Anyone shoot the 6.5 Creedmoor?

[336A]

I have been giving a lot of thought to this cartridge over the last couple of days. It seems to be a very well balanced and efficient cartridge, I think that Hornady really got it right. I was looking at the Ruger American Predator rifle but can't seem to find any reviews about it anywhere in this chambering. The reviews that I have seen for the regular American model make me think I should stay away from the American line if I want the accuracy that the Creedmore can provide.

So does anyone here shoot the 6.5 Creedmoor? If so could you point out the pros and cons that you have discovered if any.

 

[farmerboy78]

Yes I do! I have one in a savage 12 lrp and it is phenomenal for the cartridge size... I handload and I have shot some of the hornady match ammo... right now I use a 123 gr amax over 42gr of accurate 4350... I'm using wlr primers and reformed .243 win norma brass... with this load it is traveling at 2920 fps! You can see what you're looking at through the recoil pulse, recoil is very light, flat shooting, and is a very efficient cartridge... you will be happy with it! It is big enough for most game animals as well...I would recommend another brand than a ruger for my preference, I'm not big on ruger except for. 22lr... my lrp is 1/2 moa...

 

[336A]

Thanks Farmerboy, I was also looking at the Savage 11 Predator Hunter as well. If I do take the jump into the 6.5 CM I will more than likely go that route.

 

[ranger56528]

I also have the Savage 12 LRP and it's a nice bench rifle, I was looking at a model 10 a few weeks ago but just bought a 17S so I'm going to hold off for a bit and keep the wife happy.

 

[ranger56528]

336A you will like the 11.

 

[336A]

ranger56, I'm sure I will, I alredy have rifle almost like it. It is the old Long Range Hunter pre Accu Trigger 7mm RM. That was Savages answer to the Rem Sendero, I've had it since it 2002. But really it is just to much rifle as I like to still hunt and shots are close usually 50 yards and less. But it is scary accurate with either IMR4350 or IMR4831 and some Sierra 150gr Game Kings. I've only taken one deer with it in that time at only 50 yards, from that point on I haven't used it as it's just to much.

So I've been thinking about replacing it for something more mild mannered, and not as powder hungry either.

 

[68wj]

Thanks Farmerboy, I was also looking at the Savage 11 Predator Hunter as well. If I do take the jump into the 6.5 CM I will more than likely go that route.

That is what I have. Loving it so far. The 22" barrel lost 10 fps over printed velocity from 120 Amax loads for a 24" tube.

 

[MtnCreek]

My only experience is with one rifle; Rem action & 1:8 rock creek. 120 Nosler Bt, 120 amax (reduced load) and 140 amax have all been easy to find a great shooting load. It handles pressure well and IMHO, can be loaded beyond book at the cost of short brass life. Mine is loaded in detachable mags, so I like that it's a little on the short side. It's got a strong following, so I'm confident it's here to stay.

 

[rayatphonix]

I have a Ruger #1 in Creedmoor. The Ruger dropped 4 deer where they stood last year using 140 gn Noslers. Soft shooting and accurate. You'll like it.

 

[Txhillbilly]

I've shot the 6.5 Creedmoor and a 260 Remington for several years. Both are excellent cartridges,and very accurate.
While I love the accuracy of my Creedmoor,it does have a flaw-Hornady brass isn't very good,and Nosler is the only other choice for brass.I personally have never seen any Nosler brass in stock any place,and it cost 2x of what the Hornady brass cost.
I have fire formed 6.5 Creedmoor brass from 22-250 brass,but it isn't cost efficient to produce,and shortens barrel life making it.

With the 260 Remington,there are many choices of great brass,or you can just form your own from any case from the 308 case family. I make all of my 260 Remington brass from 243 Winchester brass-Just lube the neck,and run it through the 260 sizing die and your done.

The advantage of the 6.5 Creedmoor comes in handy with semi-auto rifles,but most bolt actions have plenty of room in the magazine's to take full advantage of the longer 6.5mm match grade bullets with the 260 Remington case and still seat the bullet close to the barrel lands.

 

[sirgilligan]

I have been researching the 6.5 Creedmoor for several weeks now. So, what i am about to share is the culmination of the internet responses, myth, and lore I have discovered so far.

Ballistically you can go with 260 REM or 6.5 Swede and there isn't much difference.

Rifles:
Browning X Bolt
Ruger - American and Hawkeye
Howa
Savage
Weatherby
And the coveted and mysterious Cooper.

Savage may have the most offerings. Complaints I have read is accuracy is sometimes not there and they often rebarrel with a Bartlein, Schilen, etc... Also there are complaints about lots of fouling.

Remember, this is what I have read on the completely trustworthy, vetted, and reliable internet.

Ruger American has had some complaints about accuracy. Since the 6.5 Creedmoor is one that makes you want to shoot it further, accuracy seems like a big issue and I think most would want the most accurate rifle they can afford.

The Browning X Bolt is the hardest to find any info on in 6.5 CM. There are some video reviews out of Australia and maybe New Zealand. It seems that Browning is suffering for lack of interest.

The Howa and Weatherby have a few reviews, but nothing stands out in my mind.

Then there is the Cooper. Everyone eventually mentions Cooper rifles as the high end choice before going full custom.

If I were to buy today, it would be the Ruger M77 Hawkeye. I like controlled round feeding actions, no complaints about fouling, and accuracy is good. It isn't the prettiest thing out there.

If I had my choice I would get a CZ 550 but alas CZ doesn't make it in the 6.5 CM, and their 6.5 Swede model is a long action, not the short .308 / .243 action that takes the removable mag, and after that I wish FNH made their SPR in 6.5 CM as well but they don't.

 

[midland man]

so is there a singleshot or left handed bolt action out in this 6.5cm??

 

[Gtscotty]

The Browning X Bolt is the hardest to find any info on in 6.5 CM. There are some video reviews out of Australia and maybe New Zealand. It seems that Browning is suffering for lack of interest.

For the record, my X-Bolt has been consistently accurate with different loads. As a plus, the X-Bolts are pretty light, paired with the 6.5 CM it sounds like it would make a dandy little deer slayer. Can't say I haven't thought of picking up one myself since Browning has started offering the chambering.

 

[Clint M]

Before purchasing a creedmoor please research the 30tc. It has received some vile reviews other than the accuracy of factory ammo, and rifles from TC itself, as for 30tc most all who comment think it is an attempt by Hornady to put their name on a cartridge, and people are not keen on the future of it, nor the ammo to feed it!! Then consider 30tc is to 308 what 6.5 creedmoor is to 260 rem except for the cool creedmoor name, please keep in mind I'm not trying to bash any of the cartridges as I own one of each except creedmoor, and would own one in creedmoor if I ran into a good deal on the right gun.

6.5mm is awesome, and in my opinion is the true dual role caliber for varmint, and small game hunting. The 95gr v-max is one of the best varmint bullets I have ever used and the 260 will send them scorching, devastating to coyotes. The 260 rem is my all around favorite cartridge by far, it's so easy to load for, easy to shoot, and comes on a nice short action great for hunting all while being shunned by most of the public ? It amazes me this cartridge is not one of the best sellers, and most chambered.

 

[farmerboy78]

I make my 6.5 Creedmoor brass from any .308 base case... you can use .243, .260, or .308... I have personally used .243 and .308 brass...the offerings have been .243 norma, remington, winchester, and hornady. ...and in .308 have been lapua, LC, winchester, and remington.... I simply use my FL reloading die and work it in and out in 3-4 increments without the expander and decapper setup... depending on brass thickness, all that's left is to trim and expand... if you have thick brass you will have to neck turn the cases... fwiw, I haven't had to neck turn remington and winchester brass, it's fairly thin....

 

[farmerboy78]

As far as accuracy and fouling problems go, I suspect that the rifles weren't properly broken in... my savage did foul alot! And the accuracy was questionable at first... but after the breakin procedure including about 60 rds down the tube, the groups shrank to about 1/2"

 

[MCMXI]

Rifles:
Browning X Bolt
Ruger - American and Hawkeye
Howa
Savage
Weatherby
And the coveted and mysterious Cooper.

You can add the following rifles from Kimber to the list ... and all offer control round feed.

Advanced Tactical II
Advanced Tactical SOC
Adirondack

 

[Clint M]

Fouling problems in factory barrels especially mid to small calibers comes from a rough barrel, or machine marks left from the chambering process. If the fouling clears up in the first 25-50 rounds you have generally wore down the machine marks left from chambering.

From reading the 308 is the sweet spot for the overbore problem, meaning barrel life is long enough to not have to worry over shooting the barrel out compared to 260, 243 etc. I'm not sure where 6.5 creedmoor will fall at as it's just a slightly smaller case than the 260 rem, I would assume barrel life being equal between them or enough so you couldn't tell the difference as to the variables within. I think 6.5 creedmoor ammo may be more common that 260, however at my local gun stores only a few carry either, and those that do carry both, and you have to pay rent for the place on the shelf the ammo resides. 30tc, and 6.5 creedmoor is based off a 300 savage with a 30* shoulder, thise case size/capacity along with 308 win seems to be a good place to be.

I have a Thompson Center Icon in 30tc, the rifle is one of the nicer rifles I have owned. Machine work is outstanding, as well as 3 locking lug 60* bolt throw, it's got WOOD as well, so much more gun is the TC Icon than most other factory rifles I would put it in the class of Sako, or maybe just above... yes I own Sako's well Sako as of now have owned several over the years. I wish my Icon were 6.5 creedmoor instead of 30tc, and I may rebarrel it in the near future, and save the old barrel in case factory rifles skyrocket lol. Maybe a bit to much rambling on my part, in my previous post I wanted to make clear that the reviews in 30tc/6.5 creedmoor factory ammo have been above average as well as the TC Icon rifle, and the Venture ( I do not own) even with that being said 30tc seems to be reviewed as the most not needed cartridge ever comparing to 308 (and others) I'm just trying to say that 308=30tc and 260=6.5 creedmoor, if purchasing one look at cost of ammo, if you reload the cost of tooling needed etc. I would not pass on any of them if a good deal come along myself, and definitely not pass up on a TC Icon !!

 

[Sniper66]

My brother shoots a Ruger #1 6.5 Creedmore. He likes it a lot and I have seen him drop 300 yard coyotes with it. He reloads, but I don't know the load or bullet. It is a unique cartridge, for sure.

 

[MCMXI]

I have a Thompson Center Icon in 30tc, the rifle is one of the nicer rifles I have owned. Machine work is outstanding, as well as 3 locking lug 60* bolt throw, it's got WOOD as well, so much more gun is the TC Icon than most other factory rifles I would put it in the class of Sako, or maybe just above... yes I own Sako's well Sako as of now have owned several over the years.

What happened to the Icon? I came close to buying one a few years back since I was impressed with the few that I handled at the SHOT show.

 

[Clint M]

TC/S&W discontinued the Icon for cost reasons. You can google it and read up on the Icon all the advances they tried making, CNC from a solid billet, machined in weaver bases etc all takes time, and TC used the best of materials when designing/making the Icon nothing was spared which did set the MSRP/cost to buy new higher than Remington, Savage which moved them out of the market for most people being the Icon does not have the imbedded name of Sako, Cooper etc, however I assure you they are in the same class. Icon trigger is a dream as well, to appreciate a Icon is to own one, and forum reviews owners do seem very happy with the Icon, as well as with the Venture. If you're interested in an Icon do some research I would purchase one soon as when the stock dries up I think prices will soar, and the Icon will be priced in line with older sought after Sako models. Reading over my post I guess you can tell I'm happy with my Icon, and I'm a Remington person most of the time, it's just the Icon is in another class of gun... the Cooper, Sako class I have owned all 3, and they are in what I call a Tier 2 (middle) you get a lot for your money, nice finish, great accuracy, ready to go out of the box. I'm not a gun snob either I just recognize from my perspective different groups of guns.

A couple other things I wanted to mention. Did you notice the safety when looking over the Icon ? It's similar to remington in function, however a small lever is added easy to operate to lock the bolt as well. It's like a custom build, and I was blown away when I looked it over, the safety is that of a hunting gun, very easy to operate, and in a nice neat small package on or off, yet a small lever built into the 2 position safety adds a bolt lock (picture below). From my reading/research the Venture is a no frills Icon, meaning the kept the base action, but scaled back the time consuming custom action items like weave type base machined into the action, as well the safety bolt lock. I posted a link below as well you can google. They done an outstanding job on the Icon, it's like a custom action for hunting, I focused mainly on the action, but the entire rifle is like this. 5R rifling, barrels are of above quality/accuracy (Icon has under 1MOA warranty) one piece bolt handle easy to change.

The Icon also has a unique, two-position safety. With the safety in the “On” position, the bolt is not locked. However, an independent bolt lock will lock the safety “On” and block the bolt from being raised. It is a simple, out-of-the-way part that won’t offend those who prefer a simpler, two-position safety.

Read more: http://www.shootingtimes.com/long-guns/a-new-icon-in-the-field/#ixzz3c216Lb7D

The safety below

 

[CB900F]

Midlandman;

I don't know every offering of every rifle company, but almost certainly you'll be able to find a left hand Tikka in 6.5 Swede. As has been noted, the Creedmore & the Swede are ballistic first cousins. I shoot the Swede quite a bit & get 2725 fps with the 140 grain Sierra Gamekings. The accuracy is exceptional as far as I'm concerned, particularly for a hunting rifle, not a bench gun.

However, that particular gun is a custom with the Tikka LH action, a 22" Lilja barrel, a Rob Smith stock, and Zeiss optics.

900F

 

[02bigdogs17]

Buy a Weatherby and be very happy or by a Howa and put a different stock on it and be very happy!!

 

[royalranger]

336A sounds like a lever man how about a 6.5 creedmoor lever gun?

336A - I chambered a 70's BLR in 6.5 creed with 20" barrel (semi bull) the gun is perfectly balanced and performs . I have found the Hornady 129 SST' shot at 2915 fps and the groups are tight. Hornady 140gr Amax @ 2714 (mfg published velocity 2700 fps) the groups open a bit with 123 gr Amax but (approx .75) nothing to complain about

 

[deerhunter61]

I have two! Custom bolt and an AR and they both shoot extremely well! I love them both and definitely recommend the caliber.