6BR vs. 6.5 Creedmoor

[rtalley]

I have read several good articles on this forum regarding the 6BR. I have looked for updated information on the 6.5 Creedmoor and found very little. I am ready to get a new gun which will be used primarily for 600 yd bench rest shooting, and secondarily for varmint shooting. I will probably want to start hand loading. I looking for accuracy, minimal recoil, ease of purchasing or reloading ammo and cost (in this order).

If I go with the 6Norma BR, I am liking the Savage 12LRPV. Any experience with this gun would also be appreciated. If I go with the 6.5 Creedmoor, I'm looking at their 12 Palma custom ordered with a 26" SS barrel w/ 1 in 8 twist. Normally they use a 30" barrel. What length is best?

If you have any experience you could share, it would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Sling]

Go with the 6BR and use Lapua brass. Hornady brass isn`t close to Lapua quality.

 

[tdoyka]

6.5 creedmoor, 120gr amax, load of imr4350, 16 1/4" mgm barrel, 3 - 5 shots 1/2" or better all the live long day!!! i have problems(had a stroke) shooting...

 

[MarkS]

rtalley,

For 600yd Benchrest go with 6BR, if you feel you need more round, go with the 6BRX or 6 Dasher. No other round will run with these.

Mark Schronce

 

[Hoier]

rtalley,

For 600yd Benchrest go with 6BR, if you feel you need more round, go with the 6BRX or 6 Dasher. No other round will run with these.

Mark Schronce

Exactly what he said.

 

[NWnewguy]

I have two Savage LRPV and they are both pretty good for varmint work. I can't speak to 600 yds bench work, as there aren't any very close to me, but they are plenty accurate and don't see why that wouldn't extend out to 600. I have one with a 10 twist barrel and it is awesome for varmints and shoots the 75 and 87 gr Vmax bullets lights out. This is the one with the HS stock and it's a dual port. The other is a 8 twist and it would probably be better for the 105gr pills, but they don't expand as impressively on varmints. Remember that Energy = mass x velocity squared, so for live varmints it's all about speed, and of course hitting the target to begin with.

 

[lessdrop]

I have sav lrh in 6.5 creedmoor and if i do my part ive shot 1/4" 3 shot at 100 w/ nos 140 cc, and after finding sweet spot for berger vld's shot 5/8 and 3/4" at 200 w/130 vld. No 600 yet, but...
This isn't even a target rifle and if its shooting this great, thr ones you're looking at must be excelent.
My $.02
Lessdrop
ps. Used varget, r15, 17, 19, h4350, imr4350, and all shoot great. 95-120g horn, 120, 130, 140 berger, and 140 nosler have all worked perferct.

 

[mac37]

rtalley,

For 600yd Benchrest go with 6BR, if you feel you need more round, go with the 6BRX or 6 Dasher. No other round will run with these.

Mark Schronce

Exactly what he said.

Above is your answer.

6.5 CM is a fine field/tactical match round but will not give you the consistent accuracy you need at a 600 yard match.

 

[Scott Harris]

You ranked accuracy as your #1 criteria. The 6BR is the choice for pure accuracy. I like the 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5x47L, etc.....but the 6BR is the round to beat at 300-600 yards for single shot non-hunting applications. Only caveat would be windy conditions at 600: this stretches the 6BR's capabilities. In that scenario, I'd either stick with the 6BR or move up to something that will really improve wind performance like the 284 WIN. In my opinion, the 6.5 cartridges are being relegated to 2nd class citizenship: flanked by incredibly accurate, light recoiling 6mm cartridges on one side and unbeatable 7mm ballistic performance on the other. All you 6.5 fans can let the tomatoes fly now.

 

[wbm]

In my opinion, the 6.5 cartridges are being relegated to 2nd class citizenship: flanked by incredibly accurate, light recoiling 6mm cartridges on one side and unbeatable 7mm ballistic performance on the other. All you 6.5 fans can let the tomatoes fly now.

In my opinion too.

 

[Laurie]

You ranked accuracy as your #1 criteria. The 6BR is the choice for pure accuracy. I like the 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5x47L, etc.....but the 6BR is the round to beat at 300-600 yards for single shot non-hunting applications. Only caveat would be windy conditions at 600: this stretches the 6BR's capabilities. In that scenario, I'd either stick with the 6BR or move up to something that will really improve wind performance like the 284 WIN. In my opinion, the 6.5 cartridges are being relegated to 2nd class citizenship: flanked by incredibly accurate, light recoiling 6mm cartridges on one side and unbeatable 7mm ballistic performance on the other. All you 6.5 fans can let the tomatoes fly now.

An interesting view, and one that can be fairly argued. I'd say the best cartridges in the three calibres are all outstanding. While the differences in their performance are relatively small, I'd have to agree that the 6BR and its improved versions are the first choice for short to mid-range precision shooting in many conditions, and absolutely in good conditions, while the better sevens now have the upper hand at long ranges and in rough conditions. The 6.5s still have a role though, especially for the one rifle owning multi-use, multi-distance shooter as they're so good at so many things.

I've got to say I'm very fond of the Creedmoor, .260 Rem, and 6.5X47L, but the first two are really best suited to magazine fed repeaters where that set-up is wanted or needed. (It may be too that the 7mm-08, or 7-08AI, is undervalued in this role and could outperform the 6.5s in the right rifle in the right hands.) The 6.5X47L on the other hand can perform outstandingly in single-shot precision rifles as well as the repeater role and will provide an excellent combined F-Class and BR platform that gives very long barrel life for the high-volume user too. Whether it would be the right choice for the man or woman who wants to be in or nearly in top place in any one such discipline nearly all the time is more open to debate.

I expect Erik Kortina to appear shortly on this topic arguing it is!

 

[rtalley]

Thank you all very much for your input. It has been helpful. I have decided to go with the 6BR. Just bought some amo (Lapua), so now I just need to find the right gun.