.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.

[titsonritz]

It will be primarily be for the occasional elk/deer hunting trip.

I have been wondering if the 6.5CM would make a viable Elk harvester...

I'm doing for a precision rifle for sure, thinking of the same in a hunting rifle. What do you guys think?

[GH41]

I have been wondering if the 6.5CM would make a viable Elk harvester...

I'm doing for a precision rifle for sure, thinking of the same in a hunting rifle. What do you guys think?

I don't know why it wouldn't. It's not that far behind the ancient 270 Winchester with 130g bullets. The 270 has killed a million elk and some of them across canyons.

[soulezoo]

Jack is dead on here. If starting out and have a choice, 6.5 is that choice. Factory loads are more plentiful now, and really good ones too. If terminal ballistics are key, at or around the 7-800 yard range max, then .308 is still a little better.After that 6.5 starts to take over.
All things equal though, the 6.5 trends to be a little easier to be accurate with and with a 24-26" barrel, you can be more accurate over a much greater distance with 6.5. It simply gives more headroom.
If you reload, 6.5 is the choice hands down.

[soulezoo]

I have a Tikka Tac A1 topped with a Kahles k525i in a sphur sp-4602 mount. Great rifle. I have not had it past 1000 yards yet, but that setup shooting eld-x 143 grains should be good for about 1450 yards or so according to my calculator and scope adjustments20181013_154947.jpg