6 vs 6.5 Creedmoor opinions wanted

nksmfamjp

nksmfamjp

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Jan 5, 2004
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3,351
I like the velocity of the 6, but the barrel life and larger bullets of the 6.5 Creedmoor.

Basically, I want a super low recoil gun that maintains 1800 fps at ~700 yards with 800-1200 ft lbs of energy at 700 yds.

Lots of people are blowing up the 22 Creedmoor, but let's just say I'm not bought in!

My other thoughts are 25-06 Ackley, 6mm Rem Ackley and 243 Ackley, but I like the simplicity of the Creedmoor. Call it the easy button.

So, between the 6 and 6.5, it seems like a barrel life question mostly, or is there something else. I'd like max barrel life as I will shoot this a lot.

Is there something else to consider? No, I don't want a big gun….i want to shoot a lot. No, I don't want a trainer!
 
What rifle? Factory? Custom? Custom that takes prefit barrels?

I have both a 6cm I've been feeling out this year and have been hunting with a 6.5cm for the last 5 years or so. So far this year my 6cm has taken 6 deer ranging from 170yds to 560yds. There is a noticeable difference in energy transfer between the 6mm and 6.5mm, but all have been 1 shot kills. Shooting eldX's in both. 103gr and 143gr.
 
You can't have speed without barrel wear. I would love to have a 28 Nosler that gets 2000 rounds per barrel. But it isn't going to happen, once you start going overbore the throat of the barrel is going to suffer.

The 6gt gets better barrel life than the creed but won't get you to 3000+ fps. Unless you want to trash brass and then you have barrel life issues and brass issues.

A saum or prc is going to be your best bet, a 25 prc or 25 saum. But again there's no way you are going to get 1000 rounds to a barrel.

Barrels are wear products like brakes on a car/truck. Use them and the wear out.
 
If you're not taking long shot strings, prs,f-class, that sort of thing. Nor are you trying to get maximum velocity from them, a barrel will last plenty long.
The 6.5 will always have a touch more recoil because you're slinging heavier bullets. In a 6lb gun it'd make a difference if you're all in at 10lb might notice a difference. If you're building a target gun at 18lb+ or running a brake it's negligible.
If you want 1200lb of energy at 700yds you'll need a 6.5prc slinging 140gr or more. With a brake mine allows me to spot hits, it's loud but has flattened everything I've hit in the offside shoulder.
 
Ive owned both and love both. 6mm has a fun factor that 6.5 doesn't have. It's less recoil and it's a laser beam in comparison when launching 110 class bullets near 3100 fps. Both are easy to load for but I feel 6.5 is less temperamental. 6.5 also definitely gives off better splash signatures than the 6mm so there's also that to consider when spotting misses. I have not hunted with the 6mm, but the 6.5 is definitely my current preference for whitetails.
 
I've got both 6mm and 6.5 Creed, along with a .260 and a 6.5/284.

If something needs shot, nine times out of ten, I grab the 6 Creed. From deer to coyotes to LR steel, the 6 is just by far the most fun to shoot and it flat hammers critters. I shoot everything out of it too, from 55's at 3750 for thermal scoped coyotes to 103 ELDX factory fodder for deer to 105 Horns and 108 ELDMs for LR play.

I believe I'm right at the 1500 round mark on that barrel (20" Bartlien 1-8" REM sporter dupe) and it's still going strong.
 
nksmfamjp said:
I like the velocity of the 6, but the barrel life and larger bullets of the 6.5 Creedmoor.

Basically, I want a super low recoil gun that maintains 1800 fps at ~700 yards with 800-1200 ft lbs of energy at 700 yds.

Lots of people are blowing up the 22 Creedmoor, but let's just say I'm not bought in!

My other thoughts are 25-06 Ackley, 6mm Rem Ackley and 243 Ackley, but I like the simplicity of the Creedmoor. Call it the easy button.

So, between the 6 and 6.5, it seems like a barrel life question mostly, or is there something else. I'd like max barrel life as I will shoot this a lot.

Is there something else to consider? No, I don't want a big gun….i want to shoot a lot. No, I don't want a trainer!
Click to expand...
In the whole scheme of things, what's a new barrel cost if you wear one out?????
 
nksmfamjp said:
I like the velocity of the 6, but the barrel life and larger bullets of the 6.5 Creedmoor.

Basically, I want a super low recoil gun that maintains 1800 fps at ~700 yards with 800-1200 ft lbs of energy at 700 yds.

Lots of people are blowing up the 22 Creedmoor, but let's just say I'm not bought in!

My other thoughts are 25-06 Ackley, 6mm Rem Ackley and 243 Ackley, but I like the simplicity of the Creedmoor. Call it the easy button.

So, between the 6 and 6.5, it seems like a barrel life question mostly, or is there something else. I'd like max barrel life as I will shoot this a lot.

Is there something else to consider? No, I don't want a big gun….i want to shoot a lot. No, I don't want a trainer!
Click to expand...
You could go with the 6.5 Creedmoor but focus on the 123-130gr bullets. They can be pushed to 2900 fps+ from a 24" barrel which will get you mighty close to 6mm CM drop and drift with a bit longer barrel life.

You said you haven't bought in to the .22 Creedmoor yet, but after playing with my .22GTs for a bit, I can only tell you that if try one, you'll fall in love with it. 84gr ELD-Ms launched at 3000+ fps are awe inspiring, both in ease of hitting your target and their effectiveness on game.

John
 
I have both and reload, each are fairly easy to reload, and both great options, but the 6cm has no recoil in my Aero Solis rifle. I shoot 115grn tubb bullets, and I have taken it out to a mile! I enjoy them both if I could only have one I would have the 6 who cares about barrel life! It is not that expensive to change one out. Good luck bud
 
I have a 6.5Cm, 22CM and 6/284. For me and my limitations 500yrds is max on deer size game. I've easily banged steel out to 1k repeatedly with all three.
 
nksmfamjp said:
I like the velocity of the 6, but the barrel life and larger bullets of the 6.5 Creedmoor.

Basically, I want a super low recoil gun that maintains 1800 fps at ~700 yards with 800-1200 ft lbs of energy at 700 yds.

Lots of people are blowing up the 22 Creedmoor, but let's just say I'm not bought in!

My other thoughts are 25-06 Ackley, 6mm Rem Ackley and 243 Ackley, but I like the simplicity of the Creedmoor. Call it the easy button.

So, between the 6 and 6.5, it seems like a barrel life question mostly, or is there something else. I'd like max barrel life as I will shoot this a lot.

Is there something else to consider? No, I don't want a big gun….i want to shoot a lot. No, I don't want a trainer!
Click to expand...
I Love my 24 inch, BRAKED, T-3x Tikka, in 6.5 Creed, shooting 130 gr ELD-M's or, 130 gr. Berger, OTM, Hybrid's at OVER, 2,800 FPS with, LOW, Recoil.
Getting Groups from the .3's to 1/2 MOA W/ the 130's and I Use, the 143 gr. ELD-X's for Big Game ( 1/2 to 5/8th MOA group's ).
6 Creed gets from 1,000 to Maybe 1200-1500 Max, Shots ? Nope,.. NOT for, Me ! )
The 6.5 Creed should get, 3,500 rounds, Est.
I Also HAVE a Custom Built, 6 XC that Drives a 107 SMK's into, the 2's ( One Hole ) at almost 3,000 FPS But it weighs,. 10.5 Pounds !
IT,. Stay's,. "Close" to,.. the Truck !
I Enjoy shooting, the 8 Pound, 6.5 Creed, Tikka at, Steel Plates ( from, Field Positions ), a LOT, More !
Watch Texas Plinking, 1,000 Yard Steel Challenge to SEE, "What",.. Wins ! ( On, YouTube ) Especially, Season 3, Shooter 3,.. "Courtney" !
 
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