I bought my grandson a Ruger American 6.5 creedmoor for deer hunting a few years ago and his mom and dad even use it from time to time I picked on up this year and took a deer with mine what I can’t figure out is why so many people hate the caliber. He has never had a deer run off very far only about 30 yards the furthest one went same with his mom and dad is it just because of all the hype the caliber gets or am I missing something that fortunately hasn’t happened to us yet?
6.5 creedmoor for deer
- Thread starter Kwaynem
- Start date
Nope, it doesn't do anything better or worse than any other similar cartridge.
I own/owned most of the cartridges it gets compared to and as with everything, there are some noticeable differences but nothing magical, good or bad. Especially when we're considering something like deer hunting.
A lot of it is just a bias in thinking. And some people just despise that it has eclipsed a lot of the old school stuff; and I admit that does make me sad. And some always are gonna hate. But I happily like just about anything that goes boom…
But as you say, it’s a hot button with many at deer camp; almost like trying to tell some that an inline is a muzzleloader…. I shoot traditional and inline and just blissfully grin the whole time. lol.
But as you say, it’s a hot button with many at deer camp; almost like trying to tell some that an inline is a muzzleloader…. I shoot traditional and inline and just blissfully grin the whole time. lol.
silicosys4
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The 6.5CM is imo a great deer cartridge. Enough steam and penetration to confidently take quartering away shots, more than enough range to match the capabilities of 90%+ of the people shooting it, and heavy industry support.
There are better guns for elk sized game, I don't think its the bees-knees for all things walking the continent, and I don't think you should sell grandpa's M70 in 30-06 to get one, but Its about the perfect cartridge imo for a hunter who focuses primarily on deer sized game, that can also serve well on elk size game at moderate range with well chosen bullets and well placed shots.
There are better guns for elk sized game, I don't think its the bees-knees for all things walking the continent, and I don't think you should sell grandpa's M70 in 30-06 to get one, but Its about the perfect cartridge imo for a hunter who focuses primarily on deer sized game, that can also serve well on elk size game at moderate range with well chosen bullets and well placed shots.
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I don't think that many people really dislike the 6.5 creedmore in as much as that many may already have owned a .243 caliber and took into consideration that ballistically both performed about the same to around 1100 yards. Just like many considered the .308 better than the 30.06 at 1000 yards. Which like me I disagree because I have used a 30-06 for over 57 years.
The 6mm caliber is a good deer round.
The 6mm caliber is a good deer round.
Anchorite
Member
What’s been said in this thread already bears repeating …. The 6.5CM doesn’t do anything that a multitude of existing chambers already do - and have been doing - for years.
Ever heard the saying, “those that don’t study history are bound to repeat it?” I may have butchered that, but it is exactly applicable to the 6.5CM.
What it is, is a very, very successful marketing campaign. I’m not disparaging it by any means…if I were just starting out in the shooting sports I’d jump on the band wagon in a heartbeat. It’s the low hanging fruit.
I’m just older and set in my ways. I’ll probably buy one for the grandsons as they get older. It’s just the path of less resistance. Plenty of aftermarket support...unlike Remington and the 260 Remington.
Ever heard the saying, “those that don’t study history are bound to repeat it?” I may have butchered that, but it is exactly applicable to the 6.5CM.
What it is, is a very, very successful marketing campaign. I’m not disparaging it by any means…if I were just starting out in the shooting sports I’d jump on the band wagon in a heartbeat. It’s the low hanging fruit.
I’m just older and set in my ways. I’ll probably buy one for the grandsons as they get older. It’s just the path of less resistance. Plenty of aftermarket support...unlike Remington and the 260 Remington.
I’m older myself and own several different calibers including .243 the thing I like about the creedmoor is heavier bullets than the .243 and easier to reload for IMO
I think it was one that really tightened the tolerances in saami specs. That has had a lot of trickle down effects in a lot of rifle manufacturing imho. Not that long ago, a 2 moa deer rifle was pretty normal and a 1moa was really good. Sub was just WOW! And $$$$. The trend has been changing for a while, but I think this cartridge and the marketing/hype/instert term you want has pushed the envelope. By itself? No. But it definitely hit the market at the right time. Just my opinion.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
What people seem to forget EVERY TIME the 6.5CM enters the room is that it was not designed or intended as a deer cartridge. It was intended as an off the shelf cartridge for off the shelf rifles that would be competitive in PRS competition. In that role, it does what it's supposed to do. It shoots flatter than the .308 and still fits into the AR10 platform. It is often compared to the 6.5x55 and .260Rem. Except it operates at higher pressure than the Swede and fits the AR10 magazine. It has a longer neck and faster standard twist than the .260 and is more efficient with heavier bullets.
As a deer cartridge, it kills deer like so many other cartridges of similar size/power. For unknown reasons, many rifle hunters seemed to think they were expected to go trade their old .30-06 for a 6.5 and got their drawers in a bunch over it.
Uh no, it's at least one big step above the .243 and uses 40% heavier bullets.
As a deer cartridge, it kills deer like so many other cartridges of similar size/power. For unknown reasons, many rifle hunters seemed to think they were expected to go trade their old .30-06 for a 6.5 and got their drawers in a bunch over it.
Uh no, it's at least one big step above the .243 and uses 40% heavier bullets.
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Here’s my take on the 6.5 CM. It’s a fantastic low recoiling deer sized game round. I think it beats the pants off of a .243 Win in that it recoils about the same but the 6.5 CM due to it twist rate has the capability to launch superior bullets in regards to ballistic coefficient and sectional density.
Which allows it to creep into being a suitable elk round. Not my first choice for elk but I wouldn’t hesitate to take an elk with one given the right bullet and under the right circumstances.
My daughter loves hers and has taken multiple deer with it. It kills deer really well as do a plethora of other rounds.
It’s not a magical fairy dust round, it does real good within its limitations. To me it’s a fantastic replacement for the .243 Win .257 Bob etc etc.
Before all you .243 and .257 fans start gathering your pitch forks and torches…
If you’ve already got a .243 .257 style round, I’m not saying you should buy a 6.5 CM to replace it. If you’re starting from scratch like my daughter it’s a real good choice!
Edited to note that Craig and I were posting at the same time. So much of our posts are a ditto..
Which allows it to creep into being a suitable elk round. Not my first choice for elk but I wouldn’t hesitate to take an elk with one given the right bullet and under the right circumstances.
My daughter loves hers and has taken multiple deer with it. It kills deer really well as do a plethora of other rounds.
It’s not a magical fairy dust round, it does real good within its limitations. To me it’s a fantastic replacement for the .243 Win .257 Bob etc etc.
Before all you .243 and .257 fans start gathering your pitch forks and torches…
If you’ve already got a .243 .257 style round, I’m not saying you should buy a 6.5 CM to replace it. If you’re starting from scratch like my daughter it’s a real good choice!
Edited to note that Craig and I were posting at the same time. So much of our posts are a ditto..
If people really do hate the 6.5 CM, then they're really going to super hate the new 7.62 Creedmore. The 7.62CM has a lot going for it, though. Its external and internal dimensions match the .308 Win and you can successfully chamber and fire it in most existing rifles chambered in .308. It even handles the exact same range of bullet weights as the .308 and the exterior ballistics are so similar that you'd swear you were shooting .308.
You can pick up off the shelf rifles and ammo for the 6.5CM. There are other 6.5mm cartridges that will match or even beat its performance but you're going to have to handload for them and build custom rifles to do it.
It's the smallest cartridge I'd use on elk, and even then, I'd prefer something bigger.
One thing hunters seem to miss is that the number of hunters is in sharp decline while the number of shooters is growing. It is those guys punching paper at the range that are driving which rifles, optics and other shooting gear are being developed and sold.
There are better pure hunting cartridges, and there are better true target cartridges. But for the guy who hunts and shoots informal long range at targets it is a good compromise for both.
Anchorite
Member
It’s the most successful centerfire metallic cartridge marketing campaign in at least the last 25 years (generation) and has strong factory support. What’s not to like about that?
I think it's a good cartridge I think the reason I dislike all these new calibers coming out is the manufacturers are doing a really poor job of supporting existing calibers. IMO if you aren't doing that well don't try to roll out new rifles that may or may not have ammunition available. I live in a straight wall cartridge state and have been thinking about the .400 that's come out lately, but there are no rifles I like. And I don't know if that will really be any better than my 45-70 or .44 mag.
Hugger-4641
Member
This and the availability of bullets and ammo. I fought the hype for a long time because it was a lot of hype that was swallowed up and spread around by the tacti-cools and folks who didn’t know any better. This made many of us shun it and avoid being lumped in with the man-bun bandwagon.
When I finally bought one of my own, I saw the facts. When you strip away all the hype and subjectivity, the facts remain:
It shoots 140gr high bc bullets better than. 270win can. Be it due to marketing or popularity or both, it has better ammo and projectile selection and availability than either. 243 or .270.
It is a good Whitetail round without a doubt. It has about the same recoil as .243. So whereas 10yrs ago .243 might have been my choice to give to a new teenage deer hunter, these days I think the 6.5cm is a smarter choice. Its not magic, not the end all - be all, just a good economic and practical choice.
Captcurt
Member
To be honest, the Creedmoor doesn't do anything that a dozen other calibers can't do. I have taken deer with a dozen different rifle calibers. The only things that get my attention is the soft recoil of the CM and the availability of ammo and components. I have used the Swede and 260 Rem and cannot see a bit of difference in performance. The only thing that the CM has over those rounds is the heavier bullets for long range, and that doesn't matter inside 500 yards.
earlthegoat2
Member
It may be a ballistic twin to the 6.5x55 but tell me this:
If you were a huge fan of 6.5x55 and wanted to buy your son or grandson a new hunting rifle, what would you buy for them?
I would buy a 6.5 CM every time for a plethora of reasons mentioned here already.
Hate it if you want but it is the most pragmatic choice among 6.5 (26) caliber and is a much better choice than 243 or 7mm-08 when you consider things like rifle and ammo availability as well as out of the box accuracy.
If you were a huge fan of 6.5x55 and wanted to buy your son or grandson a new hunting rifle, what would you buy for them?
I would buy a 6.5 CM every time for a plethora of reasons mentioned here already.
Hate it if you want but it is the most pragmatic choice among 6.5 (26) caliber and is a much better choice than 243 or 7mm-08 when you consider things like rifle and ammo availability as well as out of the box accuracy.
WisBorn
Contributing Member
No experience with the 6.5CM or the 6.5×55 or 260rem. I would like to give the 6.5CM a try someday. I don't think I can say that about the other two. Because of available ammo.
I enjoy trying different cartridges deer hunting and why not a 6.5CM....
I enjoy trying different cartridges deer hunting and why not a 6.5CM....
v8stang289
Member
Many people hate it for it's popularity and so that they can say they didn't adopt or go along with the "mainstream"
It is a successful marketing campaign for sure.
But beyond that,
-it's a very easy cartridge to buy or make accurate ammunition for.
-The twist rates it comes in are better for longer range/high BC bullets.
-The recoil is very mild.
-The round hits hard on game.
The reason the marketing was successful is that the round delivers on what it promises. Does it do anything different than other cartridges before it? Not really. But rifles in 6.5x55 don't typically come in twist rates to take advantage of heavier/longer bullets.
I love my .270win, my 30-06, and my .243win, and the 6.5 doesn't kill deer any deader than they do. But 6.5 creedmoor is a solid round that does a lot of things well. People just love to hate it.
I don't think it's a magic cartridge, but I do think it's a great cartridge.
It is a successful marketing campaign for sure.
But beyond that,
-it's a very easy cartridge to buy or make accurate ammunition for.
-The twist rates it comes in are better for longer range/high BC bullets.
-The recoil is very mild.
-The round hits hard on game.
The reason the marketing was successful is that the round delivers on what it promises. Does it do anything different than other cartridges before it? Not really. But rifles in 6.5x55 don't typically come in twist rates to take advantage of heavier/longer bullets.
I love my .270win, my 30-06, and my .243win, and the 6.5 doesn't kill deer any deader than they do. But 6.5 creedmoor is a solid round that does a lot of things well. People just love to hate it.
I don't think it's a magic cartridge, but I do think it's a great cartridge.
Hugger-4641
Member
One thing I can say for sure: I've reloaded about the same amount of. 243 and 6.5cm. I never crushed the shoulder of a 6.5cm. .243 can happen easily , especially if you forget lube.
FL-NC
Member
No idea why people hate on it. I cut my teeth on various 308 rifles in the mil (M24, M21, SR25, etc.) but I am a big fan of the 6.5 CM. My RAR is ridiculously accurate, effective on deer, and easy on the shoulder. Its like the 243 (one of my favorite deer calibers from back in the day) but better. My RAR likes a steady diet of 140 grain Federal power-shock.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
Of all the reasons people claim they dislike it, I've never actually seen what they're talking about. They talk about hype and marketing and I haven't the foggiest idea what they're referring to. IMHO, the whining and moaning about the 6.5CM FAR outweighs whatever it is they're complaining about.
Exactly! I've always liked 6.5's but just never came into one. I was nuts about the 6.5x54MS in an original carbine but they were always out of my price range. Then I lusted after a Sako 6.5x55 Mannlicher I found in a local shop but couldn't afford it either. Then I was wanting a Remington Model 7 in .260 but never got one of those either. For me, 30yrs later, the 6.5Grendel and 6.5Creedmoor scratch the same itch, to one degree or another and they do it with modern rifles and easily obtainable components. Sometimes you get tired of cartridges you have to scrounge for. The .250Savage, .405WCF, .32-20, 6.5JDJ and others are a big enough pain in my posterior.
mcb
Member
I though 6.5 CM was only good for punching holes in paper and ringing steel at long range. I thought deer just shrugged it off like biting flies... 
If I actually hunted deer with ranges over 100-150 yards I might be tempted though I already have a 6mm CM that would get used, or my old M70 in 270 Win. But I currently do most of my deer hunting with short fat cartridges like 450 Bushmaster and 30 Remington AR, even 10mm Auto or 44 mag is more likely for me than any need for a long range rifle. That said if I was somewhere where 200+ yard shots were common you could do a lot worst than 6.5 CM for deer.
If I actually hunted deer with ranges over 100-150 yards I might be tempted though I already have a 6mm CM that would get used, or my old M70 in 270 Win. But I currently do most of my deer hunting with short fat cartridges like 450 Bushmaster and 30 Remington AR, even 10mm Auto or 44 mag is more likely for me than any need for a long range rifle. That said if I was somewhere where 200+ yard shots were common you could do a lot worst than 6.5 CM for deer.
Arkansas Paul
Member
So many people hate it because so many people love it. It's that simple.
I'm guilty of it myself, and I know there is no rational reason for it. It's got a lot going for it with it's popularity creating a plethora of rifles chambered for it and plentiful ammunition choices.
I'm guilty of it myself, and I know there is no rational reason for it. It's got a lot going for it with it's popularity creating a plethora of rifles chambered for it and plentiful ammunition choices.
brewer12345
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I though 6.5 CM was only good for punching holes in paper and ringing steel at long range. I thought deer just shrugged it off like biting flies...
If I actually hunted deer with ranges over 100-150 yards I might be tempted though I already have a 6mm CM that would get used, or my old M70 in 270 Win. But I currently do most of my deer hunting with short fat cartridges like 450 Bushmaster and 30 Remington AR, even 10mm Auto or 44 mag is more likely for me than any need for a long range rifle. That said if I was somewhere where 200+ yard shots were common you could do a lot worst than 6.5 CM for deer.
I hunt deer in multiple spots. Some offer shots that are real close, some offer far shots. Some might offer both. I shot a doe at 50 yards and at 250 yards this season. I picked up 6.5 Grendel last year after some issues with a banged up shoulder that makes 30-06 less than comfortable. The places that only offer longer shots are also generally quite windy. A cartridge that offers deer-killing ballistics out to 400 yards, bucks the wind very well, and has nearly no recoil is very, very attractive in the wide open.
When I had the chance to whack a doe at short range with 35 Rem, I sure did. But in the wide open I need something with more reach and as I get older and can't take a ton of recoil, high ballistic coefficient bullets with minimal recoil make a lots of sense.
