6.5 Creedmoor vs .308: Which is more of a "Killer"

OP
General RE LEE
Joined
Dec 28, 2019
Messages
1,957
I also have a great load with the 178 grain ELD-X for my 308. Hammers the steel plate with much more authority than 143 ELD-X
 

p5200

FNG
Joined
Aug 7, 2022
Messages
40
I was debating the same two cartridges not too long ago and went with the 6.5 due to lower recoil and better down range ballistics. I took three animals with it last year and have no regrets. If anything, I’d go smaller now. I’m in the process of picking up a 223 bolt gun. The ammo is way cheaper for practice. And I am confident that, with the right bullets, it’ll handle anything I’m hunting these days.
I've used my Savage 10fp in .223 with good performance. I was going to upgrade the stock but, it's been shooting so good I think I will leave it as is.
 
OP
General RE LEE
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Dec 28, 2019
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1,957
I decided to go with my Tikka UPR in 308. I loaded up 50, 178 grain ELD-X last night over Ramshot TAC. Very accurate load and a heavy for caliber bullet with good weight retention.

A lot of the decision comes down to the ergonomics of the rifle. I prefer the UPR stock for a hunting rifle than the KRG Bravo. My Tikka CTR is in a Bravo chassis. Also, my 308 has a Zeiss Conquest V6 vs the V4 on my Creedmoor.

Although both calibers are excellent IMO for whitetail deer, I don't think anyone can go wrong with a 308 in a good rifle and some practice.
 

xsn10s

WKR
Joined
May 3, 2022
Messages
468
I decided to go with my Tikka UPR in 308. I loaded up 50, 178 grain ELD-X last night over Ramshot TAC. Very accurate load and a heavy for caliber bullet with good weight retention.

A lot of the decision comes down to the ergonomics of the rifle. I prefer the UPR stock for a hunting rifle than the KRG Bravo. My Tikka CTR is in a Bravo chassis. Also, my 308 has a Zeiss Conquest V6 vs the V4 on my Creedmoor.

Although both calibers are excellent IMO for whitetail deer, I don't think anyone can go wrong with a 308 in a good rifle and some practice.
My buddy killed plenty of elk with his 308 Win/ 165gr Partition loads 0-300 yards. I'd say it would kill deer well too. I killed a Texas buck with my 308 win before I sold it. It was just too pretty and I worried more about scratching it more than hunting lol.
 
OP
General RE LEE
Joined
Dec 28, 2019
Messages
1,957
My buddy killed plenty of elk with his 308 Win/ 165gr Partition loads 0-300 yards. I'd say it would kill deer well too. I killed a Texas buck with my 308 win before I sold it. It was just too pretty and I worried more about scratching it more than hunting lol.

300 yards my 178 ELD-X load has 1840 lbs KE. Every deer I've shot with a 308 has died quickly.
 

Vern400

WKR
Joined
Aug 22, 2021
Messages
495
Which one do you shoot better in field conditions? You're comparing 2 very similar cartridges. You have to be shooting past 400 yards before any meaningful difference occurs. Most folks talk smack and buy based on specs but in reality the vast majority of game is taken at shorter ranges.
 
Joined
Jul 24, 2016
Messages
810
Love me a 308. But I ask myself how far I would depend on it, and I see by that distance, the 6.5 might have the edge. Then I ask myself, why wouldn’t I depend on the 6.5 at closer than that distance where it’s only better?

For me, because hunting to closer range is the fun part.
 

Wildhorse

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Sep 29, 2023
Messages
179
Statistically speaking the 308 as it has been killing for much longer and effectively on all game 2 or 4 legged. Theres a soft spot for a 308 in my heart after the amount of rounds I've put through one and trusted my life to. I'm sure there are many more who feel the same.
 
Joined
Nov 10, 2020
Messages
459
I honestly don’t think you’ll be able to see a difference between the two cartridges on whitetail deer. Shoot whichever one you are shooting better that week.
 
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