Ruger American Magpul Hunter 6.5CM vs 308?

[Olympus]

I’m thinking about getting one of these as a “pseudo” tactical rifle, most because I just like the looks and I’m a big fan of the American rifles in general. I might use it for whitetail hunting, but I don’t have to hike so I’m not worried about the weight. I’m mostly trying to decide between the 6.5 and the 308 caliber. Normally, I’d go with the 6.5, but because of the ammo shortage I’m seeing a lot more 308 offerings than 6.5 both in terms of factory ammo but also reloading components. I’m not going to be competition shooting or shooting at distances where the 6.5 will outshine the 308, so really the only factor in favor of the 6.5 is the lower recoil. But the guy will be heavy enough that recoil shouldn’t be bad for either caliber. And the guns come with a factory muzzle break which should help also. If I thought the ammo shortage would be over soon, I’d snag the 6.5. But I’ve read a lot about the big manufacturers being close to 2 years out on production. I’m not anticipating an end to this ammo crisis any time soon.

 

[Skylerbone]

I’d still opt for 6.5 Creedmoor. The shortage is waning, its price that hasn’t normalized.

Local Field & Stream, had a half shelf filled with it (4’ wide) this week. 2 years ago their price was $21.99 and bogo sale on second box for $32.99 for 2 boxes. That’s when I stocked up and I’m still shooting it.

 

[BigBL87]

If you aren't going to shoot at ranges where the 6.5 really starts to beat the 308, I'd personally go with .308. Even with the ammo shortage waning, one thing that 308 has going for it in normal times is the economy of scale. Plenty of militaries use 308/7.62x51 in some way and as such alot of it gets produced, which helps drive down the price a bit. Back pre-panic 6.5 and 308 were close in price with 308 having a slight edge.

As you mentioned, aside from range (which per you won't be much of a factor) recoil is the main benefit of 6.5 in your context. That is really up to you on how much the recoil savings means. 308 is stout enough but not that bad, especially with a good recoil pad.

Really though, neither is a bad choice.

 

[stringnut]

Blah , blah blah, Creedmoor this. Blah blah blah 308 that. Creedmoor is far superior/inferior to the 308. 308 is far superior/inferior to the Creedmoor. Make what ever justification needed to allow you to buy the rifle and don’t look back. My wife bought a Weatherby Camilla in 6.5 Creedmoor , over the 308, because it had better wood. In a 7.5 lb rifle , with scope, the 6.5 recoil is noticeably less. However I have watched her burn 50 out of both so the difference ain’t much.

 

[CraigC]

I would suggest the Predator model and buy the Magpul stock. The Hunter model is way heavier than it needs to be. I put one together starting with a used 6.5 GoWild version and like it mucho better than the Hunter version.

 

[Nature Boy]

.308 because it’s not a creedmoor

 

[Boomholzer]

I would finger blast that Magpul Hunter stock before committing to it. It's horrible IMO.

 

[LoonWulf]

.308 because it’s not a creedmoor

Creedmoor because it's not a 308

 

[LoonWulf]

I would suggest the Predator model and buy the Magpul stock. The Hunter model is way heavier than it needs to be. I put one together starting with a used 6.5 GoWild version and like it mucho better than the Hunter version.

I think we're going to get my dad the Davidson's distributor gun with the 22" barrel....when ever we can find one.
In his case the added weight of thr heavier profile barrel (And thank you for mentioning that in the other thread a while back otherwise I wouldn't have even been looking at these, since I didn't see it in the spec sheet when I first read it)
Will be helpful. As a hunting gun though 9lb starting weight is pretty hefty.

 

[troy fairweather]

Creedmoor because it's not a 308

you want that 7.6 creedmoor guys were all excited about a few years ago, funny how they took the bait lol.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

.308 for me all day long.
I don't shoot past 300 yards, so the advantages of the Creedmoor would be lost on me anyway.
Plus I can't stand hearing about the damn Creedmoor any more. It's just vegan .308 that won't shut up about crossfit.

Kidding, kind of. If you like it that's cool.

 

[sarduy]

Get the 308 version, it’s hard hitting and can kill anything. I love my 6.5 but the 308 is more utilitarian while the 6.5 is more fancy. SUV vs Sport Car.

 

[mac66]

the 6.5 Crudmore is a boutique/new flavor of the month/year cartridge. The 308 is tried and true and will be around forever.

 

[stringnut]

.308 because it’s not a creedmoor

Creedmoor because it's not a 308

I know it’s not available in the rifle in question ,but, 7x57 Mauser because it’s neither!

 

[IdaD]

For Whitetails at hunting ranges either one is fine. If it were me between the two I'd opt for the 308 for a little extra versatility but I also mix elk into my hunting regularly.

In this mid-caliber class in a hunting rifle I like the 7mm-08 better than either one, though. Not sure if that's even available in this particular rifle.

Reality is I'm really splitting hairs here...

 

[gotboostvr]

For Whitetails at hunting ranges either one is fine. If it were me between the two I'd opt for the 308 for a little extra versatility but I also mix elk into my hunting regularly.

In this mid-caliber class in a hunting rifle I like the 7mm-08 better than either one, though. Not sure if that's even available in this particular rifle.

Reality is I'm really splitting hairs here...

The 7mm-08 is a really nice cartridge ballistically. There's a great selection of 7mm bullets in probably the widest range of weights second only to the 30cal.

It was definitely one of the top contenders for me while rebuilding my hunting rifle. I'm switching from 308win.

And I F-in love the 308win in a battle rifle.

But for a hunting rifle, I'll take the flatter shooting, with less wind drift, less recoil and similarly powered cartridge of the two. Especially when it's not a huge price penalty when bought judiciously.

 

[Nature Boy]

My daughter shoots a .308 out to 1,000 yards. She doesn’t want to be limited by a creedmoor.

 

[CraigC]

I threw on a bipod, 10rd MDT mag for kicks and snapped quick pic of mine. The Predator has a lighter barrel profile than the Hunter model.

the 6.5 Crudmore is a boutique/new flavor of the month/year cartridge. The 308 is tried and true and will be around forever.

Yeah, I think we're long past that.

 

[wbm]

LOL. It is amazing how much willful ignorance remains about the Creedmoor. Well a lot of it is just dumb...no other way to put it. On on hand they will praise 6.5x55 or 260 or even the .243....then turn around and burn the Creedmoor. It' really a hoot.... like a jack-in-the box....say Creedmoor and up pops the weasel of anti-Creedmoor posts...it's really funny. The "Pavlov's" of shooting forums.

308 is a great cartridge so is the 6.5 Creedmoor.

 

[troy fairweather]

It's not the cartridge we complain about, it's really no different from any other 6.5 that pushes the same bullets the same speed. We fun at the shooter, and if that doesn't make sense it's because your one of them lol.

 

[wbm]

It's not the cartridge we complain about

LOL. I think you actually believe that.

it's really no different from any other 6.5 that pushes the same bullets the same speed

Wow! Guess Emary and DeMille didn't know that. Shouda checked with some experts here I guess.

I would be most cautious at making fun of a man's weapon and cartridge choice in a public venue. Where I shoot in low country South Carolina a lot of "good ol boys" are quite fond of the 6.5CM...try some of the same "fun" stuff there as here and it may not end up being a lot of "fun." Lot's of rudeness and uncivil behavior on the internet. How brave!

I started shooting the 308 at Parris Island in 1964. The Corps was just transitioning
from the M1 to the M14. Actually saw fights over which was best the M14 or he M1. Bottom line? The m14 was a better "mouse trap"...an idea whose time had come. Did that mean the M1 was a bad "mouse trap"? Nope.

Shot and loaded for the 308 for decades then began to transition to 6.5 CM. Why? Better choice and an idea whose time had come. Does that make the 308 a bad choice? Nope.

FWIW: Went through the same process in 1966-67 Vietnam when the Corps began to replace the M14 with the M16. That one got a lot of people killed. Why? That version of the M16 was not a better idea. We called them "rat guns". Still don't care for them.

At present the military is slowly moving away from the 308....there is a reason for that.

 

[DocRock]

Well, on the one hand, six. On the other hand, half a dozen…

308 Win may be somewhat more readily available but 6.5cm is sufficiently popular that it will be close behind in production.

 

[CraigC]

We fun at the shooter, and if that doesn't make sense it's because your one of them lol.

Funny that those shooters never seem to be present. I have yet to even encounter one. It's kinda like the Harley vs Japanese bike riders. The ricers infinitely complain about the HD guys harassing them but I've never seen it actually happen. The complaining seems to outweigh what they're complaining about.

 

[LoonWulf]

We fun at the shooter, and if that doesn't make sense it's because your one of them lol.

I would be most cautious at making fun of a man's weapon and cartridge choice in a public venue. Where I shoot in low country South Carolina a lot of "good ol boys" are quite fond of the 6.5CM...try some of the same "fun" stuff there as here and it may not end up being a lot of "fun." Lot's of rudeness and uncivil behavior on the internet. How brave!

Ive met some of both of those groups, and quiet a few in between.....In my experience, and in MOST cases, folks are making an attempt to poke fun, IN FUN, when they do make jabs at one side or another, no malice intended....so i generally take what i read/hear with that in mind.

Funny that those shooters never seem to be present. I have yet to even encounter one. It's kinda like the Harley vs Japanese bike riders. The ricers infinitely complain about the HD guys harassing them but I've never seen it actually happen. The complaining seems to outweigh what they're complaining about.

Id agree the more crap shoveled in the direction of CM shooters than the other way usually.
Ill say this tho, from my interaction with one specific guy "I dunno why anyone would ever use anything else" ....is the first thing I hear when someone at the range comes over and starts talking about how cool their new CM is....and thats hardly fair, most of the time they just wanna show off their new toy....so again....

anyway, obviously not all that helpful with the thread so......

@Olympus! any closer to a decision on what your going with?...and more importantly stainless or blued?

 

[wbm]

"What we got here is failure to communicate. Some men you just can't reach." Strother Martin..Cool Hand Luke.
Come along Patsy it is a silly place!

CraigC Like your shootin arn! Shoot good?