.308 vs 6.5mm Creedmore

[Slater]

I've read about the advantages of the 6.5 over the .308 round (less recoil, less wind sensitivity, better accuracy, better range, etc.). Being that the .308 is a bigger, heavier projectile, I would have thought that it brings a bit more kinetic energy on target. But if the 6.5mm round impacts with more velocity does that equal or exceed the .308 in that regard?

[Det-Sog]

Subscribing... It's time for me to build a bolt gun in the next year or so.

I'd also factor in the availability of ammo and price. Same with components for reloading. It will be primarily be for the occasional elk/deer hunting trip. I really want to start hunting again and am limited with just my 5" .44 Magnum.

[markm]

We're knee deep in the 6.5 creedmore right now. And coming from the 175 gr SMK .308 school... 6.5 has yet to impress. For context, we shoot 500-1300 yards every weekend. Right now the 6.5 we're shooting is an LMT gas gun, so there's a little loss in barrel length at just 20".

The gun is suppressed, so it's got that extra umph from the bolt speed increase when you add a can to any semi auto. That said, the recoil is reduced... but not dramatically. The Sunday before last, we really started to see the 6.5 produce. We're 300-400 rounds into this caliber, and we started to see it make predictable hits at 1300 yards.

All in all... at this point, it's a decent round, but there's NO WAY I'd replace the 175 gr SMK in .308 with it. To your point... Nothing beats that big bullet thump on the target at distance. Pappabear is talking about doing a bolt gun in 6.5 which will really be interesting.

[Slater]

Looks like Knight's has their hand in the 6.5mm world:

https://www.janes.com/article/83742/...ls-6-5-mm-lamg

[markm]

Looks like Knight's has their hand in the 6.5mm world:

https://www.janes.com/article/83742/...ls-6-5-mm-lamg

Don't tell Pappabear about this!

[Slater]

I was looking at one of the Ruger Precision Rifles (Gen 3) in .308, and they're also available in 6.5mm. Max range that I would be shooting is probably 300-350 yards. The guys at work that also shoot had almost got me talked into the 6.5 version (their view - "why would you even look at .308 when 6.5 is available?"). I'm leaning toward the .308 rifle because it's a little cheaper.

[opngrnd]

Barrel life needs to be considered. How many rounds can you expect from each caliber?

[Vegas]

For shooting out to 350 yards, not the sure the caliber matters for target shooting. I would factor in ammo/reloading costs and barrel life. Past 1000, 6.5 is a winner for me. And this is coming from someone who owns a 308. In really gusty weather, it took me significantly more rounds to get on target at 1250 vs a friends 6.5 RPR. My particular 308 with a 19” barrel runs out of steam quickly after 1000.

[dmd08]

Attachment 54120

We're all adults here but just in case this is meant to be tongue in cheek.

For the record I have rifles in both calibers. I'm about 200 rounds into the 6.5 and I like it so far.

[C-grunt]

6.5 CM with the right bullet and a 22-26 inch barrel will stay supersonic to 1400-1500 yards. It has less recoil. Past 500 yards it starts to really surpass 308 in wind drift and drop.

The big downside is barrel life. Expect only about 2000-3000 rounds before accuracy starts to drop off.

When I get my AI AT im getting a 6.5 Creedmoor barrel but I'm still keeping the 308 barrel.