6.5 Creedmoor vs .308 Win

[stan5677]

Well when I went to pick up my T3x Superlite in 7mm-08 and lo and behold it was sold. Really intrigued by the 6.5CM is there any reason to choose the 6.5CM over the 308 or vice versa in the same rifle outside of ammo availability.

 

[TxxAgg]

Six of one and a half dozen of the other. The 6.5 will have less recoil and is just as deadly.

 

[EmperorMA]

I’d go 6.5 Creedmoor for the reduced recoil. You will never see a difference between the two on game.

 

[Desk Jockey]

If I was starting from zero, I would say go creedmor. I have two tikkas, one in 6.5 creed and a 308. The 308 is a pound and a half heavier (barrel and scope) and it is noticeably less pleasant to shoot Due to recoil. I think you’d be hard pressed to argue one over the other in terms of accuracy or terminal performance inside of 300-400 yard hunting ranges. Prior to the current ammo crisis, you could find creedmor ammo just about anywhere. The three deer I have shot with my Creed all dropped within 100 yards. In fact two didn’t make it more than a step or two. I would have expected the same result from a 308 but with about a 1/3 more recoil.

 

[Superdoo]

6.5 will have less wind drift. If I remember correctly from two years ago when I ran the calcs, the CM drifted almost half as much as the 308 in a 15 mph cross wind at 300 or 500 yards.
I think the CM was at 8” and the 308 was at 15”.

 

[HaydenLane]

Tikka lists the 308 at 6.4lbs and the 6.5 at either 6.5-6.7lbs depending on configuration.

The creed will generally buck the wind better, sure, but that’s dependent on bullet selection. I doubt the difference in recoil is much, both are pretty mild.

Most game may not know the difference, but if you plan on hunting big game (elk or larger) with it I’d go .308. A bigger hole and more energy certainly won’t hurt.

 

[TxxAgg]

Tikka lists the 308 at 6.4lbs and the 6.5 at either 6.5-6.7lbs depending on configuration.

The creed will generally buck the wind better, sure, but that’s dependent on bullet selection. I doubt the difference in recoil is much, both are pretty mild.

Most game may not know the difference, but if you plan on hunting big game (elk or larger) with it I’d go .308. A bigger hole and more energy certainly won’t hurt.

Have you shot both side by side? I'm a big 308 fan but the 6.5 has noticeably less recoil.

 

[HaydenLane]

Have you shot both side by side? I'm a big 308 fan but the 6.5 has noticeably less recoil.

Yes, it’s noticeable. 308 is still a light enough recoiling round for that to not be the determining factor. My point was more that everyone is telling the OP to get a 6.5 without knowing what he wants to do with it.

 

[TxxAgg]

Yes, it’s noticeable. 308 is still a light enough recoiling round for that to not be the determining factor. My point was more that everyone is telling the OP to get a 6.5 without knowing what he wants to do with it.

10-4

 

[EmperorMA]

Tikka lists the 308 at 6.4lbs and the 6.5 at either 6.5-6.7lbs depending on configuration.

The creed will generally buck the wind better, sure, but that’s dependent on bullet selection. I doubt the difference in recoil is much, both are pretty mild.

Most game may not know the difference, but if you plan on hunting big game (elk or larger) with it I’d go .308. A bigger hole and more energy certainly

Yes, it’s noticeable. 308 is still a light enough recoiling round for that to not be the determining factor. My point was more that everyone is telling the OP to get a 6.5 without knowing what he wants to do with it.

I don’t think it matters. There is nothing a .308 Win can do that a 6.5 Creedmoor can’t, with less recoil. You can regurgitate “ft lbs of energy” numbers from 1955 thinking but a well-constructed 140+ 6.5 bullet fired from a 6.5 Creedmoor will pretty much out penetrate any bullet a .308 can throw. Less recoil means better placement.

Case closed.

 

[stan5677]

This will primarily be a deer rifle. Id love to an elk hunt but realistically this is a ways away

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[EmperorMA]

This will primarily be a deer rifle. Id love to an elk hunt but realistically this is a ways away

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Both will work just fine on elk with proper bullet selection and placement.

 

[Crghss]

If you want to shoot a lot (post COVID) 308 will be cheaper. More options with 308 in my opinion.

 

[22lr]

If it was me, and I'm not going with a 30-06... I'd do 308 since its what I have in 2 other rifles. But if starting from zero, I can't think of a reason to not go 6.5cm... ammo availability was why I went down the 308 avenue but that is less and less of a concern these days.

 

[Where's Bruce?]

If you suddenly find yourself needing the rifle to stop a bear charge, you'll want the .308.

 

[vonb]

I go back and forth and like them both. The lighter kickers are more enjoyable to shoot. However, the .308 has more frontal area which is better in my opinion for larger game. Sure the 6.5 will worth. It’s all about confidence in your round.

 

[stan5677]

If you suddenly find yourself needing the rifle to stop a bear charge, you'll want the .308.

Biggest thing in my area are black bears but they are a rare sighting

 

[cmankingsley]

I have no numbers to argue or anything but I have shot several whitetail does with my buddy who shoots a 6.5. I shoot a 308. The 308 definitely seems to kill them quicker with similar shot placement.


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[ericF]

I don’t think it matters. There is nothing a .308 Win can do that a 6.5 Creedmoor can’t, with less recoil. You can regurgitate “ft lbs of energy” numbers from 1955 thinking but a well-constructed 140+ 6.5 bullet fired from a 6.5 Creedmoor will pretty much out penetrate any bullet a .308 can throw. Less recoil means better placement.

Case closed.

Nobler trophy grade 308 150 gr Accubond is 2875 fps.
Nosler trophy grade 6.5 Creedmoor 140 gr Accubond is 2650 fps.

Please explain to me how the lighter slower bullet is going to out penetrate a heavier faster bullet within the first 400 yards. Hint, it won't. Plugging the data into Strelok the 308 will still be at 2100fps vs 2017fps for the Creedmoor. I shoot the Creedmoor for Deer and Antelope, but within a couple hundred yards the 308 is better for elk.

 

[EmperorMA]

Nobler trophy grade 308 150 gr Accubond is 2875 fps.
Nosler trophy grade 6.5 Creedmoor 140 gr Accubond is 2650 fps.

Please explain to me how the lighter slower bullet is going to out penetrate a heavier faster bullet within the first 400 yards. Hint, it won't. Plugging the data into Strelok the 308 will still be at 2100fps vs 2017fps for the Creedmoor. I shoot the Creedmoor for Deer and Antelope, but within a couple hundred yards the 308 is better for elk.

Then just run a 130 AccuBond in the 6.5 Creedmoor to increase velocity to equal your .308 load. It is still a “bigger” bullet SD-wise than a 150 (or even 165) .308 so it should out-penetrate it.