Howa Superlite 308 or 6.5 CM

[Bidwell]

Looking to pick up a light hunting rifle and like the Howa Superlite (also open to suggestions) . I know the superlite has some issues and could take some fiddling to get right. This would be for deer and wild pig, that's it.

Given the sub 5 pound weight, would the lighter recoil 6.5 be a better choice? I have a 308 right now with all the reloading gear so the 308 is tempting. I've never shot a 6.5, or really anything other than my ruger 308, cz 22 lr and shotgun. The 308 also comes in a 16.25 barrel length option which also is tempting. If the 6.5 is going to help with precision because of inherent attributes of the caliber and less recoil than maybe its worth it. Any thoughts? I called Howa directly and the guy I talked to was pretty sincere and knowledgeable, he recommended the 6.5.

 

[harro]

I have shot the 308 version and to be honest I was glad I hadn’t paid my hard earned money for it .
The recoil was substantial , the build quality of the Stock wasn’t great and the accuracy was not up to what I would personally be happy with .
Now to clarify some of those things .
The Stock is very short , so the rifle didn’t fit me very well and probably contributed to the recoil and we only had two factory loadings to shoot .

 

[nakneker]

Why is the 16.25 barrel length attractive, are you using a suppressor?

You’ll get a bunch of different opinions on what caliber people like. Personally I like both the 308 and 6.5 CM. The creed gets a lot of hate mostly because people get tired of hearing about it or the claims some people make concerning it. That being said it’s a very versatile cartridge, there’s a ton of bullets made for both calibers but I like being able to use some of the lighter bullets the 6.5 offers but that’s really just a matter of what bullets a guy is interested in. Both cartridges are accurate, I wouldn’t say one is more inherently accurate than the other and there’s a wealth of reloading data for both.

I’m not familiar with the Howa Superlite but I can recommend Tikka as a good option. The T3 isn’t near that 5 pound mark but they aren’t heavy and they handle well. On average they shoot better than many factory offerings. They offer a 20” in the 308 and CM.

Having reloading gear is a plus but so is trying a new cartridge. Let us know what you decide.

 

[Handi204]

My oldest son just bought an Sig Sauer Cross 308 bolt gun 16” barrel I think he said it weighs a little over 6 lbs. With factory ammo inch group at 100 yds was easy, it had a cheap muzzle break on it the recoil was light.

 

[Bidwell]

I have shot the 308 version and to be honest I was glad I hadn’t paid my hard earned money for it .
The recoil was substantial , the build quality of the Stock wasn’t great and the accuracy was not up to what I would personally be happy with .
Now to clarify some of those things .
The Stock is very short , so the rifle didn’t fit me very well and probably contributed to the recoil and we only had two factory loadings to shoot .

Thanks for sharing that. I was sort of assuming that was the case with the 308 but I like hearing first hand experiences. I've heard about the issues with the stock and seems like it will need to be bedded amongst other things. I'm ok with that as long as I can eventually get it to shoot. The 6.5 is sounding better right now.

 

[joshb]

Ditto on the Tikka. Buy quality! Look at a Tikka lite.

 

[Bidwell]

Why is the 16.25 barrel length attractive, are you using a suppressor?

You’ll get a bunch of different opinions on what caliber people I like. Personally I like both the 308 and 6.5 CM. The creed gets a lot of hate mostly because people get tired of hearing about it or the claims some people make concerning it. That being said it’s a very versatile cartridge, there’s a ton of bullets made for both calibers but I like being able to use some of the lighter bullets the 6.5 offers but that’s really just a matter of what bullets a guy is interested in. Both cartridges are accurate, I wouldn’t say one is more inherently accurate than the other and there’s a wealth of reloading data for both.

I’m not familiar with the Howa Superlite but I can recommend Tikka as a good option. The T3 isn’t near that 5 pound mark but they aren’t heavy and they handle well. On average they shoot better than many factory offerings. They offer a 20” in the 308 and CM.

Having reloading gear is a plus but so is trying a new cartridge. Let us know what you decide.

Thanks! Very helpful. I do admit I may have an irrational worry that the 6.5 will leave me hanging for deer and pig since its not a 30 cal. But, obviously millions of people have great success with it and I'd really like try another caliber. And I don't understand why the 243 doesn't have the same level of lively back and forth online. I enjoy reading about people's experiences and analysis on ballistics and such. It's definitely helped get my head around a lot of subjects as a relatively new hunter.

The 16.5 was interesting since it's a touch lighter and sounds nice for strapping it to a pack and scrambling up a hill. That said, its not like 20 inch wouldnt be great for that too. I'm in CA, no suppressor for me, unfortunately.

I like the Tikkas, definitely a consideration!

 

[Bidwell]

My oldest son just bought an Sig Sauer Cross 308 bolt gun 16” barrel I think he said it weighs a little over 6 lbs. With factory ammo inch group at 100 yds was easy, it had a cheap muzzle break on it the recoil was light.

Appreciate the suggestion! I'll look into the sig.

 

[Just Say Moe]

Split the difference and get the 7mm-08!

 

[mauser284]

Which one do you want? Do you own 3x 308Win rifles already or 3x 6.5CM rifles already? Do you have 1000 pieces of 308Win brass kicking around?

It is true that the 6.5CM outperforms the 308Win in most situations until you start to look at heavy tough construction hunting bullets which is not the way most people use the 308Win. In the realm of hunting I do not think it is going to matter 6 of 1 half dozen of another.

I do not think either is going any place any time soon. Even if Hornady went under tomorrow enough rifles and ammo in 6.5CM have been sold and are continueing to be sold that the market place would quickly fill any market shortage.

 

[Old Navy]

My shoulder hurts from just thinking about shooting that off the bench in either caliber.

 

[X-Caveman]

We’ve been shooting pigs with a 16” BBL lightweight R700 in .308 win. Thermal/ Suppressed. A 115gr Lehigh Defense Controlled Chaos over H335 at 3,000 FPS is devastating. Recoil isn’t bad, even with the hard ass Magpul CTR stock. Similarly, 125SSTs at 2,900 work great. Can’t speak for the Creedmoor. I’m sure it would get the job done, but I don’t think you’ll be able to achieve the speeds afforded by the fiat base 30s in a 16” BBL. Plus the lower sectional density dumps about everything in the animal. Shoulder shots normally won’t pass thru. Bang/ flop.

 

[marchx]

That’s my last week cold bore shot with Howa 6.5cm at 100m using pulsar digex c50. It’s the varmint version, I also changed the stock to MDT XRS, did trigger tuning down to 500gr. Conclusion- even with a typical hunting rig you have to do some customisation.

 

[Bidwell]

Split the difference and get the 7mm-08!

Not a bad idea! I'm open to it.

 

[Bidwell]

My shoulder hurts from just thinking about shooting that off the bench in either caliber.

Ha! Yeah I expect this won't be a fun shooter. I just want to develop around 1 moa load for it and use for hunting. I have another rifle for the bench.

 

[Bidwell]

My shoulder hurts from just thinking about shooting that off the bench in either caliber.

Ha! Yeah I expect this won't be a fun shooter. I just want to develop around 1 moa load for it and use for hunting. I have another rifle for the

Which one do you want? Do you own 3x 308Win rifles already or 3x 6.5CM rifles already? Do you have 1000 pieces of 308Win brass kicking around?

It is true that the 6.5CM outperforms the 308Win in most situations until you start to look at heavy tough construction hunting bullets which is not the way most people use the 308Win. In the realm of hunting I do not think it is going to matter 6 of 1 half dozen of another.

I do not think either is going any place any time soon. Even if Hornady went under tomorrow enough rifles and ammo in 6.5CM have been sold and are continueing to be sold that the market place would quickly fill any market shortage.

I have one 308 and a few hundred lapua cases. I would like the 308 if I just wasn't slightly worried about the recoil on such a light rifle. From first hand experiences of others, it sounds like a beast to shoot. But now that im thinking about it, im not sure if anyone has specified if they were using a break. The howa has threaded barrel so its an option. That's actually a big selling point to me over the Tikka. Tikka doesn't offer a threaded superlite.

I'm also just curious about the 6.5 too so even besides the recoil advantages, it might just be fun to try something different.

 

[Idaho-Lefty]

The 7mm-08 or 6.5 Creed with, 140 grain Bullets @ 2,700 - 2,800 FPS ,.. will Be, easier on your shoulder in, a 7 pound Tikka with, a 22 or, 24 inch Barrel and Sub 1/2 MOA accuracy, using a GOOD, Berger / Hornady / Sierra, Bullet.
A T-3 X Lite, can be Bought for, around,. $900. ish Dollars. Make / Buy, a Kydex Cheek riser and Go, Hunt !
You Couldn't GIVE Me, a 16 1/2 inch Barrel for, a "Hunting Rifle" IF possibly, wanting to, get Out to, 500 Yards !
IF, Recoil IS an "issue" Put a PVA Back Country Brake on it ( Threads and Brake around, $300 ).
I can shoot My 6.5 Creed. Tikka with, 130 grain Bullets @2,800 FPS,.. ALL Day Long with, the PVA Brake !





























4399

 

[FNSafari]

Years ago I shot a .308 Win chambered Rem 600 or it could have been a 660 I just don't remember. Recoil and muzzle blast were fierce. Barrel was in the vicinity of 18". What goes around comes around.

Regarding the 308 in a lite rifle, load it down, use a 125/130 grain bullet if appropriate for the game or just man up to your man stick

 

[ebb]

7-08 in a Tikka, sounds like perfection.

 

[qec]

7-08 has the advantage of being able to use your 308 brass if you. I've yet to buy and 7-08 brass since I have a ton of 308 brass. I load all three calibers mentioned.