Building 6.5 Creedmore vs. Ca approved M4

[Doncurtis]

I hunt in Ca for predator, deer & hogs. I own several rifles but want to build either a light weight bolt action or accurize a Ca approved M4 style carbine. What's the pro's or con's for either choice when cost is about the same?

 

[Forum Boss]

Others will point out that the .223 Rem has been used successfully on the small-size deer we typically see in California, but I would not prefer to use the .223 Rem on deer, and certainly not on hogs, when there are other better cartridges for that task, IMHO. That eliminates your M4 carbine in .223. Yes there's the 6.8 SPC, 6.5 Grendel, 300 Blackout and 7.62x39, but if you want a bigger caliber you can go straight to the AR10 and shoot a .243, .260, 7-08, or .308. Just remember than hogs can be tough to put down. You want enough bullet and enough kinetic energy (and good shot placement of course!).

The AR would be nice for quick follow-up shots on hogs, but personally I don't like short-barrel ARs for non-defense applications, and I loathe most collapsible AR stocks for serious accuracy shooting. If you are looking for a semi-auto for rapid follow-shots while hunting, I would consider the Browning BAR hunter.

But do you really NEED a semi-auto for fast follow-ups? Take a look at this video, and the hunter's marksmanship with a Sauer 202 bolt-gun:

[youtube]http://youtu.be/byChkCfZqbE[/youtube]

 

[Doncurtis]

I guess I should have listed calibers I do own: Bolt .204 Ruger, Volquartzen .223, bolt .243, .308, .300 WSM, .338 WM, .444 & Savage 99 .25-35. The 6.5 Creedmoor is not that I need it but I want it. I kind of answered my own question laying in bed before I fell asleep. An AR/M4 style in 6.5 will round out my collection nicely. The next question is who builds an accurate 6.5?

 

[glo]

The 6.5 Creedmoor is more than adequate for deer and hogs. Just remember a short barrel is going to take off some muzzle velocity. So best to keep impact yardage to under 250yards. Most game animals are harvested within 75yds anyway. Also develop a load using a 140gr premium bullet.

I think an M4 will do just fine if set up for hunting.

 

[jamesh]

My DPMS 6.5 Creedmoor is very accurate, good enough that it would be impressive even if it were a factory bolt gun. I have read somewhere on the internet that the DPMS 6.5 Creedmoor isn't legal in California, I don't live in CA so don't know if that's true or not.
It is also plenty heavy for a carrying very long, mine weighs right at 15# with scope(8x32x56 Sightron).
I think another good choice for hogs and deer would be an AR 15 in 30 Rem AR or in 25 WSSM. The smaller AR 15 frame would shave a little weight.
With the Creedmoor you will be good to at least 600 yards.

James

 

[Killshot]

Don, Welcome to the Forum.

An AR15 chambered in 6.5Grendel would be one solution. One nice thing about the AR15 platform is you can use one Lower receiver with different Uppers of different calibers.

The 6.5Creedmoor would require an AR10 platform which some feel is on the heavy side for a field gun. Some DPMS Lowers are banned by name in California as are several others makers.

Don, register at www.Calguns.net and check out their flowchart and information regarding what's legal and for some shops in LA that stock what you're looking for.

 

[timeout]

Others will point out that the .223 Rem has been used successfully on the small-size deer we typically see in California, but I would not prefer to use the .223 Rem on deer, and certainly not on hogs, when there are other better cartridges for that task, IMHO. That eliminates your M4 carbine in .223. Yes there's the 6.8 SPC, 300 Blackout, 6.5 Grendel, and 7.62x39, but if you want a bigger caliber you can go straight to the AR10 and shoot a .243, .260, 7-08, or .308. Just remember than hogs can be tough to put down. You want enough bullet and enough kinetic energy (and good shot placement of course!).

The AR would be nice for quick follow-up shots on hogs, but personally I don't like short-barrel ARs for non-defense applications, and I loathe most collapsible AR stocks for serious accuracy shooting. If you are looking for a semi-auto for rapid follow-shots while hunting, I would consider the Browning BAR hunter.

But do you really NEED a semi-auto for fast follow-ups? Take a look at this video, and the hunter's marksmanship with a Sauer 202 bolt-gun:

[youtube]http://youtu.be/byChkCfZqbE[/youtube]

I fancied myself a pretty fair hunter until I watched this gent! :-[