Kitchen_Duty
Member
I've been contemplating building a savage 110 30-06 into a 6.5 something: either 260 rem, 6.5 creedmor, 6.5x55 swede for hunting in Washington state. Game would include mule/white deer and elk. I already own a savage 308, which I'm happy with. I've anchored 2/2 shots on a whitetail and a cow elk (neck shot and lung shot respectively). I'm of the opinion that shot placement wins every time vs super high power. And while I'm asking for <500 yards, I've purposefully walked closer to my target and shot at 200 yards both times.
Everyone touts that the 6.5 will have amazing trajectory compared to 308 but all the data seems pretty meh for < 500 yards. I do handload so loading for a rare cartridge won't bother me too much.
Eventually I'd like to start shooting longer range competitions (>600 yards) but I already have a 30inch 308 savage for that too!
I'd probably use a 140 gr bullet for the 6.5 and I shoot 165 gr bullets (for all game) in my 308. Barrel life doesn't bother me for any hunting rifle. If I burn out a hunting barrel I'll pat myself on the back and retire from hunting! Also barrel swapping/installing on a savage is pretty easy so gunsmithing would be inexpensive.
Is there any reason to spend the money on a 6.5 or just stick with my 308?
Everyone touts that the 6.5 will have amazing trajectory compared to 308 but all the data seems pretty meh for < 500 yards. I do handload so loading for a rare cartridge won't bother me too much.
Eventually I'd like to start shooting longer range competitions (>600 yards) but I already have a 30inch 308 savage for that too!
I'd probably use a 140 gr bullet for the 6.5 and I shoot 165 gr bullets (for all game) in my 308. Barrel life doesn't bother me for any hunting rifle. If I burn out a hunting barrel I'll pat myself on the back and retire from hunting! Also barrel swapping/installing on a savage is pretty easy so gunsmithing would be inexpensive.
Is there any reason to spend the money on a 6.5 or just stick with my 308?