Checking in from the junction of the plains and the Rockies here, your prediction doesn't match the reality of what I've seen.
The 6.5 CM is a very known quantity here, it's been out 12 years now. When are you thinking all these people who have been shooting it for several years are going to figure out they've been duped this whole time? Lol.
Are you saying you've used the 6.5 CM on some large deer and have been disappointed? If so what happened that disappointed you? I've only taken one muley with the 6.5, just got my second elk with it though, and it seems to be working fine for me. I also know several other people who have taken deer and elk with them, people who shoot quite a bit at all ranges and who have hunted some seasons with the 6.5, when do you reckon they are going to realize theyve been duped by the snazzy marketing?
I certainly wouldn't say the round is perfect for everyone or everything, but the marketing conspiracy folks calling for mass disappointment once people touch their brand new 6.5s for the first time crack me up. The Creedmoor has been out for over a decade, and the Swede, which when loaded up to high pressure performs similarly, has been out for over a century. Is it possible that people who are actually shooting and killing with these cartridges have a better idea of what they'll realistically will do than various internet armchair commandos?