My LGS is fully on board the 6.5 Creedmoor bandwagon.

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Trey Veston

Trey Veston

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Idaho/Washington border
Let me start by saying that I think 6.5 Creedmoor is a fine round and is ballistically superior to the .308 for long range accuracy. I've read most of the debate threads on it and I am amazed by the technical knowledge many members here possess. It is indeed humbling.

So, I have nothing against the round. I have an AR10 lower and I've been trying to decide which upper to put on it. If I just wanted a long-range toy, then I would go for the 6.5. Heck, if I wanted to use it as a deer/elk rifle some day, then the 6.5 would do just fine. I shot my first elk with a .257 Roberts using handloads with 120gr Noslers. Dropped with one shot after walking 10'.

But I was attracted to the .308 just because of the huge amount of loads and bullets available and the commonality. I could walk into my local Walmart and buy .308 dies, bullets, and loaded rounds. It seemed to be the standard in AR10s and long-range rifles. I'm concerned that the 6.5 will just be a fad round and availability of rounds and components will be diminished.

So today, due to the infamous Walmart policy, I decided to drive the 15 miles to the only LGS in the area and scrutinize their selection of ammo.

First, I walked over to the rifle rack which housed all of the hunting rifles. Good selection of very good quality rifles. My brother purchased a Christensen Arms Ridgeline in 6.5 PRC here last month. They had about 8 more CA rifles in different flavors, several $2k+ boutique rifles, several Kimbers, along with some Tikkas, Rugers, and Savage.

Nearly every single rifle I picked up was in 6.5 Creedmoor. A few were in 6.5 PRC. One in .300 WinMag. One in .243. I didn't see a single rifle in .308 or .30-06.

I went to the ammo aisle and there was a huge selection of 6.5 Creedmoor rounds from 95gr to 140gr. Probably about 4' of rack space was for the 6.5.

They still had a nearly as large selection for the .308 and the prices were the same as the 6.5. Of course, they had some cheap ammo for .308 that was around $12 a box that wasn't available in 6.5.

So I wonder if the store is just responding to local demand for the round, or if the guy that runs the firearms section of the store just really, really likes 6.5 Creedmoor.

My area has a lot of serious and very knowledgeable hunters, so if they are clamoring for the round, then it may just be worth considering going for in my AR10 build. At least I know that I can find ammo for it for the foreseeable future.
 
I more of a 7mm or .30 cal guy, the 6.5 CM doesn't do anything for my needs. If i wanted longer legs than that of a .308 Win I would favor 7mm08 or .280ai.

But there is no doubt it has a HUGE following and will be around for a long time, I believe .260 Rem, 6.5x55 cartridges will fall out of ammunition production before the 6.5 CM will. I'm not saying it's that much better than those, as one is splitting hairs but marketing and group think are powerful forces.
 
(oops, time to upgrade...the router...)

Also, perhaps by having every conceivable load of the two most popular cartridges in the United States he hopes to draw some keen shoppers uninterested in hassling with those who shop at that which shal not be named.
 
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My primary hunting rifle is an old Ruger M77 All-Weather-Rifle in .30-06 with a Nikon 3x9 scope. My last animal I shot with it was a tiny whitetail at 95yds. I shot it and thought I missed since the deer seemed to not react and walked out of sight. I was pissed and went to go survey the site, incredulous that I missed such an easy shot. 15yds away there lay the deer with a perfect shot through the heart...

100_0906.JPG

I use the .30-06 because it will take down anything I want to hunt in Idaho, but I suppose, so could the 6.5 Creedmoor. I believe I was using 150gr Federal off the shelf ammo for that deer.

I guess the most important aspect is making sure your bullet is of good design and goes where you want it to. My elk walked less distance getting hit by a 6.5mm 120gr Nosler than the deer went after a 150gr .30 cal bullet with the exact same shot. All of my animals have been shot in the exact spot and all have died within 20yds of being hit using the .243, .257, and .30-06.

So I suppose going to the 6.5 Creedmoor for hunting would be just fine; as long as I keep hitting them where I want to.
 
Trey Veston said:
Let me start by saying that I think 6.5 Creedmoor is a fine round and is ballistically superior to the .308 for long range accuracy. I've read most of the debate threads on it and I am amazed by the technical knowledge many members here possess. It is indeed humbling.

So, I have nothing against the round. I have an AR10 lower and I've been trying to decide which upper to put on it. If I just wanted a long-range toy, then I would go for the 6.5. Heck, if I wanted to use it as a deer/elk rifle some day, then the 6.5 would do just fine. I shot my first elk with a .257 Roberts using handloads with 120gr Noslers. Dropped with one shot after walking 10'.

But I was attracted to the .308 just because of the huge amount of loads and bullets available and the commonality. I could walk into my local Walmart and buy .308 dies, bullets, and loaded rounds. It seemed to be the standard in AR10s and long-range rifles. I'm concerned that the 6.5 will just be a fad round and availability of rounds and components will be diminished.

So today, due to the infamous Walmart policy, I decided to drive the 15 miles to the only LGS in the area and scrutinize their selection of ammo.

First, I walked over to the rifle rack which housed all of the hunting rifles. Good selection of very good quality rifles. My brother purchased a Christensen Arms Ridgeline in 6.5 PRC here last month. They had about 8 more CA rifles in different flavors, several $2k+ boutique rifles, several Kimbers, along with some Tikkas, Rugers, and Savage.

Nearly every single rifle I picked up was in 6.5 Creedmoor. A few were in 6.5 PRC. One in .300 WinMag. One in .243. I didn't see a single rifle in .308 or .30-06.

I went to the ammo aisle and there was a huge selection of 6.5 Creedmoor rounds from 95gr to 140gr. Probably about 4' of rack space was for the 6.5.

They still had a nearly as large selection for the .308 and the prices were the same as the 6.5. Of course, they had some cheap ammo for .308 that was around $12 a box that wasn't available in 6.5.

So I wonder if the store is just responding to local demand for the round, or if the guy that runs the firearms section of the store just really, really likes 6.5 Creedmoor.

My area has a lot of serious and very knowledgeable hunters, so if they are clamoring for the round, then it may just be worth considering going for in my AR10 build. At least I know that I can find ammo for it for the foreseeable future.
Click to expand...
I'm seeing that here as well, I'd guess over a quarter of the rifles in the racks are now 6.5CMs, it also has the largest election of ammo. I'm seeing more and more CMs in the field now as well. The PRC seems to be getting legs as well, which honestly surprised me. Only one store stocks it here, but they sell out pretty quick, so I expect to start seeing it on other shelves as well.
I've never liked the .308, but it's always been so ubiquitous that I've always assumed I'd end up with one....now tho I probably won't, especially if SA ever offers a M1a in the CMs or a 7-08.

And this isn't to say there is anything magical about any round, but unlike child stars this kinda lasting popularity dosent usually fade too quickly. I expect the CM to continue on for quite some time.
I'll probably dump my PRC and switch back to it, but we'll see. I'm finally getting the velocity inwant from the larger case, so if the other brass is better, it may get to stay.
 
The LGS could be filling a gap.

Your average Joe hunter won't care about CA rifles or precision cartridges. They'll just want their Rem700ADL and basic 30-06 which Walmart has.

So instead of trying to compete, the LGS has all the hot precision stuff.

As far as AR10, the .308 gives lots more options.

But I say that as someone who has a 6.5Grendel so I guess I'm a hypocrite
 
Trey Veston said:
My primary hunting rifle is an old Ruger M77 All-Weather-Rifle in .30-06 with a Nikon 3x9 scope. My last animal I shot with it was a tiny whitetail at 95yds. I shot it and thought I missed since the deer seemed to not react and walked out of sight. I was pissed and went to go survey the site, incredulous that I missed such an easy shot. 15yds away there lay the deer with a perfect shot through the heart...

View attachment 859807

I use the .30-06 because it will take down anything I want to hunt in Idaho, but I suppose, so could the 6.5 Creedmoor. I believe I was using 150gr Federal off the shelf ammo for that deer.

I guess the most important aspect is making sure your bullet is of good design and goes where you want it to. My elk walked less distance getting hit by a 6.5mm 120gr Nosler than the deer went after a 150gr .30 cal bullet with the exact same shot. All of my animals have been shot in the exact spot and all have died within 20yds of being hit using the .243, .257, and .30-06.

So I suppose going to the 6.5 Creedmoor for hunting would be just fine; as long as I keep hitting them where I want to.
Click to expand...

I think it's light for elk. I mostly hunt in Idaho too and generally carry a 7mm-08 or 30-06 for deer and the same 30-06 or a 300 Wby for elk, although I do carry the Wby for deer sometimes too. Realistically any of the three could be used on deer or elk, and I actually used the 30-06 on the biggest animal I've ever taken (a large Alaskan bull moose). I do agree that the CM would work great for deer and would function for elk if you do your part, but I like a little margin built into hunting rifles. The big advantage of the CM is the ballistics relative to recoil and I've said on this site before that recoil is meaningless to me in a hunting rifle. Now in a target rifle I totally get that recoil is a significant consideration. That's just not something I'm into at least at this stage in my life.
 
The best thing about an AR platform is the ability to buy only half the gun! You won’t get hurt buying the 6.5CM upper, and if you feel the need, a .308 upper can be bought later on (assuming they aren’t outlawed!).
 
I used a 30-06 for 40 years before figuring out a 308 would do anything I need doing. I can choose either a 2 lb lighter rifle in 308 and get the same recoil as 30-06, or I can us the same weight 308 and reduce recoil by about 25%. About 400 yards is as far as I can shoot at game and conditions would have to be perfect at that. My old 30-06 doesn't offer any advantages over 308 until about 500 yards.

I bought a 6.5 CM to give it a try. It certainly lives up to the hype. But I'm heavily invested in several 30 caliber rifles that I have money and time invested in. At this point in my life I'm not willing to get heavily invested in another cartridge. But if advising a younger hunter would tell them to go 6.5 for everything from elk on down. I'll keep my 6.5, but it is basically a range toy for me. I have complete confidence the cartridge will do the job, I simply have other rifles in other cartridges that I like better. I like the rifles better, not necessarily the cartridge.

Worrying about off the shelf ammo is no longer a problem. I watched my nieces husband shoot a 4" group today at 600 yards with a Ruger Predator in 6.5 CM with $13 a box S&B factory loads. And it is a mistaken belief that a 7mm or 30 caliber bullet will perform any better on game larger than deer. The 140 gr 6.5 bullets have roughly the same sectional density as a 180 gr .308 bullet and will give the same penetration on elk size game. Dead is dead.
 
I loved my Beta VCR, but I eventully changed to VHS. Stores must carry what they can sell, makes them a profit and keeps them in business.
 
I was planning on getting the AR10 upper in an 18" length from PSA. They currently have no 6.5 Creedmoor uppers in stock and don't even make a 6.5 CM upper with an 18" length; only 20" and 22". Odd.

I also wanted a tack-driving bolt gun in the same caliber as the AR10 that would accept the same magazines. Haven't even checked if 6.5 CM uses the same mags as .308, but I assume it does.
 
There are a lot of cartridges out there of which I say: “That’ll work too.”

I don’t own a 6.5CM but may some day when I want yet another round that will work.
 
LoonWulf said:
I'm seeing that here as well, I'd guess over a quarter of the rifles in the racks are now 6.5CMs, it also has the largest election of ammo. I'm seeing more and more CMs in the field now as well. The PRC seems to be getting legs as well, which honestly surprised me. Only one store stocks it here, but they sell out pretty quick, so I expect to start seeing it on other shelves as well.
I've never liked the .308, but it's always been so ubiquitous that I've always assumed I'd end up with one....now tho I probably won't, especially if SA ever offers a M1a in the CMs or a 7-08.

And this isn't to say there is anything magical about any round, but unlike child stars this kinda lasting popularity dosent usually fade too quickly. I expect the CM to continue on for quite some time.
I'll probably dump my PRC and switch back to it, but we'll see. I'm finally getting the velocity inwant from the larger case, so if the other brass is better, it may get to stay.
Click to expand...

SA does indeed build a M1A in 6.5 CM.
 
Trey Veston said:
I was planning on getting the AR10 upper in an 18" length from PSA. They currently have no 6.5 Creedmoor uppers in stock and don't even make a 6.5 CM upper with an 18" length; only 20" and 22". Odd.

I also wanted a tack-driving bolt gun in the same caliber as the AR10 that would accept the same magazines. Haven't even checked if 6.5 CM uses the same mags as .308, but I assume it does.
Click to expand...

It's not a complete upper, but Brownells carries an 18" hybrid contour Criterion AR barrel in 6.5 CM, only ~$300. I was eyeballing that barrel for an AR-10 build recently until I settled on a Grendel instead. I'd still like to pick one up at some point though.
 
6.5 cm is dumb. The 260 Remington filled that gap some years ago. It is everything the 6.5 is and more

These new gun enthusiasts really buy into the hype
 
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BigBore45 said:
6.5 cm is dumb. The 260 Remington filled that gap some years ago. It is everything the 6.5 is and more

These new gun enthusiasts really buy into the hype
Click to expand...
Trolololooollllll! :D:thumbup:
I wish the .260 had been better supported, and given a reasonable twist rate.
I LOVED the m7 I shot in highschool, but even then I wasn't willing to buy a gun that was twisted for 120s, when I could get a 7-08 that would shoot 160s.
 
Stopped by the LGS again today to see if they had any .450 Bushmaster since I forgot to check last visit. The clerk had never even heard of it and remarked that 6.5 Creedmoor was the most popular caliber they have. Took a picture of the 6.5 Creedmoor section for reference...

creedmoor.jpg

Then took a picture of the .308 section. .308 had 16 different loads to choose from. Creedmoor had 17.

308flavors.jpg
 
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