Gonna build a 6.5, but which one?

[Buxndiverdux]

Considering 6.5 Creed, 6.5 PRC, 6.5 SAUM, 6.5 GAP and possibly .260 Rem Ack Imp.

Basically a hunting rifle with some steel shooting for fun out to 1000 yards or more. Deer sized game or less.

Would like for my daughter to be able to use it for deer. She is already shooting .243 Win comfortably.

Reloading is no issue. Would certainly prefer readily available components and dies. Prefer Redding Bushing dies. Would like to build on a short action or medium action with a 26" proof carbon barrel with brake.

What do you guys think?

 

[BEEMAN]

No complaints with my 6.5x47's. 130 gr Bergers at 2950 fps. Been great on deer. For out to 650-700 yds on deer size game. If you're wanting to shoot farther than that, you will need to go with something bigger. 6.5 SS or Saum etc.

 

[shortgrass]

or,,,,,,,, a 6.5mm/.284

 

[Windntail]

Tagging in

 

[Deleted member 103481]

IMO

6.5-284
6.5PRC

Keep it simple, both of these do that. 284 has Lapua brass so it gets the edge as it's easier to obtain than ADG brass for the PRC

260 AI is cool if you already have a standard faced short action. If you're gonna start from scratch just get the 6.5-284

 

[Buxndiverdux]

I'm starting from scratch. Probably a Defiance medium or Pierce Titanium

 

[Creedmoor shooter]

I guess it depends what your going to be primarily using it for. If your banging steel alot the creed might be the better choice despite it being the weakest out of that bunch considerably. However, if this will be mainly a deer hunting rifle for 600+ I'd opt for the 6.5 prc. Only reason I say prc over the saum is brass. There it going to be more manufacturers for 6.5 prc than 6.5saum. I dont shoot deer at super far ranges but I target shoot alot out to 1450 so I shoot the creed. Creed takes care of deer and bear just fine. The extra power of the prc definitely wouldn't hurt

 

[Ross1147]

I just had a 6.5-06 AI built and I love it. If I had to do it over I'd probably go with a SAUM. I Like the short/medium actions. If your looking for a round that you could buy in a pinch if you need ammo now I'd go with the PRC. Not a huge fan on the creed...never owned one, never will.lol

 

[Buxndiverdux]

Just a deer rig and steel. Definitely don't want to get into searching for components to load ammo. Thats a pain.

 

[Buxndiverdux]

I just had a 6.5-06 AI built and I love it. If I had to do it over I'd probably go with a SAUM. I Like the short/medium actions. If your looking for a round that you could buy in a pinch if you need ammo now I'd go with the PRC. Not a huge fan on the creed...never owned one, never will.lol

I get it with the Creed. I turned my nose up at it myself. But after shooting one, I was really surprised. The Creed is an impressive round for what it is. The 6.5 high BC bullet options are something I can't pass up at the moment.

 

[L.Sherm]

Since it's for your daughter to, Creed.

 

[Ross1147]

I think ballistically it is a cool little round. Just can't stand all the creed bandwagon / my creed can kill a elk at 1000 yds stuff. I'm a little old school I guess and like a bigger gun for larger animals. (not trying to start a war, just opinion here)

I jumped on the 6.5 wagon as well I guess but I wanted a something a little different I could call my own. That's why I had the 6.5-06 AI made. I've never had to neck up/down and fire form brass. Plus it gives me a couple hundred FPS over the creed! Down side is it was hard to find dies and they were super expensive. Also zero factory ammo, even in the parent case.

 

[Alibiiv]

I think ballistically it is a cool little round. Just can't stand all the creed bandwagon / my creed can kill a elk at 1000 yds stuff. I'm a little old school I guess and like a bigger gun for larger animals. (not trying to start a war, just opinion here)

I jumped on the 6.5 wagon as well I guess but I wanted a something a little different I could call my own. That's why I had the 6.5-06 AI made. I've never had to neck up/down and fire form brass. Plus it gives me a couple hundred FPS over the creed! Down side is it was hard to find dies and they were super expensive. Also zero factory ammo, even in the parent case.

I agree with you about all of the marketing hype for the Creed, but if I were building a rifle for my daughter to comfortably shoot, I would seriously overlook the Creed "BS" and build a Creed; I can't believe I just wrote this!! Many years ago my daughter (she's now 47) wanted to deer hunt with me, I bought her a Ruger Featherweight in .243 Winchester, at that time cartridge selection is not as it is today. For a young shooter the .25 calibers also offer a lot of bang for the buck? I personally like the .270 Winchester, probably not a good choice for a young daughter for a first rifle.

 

[Buxndiverdux]

I think ballistically it is a cool little round. Just can't stand all the creed bandwagon / my creed can kill a elk at 1000 yds stuff. I'm a little old school I guess and like a bigger gun for larger animals. (not trying to start a war, just opinion here)

I jumped on the 6.5 wagon as well I guess but I wanted a something a little different I could call my own. That's why I had the 6.5-06 AI made. I've never had to neck up/down and fire form brass. Plus it gives me a couple hundred FPS over the creed! Down side is it was hard to find dies and they were super expensive. Also zero factory ammo, even in the parent case.

I have plenty of long actions and 6.5-06 is not one of them, but a very fine cartridge. If Elk is on the menu, I have a very fine shooting .300 Win Mag to grab.