6.5 Creedmoor, since it has been out a little while now...

[Adair]

I have a 6.5 CM in a Ruger Mark 2 Target. I don't shoot a lot so I have not done extensive load development, but I am using 140 AMax with IMR 8208 and CCI LR BR primers. With about .5gr less than max, I am getting 1/4" 3 shot groups. I have not shot a 5 shot group yet. So far I am really enjoying shooting and reloading for this caliber. Other than being similar to the 6.5x47 Lapua, 260 Rem, 6.5 Grendel (not really close), 6.5x55 Swede, is there anything really stopping this cartridge? What would stop this one, that wouldnt stop the others? I know the obvious answer for the 6.5x55, but cartridge dimensions and loads are reportedly not the same as the original European version. In other words, it has been dumbed down.

 

[Kachok]

It gives me goosebumps to know that 119 years after it's invention everyone is STILL trying to copy the 6.5x55! Heck the Creedmore even looks like it with its long neck, hard shoulder and bullet sticking way out. My 6.5x55 has a smig more case volume and hence I get a few fps over any published 6.5 Creedmore loads that I have found thus far. All this said if you had to copy a round there is none better to copy then the 6.5x55.

 

[NCsmitty]

The 6.5 Creedmoor offers performance similar to the other 6.5's that you mentioned, (not Grendel) but it doesn't really excel anymore than the others, IMO.
Whether it will gain in popularity, only time will tell.

I'm sure your combo is very accurate, and you do need to try 5 shot groups to see if it will cluster in a tight group. It's much more a test of the rifle and load than 3 shot groups.



NCsmitty

 

[Offfhand]

If you are getting 1/4" groups with any Ruger rifle count your blessings, even if they are only 3 shot groups. As to the 6.5 Creedmoor, it's ok, but mostly a "me-too" round when other 6.5's such as the .260 were winning matches and gaining momentum. Otherwise it was DOA. But be sure and keep your rifle as it may become a collector's item, as have other Ruger rifles in obscure calibers.

 

[PedalBiker]

I like being able to make 260 Rem brass from 243 and 308.

I don't care for one over the other, but I do hope that 6.5 bullets become more popular. It used to be they were about the last size to get new technology.

 

[UniversalFrost]

i have several 6.5x55's and they are what I like to benchmark all 6.5's against.

I have a 98k that I recently barreled to 6.5 creedmor (krieger barrel with palma countour) but I have not had the chance to do any load work with it other than forming some brass.

I really am thinking of rechambering to 6.5x55 or trying something similiar, but the couple swedes i have are still out shooting several of my benchrest guns and no need to really make up another 6.5x55 right now.

 

[Kachok]

Despite what all the magazines say there simply is nothing that is MORE accurate then the old 6.5x55, it is still used in long range shooting matches, and can use all the super high tech 140gr VLDs, SMKs, AMax ....etc that the new 6.5s do. I get over 3000 fps and .458 BC with my HUNTING bullets without exceeding recomended pressure, high tech meats old school gatta love it Nearly every handload I have tried thus far has been SUB-MOA even before I begin the fine tuning process. Mabey the 6.5 Creedmore is just as good, but why mess with perfection? BTW 140gr interlock over 46.5gr of RL22 and a winchester primer is a little MONSTER and touches holes all day long.

 

[stubbicatt]

I thought the 6.5 Creedmore was developed to allow one to load the longer 140 VLD type bullets into the cartridge with the bullet base meeting the neck/shoulder junction of the case, where with the 260 Remington with the longer bullets requires the base and part of the shank to protrude into the powder chamber.

Some say that this will affect accuracy.

Supposedly the Creedmore has a very similar velocity with the 140s as the 260 Remington.

 

[Adair]

I have liked the idea of buying a 6.5 Swede for a while now. How is the recoil? Would it be suitable for a younger shooter, say 13?

 

[Adair]

I see the same complaint on a lot of threads: "The Europeans have been killing moose with a 6.5 for years, yet it won't catch on here." Maybe with more 6.5 variations, people will have be more inclined to try a 6.5 and see what they have been missing for years!

 

[Kachok]

Yeah the recoil on the sweed is VERY light and if you read my thread about Head to Head: light recoil hunting rifles. You will see that it is the most efficient game killer in the low recoil class by a good margin.

 

[65nut]

I have a 6.5 creedmoor built on a trued rem 700 action, krieger barrel, 24" 1 in 8 twist, badger bottom metal, scope is a nikon buckmaster 6-18, egw 20 moa base, leupold rings, mcmillan stock. Its a pin pusher, not a tack driver. I also have a remington 700 VLS that is a bone stock factory 260, shoots just as good as the custom built creedmoor. it has a 1 in 9 twist. Flings 123 amax and 140 amax pills through the same hole. no shift in p.o.i. at all. 130 grain noslers shift about 1/2 moa right, no elevation change. My 6.5 grendel, I love it. 19" barrel with aa accuracy break. Little hard on the ears when hunting, but drops whitetails just as nice as the 260 and 6.5 creedmoor. My 6.5 x 284 is still getting built...... cant wait to get it done. It is being built on a Winchester pre 64 style action. Which are my favorite. I love mauser style actions. Wish my other bolt rifles were that way. but, i guess i will make due on the rem 700 actions.