6.5creedmoor vs 7mm08 for whitetails under 350 yards

[Bigeclipse]

There has been a huge surge in 6.5creedmoor lately and I think I want to jump in on that train. I do already own a 7mm08 for my wife and she loves the rifle... many people on here would say "since you already have reloading dies for that why not stick with it"...well I am a tinkerer so a new caliber is always welcome in our stable. My concerns are two fold though...is the 6.5creedmoor here to stay or will it become difficult to find ammo over the counter and brass for reloading? Is the 6.5cm truly a good whitetail caliber OR is it more towards the unsuitable side similar to a 243 (I am a believe in dead is dead so why not have the horse power if you do not mind the recoil). yes I know plenty of 243s have killed a ton of deer but I still think it is a marginal caliber for strictly deer.

 

[257Tony]

It is here to stay, no doubt about that. Tons of brass and ammo options. No it isn't the greatest thing since sliced bread, but yes, it is a good cartridge and has plenty of oomph to kill any deer that ever walked out to 350 and beyond. Definitely a step up in killing range compared to a 243.

 

[Creedmoor shooter]

It's a step above the 243. Same ball park as the 7mm-08. I can tell you the 6.5 is a killer for deer and bear. We shoot a few deer and generally a bear every year with ours. Load it with a 140 eld-m (new A-max) at around 2800 fps and it will stack the deer. The creed is here to stay. Everyone and their brother makes ammo and brass for it same with rifles. You do get supporters and its not the best thing to ever hit the earth, but it's a good, efficient cartridge that does what it was designed to do well.

 

[1973doc]

If you like the 6.5 I would look at the 6.5 x 284 with the Berger bullet. It has a little better ballistics. Great for medium game, even elk if your distance under control.

 

[Bigeclipse]

If you like the 6.5 I would look at the 6.5 x 284 with the Berger bullet. It has a little better ballistics. Great for medium game, even elk if your distance under control.

This is for my wife and she is a little recoil shy so 6.5 x 284 is out

 

[Timnterra]

For the range you are shooting there is not difference other than possibly a slight decrease in recoil. The advantage of the 6.5 creedmoor is the factory ammo is amazing and cheap. I've never bought any 6.5 creedmoor ammo that didn't shoot sub moa. You can't say that for many calibers. The beauty of the creedmoor is the factory ammo! 7-08 ammo is nonexistent and expensive if available.

 

[snox801]

Yep 6.5 is great. We took over 20 deer with ours my dad and myself last year. No issues also took a few pigs a ram and a very large scimitar oryx.
For under 600 yards and being a reloaded the hammer hunter 124 grain or 110 would be perfect. All loads from mine to max shot under .5" and seating depth did t seem to matter. Can push the 124 to 3,000fps and that would be very flat out to 350. Or a bit faster and less recoil the 110 or a sledge hammer. What i like is the load can be reduced for recoil and still shoot great.
6.5 is very nice round and as stated factory ammo shoots real good out of them.

 

[Barrelnut]

Better barrel life than a 243 also.

 

[noluck]

This is for my wife and she is a little recoil shy so 6.5 x 284 is out

I have savage model 16 weather warrior in 7mm-08 and a Montana rifle company x2 in 6.5-284 and I can't tell any difference in recoil the Montana does weighs a little but not much.

 

[therifleman556]

Sounds like you've made up your mind. I'm a 7mm-08 fan but for what you're describing the creedmoor would be ideal.

 

[Bigeclipse]

I have savage model 16 weather warrior in 7mm-08 and a Montana rifle company x2 in 6.5-284 and I can't tell any difference in recoil the Montana does weighs a little but not much.

The other negative would be the cartridge length of the 6.5X284. This savage utilizes a box magazine meant for 308 cartridges

 

[Kimber7man]

Two peas in a pod.
Pick the bullet you want to use and then choose the gun for that bullet.

 

[Barrelnut]

The other negative would be the cartridge length of the 6.5X284. This savage utilizes a box magazine meant for 308 cartridges

I am pretty sure Savage chambers the 6.5x284 in a long action for extra mag length.

 

[MudRunner2005]

There has been a huge surge in 6.5creedmoor lately and I think I want to jump in on that train. I do already own a 7mm08 for my wife and she loves the rifle... many people on here would say "since you already have reloading dies for that why not stick with it"...well I am a tinkerer so a new caliber is always welcome in our stable. My concerns are two fold though...is the 6.5creedmoor here to stay or will it become difficult to find ammo over the counter and brass for reloading? Is the 6.5cm truly a good whitetail caliber OR is it more towards the unsuitable side similar to a 243 (I am a believe in dead is dead so why not have the horse power if you do not mind the recoil). yes I know plenty of 243s have killed a ton of deer but I still think it is a marginal caliber for strictly deer.

If you want a 6.5CM just because you want one, go for it. But thinking that it might somehow be better then the 7mm-08 for whitetail deer, is backwards. They're both going to work just fine, but of the 2, I would opt for the 7mm-08 any day.