Order of importance

[4phw]

I’ve been looking at a Tikka 6CM, 6.5CM, and 243 win. I’ve done all the ballistic calculators and see the pros/ cons of each. I’ve 90% made up my mind and have it between a 243 and 6.5CM just due to the fact I can get a 20” barrel factory in those two, and only 22” for the 6CM.

Now that I’ve moved to ID I shoot more than I ever have but figuring it out through this awesome forum and experience.

Between the 243 and 6.5 I’m seeing some trade offs, so it would be great if I heard input from everyone. Rank these in order of importance:

-wind number
-drop
-impact spotting

I know 6CM would be the easy choice, but with a baby on the way I’d prefer not to spend money to have a barrel chopped and threaded and spend that on ammo/ tags.

I shoot factory ammo at the moment- so let’s hear the input! Sorry for another one of these threads.

 

[nm.otter]

6.5mm Creedmoor for factory ammo availability -- and now the +Peak option if you need to reach a bit further.

Factory loadings for .243 Winchester do not not include the slipperiest bullets.

 

[WI in the west]

What kind of ranges are you shooting is probably an important factor for people to know how to rank your criteria.
Id go 6.5 creed and be happy mainly because ammo is everywhere and in my opinion its a solid middle of the road sized gun thats very shooter friendly.but im probably mot shooting past 400 so drop and wind arent nearly as critical.

 

[4phw]

What kind of ranges are you shooting is probably an important factor for people to know how to rank your criteria.
Id go 6.5 creed and be happy mainly because ammo is everywhere and in my opinion its a solid middle of the road sized gun thats very shooter friendly.but im probably mot shooting past 400 so drop and wind arent nearly as critical.

I’d like to reach out to 500. The more I shoot the more I realize the worse I am haha. I shot my OTC 2025 bull at 450 with a 140ELDM out of a 6.5CM, but don’t think I’d do it again at the moment.

 

[RockAndSage]

I’d like to reach out to 500. The more I shoot the more I realize the worse I am haha.

Which one can you afford to shoot the most? Because that's what's going to improve your capabilities more than the marginalia between the cartridges you're considering, out to 500.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

If you aren't reloading, then I would scratch .243 off your list.

 

[4phw]

Which one can you afford to shoot the most? Because that's what's going to improve your capabilities more than the marginalia between the cartridges you're considering, out to 500.

I shoot my 223 most, but I find great deals on ammo buying of Craigslist

 

[4phw]

If you aren't reloading, then I would scratch .243 off your list.

Hated hearing that, but I think it’s the truth

 

[RockAndSage]

I shoot my 223 most, but I find great deals on ammo buying of Craigslist

Check out AmmoSeek when you get a chance. I've got alerts set up for about a half-dozen different loadings, it's extremely useful on pricing.

 

[Steve300xcw]

I like the 243, but if I didnt reload and wanted eld type stuff. I'd grab one of the 'bro chamberings and call it a day.

I'd grab the 6creed, since thats what you want. And then get it bobbed down when it makes financial sense to do so.

 

[43.6N]

I vote 6.5 creed. Simply because of your need for factory ammo.

Here’s how I rank your criteria:

-impact spotting

IMO This is number 2 in your order of importance. 6.5creed satisfies this requirement.

-wind number
-drop

These are tied for number 3. Important, but you can learn to be fluent in terms of drop and wind with any gun you spend enough time behind.

What should be number 1 is: time behind gun.
This informs the other three criteria.

 

[hoff1ck]

Hated hearing that, but I think it’s the truth

I just went through a similar debate as far as the 243 vs 6CM. I ultimately went with the 243. Like you I could live with the 20” barrel and didn’t necessarily want to have to send the 6CM to get chopped and threaded. That and it seems like the arrival date on those continues to linger.

I ordered some 107 grain TMKs from UM for my hunting loads, will continue to use my 223 trainer for the bulk of my shooting. I do have some interest in reloading, so I figure worst case I’ll pick up a new hobby or try the 90 grain ELD-X if for some reason the TMKs don’t shoot. Really wanted to try TMKs though so I likely wouldn’t have shot factory out of the 6CM either.

 

[BasicUtahrd95]

My buddy and I recently went through this same process. He got the 6.5 creed and I went with the 1:8 twist .243. Honestly, you can't go wrong either way. Both rifles are great. It is noticeably easier to spot impacts with the .243, but not by a wide margin. You do have to reload to get peak performance out of a .243, but you can shoot factory 90 grain ELDX loads and stay lethal out past 500 yards.

 

[4phw]

I vote 6.5 creed. Simply because of your need for factory ammo.

Here’s how I rank your criteria:

IMO This is number 2 in your order of importance. 6.5creed satisfies this requirement.


These are tied for number 3. Important, but you can learn to be fluent in terms of drop and wind with any gun you spend enough time behind.

What should be number 1 is: time behind gun.
This informs the other three criteria.

You’re the man. Super helpful! Luckily in ID I’ve been able to shoot on average 100 rounds of 223 a week in the mountains which has been crazy helpful! I will continue to do that as well!

 

[Cubby]

If your buying ammo off craigslist are you shooting the same ammo all the time (same brand and weight)?

 

[180ls1]

Seems like you want the 6cm, get it or it'll always be in the back of your head. Find a way to afford to having it cut.

 

[mother_plucker]

I’ve been looking at a Tikka 6CM, 6.5CM, and 243 win. I’ve done all the ballistic calculators and see the pros/ cons of each. I’ve 90% made up my mind and have it between a 243 and 6.5CM just due to the fact I can get a 20” barrel factory in those two, and only 22” for the 6CM.

Now that I’ve moved to ID I shoot more than I ever have but figuring it out through this awesome forum and experience.

Between the 243 and 6.5 I’m seeing some trade offs, so it would be great if I heard input from everyone. Rank these in order of importance:

-wind number
-drop
-impact spotting

I know 6CM would be the easy choice, but with a baby on the way I’d prefer not to spend money to have a barrel chopped and threaded and spend that on ammo/ tags.

I shoot factory ammo at the moment- so let’s hear the input! Sorry for another one of these threads.

Cutting and threading a barrel really isnt that much money. Unknown can do it for you, and even sending it to Silencer Central and have it done for like $150 or so... lots of smiths out there that can do it reasonably..

 

[4phw]

Cutting and threading a barrel really isnt that much money. Unknown can do it for you, and even sending it to Silencer Central and have it done for like $150 or so... lots of smiths out there that can do it reasonably..

It’s cheap- I just gotta quit being such a cheapskate and have fun every once in awhile now haha. I was good at it before I found out I’m gonna be a dad!

 

[mother_plucker]

It’s cheap- I just gotta quit being such a cheapskate and have fun every once in awhile now haha. I was good at it before I found out I’m gonna be a dad!

Well... that is a good excuse! Diapers are expensive I hear!! Well, good luck, with your build, I hava couple Tikkas put together with Proof Research barrles, and they are great shooters! Congrats on Fatherhood too!

 

[Shootinsurveyor]

6 CM is pretty much just a 243 with factory ammo with the bullets you would have to handload the 243 for. 6CM all day for factory ammo over the 243 and I love my 243. 6CM wasn't a thing when I built mine.

All that being said I like my 6.5CM over everything else.