7mm-08 or 6.5

[razor41]

Wife is getting into hunting and was debating on which gun to buy her I have the option to buy a Remington 700 6.5 Creedmoor or a Remington model 7 in a 7-08 both are price the same I reload and have a lot of 7mm Bullets but I also have 160- 147gr eld match factory rounds for the 6.5
Which one would you all recommend and why

As a tactical shooter and a Hunter, if you are deciding on what to get based on what bullets you have then go with the hunting round. I know the 147eld match bullets will stop a deer in it's tracks but match bullets aren't designed to hunt so if you are not willing to buy hunting bullets for the 6.5creedmoore then go with the 7mm08. But with that said, the 6.5 is flatter, less recoil, and the 143 eld x will take elk as well as any other big game such as bighorn, moose or bear.

 

[chickm1]

I have all the popular calibers, and not sure why, because when I go deer hunting, the 7mm08 with 140 gr bullets is what I use. The 243 will kill, and has taken many deer, but it is also responsible for many lost deer, when the bullet hits gut or bone. The bullet is too light. The 6.5 is the latest craze, but the bullet choice is not near as broad, and the 7mm bullet has proven itself for years. I have also used it in NRA Long Range Prone matches, with great success. It comes down to your decision, but for me, the 7mm08 is a deer killing machine.

 

[chickm1]

It's a **** shame the .27-08 never took off. That'd be right in-between!

Not needed.

 

[crawdad3]

Not needed.

I have the model 7 in 7mm08 and 65 cr I prefer the Creedmoor . When shooting recoil is less important than loud noise.Have her put in ear plugs then good set of hearing protection . By cutting noise kids will shoot much better. I have gone one step further and use silencer on my rifles.

 

[jbo829]

I appreciate all the input from every single one of you I didn't base getting her the 6.5 on the Bullets I have I can always sell those or buy me a rifle to shoot them with I told her I would load for the 7-08 if that's what she wanted since I have a 280 rem and have a lot of different .284 bullets to load up I put those rifle on her list because the 7-08 has caught my eye and she like the pretty red tips of the 6.5 ammo I have
If she doesn't enjoy it I will sit in the safe she wants to go hunting because I hunt solo all the time no cell phone coverage where I hunt and most of the time I use my self climb stand
She worries and knows how much I love to hunt she has been squirrel hunting and loves it so she might love deer hunting

 

[bbraden]

Not needed.

Debbie Downer!

 

[freddiej]

I have a suggestion as to caliber.. The 243 Win has been the favorite for the woman hunters in this area, California and a bunch up in Idaho/Montana. 6.5 Creed or the 7-08 are good choices too. The recoil on the 243 is less than the other two. My suggestion is the 6.5 creed for recoil and accuracy. The weight of the 6.5 slug I would suggest is the 100 to 140 class slugs. Keep the recoil down for your wife.

 

[Wolf76]

I'd go with the. 308 win. It has more versatility than the other 2. You can buy reduced recoil loads 125 sst for deer or load a 130 ttsx/120 accubonds. When you want to hunt elk, 175 Berger or the like. Nothing against the other 2 cartridges.

 

[otisdog]

Ive seen big deer taken with .243 but I went with a browning in 6.5 for my grandson. He took a nice buck with it I hunt with. 7 08. About 1/2 the time. All suitable for small shooters and all decent deer rounds. Go with what fits best. Of the three I'd probably fo wit the 6.5. By the way the nine year old grand too a big 10 point wit a 100 yd heart shot. Meaningless to this thread but had to brag

 

[rbTanzan]

Buy her the 243 that she wants and spend more for it than you would spend for yourself (if you can afford it, think Cooper with Fancy Walnut). I think a wife who wants to try hunting with you is worth her weight in solid gold.

First of all: that is a thumb's up!

Now to details:
For lightweight I'm getting my grandkids a Kimber Hunter. Carrying a rifle in mountains has been the one aspect of hunting that my wife doesn't like so much. She started hunting with me in her late 60's, so go easy on her. She's a trooper. Hers is a Tikka in 270Win, lightweight in itself, and she approves getting the grandkids something even lighter. (Especially if she might need to use it on occasion.) We'll probably chop 3/4" to 1" off the Kimber stock.

For caliber I have to lean to the large side because they will use it in Africa. So 308 for us. Still, a 308 can load 130 grain TTSX bullets down to 2800fps or even 2600fps. Those will still shoot reasonably flat out to 300 yards. My wife will back them up with her 375 Ruger Alaskan 20". I like the idea expressed by someone above of slipping in a heavier load for hunting. Setting up the load and scope may be tricky, but a 150 TTSX or 168 TTSX will give a little more assurance of penetration for larger animals. However, returning to the question for the poster and a presumed NA context, I'd probably go 7-08.

Finally, the whole package includes the rifle. If a Kimber Hunter would be chosen for its extreme lightweight and moderate price, another option arises for handloaders: the 257 Roberts. A remarkable classic, and a compromise between the 7-08 and 243. It's fun to think through multiple options. With the "Bob", the wife would have a caliber to set her apart from the other huntresses.

 

[thwatson2]

Wife is getting into hunting and was debating on which gun to buy her I have the option to buy a Remington 700 6.5 Creedmoor or a Remington model 7 in a 7-08 both are price the same I reload and have a lot of 7mm Bullets but I also have 160- 147gr eld match factory rounds for the 6.5
Which one would you all recommend and why

Very subjective question, but you seem to have lots of 7mm bullets. The 6.5 bullets you have are match so not gonna be good for hunting. I have both chambers and prefer 7-08 for deer hunting. I think both work well, have easy recoil, so does your wife like the 700 or model 7 better? Good luck

 

[hawk45]

If it's a recoil thing, then gun fit is going to be the biggest concern vs. caliber. Most cartridges come in reduced loads to help with recoil if you don't reload. A poorly fitted gun can make even a low recoil round feel downright nasty. Go to a big shop on a slow day and have her shoulder some guns. Once you find one that fits, you can pick calibers. Most makers have all 3 caliber offerings. I'll add one thing for the 6.5 Creed, it's the only one that has a modern twist in most factory guns. All others are usually setup for lighter bullets, if looking for versatility and something to grow into. But in reality, if you are keeping it inside 300yds, anyone will do for deer down, and even up with clean shots and the right bullet for the job.

 

[.338 RCM]

I explained to her that I could load for the 7-08 for elk if we ever had the opportunity with a heavier bullet
Told her I had 160 factory match rounds for the 6.5
Also told her the 243 is good to a certain degree with well placed shoots
But she came to the conclusion she wants the 6.5 since I already have ammo for it and Walmart here even has it in stock and her words "the red tips look so cool" I told her the 6.5 is on Remington 700 action and she said if it felt like my rifle she wants it
My rifle is Remmy 700 chambered in 280 rem

 

[.338 RCM]

I know no one has mentioned it but your .280 Remington would be perfect for her!
It is a great hunting round for your Wife, low recoil, and the better hunting round all together!