I currently own a 30-06 but am now looking to buy a good caliber rifle to hunt smaller game with such as antelope. I've been doing some research and I originally thought a .243 would be a good choice but everything I read says they have short barrel lives. I then started looking at either a 6mm Creedmoor or a 6.5 Creedmoor. Any thoughts on which of those calibers is the better choice?
6mm Creedmoor or 6.5 Creedmoor
- Thread starter etbruner
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J E Custom
Well-Known Member
I would chose the 6.5 caliber for hunting because of the ballistics and energy.
Nothing wrong with the 6mm, but the 6,5 or 7/08 would best suite your use.
Just my opinion
J E CUSTOM
Nothing wrong with the 6mm, but the 6,5 or 7/08 would best suite your use.
Just my opinion
J E CUSTOM
TX Badger
Well-Known Member
The 6cm and 243 are so close to each other that I don't think there is going to be a big advantage in barrel life if that is your main concern. If you are going custom and reload, I'd consider the 25cm.
lancetkenyon
Well-Known Member
6CM is basically a new version of the .243Win. But, most have a better twist rate in factory rifles to push the heavier bullets.
If you are building one, flip a coin. But, 6CM has better brass options available, even though Lapua makes both, and would be my choice.
6.5CM can use heavier bullets, but at much lower velocities. For deer or antelope, it is basically a wash. I would run a 130 in a 6.5CM myself. And a 105 in a 6CM.
I just got back from a NM pronghorn hunt a few weeks ago.
My daughter used her 6.5SLR (similar to 6.5CM w. 130 OTM @ 2888fps from 22" barrel). 391 yards, buck never even moved after the shot. Exit hole was about silver dollar size. Lungs were Jell-o.
I shot mine with a 6CM (105 Hyb @ 3101fps from 24" barrel). 445 yards, buck dropped at the shot and didn't go a single foot, DRT. Bullet broke front leg and liquefied the heart. Bullet was just under off side skin.
If you are building one, flip a coin. But, 6CM has better brass options available, even though Lapua makes both, and would be my choice.
6.5CM can use heavier bullets, but at much lower velocities. For deer or antelope, it is basically a wash. I would run a 130 in a 6.5CM myself. And a 105 in a 6CM.
I just got back from a NM pronghorn hunt a few weeks ago.
My daughter used her 6.5SLR (similar to 6.5CM w. 130 OTM @ 2888fps from 22" barrel). 391 yards, buck never even moved after the shot. Exit hole was about silver dollar size. Lungs were Jell-o.
I shot mine with a 6CM (105 Hyb @ 3101fps from 24" barrel). 445 yards, buck dropped at the shot and didn't go a single foot, DRT. Bullet broke front leg and liquefied the heart. Bullet was just under off side skin.
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That is exactly correct. The 6 creedmoor took the inadequacies of the 243 and improved upon them with factory offering rifles and ammo. The 6.5 creed well I think tried to compete with the 260 rem and while the performance aspect didn't exceed the factory offering of match ammo did. Either the 6 creed or 6.5 creed will do u very well and both are very versatile especially if u are not a reloader
PredatorSlayer
Well-Known Member
The 6mm CM barrel life isn't going to be any better than a 243. My son has a 6.5 cm - he shoots it for everything - deer, elk, antelope etc. I have a 6 CM that I use as a coyote gun. Both are sweet rounds - flip a coin.
Deer or below 6 CM. Assuming you ll use 06 for any larger game.
Should you start liking new rifle better than 06 then 6.5 CM would be best.
Candidly I d look at how many rounds of target, varmit and antelope/deer hunting you might use the new gun for and that'd drive my decision.
BTW, agree with a prior post on 105+ grain bullet if you go 6 CM and make sure the twist rate is an 8.
Good Luck on whatever you decide.
Should you start liking new rifle better than 06 then 6.5 CM would be best.
Candidly I d look at how many rounds of target, varmit and antelope/deer hunting you might use the new gun for and that'd drive my decision.
BTW, agree with a prior post on 105+ grain bullet if you go 6 CM and make sure the twist rate is an 8.
Good Luck on whatever you decide.
I would go with 6mm creedmoor over 6.5 creedmoor for pronghorn. Flatter shooting and still plenty of energy to kill a pronghorn at any reasonable range. 115 gr Berger's have about 1000 lbs energy at 700 yards in my 6mm Creedmoor. 140 gr Berger's from my 6.5 creedmoor also have about 1000 lbs of energy at 700 yards. However, the 6mm has a 26" barrel and the 6.5 has a 20" barrel. Both are a poor choice for pronghorn at really long distances. If you will also use it for coyotes then I think the 6mm creedmoor is easily a better choice. If you want to use it for big bodied mule deer, then I think the 6.5 CM is a better choice. But I would also take a 30-06 for big bodied deer over a 6.5 creedmoor.
Goring2358
Well-Known Member
Went through the same thing. Went with 6.5 for my Hancock, But I'm gonna spin a 6 on a tikka when the hancock comes in. I have local matches that go to 600max and then 1200 max. Reloading both is pretty straightforward so that's non concern. 6.5 prime will be a good source of brass for both, but nothing wrong with the hornady either. Don't think either will give up much for either distance range just a difference in recoil so may come down to positional portions of matches from the recoil standpoint
Farmerboy78
Well-Known Member
If you reload, you can run the sierra 107 tmk 6.5 out of a 6.5 creedmoor @ over 3100fps. It's nearly the same length as the 123gr eld and can shoot way flatter.
