2) Comparisons to other cartridges are inevitable in discussions of the merits and the negatives of the Creedmoor.
I agree, but one has to do them fairly.
Both sides of the CM vs ? arguments ignore, over emphasize stats and facts, or state personal opinion as fact.
My personal opinion? given my experience with 3 different CMs.
It's an extremely well designed cartridge that checks all the correct boxes. For non dangerous game at reasonable ranges I think it's quite acceptable.
It excels at low intensity target shooting, and is extremely easy to load for.
It's also a wonderful fit in sub 2.9" magazine boxes which other "mainstream" short action rounds do not fit as well, when used with heavy for Cal vld type bullets.
So....why don't I still own a CM?
well I like Magnums, and weird stuff.
My most recent CM was boring at the ranges I usually shot.
I'd much rather shoot my .375 for entertainment, it can shatter rocks that my CM would knock chunks off of, and a steel gong hit by a 270 btsp launched at 2850 makes a much more resounding bong, than when hit by.....well anything smaller.
For hunting I never used my CMs, tho in other folks hands they killed a dozen or so animals, never taking more than 1 shot.
If I build another sporter rifle on a true medium action, I think I'll do a 6.5x55AI, and see if it can give my 6.5-284 or PRC a run for their money.
Or maybe I'll just buy that sexy Ruger African
@Garandimal keeps showing me....wish it was a tang safety. it's also a long action, but rugers longs are a little short.
in a long action I'd rather have a 7mm....which is part of why I have little interest in the .270 even tho I own one.
Again this is all personal preference. I've owned a fairly extensive list of cartridges at this point, and all of them have their positives and negatives, but for the most part (and especially handloaders) I've found little real difference in terms of what I NEED them to do.