.308 or 6.5 creedmoor

[5811]

My 6.5 and .308 are both Kimber Mtn Ascents.

I can't say I notice much of a difference in recoil between the 2.

41 grains of H4350 pushes the 143 ELD-X at 2850 out of the 6.5.

44.5 grains of Varget pushes the 168gr TTSX at 2669 out of the .308.

Now I've never done the math to put actual numbers to recoil, but they feel darn near the same if not identical to me. I consider recoil to be a non-issue in each case.

Using the previously posted saami free recoil calculator, for an 8 pound rifle, you are at 14.85 and 17 for the 6.5 and 308, respectively

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

My 6.5 and .308 are both Kimber Mtn Ascents.

I can't say I notice much of a difference in recoil between the 2.

41 grains of H4350 pushes the 143 ELD-X at 2850 out of the 6.5.

44.5 grains of Varget pushes the 168gr TTSX at 2669 out of the .308.

Now I've never done the math to put actual numbers to recoil, but they feel darn near the same if not identical to me. I consider recoil to be a non-issue in each case.

Approximately 2 pounds of extra recoil on the .308 assuming everything else is equal. (Bison Firearms Recoil Calc.)

 

[WV Mountaineer]

This wasn’t the comparison.

You just did declare a “name” directed at me above, my comment was across the board with nobody in particular being named. Sorry that struck your nerve so much. Mirrors are a great thing to look into every now and again. I need to do it more myself. My post wasn’t meant to be arrogant, just to state facts.

I don’t understand what you’re trying to convey here sorry.

Why is it when people say things in opposition on the internet, it turns into a pissing match? The theme of the thread has morphed from what do you think, to this is what you should think. Because of the defensive nature of people.



The OP asked a question. Which do you prefer. He didn’t ask ballistics. He didn’t say what is the best for long range. He received a variety of responses. All of them were based on the notion and circumstances of the responder.



No one is arguing ballistics, which shoots farther, etc…. It was a simple question. My answer is based on owning both, shooting both, but preferring a 30 caliber option. Why, because there is little if any perceived recoil difference between the two calibers.

It isn’t confusing.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

My 6.5 and .308 are both Kimber Mtn Ascents.

I can't say I notice much of a difference in recoil between the 2.

41 grains of H4350 pushes the 143 ELD-X at 2850 out of the 6.5.

44.5 grains of Varget pushes the 168gr TTSX at 2669 out of the .308.

Now I've never done the math to put actual numbers to recoil, but they feel darn near the same if not identical to me. I consider recoil to be a non-issue in each case.

With these numbers you’re down to around a 15% increase in recoil moving to the .308.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

Why is it when people say things in opposition on the internet, it turns into a pissing match? The theme of the thread has morphed from what do you think, to this is what you should think. Because of the defensive nature of people.



The OP asked a question. Which do you prefer. He didn’t ask ballistics. He didn’t say what is the best for long range. He received a variety of responses. All of them were based on the notion and circumstances of the responder.

You seem to be the only one taking general comments personally in this thread.

No one is arguing ballistics, which shoots farther, etc…. It was a simple question. My answer is based on owning both, shooting both, but preferring a 30 caliber option. Why, because there is little if any perceived recoil difference between the two calibers.

It isn’t confusing.

He asked to compare two popular chamberings for a hunting gun. Both are a great choice. There are a few important things to consider which I mentioned in my first post in the thread.

Where we disagree is that you believe there it “little if any perceived recoil between the two cartridges”. The math simply says you are incorrect. Shooters of all skill levels when shooting not from a bench with a perfect rest also say you are incorrect based on impact rates when tested.

It isn’t confusing.

 

[peterk123]

Both are spectacular choices. My wife shoots the cm, I shoot the 308. She went three for three this year on deer. One shot each. They dropped on the spot. I had the same results with the 308. I took an elk last year with my gun. Also one shot. Recoil in a 308 is really a non issue. Especially if you do what I did, put a limbsaver recoil pad on it.

I'm not into the long range game. If I can't get within 300 yards I'm not shooting. So I'm not too worried about things like BC and drop at 650 yards. If it's blowing like hell, then I need to get closer. I guess I'm just not a very good shot so going much beyond 300 is a no go for me. And I shoot every week.

30 caliber is the most popular for a reason though. It just gets the job done. Not even a debate. But like I said, for someone like my wife, who is smaller in stature, the CM gets the job done as well. And it is a very accurate round. She can hit a 10 inch gong at 600 yards with that thing. My 308, a tikka t3x, is also dead nuts accurate. It's a tough call determining which is better.

Try to get your hands on both and shoot them. The one you feel the most comfortable with and shoot most confidently is the one that is best for you.

 

[prm]

The barrel on the .308 T3X superlite is 2” shorter than the 6.5 CM. I’d prefer the shorter barrel for general purpose hunting. More noise to condider. (Edit: nevermind. The 6.5 comes with either 22.4 or 24.3 according to Tikka website)

 

[Packmansion]

I know this has probably been beat to death but I wanna be convinced which way to go. I live in Colorado so the 6.5 creedmoor can’t be used on elk. I already have a 300 wsm for elk and a 7mm rem mag but my 7 mag isn’t very accurate. What I want for this rifle is accuracy and the ability to be used for mule deer and pronghorn and be a rifle my girlfriend can shoot. Not sure if she’d ever want to shoot an elk but if she did that’s why I’m considering the .308 over the 6.5 creedmoor. The rifle I’m gonna get is the tikka t3x superlite. My question is are there really that much benefit of going with the 6.5 creedmoor over the .308? The only think I see the advantage being is that it shoots flatter further but at that point we are getting into non hunting ranges

Get the creedmoor. To me the 308 is a very solid gun but offers nothing over your WSM and the recoil is still pretty stout I might be retarded or something but I can't tell a HUGE difference in recoil between 308, 30-06 or a braked 300 win, they all kick very good, with the right form and a good butt pad my wife can shoot any of the above and she's probably 110 pounds. The Creedmoor with a brake is like a 223 Remington you might wind up just using it for everything... I too have a 300 wsm great gun but doesn't bring a whole lot more when you're shooting soft bodied thin bonned thin skinned vegetarians like deer, elk, moose. We're not shooting 3000 pound dangerous game here.

 

[waldo9190]

Correct answer is to have both. Currently shooting 130 TMKs out of my 6.5 and 155 TMKs out of my 308. Shooting both side by side, the 308 does recoil more. Is it a debilitating increase in recoil? Absolutely not, but it is distinguishable.

Hoping this next year to actually shoot something with a 155 TMK to compare to the 130s.

 

[Stinky Coyote]

6.5 CM is an excellent elk cartridge. So is the .308.

.308 advantages
1. Barrel Life 5-10 times the life of 6.5 CM.
2. Very predictable in the wind with good bullets when practiced.
3. Good factory threaded short barrel options for suppressing.

6.5CM advantages
1. Better down range ballistics.
2. Less recoil affecting your accuracy.
3. Excellent heavy/high BC good killing bullet options for very long range when practiced.

Both are a good choice.

Great list.

Good factory ammo available for either.

308 can shoot heavier more smacky bullets and some guys like smacky factor lol.

Both can kill well to where 98% of guys are done killing so it’s just trades from there for most and lots don’t need a couple hundred extra yards of potential or bit less recoil and happy with unlimited barrel life and more smacky factor.

6.5 cm con is you should have a manbun and enjoy ridicule.

 

[Stinky Coyote]

It's almost 2025, a point in time where everyone on this site should be as familiar with the adverse effects of recoil and low BC bullets as they are by the advantages of high BC projectiles at moderate velocity.

How anyone could argue in favor of a .308 baffles me. This ain't a theoretical debate about aliens, Bigfoot, who killed JFK, or who the real shadow president is. It's simple ballistics, and in every category that matters, the 6.5 CM > .308 Win. None of this makes the .308 a bad cartridge, but for 99% of hunting applications, the choice isn't close.

What do you shoot and what do you hunt? And how far do you kill stuff?