New Rifle / 6.5 or .308

[markT]

I am looking to buy a bolt gun for fairly close range hunting less than 130 yds.. This will be for deer and maybe a coyote if one pops in, but mostly deer. I've been shooting a 300 blk and with a well placed shot a deer will run maybe 25- 30 yds at most. I'm currently using factory ammo, HSM brand with Hornady Vmax due to structures near by..
I'm thinking about looking into 6.5 Creedmore or a .308.. I have not done any research on either caliber, but the 6.5 seems to have a big following.
What are the advantages of the 6.5 and is there Vmax bullets available? Any subsonics?
I'll be using a 300 suppressor also..
Thank you for any input..

 

[linebaugh]

You will probably not want to focus on Vmax bullets as they are geared more toward predators. They will obviously work and in your description I am sure they will be fine but there are better bullets.

As to caliber. If you intend to stay under the 200 yard mark and only hunt deer sized game it probably matters not what you choose. Either would be good and either will have good factory loadings and reloading support. Pick one of the two, forget you ever thought about the other and go hunting.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

For what you’re wanting to do I think you would enjoy the Creedmoor more, it will recoil less. I know several guys shooting factory 143 grain ELD-X, it’s accurate and always performs good.

 

[golong]

Any particular reason a .243 Win is not in the mix? About 1/3 less recoil, less drop and faster for the distances you are working in, and still enough energy.

 

[sbhooper]

I have both. Creeds kill with authority, have lots of ammo options and don't kill your shoulder. A .308 is a fine choice also, though, for the ranges that you are talking. Consider the Hornady Whitetail ammo, for either rifle. I have not seen a rifle that would not shoot it well.

 

[markT]

I didn't even think about .243... Thanks for the reminder...I have a Rem 700 in .243 with a heavy bbl... and shoot a 65 gr Vmax.. The bbl is not threaded and is 26" in length...
I will definitely consider it.. I do on occasion shoot subsonic ammo not sure if offered in .243..

 

[rsmithsr50]

308 all the way, if not a 6br. not a 243. it works but too much case.
308 110 to 200 gr, works, many bullets and powders to pick from same with commercial ammo. honestly for under 200 yards why not an ar10 and a 5 round mag > buy an 18/20" ss bbl threaded and put on your suppressor. how much recoil reduction is there in shooting a 143 in 6.5 over shooting a 150 in 308 ?

 

[10XSHOOTER]

For Killin CORN MUCHERS in Kansas. I use a .308 with 165 gr Nosler accubonds. If I hit them good they go 3 feet! Straight down. Can't beat a .308

 

[Zero333]

I love the 308 because it's one of those cartridges everyone should have.

But less recoil is always better as long as you're not under-gunned.
Thus I recommend the 6.5 Creedmoo.

 

[markT]

I’m going to have to go with 6.5. The math just makes sense. I’d say the 308 is proven tried and true etc etc. and not trying to step on anyone’s toes. Lots and lots of dead critters with the 308.. But for me, at this time and my application I’d would have to say 6.5. NO WAY claim to be a expert... thanks to everyone for input!!

 

[markT]

A question for those shooting a 6.5 Creedmoor. What twist rate and mostly barrel length?
I want to use a suppressor. Ruger has a 22" threaded barrel with 1/8 twist.. Overall length is 42". Suppressor is about 9" with adapter.
Thank you.

 

[Zero333]

8" twist is the standard and will handle up to 150 gr bullets.

 

[243winxb]

6.5 bullets from 95 gr to 153 gr.

308- bullets from 110 gr to 208 gr.

6.5 Creedmoor Savage with 20" barrels. Lady was going to hunt plains game with it. Guy was going to hunt black bear.

Guess what they ended up using. 308 Win. Yes, plain old boring 308 Winchester.

Why? , better ballistics to 300 yards.

 

[AJC]

Just curious at that close range why not choose a pistol cartridge like a 357 or 44 and not have recoil or the expense. No wasted meat either.

 

[Laurie]

question for those shooting a 6.5 Creedmoor. What twist rate and mostly barrel length?
I want to use a suppressor. Ruger has a 22" threaded barrel with 1/8 twist.

Short barrels and 'suppressors' (we call them sound moderators, or just 'moderators' for convenience) are the norm in the UK for both varminting and deerstalking. We've had moderators for many years and are (unusually) way ahead of American shooters in this respect.

When I say 'short barrels', 22-inches is WAY long by our standards. 6.5X47 and 6.5mm Creedmoor are usually kept below 20-inches, often well below at 16", even 14 on a dedicated stalking rifle. One great benefit of these 6.5s is that the powder charge burns fully in 12-14 inches of barrel in most loadings. All this makes for very short and easily handled packages.

We have exactly the same 308 v 6.5mm debates here, the UK's main deerstalking forum covers this endlessly as an evergreen thread subject. Throw in longstanding affection and respect for Mauser's 128 year old 7X57mm too which also has its adherents here.

https://www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk/whats-new/

has this one regularly. ......... and about 243 Win too (which is a bit more controversial). The answer is they all work insofar as results on deer are concerned. 308 is just that bit harder recoiling especially in a light / short rifle. At the end of the day, good shot placement remains critical irrespective of calibre, and some people find that easier to achieve with a 6mm or 6.5mm cartridge.

 

[std7mag]

7mm-08.
Best of both worlds.

 

[243winxb]

subsonics? &
suppressor

308 & 200 or 208 gr heavies.

 

[JEFFPPC]

For what you’re wanting to do I think you would enjoy the Creedmoor more, it will recoil less. I know several guys shooting factory 143 grain ELD-X, it’s accurate and always performs good.

I am looking to buy a bolt gun for fairly close range hunting less than 130 yds.. This will be for deer and maybe a coyote if one pops in, but mostly deer. I've been shooting a 300 blk and with a well placed shot a deer will run maybe 25- 30 yds at most. I'm currently using factory ammo, HSM brand with Hornady Vmax due to structures near by..
I'm thinking about looking into 6.5 Creedmore or a .308.. I have not done any research on either caliber, but the 6.5 seems to have a big following.
What are the advantages of the 6.5 and is there Vmax bullets available? Any subsonics?
I'll be using a 300 suppressor also..
Thank you for any input..

For your distance and application plus eliminate that run after you shoot a deer a .243 with 75gr Sierra HP will work great. Might not get much good meat of the front half but dead right there and of course will devastate a coyote.

 

[CharlieNC]

Doesn't matter, unless you have additional criteria you did not mention.