Short and light swamp gun......6.5 creedmore or 308?

I would go with the .308. Other than recoil, there is no advantage to a 6.5. I use a 20" .308Win with 180 gr bullets when I deer hunt in MN. Never found it lacking.

Just to answer a couple questions brought up in the responses.
I know most shots in the swamp will be less than 50 yards, however, I have a lot of gas lines and power lines in the area I hunt on the edges of these swamps.
Next, Thanks for the recomendation of 7mm-08, that is what my boy shoots and its awesome, but the rifle Im looking at is only chambered in 308 and 6.5 creed.
Last, the gun Im looking at is the Springfield 2020 Redline in 16 or 20 inch barrel. I should also say I will probably end up putting a can on it as soon as I find the right one that I like. So after the can, the 16 inch barrel will end up around 22 or so....??
I have a Springfield 2020 Waypoint in 6.5 PRC and love it for the box blind. I figured the little Redline will be a nice sidekick to the Waypoint, and easy to carry around the swaps.
Thanks for all the opinions guys!!

ALso....I guess I could go with the 20 inch barrel and get better ballistics and just forget the can. It would end up being lighter without the can as well......lol

lancetkenyon said:

If you are going to run a 124-130, why would you not take advantage of the higher BC and SD of a 6.5mm over a .308"?

Click to expand...

Because his max distance is 300 yards…so BC is moot.

wvbearhunter said:

308 is always the right answer

Click to expand...

If recoil is a concern, 6.5.

308 with a nosler ballistic tip.

You should ask the speciality pistol guys what they think about the 2 cartridges.
I was thinking about doing something similar but with a Ruger #1 and a 18" barrel.
But I would do a 22 creedmoor and a suppressor

You loading or shooting factory?

If loading either. If factory, fund what is at the closest ahop on shelves and go that route.

308 win for sure

I will probably stick with facrory loads.

10 years ago, I'de of said 308 win for the win...today, you have to see what is available at your honey hole, unless you order by the case...and even still, you have to find what it likes...

Either way it's gonna be slow at that length unless you shoot a light bullet.

For a swamp gun obviously B.C and long range have no bearing, however bullet availability and mass do and inside 300 yds I Dont know of anything a 150gr Partition or Corelokt or Hornady American Whitetail cant handle for a really cheap price. Sometimes less is more.

Shane Lindsey said:

10 years ago, I'de of said 308 win for the win...today, you have to see what is available at your honey hole, unless you order by the case...and even still, you have to find what it likes...

Click to expand...

@Elkwonder
"I will probably stick with facrory loads."

Barnes makes a fantastic 308 factory load offering with the 130 TTSX. This Ammo is always easy to find and I've shot this in numerous rifles and all of them ate and liked a good diet of it. My son in law uses it and he killed a nice Coues buck this year at 473 yards. 20" 308 hammered the little buck. DRT

Specifications

• Caliber:308 Winchester
• Bullet Weight:130 Grain
• Muzzle Velocity:3125 FPS
• Applications:Hunting
• Material:Brass
• Round Count:20