6 vs 6.5 Creedmoor opinions wanted

The first shot I ever fired with a 6.5. Creedmoor I said to myself, they said this cartridge is super low recoil, that kicked way harder than I expected.

Its true, a 6.5 lb ( bare weight) 6.5CM with 140-147gr bullets in a same weight gun recoils (felt recoil) much closer to a .308 than it does a 243 or 22-250, 250 savage and like size rounds. It both comes back with a lil punch and the muzzle jumps a bit.

For what your stating you want the 22-6mm CM are more in the sweet spot. The 25-06AI is neither super low recoil or an easy button. The 243AI much more in the same class of shootability, ur still fireforming tho, not an easy button no mo lol.
Oh! The 6XC, great factory brass and cheap to shoot.

For shooting tons id add up the costs of grs of powder, and per bullet per cartridge combo and see what emerges after that. Without considering the 22s, the 6's can be noticeably cheaper bullets, than the others, even at 100 per, let alone 3000 of em.
This was what I was seeing this summer..

koja said:

What is 25 MBK?

Click to expand...

25×260rem improved

I have both, as well as 260 and 243. My hands-down favorite is the 260, but the 6Creedmoor is second.

.

I recently built a rifle after the same debate. Ultimately I went with 6.5 Creed to meet NRL Hunter requirements.

If I did it again, I'd probably go 6 creed and skip the NRL Hunter thing altogether, it's a PRS match masquerading as a hunting style match. Translation- gear race! First person to $15k in gear wins! BUT...

I don't understand the people who say that barrels are cheap and not to worry. A good barrel costs well over $1,000 so to pretend that isn't a factor seems disingenuous.

Leaf Litter said:

I recently built a rifle after the same debate. Ultimately I went with 6.5 Creed to meet NRL Hunter requirements.

If I did it again, I'd probably go 6 creed and skip the NRL Hunter thing altogether, it's a PRS match masquerading as a hunting style match. Translation- gear race! First person to $15k in gear wins! BUT...

I don't understand the people who say that barrels are cheap and not to worry. A good barrel costs well over $1,000 so to pretend that isn't a factor seems disingenuous.

Click to expand...

I generally get chambered pre-fits. I think the most I've spent on a barrel is like $600. Spin them on myself. Always stainless.
If I were to shoot competition, I'd probably try one of the really high end barrels that are up there, but sub moa is sub moa.

If a barrel lasts 1000 rounds, it'll cost me about $1400 just in components to shoot it out. So even if a barrel is $1k, it's only 1/3 of the cost of those 1k rounds shot.

If barrel cost was actually a factor, the best thing you could do is get a tikka in 6.5cm. Barrels are $100 after you shoot the first one out.

I guess this conversation is easier imo. Is anybody launching 120gr or larger bullets out of a 22" 6.5 Creedmoor over 3000fps….or 3050 fps out of a 24"?

nksmfamjp said:

I guess this conversation is easier imo. Is anybody launching 120gr or larger bullets out of a 22" 6.5 Creedmoor over 3000fps….or 3050 fps out of a 24"?

Click to expand...

You can easily get 3,000-3,100 FPS from a 120gr in a 24" barrel

Leaf Litter said:

You can easily get 3,000-3,100 FPS from a 120gr in a 24" barrel

Click to expand...

Which bullet? What powder and charge? If it is easy, why is most of the factory ammo running 2700 to 2850?

Hondo64d said:

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

Click to expand...

. 22GT.

6 gt is deadly

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 ran 105 hybrids at 3k in a 22 inch barrel. That gun is still shooting the same at 1500 rounds for what it's worth another buddy ran a 6 creed for pre and he pulled his at 18-2000 every year running the rdfs at 3100 in a 26 inch gun.

Buck3 said:

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

Click to expand...

This is why I have ALWAYS recommended minimum for DEER is 25 cal.
I know this is not what you asked, but, when I was guiding for Fallow deer, Hog deer and Red deer, I saw too many 6mm's fail to anchor the animal and follow up shots proved ineffective at ranges beyond 300 metres. I know it was caused by poor bullet choice, not necessarily the calibre, but no other calibre, other than 22, has done this, even with poor bullet choice at the time.
Even Ballistic Tips, which I recommended, were failing to anchor Fallow deer at ranges 300+.
The 25 and 6.5 are totally different with on game performance over the 6mm in my experience. I guided for 9 years.

Cheers.

Every 6mm cm I've played with, 6 or so now, throw 41-42gr H4350 in there with a heavy for cal high bc bullet 30-50k off and shoot half minute groups. The 65cm has required more tweaking. I've had no issues killing deer sized game at shorter distance to beyond 700 with the 6mm. I think it's a fantastic cartridge.