6.5 Creedmoor the Perfect Compromise?

[Doc Samson]

Not a hunter, just a beginner when it comes to long(ish) range shooting. Had a PTR-91 in 308 that would get tiresome on the shoulder when bench shooting. Sold it and bought a Savage 10 in 6.5 and have been very happy. Better groups (much better!) and it is much easier to call my shots and know why they went where they did. A little less recoil has made big difference for me... ymmv.

 

[Random 8]

There's nothing magical about the round. In a well fitting, well built rifle with the proper nut installed behind the trigger, it is a very efficient tool for light to medium game. So are the 6.5x55, 6.5x54MS, .260 rem, 6.5x284, 7x57, 7-08, .270win, .280rem, and a host of other fine wildcats. What the 6.5CM has going for it is a short bolt throw and marketing support in terms of rifles, ammo, and brass. It is here to stay. Had it existed in it's current popularity (or perhaps the 7mm-08) when my left handed wife bought her first rifle, it likely would have been one of those 2 instead of a downloaded .308. I have recommended the other 6.5s and the 7-08 for younger or recoil shy shooters, and I will recommend the 6.5CM on the same merits of performance plus availability of rifle and ammo options.

 

[Gordon]

I bought a new Aero 6,5 CM target upper for my Areo/Criterion LW .308 package . I am using a 4.5-15 Leupold Varx3i on the .308 and trying a 5-20 ATN 4Kpro day/night scope on the 6.5mm CM I figure the heavy long barreled 6.5CM won't beat up the electronic sight as much and I consider the 6.5 as a range or possibly hunting package where as the .308 could be a good long range fighting rifle or walking around hunting weapon.as it has an 18" LW .308 barrel .Not there yet, just mounted and updated firm Ware. The scope thing works day and night. Now to shoot it this weekend.

 

[Gordon]

I haven't taken off the instruction stickers yet ! It seems very nice optically at the 660 yard lazered by Leica object I use for checking optics . Not a night force or high grade quality sharpness but very useable . This very dark night out the factory IR light I mounted between the kinda neat UTG bipod lit things up for a very clear picture at 220 yards, and I plan on upgrading that now I can buy a killer Streamlight IR for $85 that is twice as bright. I also have a couple of the dual purpose Surefire Military issue models with it's integral pic rail lever mount , I slipped one on and it was about the same as the factory light , maybe a slight bit dimmer. I use those on other guns with monocular goggles tho.

 

[94045]

I like the 6.5 creed for the fact that it kicks like a .243 but hits like a .308 to me that just my 2cents it’s worth what you paid for it

My whole poiint in posting this wasn't to start a .308 vs .243 vs 6.5 CM debate.

It was to point out that in a 1 lb heavier rifle the 6.5 CM kicks like a .243.

That makes it an option for the Dad's that shoot .308 Mags and are torn between the .243 (Recoil) and .308 (Power).

All 3 have been used successfully on Elk but while I wouldn't feel undergunned with a 6.5, I would be very picky about bullet construction and shot placement on an Elk with a 6mm. Expecting that level of patience in an 11 yo is likely asking for to much.

Guys around here use .224 (nevermind 6mm ) on Hogs but I much prefer a 6.5, 7mm or .308.

 

[Flatbush Harry]

I am a huge fan of the 6.5mm/.264 caliber for target and long range precision shooting as well as hunting. Indeed, I now have three rifles in this caliber -- two Ruger hunting rifles and an AI AT. However, there are a few different 6.5s that are ballistic equivalents so I don't necessarily take the 6.5 Creedmor as the be all-end all. As a handloader, my .260 Remington AI AT with a Tooley Bartlein barrel and my Rugers in 6.5x55 SE are just fine, though were I limited only to factory ammo, the much greater selection of 6.5 Creedmor makes it the obvious choice. Too, the 6.5 Creedmor is a chambering for a very wide variety of rifles...were I starting out fresh today I would likely choose it for the rifle selection alone.

Cheers,

 

[94045]

I don't personally take the 6.5 CM as the end all either. I think the Lapua is likely more accurate and I have a sweet spot for classics like the 6.5x54 and 6.5x55 and can even see the point behind the the .264 Win Mag (Although 6.5-300 Wby seems a little excessive).

I just think the .264 Bore Diameter is a nice compromise and the CM has achieved something the others haven't, success. This leads to aviailable, common and affordable ammo and rifles which in turn drives greater success.

 

[94045]

I don't personally take the 6.5 CM as the end all either. I think the Lapua is likely more accurate and I have a sweet spot for classics like the 6.5x54 and 6.5x55 and can even see the point behind the the .264 Win Mag (Although 6.5-300 Wby seems a little excessive).

I just think the .264 Bore Diameter is a nice compromise and the CM has achieved something the others haven't, success. This leads to aviailable, common and affordable ammo and rifles which in turn drives greater success.

PS I'm a recent convert to the 6.5 CM as before the only 6.5 I owned was 6.5x55.

Oops! Should of been an Edit!

 

[DannyLandrum]

Yeah, funny how the cure for the pandemic of American magnumitis since Roy Weatherby's heyday was something under our noses (and promoted by many in the form of essentially the same thing, that being the 6.5mm-08 / .260 Rem) for many decades, and really for more than 100 years if you count the ballistically-identical 6.5x55 Swedish. Marketing.

I have had two .260 rems, and several 6.5x55s, and will stick with these classics. Nothing wrong with the Creedmoor had I started that way. But .260 rem gives you 50-75 fps more velocity over the 6.5 CM, ceteris paribus.

 

[94045]

I only bought the 6.5 CM after they were over the hump and the popularity was starting to feed on itself.

When Larry's had a T/C Compass for $190 (after $75 Rebate) I couldn't.resist. I'm a sucker for deals.

Otherwise I would have kept on shooting the old Ruger M77 Mk II in 6.5x55.

 

[Newtosavage]

I'm sorry, but the 7mm-08 has held the title of "perfect compromise" for nearly 30 years now.

Let's not forget what falls between the 6.5 and .308

 

[mustanger98]

Is everyone having fun?

I don't have anything negative to say about the Creedmoor, but I'd rather have a Swede. But in my area, where 200yds is a long shot, the average cartridges we discuss here will perform about the same. You can only kill a deer so dead. Why ruin meat and beat yourself up, too?

 

[94045]

Is everyone having fun?

I don't have anything negative to say about the Creedmoor, but I'd rather have a Swede.

I've got both but I know what has more choices and is cheaper to feed. Will this popularity fade? I don't know but l The only caliber that isn't military that has succeeded at this rate that I can think of is maybe 7mm Rem Mag. Of course I guess it's technically military now that SOCOM has adopted it for their DMR.