Order of importance

[Lowedown]

As asked by OP, In order from most important to least of those 3 for me:

Impact Spotting
Wind Number
Drop

 

[Aussie Dan]

Get the 6 creed, yeah the extra 2in isn't exactly what you want, but thats an easier fix than having a rifle chambered in a cartridge you aren't 100% sold on.

 

[schmidty3]

Most guys wish they had 2" more, but you are wanting 2" less?

6 creed seems obvious to me.

Id save your pennies on cutting it, and buy an og6s to get some length back, and/or ammo. Shoot that barrel out and get a shorter one next time.

 

[TradLife406]

It's only like $150 max to get a barrel cut n threaded. I'd go 6 Creed. You have plus peak for it shortly. Cut it to 18 and go.
6.5 recoil can be stout in my experience in a light gun. I think they're full of that plus peak won't recoil any more than standard.

 

[43.6N]

D.Wilson mfg.
$175 to cut/thread. Not including any shipping/insurance.
3-4 week lead time.

Shop around, and if you can’t find a place that can do it faster or cheaper, I’ll personally vouch for this guys work.

He also runs sales during most major holidays.
4th of July was 17.76% off.

 

[DangerRanger]

Factory ammo changes this to being 100% a creed win

 

[Chris in TN]

The good news is, there's no bad choice here.

I reload almost exclusively and I bought a 6.5cm for the kids, last year, and I'd have no reservations whatsoever about any of your three choices, but I believe I'd go on and get the 6CM and have it chopped to 18".

Mainly, because while you can get a 20" 6.5cm now, I think - after a year with the one I bought - 20 with a can, is too long. 18" seems close to the sweet spot. Some people will say go 16" and I won't argue with them, but my .223 is 18" and it suits me incredibly well right now.

I agree that spending the money on having it chopped stings a bit, but do it anyway. YMMV and you'll get by with any of the choices you have.

 

[Marbles]

I would go 6 Creed and live with the long barrel for now. 20" is still too long anyway.

Not reloading, second choice would be 6.5 Creed.

Last would be 243.


Now, as I personally reload my preference order is 243>6 Creed>6.5 Creed.

 

[mtnbound]

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.

Priorities for me.
Spotting missess
Spotting missess
Spotting missess

Go with the 6CM, live with the longer barrel for now, and squirrel away some money to have it cut and threaded eventually.