Caliber Choice On New Rifle

iddi53

FNG
Joined
Nov 1, 2023
Messages
10
Location
Idaho
I've been bouncing between 6.5CM, 7-08, and 25-06 for the next build (seeking lower recoil) and this thread has me leaning back towards a 6.5cm.
One day I'll decide and make a purchase
 

Stalker69

WKR
Joined
Apr 12, 2019
Messages
1,801
Your wife will appreciate the 7mm08, but she would a creedmore also. Either one will do, over the PRC( as far a recoil and maintaining sight picture), draw straws.
 

Coho

FNG
Joined
Jul 25, 2020
Messages
16
I am among time 270 and 300 wm user. I have been shooting a 6.5 cm for a while. Great cartridge. Not what I would pick for elk at 500 yds tho...
 

Hnthrdr

WKR
Joined
Jan 29, 2022
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3,550
Location
The West
Bumping up to the prc for deer and occasionally elk at 500 seems reasonable...
Kind of a non starter, your average MV between and 6.5 CM/PRC is only a few hundred FPS… it has almost zero effect expect for trajectory. They are the same projectiles. If they are kept within the limits of causing the projectile to disrupt either will work just fine. Especially inside 500 yards. I would go with CM for more ammo, cheaper ammo, and less recoil….
 

Beendare

WKR
Joined
May 6, 2014
Messages
9,012
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Corripe cervisiam
I’m curious;
would it change any of you guys that like the 6mm or 6.5CM minds if your state went to copper bullets? Archery guy here but thinking about picking up a rifle.

I see guys saying the copper still kills them fine…but a trusted Hunt buddy says the copper bullets can be more variable from Brand to Brand and a lot less accurate.
 
Joined
Dec 30, 2014
Messages
9,680
I’m curious;
would it change any of you guys that like the 6mm or 6.5CM minds if your state went to copper bullets? Archery guy here but thinking about picking up a rifle.

I see guys saying the copper still kills them fine…but a trusted Hunt buddy says the copper bullets can be more variable from Brand to Brand and a lot less accurate.

Would definitely give more consideration to a little more but think you can still do fine with either with the right ammo selection.
 

MTN BUM

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Oct 4, 2018
Messages
228
Location
Montana
Monos would really push me out of the short actions and into a medium/long with faster twist to fit the heavier bullets. Its the one consistent argument that I see that holds water against the .223/6mm threads out there.
 

Hnthrdr

WKR
Joined
Jan 29, 2022
Messages
3,550
Location
The West
I’m curious;
would it change any of you guys that like the 6mm or 6.5CM minds if your state went to copper bullets? Archery guy here but thinking about picking up a rifle.

I see guys saying the copper still kills them fine…but a trusted Hunt buddy says the copper bullets can be more variable from Brand to Brand and a lot less accurate.
If the copper thing happened, I think 6cm or .243 AI would be solid. Need that extra MV to ensure the bullet is performing as advertised. I do think copper only spots make a bigger push for magnums… but if a bunch more states went non lead, which is stupid and a PITA, there may be some new innovation with bismuth or tungsten & copper blends … but could be cost prohibitive…
 
Joined
Feb 27, 2024
Messages
51
If I were buying a new rifle today, it would be 6.5 PRC. My rifle is a 7mm, which I'm a pretty recoil shy individual, and so I aimed for a gun that is pretty heavy and the outcome is a very soft shooting gun. It was a good decision, in that I truly enjoy shooting it and so I practice a lot over the last few years. That said, every time I sling my pack on my back with 10.5 pounds of rifle attached, I think if I could redo the decision I'd go with the 6.5 PRC and target a total build that's ~3 pounds lighter and similar recoil....which the 6.5 PRC would be.
 

Woitey

FNG
Joined
May 19, 2021
Messages
78
My original elk rifles were a .338 WM for a primary and a 375 H&H for a secondary. Now they are a 6.5 PRC and a 6.5 CM. IMO the CM is a better .308, and the PRC is a better 270 Win. I like the reduction in weight and recoil. Bullets have caught up with the CAD designs and CNC machining of the rifles and now a submoa gun is a yawner, and you no longer have to hunt with retina-detaching magnums. Unless of course, you want to.
 

Sanchez

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Apr 23, 2019
Messages
147
I have a new 6.5 CM in a Tikka as a back up for deer and elk. I am leaning toward a bullet like the accubond, terminal ascent or scirrocco. These bullets don't have then tendency to fragment and ruin excessive meat like the ELD or other fragmenting bullets. I can't stand wasting meat due to a bullet that grenades with a short range, high velocity hit. I will accept that I cannot take long range shots with the accubond type bullet due to lack of expansion at lower velocities.
 
Joined
May 22, 2023
Messages
335
Im going to go with the 7mm08. It’s a great cartridge. Can be highly accurate and easy on the shoulder.
 
Joined
Feb 27, 2022
Messages
10
I've got both. Have a fixed 3x9 on my 7mm08 and a sexy scope for precise ranges on my 6.5CM paired with the Hornady app dialed into my cartridge. Both are great tools for me.
 
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