Hello guys just wanted so input on my rifle I am putting together. I have set my sights on two cartridges (6.5mm Creed & 7mm Rem Mag). The idea behind this rifle is to be my first long range target gun. Also would love to use this gun for Mule Deer in New Mexico. I am building this gun on a Defiance Deviant Action built by Short Action Customs in northern Ohio. Both guns are very capable of shooting long range. For the Creed I will shoot 140 AMAX and for the 7mm I was planning on shooting 168 berger's or 180's. Any suggestions you guys might have would be great ! Thanks for reading !
7mm Rem Mag vs 6.5mm Creedmoor
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MudRunner2005
Well-Known Member
If hunting medium game as well as target...Go with the 7mm RemMag with a 26" 1:9 twist barrel.
What distances are you planning on shooting? The creed could take you to 600 yards for game and the 7mm Mag would take you to 900 or so with more authority. Maybe a little further with the 180 Bergers.
The 7mm would burn more powder, have shorter case life, and burn the barrel out quicker than the 6.5 creed.
Depends on whether target or hunting takes priority too. Maybe you should get two rifles. Get a Savage 6.5 Creed or similar for target and long range practice and go hole hog on that 7mm and the defiance action. That way you have some backup if one rifle is down for some reason and you wont be burning up an expensive custom long range magnum rifle at the target range. That's probably what I would do.
The 7mm would burn more powder, have shorter case life, and burn the barrel out quicker than the 6.5 creed.
Depends on whether target or hunting takes priority too. Maybe you should get two rifles. Get a Savage 6.5 Creed or similar for target and long range practice and go hole hog on that 7mm and the defiance action. That way you have some backup if one rifle is down for some reason and you wont be burning up an expensive custom long range magnum rifle at the target range. That's probably what I would do.
Definitely. The 6.5 Creedmoor will have significantly less recoil. The Creed is getting popular too. Hornady makes some great factory match grade ammo that doubles as verg good long range mule deer hunting ammo also. I own a 6.5 Creedmoor and a 7mm mag. The 7mm is my general carry deer/elk/antelope rifle and the Creed I use mostly at the range and building my long range shooting skills. I would not hesitate to shoot a muley or antelope at 600 yards or further (depends on altitude) with it though.
WildRose
Well-Known Member
Between the two hands down I'd go for the 7mm Rem. Faster, flatter, higher energy, better BC bullets for the long range stuff.
That Big Sky Country action is screaming .300 Win Mag; load it with .210 and .215 (or possibly .230) Berger VLDs and you're golden. gun)gun)gun)
Creedmoor shooter
Well-Known Member
Yep definitely go Creedmoor for what your doing. You dont need the extra power the 7RM gives you for your purpose. It will be easier on your shoulder and it will be easier on barrels plus cheaper to shoot. That and it just plain old accurate (not saying the big 7 isnt). Out of the two factory 6.5 Creedmoors ive shot (mine and my dads) they are the most accurate rifles ive had the privilege of shooting and the most fun i might add.
MudRunner2005
Well-Known Member
How will it be cheaper? Powder, primers, and bullets are all around the same cost... And good factory ammo for both will cost around the same, too.
WildRose
Well-Known Member
I put more rounds than I could possibly count through one Model70 and one M700 in 7 rem's and never came close to shooting either of them out.
Rose, what's the round count on these 7mm's? Thanks.
Browninglover1
Well-Known Member
If you're planning on high volume shooting in short periods of time the creedmoor will be a lot more friendly on your shoulder and the barrel. For low volume shooting (i.e. Big game hunting) the 7 mag definitely arrives with more authority.
Rose, sorry, I just realised you do not know the round count. I have burnt out 7mm mag barrels in 1,300 rounds. It is an "over bore cartridge" no doubt. So the 7mm mag will have a shorter life span than a 6.5mm at 200-300 FPS slower velocity. My thoughts anyway. I have 950 though my 6.5 Creed and it still puts 20 rounds into MOA at 600 yards. A third of those will be .5 MOA.
