6mm Creed Re-barrel vs New .223

[lufa1040]

I currently have a Tikka T3X in .308 Win. It’s a great rifle, but the muzzle jump makes tracking my own impacts through the reticle a challenge.

I'll be targeting Mule deer and wild pigs in Southern and Central California.

I am weighing these two options and need some advice from the pros:

1. Re-barrel my .308 to 6mm Creedmoor

• Planned projectiles: 85gr Lehigh or 88gr Hammer Hunters
• 400yd effective range
• Lead free ammo is hard to source
• Ammo is pricey
• Shorter barrel life

2. Buy a new T3X in .223

• Planned projectile: 62gr Lehigh Controlled Chaos
• 300yd effective range
• Minimal recoil
• Ammo is more common

Thoughts?

 

[AZ Gator]

I’m not a pro, but I’ll provide a little input.

Since you’re in CA and stuck with non-lead, I’d suggest 6CM to help makeup for the handicapped wound channel of copper bullets. I have used Hammer bullets (HHT) and they worked well. I don’t have any experience with Lehigh.

How much will you shoot it? It takes a good bit of shooting to worry about shorter barrel life. If you’ll be shooting that much, it would probably be smart to have the 6CM for hunting and 223 for training.

 

[StupidLightweight]

Both are good options. In the long run, the .223 will be the wiser investment. About the only negative to the mighty 5.56 are states with 6mm minimum caliber restrictions. That brings the 6mm ARC into the equation.

 

[Valumpessa]

Since suppressors are restricted in CA, if the main goal is to spots impacts, I'd go 223 and start training. You could rebarrel the 308 down the road with a 6 Creed Tikka prefit or takeoff and be set for anything.

 

[bojangles808]

Buy the 223 now and then once the takeoff Tikka 6cm barrels start popping up on eBay and other places get one of those. It'll be half the price of a prefit

 

[hereinaz]

Buy the 223 now and then once the takeoff Tikka 6cm barrels start popping up on eBay and other places get one of those. It'll be half the price of a prefit

This works.

It’s always good to have a .223 and it will suit your needs. Far less expensive to get the practice and improve skill. And, use it to hunt when appropriate.

 

[skipper907]

You could get the 6cm and have unknown munitions load ammo for you with the bullet you want
And use a 223 for training

 

[lufa1040]

I love the replies that suggest getting both. Y’all love shopping as much as I do!
.223 seems like the way for cheap practice ammo. Plus, then I get to have 2 rifles instead of one, which is cool.

 

[IrkedCitizen]

Simple answer is.... move.

 

[lufa1040]

Trading all my friends and family for the ability to shoot suppressed lead is tempting!

 

[IrkedCitizen]

Now you are catching on

 

[geenhead93]

I'm far from a pro but I am a CA hunter as well and was in a very similar situation. I ended up going with a 1:8 twist tikka in .243win and hand load the 95gr terminal shock from DRT. I also ended up buying a .223 as well. I initially bought the .223 as more of a trainer but am now considering loading the 79gr from DRT and hunting with that instead as it has a better bc (and obviously less recoil). DRT does sell loaded ammo as well. Check out this thread: https://rokslide.com/forums/threads...-to-shoot-lead-free-projectiles.349698/page-5

 

[nm.otter]

If you go the .243 route, takeoffs are not hard to find.

 

[GingerNinja1776]

I currently have a Tikka T3X in .308 Win. It’s a great rifle, but the muzzle jump makes tracking my own impacts through the reticle a challenge.

I'll be targeting Mule deer and wild pigs in Southern and Central California.

I am weighing these two options and need some advice from the pros:

1. Re-barrel my .308 to 6mm Creedmoor

2. Buy a new T3X in .223

Thoughts?

I love the 62gr. Controlled Chaos! It SMACKS way above its caliber "class" IMHO.
I'm actually editing a video right now I recorded on Saturday shooting ballistics gel with typical hunting ammo next to the Controlled Chaos.
....both in .223 and 6mmMax (my newest coyote caliber). When I post it (hopefully tomorrow night), I'll throw a link in here.

My thoughts? Are you going to have a use, in the future, for a .308 that a 6creed just won't fill?
If so, I would say those .223 Lehigh's will do the job....plus, another rifle!

But if you're really going to have no use for the .308 if you rebarrel to a smaller caliber? You could repurpose it. Pick a heavier contour barrel if you like when you rebarrel it maybe?

(Might I recommend .243 over 6creed if you're even THINKING about ammo prices?)

 

[Aussie Dan]

Talk to UM, get a 243 take off for $150 AND get yourself a 223.
Best of both worlds for not much more $$.

You could also put a brake on the 308 and see if that makes it tame enough to spot impacts.