6 vs 6.5 Creedmore
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Nature Boy
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Between the 2 I'd say 6.5.
In the process of deciding on my next rifle build I mentioned the 6 creedmoor to my gunsmith and his feedback was it erodes the throat with alacrity. He's got one he's been playing with and says each round fired is like one step closer to it's demise.
I've settled on the 6BR Improved, or as it's been dubbed, "the BRA"
In the process of deciding on my next rifle build I mentioned the 6 creedmoor to my gunsmith and his feedback was it erodes the throat with alacrity. He's got one he's been playing with and says each round fired is like one step closer to it's demise.
I've settled on the 6BR Improved, or as it's been dubbed, "the BRA"
Why would it do that?
horsemen61
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Walk if it were me I’d get the 6.5 I just like it more having shot both I prefer the 6.5 more than the 6 Creedmoor also I feel that more people have looked into /thought longer and harder about the 6.5 ymmv let us know what you get are we talking paper steel or live game at long distances?
Chuck R.
Member
You don't state your purpose....
But for ringing steel I'd take the 6mmC. I've been working with the .243 right along side a friend of mine shooting a 6.5C. On average I'm consistently less wind then he uses. No granted I'm a 105 at 3100 FPS and he's launching a slightly higher 140 grn BC bullet. I also have a much easier time spotting for myself, especially on the closer in TGTs. Here's a look at the PRS series and chosen calibers:
IF nothing else it show's the 6mm gaining popularity, at least in this sport. I've taken a slightly different course and have a 6mm SLR reamer on the way (shipped today), so I can make use of an abundance of .243W brass and actually slow things down a bit, go with a slower powder IOT prolong barrel life.
But for ringing steel I'd take the 6mmC. I've been working with the .243 right along side a friend of mine shooting a 6.5C. On average I'm consistently less wind then he uses. No granted I'm a 105 at 3100 FPS and he's launching a slightly higher 140 grn BC bullet. I also have a much easier time spotting for myself, especially on the closer in TGTs. Here's a look at the PRS series and chosen calibers:
IF nothing else it show's the 6mm gaining popularity, at least in this sport. I've taken a slightly different course and have a 6mm SLR reamer on the way (shipped today), so I can make use of an abundance of .243W brass and actually slow things down a bit, go with a slower powder IOT prolong barrel life.
Fine Figure of a Man
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Same amount of powder burning a smaller bore.
redneck2
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Why not a 6br?
Ultra accurate, easier on barrels, shoots to 1K
Ultra accurate, easier on barrels, shoots to 1K
Varminterror
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Owning both, the 6.5mm Creed is the better choice for a casual long range shooter, banging steel and punching paper. The 6mm Creed is really the tool for the PRS gamer, where we have an expectation of high round counts and shoot from awkward positions (meaning low recoil is important), and where we're capped with a 3200fps speed limit.
The 6mm Creed can shoot as flat as the 6.5mm, or flatter in many cases, as the 6.5 creed just doesn't have the case capacity to put the speed behind the heavier bullets. The 105 Hybrid doesn't give up much BC to the 140's, and the Creedmoor case can get it up to 3150fps, as opposed to fighting to get up over 2850 in the 6.5mm. The 6.5 carries ~20% more recoil to get the job done, which is a big driver for why we're seeing 6 XC and especially Dasher gaining some popularity in the sport.
But for match work, the 6mm Creed runs right up against the speed limit, without a magnum bolt face (mag's prohibited at some matches/ranges), and without excessive recoil. The downside? Well, I'm going to burn up my 6 Creed barrel before season is over, whereas I'm still going strong on a 2yr old 6.5 Creed barrel.
If a guy is happy to replace barrels, then the 6mm Creed is a good match option. For the average Joe who doesn't know any better, but really wants to look cool with his RPR, the 6mm Creed isn't a great option - although it'll likely take him a handful of years to get over 2,000rnds anyway, and he might not actually be capable of shooting well enough to notice when the barrel burns out.
In fairness... It doesn't burn barrels as fast as 243win, 264rm, or 6.5 RSAUM (or 7wsm, 7RM, 300wby....), so maybe it's not all bad after all. I venture the new 6.5 PRC will scorch barrels in a flash too.
My long distance, non-hunting, pleasure plinkers are Dashers.
The 6mm Creed can shoot as flat as the 6.5mm, or flatter in many cases, as the 6.5 creed just doesn't have the case capacity to put the speed behind the heavier bullets. The 105 Hybrid doesn't give up much BC to the 140's, and the Creedmoor case can get it up to 3150fps, as opposed to fighting to get up over 2850 in the 6.5mm. The 6.5 carries ~20% more recoil to get the job done, which is a big driver for why we're seeing 6 XC and especially Dasher gaining some popularity in the sport.
But for match work, the 6mm Creed runs right up against the speed limit, without a magnum bolt face (mag's prohibited at some matches/ranges), and without excessive recoil. The downside? Well, I'm going to burn up my 6 Creed barrel before season is over, whereas I'm still going strong on a 2yr old 6.5 Creed barrel.
If a guy is happy to replace barrels, then the 6mm Creed is a good match option. For the average Joe who doesn't know any better, but really wants to look cool with his RPR, the 6mm Creed isn't a great option - although it'll likely take him a handful of years to get over 2,000rnds anyway, and he might not actually be capable of shooting well enough to notice when the barrel burns out.
In fairness... It doesn't burn barrels as fast as 243win, 264rm, or 6.5 RSAUM (or 7wsm, 7RM, 300wby....), so maybe it's not all bad after all. I venture the new 6.5 PRC will scorch barrels in a flash too.
My long distance, non-hunting, pleasure plinkers are Dashers.
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If your looking over the counter....say one of those RPRs that are on sale right now, either the 6 or 6.5CM make sense. If your using them for simply shooting targets or upto med deer size game the higher velocity and lower recoil of the 6 maybe preferable, if your looking at larger deer or game larger than that id prefer the 6.5 with 140s.
Didnt see VTs post before hitting post....what he said lol
Didnt see VTs post before hitting post....what he said lol
The 6.5 started as a long range target round based on the 260. But it has been adopted by hunters while the 6mm seems to be the new king of long range target shooting. I think that if someone is looking for a dual purpose round for big game hunting and casual long range target shooting the 6.5 has an awful lot going for it.
Txhillbilly
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I deer hunt with a 6.5-06,Pig Hunt with a 260 Rem AR & a 6.5 x 6.8 wildcat AR,Target/Long range shoot with two 6.5 CM's,and soon will be varmit hunting with a 22 CM when my new action arrives. I think I have the 6.5mm cartridges covered pretty well!
I have no need in a 6mm CM.
I have no need in a 6mm CM.
Nature Boy
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I guess we need @Walkalong to provide some more info regarding his wants and needs.
I’m on the same journey, just a couple of months ahead of him and a few thousand dollars poorer
I’m on the same journey, just a couple of months ahead of him and a few thousand dollars poorer
Legionnaire
Contributing Member
I would select the 6 CM for banging steel and other targets; lower recoil, less wind drift, more efficient overall, especially for a reloader.
If I was looking for a long distance medium game cartridge (and was not going to a SAUM) I’d opt for the 6.5 CM; all the benefits of the Creedmoor design and better terminal ballistics than the 6.
As it is, I’m set with a .243 AI and a .260 Remington. Same payloads, different cases. I don’t compete, so it will be a while before my barrels go south. When they do, I’ll consider rebarreling with the Creedmoors.
If I was looking for a long distance medium game cartridge (and was not going to a SAUM) I’d opt for the 6.5 CM; all the benefits of the Creedmoor design and better terminal ballistics than the 6.
As it is, I’m set with a .243 AI and a .260 Remington. Same payloads, different cases. I don’t compete, so it will be a while before my barrels go south. When they do, I’ll consider rebarreling with the Creedmoors.
Just curious really, although one of these days I may build something to play with. I don't have local access to long range shooting right now, so it isn't a priority. Sounds like for the casual shooter (Myself) 6.5 is the way to go between the two. Then of course you have the 6x47 Lapua, Dashers, 6 BR, so many to pick from.
I would want top accuracy with good barrel life.
I have considered the 6X47 Lapua and haven't read any downsides to it. But of course there are so many easy options with the 6.5 Creedmore these days.
I think Varminterror has given me the answer between the 6 & 6,5 Creedmore, so the nest question is what other round would one consider over the 6.5 Creedmore.
Nature Boy
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Are you starting with an action you have or will this be from scratch?
A long action with a .284 win barrel would be hard to beat for long range. I have access to a 1,000 yard gong 20 min from my house but I need to drive 5 hours to compete in the nearest long range F Class match. Conversely, there's a monthly mid range match 1 1/2 hours from me, so similar to you, I chose to take the more practical 6mm path considering what I'd be shooting the most.
Barrel life / ease of tuning / isn't a "creed / easy fire forming = 6 BRA for me. I think any of the 6BR variants would be better than the 6 "creed!"
Varminterror
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If it ain’t a creedmoor, for me, it would be a Dasher or an x47L.
We have a 6.5 Creedmoor and a 6.5 x 47 Lapua in our house. Both are easy to load for, both are superbly accurate to well beyond 700 yards, both have small primer Lapua brass available, the edge in bullet selection and velocity goes to the Creedmoor, but the Lapua takes less powder and shoots lights out with readily available Varget. You'll need hard to find 4350, Reloder 16 or 17 for the Creedmoor. When I shoot the 6.5 CM barrel out on my AI I'm going to seriously consider replacing it with a 6.5 x 47 Lapua barrel.
Gtscotty
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I think Varminterror covered it well. I use a 6.5 CM for range shooting and local PRS style matches out to 1,030 yds, generally in stout winds. For those purposes, the 6.5 is a pretty good mousetrap, but so are the 6mm Creed's that some of the folks I shoot with use. Sierra 110gr and the like @ well above 3k fps, are hard to beat without a magnum boltface and a lot more powder.
I've been considering what cartridge to go with when I replace the 6.5 barrel on my RPR (basically between the two you mentioned) if I go 6mm, it'll have to be the hot rod 6mm Creed to give me any useable benefit over my 6.5 beyond slightly lower recoil. On the other hand, I have another hunting rifle in 6.5, and commonality might be the deciding factor in the close tie. Luckily, with Stocky's offering Proof SS RPR prefits for $440 these days, I won't have too much cash on the line either way.
It's also worth noting that with the 6mms, especially the smaller 6mms like the Dasher, it can be pretty difficult spot hits on steel out at 1k. Not a problem if you have those electronic hit indicators, but we don't. The last time I talked to him, one of the better shooters at our range was contemplating having his Dasher punched out to something larger so he could arrive with a little more steam way out there.
I've been considering what cartridge to go with when I replace the 6.5 barrel on my RPR (basically between the two you mentioned) if I go 6mm, it'll have to be the hot rod 6mm Creed to give me any useable benefit over my 6.5 beyond slightly lower recoil. On the other hand, I have another hunting rifle in 6.5, and commonality might be the deciding factor in the close tie. Luckily, with Stocky's offering Proof SS RPR prefits for $440 these days, I won't have too much cash on the line either way.
It's also worth noting that with the 6mms, especially the smaller 6mms like the Dasher, it can be pretty difficult spot hits on steel out at 1k. Not a problem if you have those electronic hit indicators, but we don't. The last time I talked to him, one of the better shooters at our range was contemplating having his Dasher punched out to something larger so he could arrive with a little more steam way out there.
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