6.5 CM vs 1:9 twist 243

[timbernomad]

just a hypothetical question. If you had a choice to always hunt with either a 6.5 CM or a 1:9” twist 243, which would you choose? The lighter recoil of the 243 is obviously a huge upside, but the creedmoor lets me take advantage of high BC bullets like the 147 ELD-M. I understand things would be different if we were talking a fast twist 243 or a 6mm CM that could shoot 108’s.

In this thought experiment, basically any kind of North American hunting is on the menu. I have total confidence in the 243 to kill. I’m just wondering if the efficiency of the 6.5 CM makes it a better choice.

 

[RWT]

6.5. I can go low with 95’s or as high as 156’s

Hopefully someone will build a 125 6mm with a .700+ BC plastic tip that sheds 4 petals losing 80 grams of weight leaving the last 30% to remain as a lead core that turns sideways and takes out the offside rib leaving a goofball size exit hole. It then falls to the ground.

 

[Chris in TN]

just a hypothetical question. If you had a choice to always hunt with either a 6.5 CM or a 1:9” twist 243, which would you choose? The lighter recoil of the 243 is obviously a huge upside, but the creedmoor lets me take advantage of high BC bullets like the 147 ELD-M. I understand things would be different if we were talking a fast twist 243 or a 6mm CM that could shoot 108’s.

In this thought experiment, basically any kind of North American hunting is on the menu. I have total confidence in the 243 to kill. I’m just wondering if the efficiency of the 6.5 CM makes it a better choice.

For the distances I'm comfortable shooting at game animals, I simply don't think it matters.

My reasoning behind 6.5cm was a) wide availability of components/rifles, and b) good ballistics for practice at ranges beyond what I consider my hunting range. But I certainly wouldn't turn overlook a 9 twist .243 I already owned.

 

[AZ Gator]

For me, I wouldn’t want the limits of a 9 twist 243 barrel.

 

[Rich M]

6.5 does not have a lot of recoil. And yes - it can go lighter and heavier.
243 is basically 85 to 100 gr for deer.

Higher BC is for long range shooting. Bullet is still a soft cup and core, just slightly diff shape.

If you want to dream about shooting long range, or actually do it, then go 6.5. Nothing wrong with 6.5.

I bought a 243 this year. Not envisioning anything fancy in the future. Some target shooting, deer/antelope inside 400 yards. 243 is good enough for me.

 

[swampy14]

I would choose a 6.5 as I see it as the 21st century 308win.
(people don’t like when I say that )

It has an incredible range of bullet weights and my personal experience has been great.
I’ve shot at coyotes/bobcats all the way to red deer. All animals have been one shot kills. I lean heavy on using copper for max penetration.

 

[83cj-7]

So much more factory ammo for the 6.5 CM but I’m die hard .243. Im on my 4th 243 barrel shooting the 105 Amax at 2950 to 3100 fps. I can tell you that there is virtually no difference out to 700 yards between the two. Wind drift is nearly the same and deer don’t know the difference between the two. Just my $.02 and the 5000+ rounds of experience behind a .243.

Oh, the 105 will stabilize in a 9 twist.

 

[General RE LEE]

6.5 Creedmoor. I think the 6 ARC in a bolt action is a better spread if one owns a 6.5 Creedmoor. The 6 ARC you get even less recoil than 243 and it becomes a real utility.

 

[AZ_Hunter]

For me, I wouldn’t want the limits of a 9 twist 243 barrel.

Exactly. Same, I sold my old school 243.

A fast twist 243 is different. But between the OP’s choices, 6.5cm all day. With a can and good position, you can spot your impacts

 

[BLJ]

So much more factory ammo for the 6.5 CM but I’m die hard .243. Im on my 4th 243 barrel shooting the 105 Amax at 2950 to 3100 fps. I can tell you that there is virtually no difference out to 700 yards between the two. Wind drift is nearly the same and deer don’t know the difference between the two. Just my $.02 and the 5000+ rounds of experience behind a .243.

Oh, the 105 will stabilize in a 9 twist.

What bullet in the 6.5 Creed are you referring to in this comparison?
I’ve been back and forth recently between the 2 and have been leaning 243.
No difference to 700 I’m going 243 for less recoil.

 

[83cj-7]

My comparison is based on all kinds of 6.5s and various ammo that students show up with to precision rifle classes where I’m an instructor. I’d say that the majority of students show up with factory Hornady ammo in either 140 or 147 grain. The problem is not the bullet, it’s the lack of speed. Most factory ammo for 6.5 is very slow. I’ve seen as low as 2480 but I’d say the average is 2580. @TaperPin said it in a previous post, unless you are hand loading the 6.5 with heavies and run the pressure to near dangerous levels, the speed is just not there.

Please don’t take this as me bashing the 6.5 CM. It’s a good round and the amount of good factory ammo can’t be argued with, but it’s not the magic bullet that so many people proclaim it to be. Back to the point of the OP, if you don’t hand load and want to choose between the 6.5 and .243 for hunting, it’s kinda hard not to choose the 6.5.

Last point, and the one that makes my head want to explode: Don’t look me in the face and tell me that a 243, 260, 7mm-08 or 308 or even a 270 or 30-06 is marginal to kill “X” animal but in the same sentence tell me that a 6.5 CM is more than adequate! I used to practically come unglued when people went there. Now I just walk away and mutter under my breath “woosahhh woooossssaahhhh”.

 

[fshaw]

So much more factory ammo for the 6.5 CM but I’m die hard .243. Im on my 4th 243 barrel shooting the 105 Amax at 2950 to 3100 fps. I can tell you that there is virtually no difference out to 700 yards between the two. Wind drift is nearly the same and deer don’t know the difference between the two. Just my $.02 and the 5000+ rounds of experience behind a .243.

Oh, the 105 will stabilize in a 9 twist.

Who did you choose for a barrel maker?

 

[coyotekilla]

As a long time 243 shooter, and current 6.5 shooter id say it depends on the shooter and intended use. If alot of elk is on the intended hunt list, the 6.5 is favored. If woodchuck & coyote are intended, 243 is better. As for killing whitetail, all you need to do is stabilize the 85gr sierra hp game king, its about 6mm dual purpose perfection, aside from saving fox fur.

 

[TNHighlands]

6.5 does not have a lot of recoil. And yes - it can go lighter and heavier.
243 is basically 85 to 100 gr for deer.

Higher BC is for long range shooting. Bullet is still a soft cup and core, just slightly diff shape.

If you want to dream about shooting long range, or actually do it, then go 6.5. Nothing wrong with 6.5.

I bought a 243 this year. Not envisioning anything fancy in the future. Some target shooting, deer/antelope inside 400 yards. 243 is good enough for me.

This... i don't understand the avoidance of 6.5's now from a recoil standpoint. It's not a thumper, especially when suppressed. I have 6 and 22 ARC's that recoil less for sure. But, the 6.5 creed is still a pussycat. 6.5-284, PRC, etc... would be a bigger jump from .243.

 

[83cj-7]

@fshaw

I’ve had rifles built with quite a few different barrel brands. The current .243 barrel is a Krieger. I just order a PBB pre-fit in .243 due to having two of their barrels that have been super impressive. I have used and been happy with PBB, Krieger, Bartlein, Mullerworks, and Brux. I also just dropped off two Krieger 9 twist barrels to my smith to be chambered identically in 6x45.

 

[UnckleBob]

6.5 does not have a lot of recoil. And yes - it can go lighter and heavier.
243 is basically 85 to 100 gr for deer.

Higher BC is for long range shooting. Bullet is still a soft cup and core, just slightly diff shape.

If you want to dream about shooting long range, or actually do it, then go 6.5. Nothing wrong with 6.5.

I bought a 243 this year. Not envisioning anything fancy in the future. Some target shooting, deer/antelope inside 400 yards. 243 is good enough for me.

For handloaders, 6mm bullets save a little money vs 6.5’s

 

[fshaw]

@fshaw

I’ve had rifles built with quite a few different barrel brands. The current .243 barrel is a Krieger. I just order a PBB pre-fit in .243 due to having two of their barrels that have been super impressive. I have used and been happy with PBB, Krieger, Bartlein, Mullerworks, and Brux. I also just dropped off two Krieger 9 twist barrels to my smith to be chambered identically in 6x45.

Thanks. I have a 6x45 built on a Sako Vixen action. Neat cartridge.

 

[jkoehle1]

Difference is pretty small. I doubt youd know the difference with either and good bullets.

Id go 6.5 - cause i have one and brass already.

 

[Shortschaf]

This should have been a poll. The answer is the 6.5 for most. 9 twist is not appealing for high BC 6mm offerings

 

[Rich M]

This... i don't understand the avoidance of 6.5's now from a recoil standpoint. It's not a thumper, especially when suppressed. I have 6 and 22 ARC's that recoil less for sure. But, the 6.5 creed is still a pussycat. 6.5-284, PRC, etc... would be a bigger jump from .243.

I think it is just folks having more options now.

6.5 is a soft recoil. Everyone should shoot a light weight 30-06 or 300 mag so they can compare the recoil instead of getting a light recoil gun and try a lighter recoil gun.