High Plains
Member
- Joined
- Jan 10, 2021
- Messages
- 239
Inspired by a recent thread of why Weatherby cartridges are well liked (or despised), I began thinking about what cartridges and rifle models I use. Examples: I’m often asked why I use a 280 Rem instead of a 270 Win and what a 308 Win can do that a 6.5mm Creedmoor can’t do. The 280 and 270 will both do the intended job with the right bullet in the right place. I load my own ammo and a 280 offers a wider range of heavy for caliber bullets so that is one reason I have one. My 280 gets long-range work and is used as a hunting rifle. It also happens to like virtually everything I load for it from 140 to 168 grain bullets of all manufacturers.
In my opinion, the semi new kid in town 6.5 Creedmoor and iconic 308 Win will do anything you need on plains game at ranges the rifleman is comfortable with. The Creedmoor has better long range ballistics than the 308. Don’t forget the Creedmoor was designed and built to be a target rifle that turned into a superb hunting cartridge. I have a hunting rifle in 6.5 Creedmoor and it excels with deer hunting and long-range plinking.
In the 1980s I was on an Army high power rifle team. We shot converted M-14s and knew the ins and outs of the 168 grain “Mexican Match” ammo. Knowing it very well made a massive difference with elevation settings (clicks up) at known distances of 100-600 yards. The difference in recoil of equal weighted 6.5 Creedmoor vs 308 Win on a hunt is nothing to worry about. Numbers don’t lie and the lesser recoil of a Creedmoor in match shooting will eventually make a difference. By the way, that usually meant a bad cheek to stock setup meant a hard “kiss” on the cheekbone by the M-14s stock.
To wrap it up, when the rifle / cartridge does the work you need and in a way you like it, keep using it. If someone questions your choice, you might confuse them with facts concerning your choice if they aren’t good listeners.
In my opinion, the semi new kid in town 6.5 Creedmoor and iconic 308 Win will do anything you need on plains game at ranges the rifleman is comfortable with. The Creedmoor has better long range ballistics than the 308. Don’t forget the Creedmoor was designed and built to be a target rifle that turned into a superb hunting cartridge. I have a hunting rifle in 6.5 Creedmoor and it excels with deer hunting and long-range plinking.
In the 1980s I was on an Army high power rifle team. We shot converted M-14s and knew the ins and outs of the 168 grain “Mexican Match” ammo. Knowing it very well made a massive difference with elevation settings (clicks up) at known distances of 100-600 yards. The difference in recoil of equal weighted 6.5 Creedmoor vs 308 Win on a hunt is nothing to worry about. Numbers don’t lie and the lesser recoil of a Creedmoor in match shooting will eventually make a difference. By the way, that usually meant a bad cheek to stock setup meant a hard “kiss” on the cheekbone by the M-14s stock.
To wrap it up, when the rifle / cartridge does the work you need and in a way you like it, keep using it. If someone questions your choice, you might confuse them with facts concerning your choice if they aren’t good listeners.