, buck the wind well, and have enough punch left for coyotes and smaller varmints. The weight will cut down on recoil and a good heavy premium barrel will have the potential for the accuracy required at longer ranges.

 

[Raptor]

I shoot all three and the advise you got is good. I push my Creedmoor at the upper end and there is more felt recoil with it than with the 243. If you are recoil sensitive install a good break. You will really like the Creedmoor..

 

[Sheldon N]

You don't reload, so you're stuck with factory ammo. That influences your decision a lot. I'd say go 6.5 creedmoor and shoot the Hornady match ammo. Reasonably priced, very accurate out to 1000 yards+.

Get a heavy barrel profile with a threaded muzzle, then screw an APA Little Bastard Gen II brake on there. You'll need a second set of earplugs, but your shoulder will thank you.

 

[swd]

Factory ammo in 243 isn't anywhere near what you need to shoot 1000+.
A 6.5 Creedmoor with a break is really easy to shoot. They end up recoiling not much more than a 223. If you don't load your own it's the best choice by far.

 

[dstoenner]

also you need to consider the weight of the rifle. If this is for like F-Class you can go up to 22 lbs. Mine is like 17 pounds and that has dampened the recoil so that I find no issue with my 260 Remington (6.5-08) for my injured shoulder. Your sporter weight would then kick a lot more than any of the cartridges you are talking about.

David

 

[rardoin]

If you don't reload the 6.5 Creedmoor has excellent ammunition available in different bullet weights (Hornady/Prime/Winchester). The Hornady ELD-M 140gr will equal all but the most meticulous handloads in many rifles. That is one of the good points about the caliber. Downside is that not all retailers carry that cartridge so you have to stock up in advance.

 

[DHuffman]

Agree with everyone on the ammo, I shot the Hornady 140 Match until I started reloading. Bought it by the case online from whoever had the best price.

 

[NDAR15MAN]

thanks for all good info. I never shot the 6.5 Creedmore. i going to try to shoot one next few weeks before I buy one. Marty

 

[SG4247]

I am very recoil sensitive as well.

So, I built this 6.5 Creedmoor AR-10 to compare to my 6.5x47 Lapua AR-10s - and must say the results are very positive.

With heavy grain factory ammo the rifle is incredible. Only shot it at 547 yards so far, but the added stock weight, the brake, and the adjustable gas block - have made it very comfortable to shoot.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=552750273

 

[boltman13]

Long range F-Class shooting requires heavy for caliber bullets with sufficient MV, hence more recoil. As others have stated, there is no useful factory 243 Win for this game. I have a 17#14oz 308 for F-TR, using 185 gr Bergers, and a 16#8oz 6.5CM for F-Open, using 140 gr bullets. I would estimate the felt recoil of the CM to be about 50-55% of the 308. You can further mitigate recoil by adding rifle weight to the CM up to the F-Open weight limit and probably get that figure down near 40%. A brake is not allowed in F-Class matches but with one on it would be considerably less than your current Tika. As an aside you could probably build an excellent F-Open rifle on your Tika action if you choose. Best of luck.

 

[Dan Boone]

I own the 243, a Creedmoor, a 7mm-08, and the 308. The recoil differences are what you have already been told. But I will say that there is a noticeable difference between the 243 and the 6.5. One thing that was mentioned is to purchase a heavier rifle. It makes a very big difference. I shoot a Ruger Hawkeye Predator 6.5 CM (not the American variant) and the rifle weighs about 10.5 pounds with scope. At that weight it is a real pussycat and is extremely easy to shoot for extended periods if desired. I'm also a bit recoil sensitive after a heart surgery, lung surgery, and a rotator cuff that needs to be repaired. The CM is my favorite rifle.

 

[justinp61]

I had shoulder surgery a little over five years ago, afterwards i can't take much recoil. My model 70 30-06 was to much and I never tried my 3 1/2" 870 turkey gun as I was afraid it would tear my shoulder up. After researching for a deer rifle I bought a Savage mdl 16 in 260 Remington. Even at 7.5 lbs it's a joy to shoot. I'd like to have one with a heavy barrel to stretch out.

 

[majohnson]

I've been shooting the 6.5CM in a bolt gun now for a few years and just recently pick up an AR 10 in it as well. Both rifles have APA Little Bastard brakes, reducing the felt recoil. Like a few others have posted I am recoil sensitive after multiple neck surgery.

It shoots well at long range and does well in the wind. My bolt gun has a 28" HV#17 barrel, while my gas gun has a 20" barrel. Shooting the same load in both guns, I get just over 200 fps more from the longer barrel. Both shoot sub 1/2 moa groups.

If you do not reload there is good factory ammo. You won't have any issues selling your once fired brass for .50 -.65 cents a piece. One of the down sides is Hornady brass is a softer then Luapa, so primer pockets will loosen up after being reloaded a few times.

 

[AaroninUtah]

I bought one of the Browning X-Bolt Western Hunters for my daughter to shoot. With the slimline brake, it feels like a 223. She can shoot it all day long and not flinch at all.

 

[rap36case]

I am awaiting an Omega 30 to put on my 6.5 CM and on a 308Win. Both rifles are threaded for this suppressor with muzzle brake. It is time consuming to get a gun trust, ATF stamp etc., but I think it is worth the wait. I know this will significantly reduce recoil and noise.

 

[jdh47]

Have you thought about shooting suppressed? It is the best of both worlds. You get the recoil reduction as well as noise reduction as well.

The Creedmoor is a great round and suppressed it is even greater.

Joe

 

[Zero333]

Factory 243win rifles have slower twists and factory 243 ammo will never reach 1000 accurately on best of days.

The 243win. cartridge in a 8-twist barrel will go far only with handloads cause no one loads 243win Match LR ammo (besides maybe a small boutique custom handloading business).

The 6.5 Creedmoor chambering is your ONLY logical option if you want a factory rifle shooting factory ammo at 1,000+ yards with good accuracy. Not to mention Hornady 6.5creedmoor Match ammo is affordable enough to shoot on a regular basis.

Recoil wise,. Weight is your friend and the bigger the muzz brake the better.
Let me put it to you this way... One of my bolt guns is a 18 lb 300winmag with a descent size muzzle brake (3.5"x1.75"x1.25")... I have a 12.8 lb 308w bolt gun with a average size muzz brake (2.5"x7/8") and it kicks twice as hard as the 300winmag !!! The 300 feels no different than a 8 lb 223rem.

A 14 lb 6.5creed with a good muzzle brake will feel like a pussy cat cuddling into your shoulder.