6.5 creedmoor or .243 build?

[Brush buster]

More I think about it, the more I like the idea of the PRC shooting hammers or 156s with a 1:7.5 twist… gonna shoot my buddy's creedmoor and prc back to back and get a feel for them

 

[Outlaw6.0]

Having three different 6mms & two different 6.5's, i'd say flip a quarter. I've killed more game with 6mm than all of my other chamberings (buck in sig pic taken with 6mmAI) but I love my 6.5's (Creed & WSM). But I would definitely look at the 6CM over the .243 win, better case design with better availability (at least around here).

In your case, I might have to double (or triple) second the 6.5 PRC suggestion. Much better decision for a hunting platform. IF you can find components.....



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[Rosebud]

I'm looking into having a rifle built to compliment my 300wm. I really love my 300wm and dropped my furthest buck at 550 yards last year with 181gr hammer hunters. So I think I want something on the smaller side that compliments the 300wm. I was thinking either the 6.5 creedmoor or .243 but can't really make up my mind. I want this rifle to have little recoil and good performance on anything up to deer sized game. Having had great results with the hammer hunters in my 300wm, I was thinking about having either the 6.5 or .243 also loaded with hammers.
If you guys were building a deer hunting rifle and going to shoot hammer bullets, would you go 6.5 creedmoor or .243?

Creed barrel will last longer, and larger bullet selection. But on deer sized animals, push. Plus you can get creed components at the present.

 

[antleredacres]

mix the best of both cartridges, 6 creedmoor

YES!!!

 

[Outlaw6.0]

Creed barrel will last longer, and larger bullet selection. But on deer sized animals, push. Plus you can get creed components at the present.

You're absolutely right, the Creed barrel will last substantially longer than PRC. But I think it's a pretty close draw on bullet selection. The 6mm bore is still very popular, with the likes of PRS type events predominantly running 6CM with long, heavy, high BC bullets. There are actually quite a few to chose from.



t

 

[skipglo]

6.5 just for the little extra reach! Both are excellent deer guns.

 

[Tex_Hunter]

mix the best of both cartridges, 6 creedmoor

Seconded… checks all the boxes for the OP and combines the best characteristics of the two he was considering.

 

[Lefty G-gear]

Not one of your choices, but have you considered 6.5 PRC? The only reason I suggest it, is the ballistics would be nearly identical to 300 WM, so wind/dope would match, and shooting one would be valuable learning for the other.

181 HH at 3100 fps vs 124 HH at 3150 will have drop/wind within a couple inches of each other all the way out to 800 plus yds.

It will also maintain expansion velocities out to distances similar to the 300 WM. 243 (poor BC) and 6.5 Creed (slow launch) will likely stop well short of the 300WM in that department.

Recoil on the 6.5 PRC (~13 ftlbs) will be almost exactly half that of a 300WM (26 ftlbs) in a 10 lb gun.

Just a thought. I've got the same sort of thing going with 3 nearly identical rifles in 264WM, 7 Rem Mag, and 300WM. If you know one, you know them all...

If the above doesn't interest you, then my vote would be for 243. Will be less recoil, cheaper to shoot, and a little flatter trajectory on it's way to max effective range.

HERE'S AN INTERESTING VIDEO.
300 WM vs 6.5 PRC vs 6.5 Creedmoor

 

[Brent21]

With you already having a 300 WM, I would probably look at the 6CM as others have mentioned. I always look at AmmoSeek when considering a new round and they have plenty of 6CM ammo at 22.00 per box. While the PRC has better knockdown if that is needed you always have your 300 waiting on you. I'm also am in the same boat and have been bouncing several of these different rounds around in my head.

Brent

 

[Quintus]

The Creed is a great compliment to your 300. I really like the PRC, but creed brass is easy to come by, it saves on powder, performs very well to 600 yards with a ton of bullet options and is very soft shooting even in a light rifle. It is hard to find a downside to the 6.5 Creed for a deer on down gun.

 

[Idaho Lefty]

You already HAVE, a .300 W. Mag. for ANY,.. "Big Stuff" out to, any Range desired with,.. Appropriate, Bullets !
The 6.5 Creed, can "Reach out" IF Necessary with, the 130 to 143 Grain Bullets for, Deer / Antelope !
Why not, SAVE your Shoulder, your Wallet and, have Fun, PRACTICING,.. a Lot !
I Leave, my .270 WSM, Elk / Moose Rifle, in the Vault ( SAVING some, Barrel Life ) and Practice "Field Positions" on Steel with, my New, 6.5 Creed, Tikka !
IF you DIDN'T already have, a "BIG Gun", I'd say, 6.5 PRC for the ONE Gun, guy !
You will get, LESS than, 1/2 the Barrel "Life" with, the PRC and it's NOT, Necessary for, Deer sized, Game !

 

[nwhunter]

Since you said build, I would go 243 and build one with a fast twist.

 

[ARlife4me]

I am mainly an AR person chambered in 5.56/223wylde, 243win, 6.5gren, 6.5creed, 260rem, 6.8spc, 300bo and 308win (more than 50 combined). My brother killed his 1st deer with a 243win. I am a lefty, but shoot either way just as good. Deer size or smaller my unfortunate vote is for the 6creed having a lower case volume, but not opposed to a 6rem. Being a reloader drives my decisions! If I can't get brass or dies then I wait or move to something different. As for the 2 choices you mentioned the 6.5creed availability is a good choice. If you want an AR setup I built 3 with aero precision barrels that are the best and 100% function with factory ammo even without an adjustable gas block and standard length rifle gas system.

 

[coop2564]

If doing a build consider a 25-06 fast twist. It can smoke both 6.5cm and 243 or any 6mm with the new bullets and not kick to much. But out of two you mentioned I love the 243.