6.5 creedmore

[deputy bruce]

I have been kicking around a new rifle or at least a new lower ar10 just to put back. I have thought about a 6.5 Creedmoor but just as soon as I buy it something new and improved will be out and I will want that also guess I don't know what to do. any suggestions?

 

[MistWolf]

Shooting is better than not shooting. You can either get the 6.5 Creedmore now and shoot it until something better comes along, or you can wait for the next best thing, then the next best thing after that and so on, until the years have passed by and you've shot nothing and have nothing to shoot with.

 

[stillquietvoice]

Ar platform is about the only way I'd get the creed, I prefer 260 rem in a bolt gun. But mistwolf is right but it now and let others take their chances with the next best thing to sliced bread.

 

[Varminterror]

Barrels are transient, if something new comes along, rebarrel it if you need to. Considering how long it takes for something really “new” to come along, you won’t ever really “need to.”

The “new and improved” from the 6.5 Creedmoor is already out there. The 6.5x47L was out before the Creedmoor, and still beating it at its own game. The 6 Creed (and 6x47, Dasher, BRA) replaced the 6.5 creed as the cartridge du jour for match competition within a couple of seasons. The 6.5 PRC also came out for the hunter who wants more oomph than the Creedmoor, or throttle racer who wants more impact than the 6 creeds.

Build the rifle, or don’t, it won’t change the universe either way. But @MistWolf called it: if you don’t, you won’t be shooting it, and maybe if you do, you will.

Are you considering an AR against a bolt gun? Or just considering a 6.5 Creed AR vs. not building anything and wringing your hands on what might come next?

 

[marksman13]

I’m about to buy a Falkor Defense Omega in 6.5 CM. Took over a year for me to decide to make the jump from my SCAR 17 to something better suited for long range work. My buddy has a 20” Aero Precision build in 6.5 CM and it is a shooter. I just came across a deal on the Falkor and wanted a longer barrel. Make the jump. 6.5 CM isn’t going anywhere. Good ammo is plentiful and fairly inexpensive.

 

[someguy2800]

Most of the cartridges on the shelf are older than us, and considering the universal acceptance of the 6.5C by the gun manufacturers, the ammo manufacturers, and the gun buying public, chances are they will still be selling it after we are dead.

 

[IdaD]

I prefer a 7mm-08 in a midrange rifle cartridge but those might be bolt only, not sure.

 

[BigBore44]

The “latest and greatest” is completely dependent on the shooters equipment and ability.

 

[marksman13]

I prefer a 7mm-08 in a midrange rifle cartridge but those might be bolt only, not sure.

There are some AR uppers out there in 7mm-08 and it’s a fine choice.

 

[Walkalong]

The 6.5 Creedmore isn't going anywhere. True, in the custom world something new is always on the horizon and will oust factory chamberings in specialized uses. But most shooters buy factory rifles/calibers and the 6.5 Creedmore is a proven caliber that is available in many rifles now.

The 6MM PPC took over Benchrest a long time ago, and while there have been newer calibers make inroads people are still winning with the 6 PPC as well. Not many factory rifles in 6 PPC despite its success in BR.

Not so with the 6.5 Creedmore, factory rifles and ammo are abundant, and will continue to be.

As posted, if once you wear out that barrel (Do most shooters wear out barrels very often?) you have the choice to re-barrel in anything you want, assuming you handload.

 

[Bfh_auto]

I have no desire to get a 6.5 CM,that is only because I have a 260 and 6.5x55 already...
Jump in the water's fine.

 

[FL-NC]

I am looking at getting one, but bolt action just to hunt with, so it will be a general-purpose hunting rifle with a low yearly round count. Looking hard at the Ruger American predator.

 

[jmr40]

I am looking at getting one, but bolt action just to hunt with, so it will be a general-purpose hunting rifle with a low yearly round count. Looking hard at the Ruger American predator.

For the money I think that is the best way to get into the Creedmoor. I have one that shoots great. It isn't the most aesthetically pleasing rifle, but sure does shoot. I'd look hard at the newer version that uses the AI style magazines. I think they are a big improvement over the rotary magazines. They come with a 3 round mag that only protrudes slightly below the stock, but 5 and 10 round mags are available. The 5 round mags aren't too big, but the 10 round mag is just too much for me.

After using it for a year the 6.5 CM lives up to the hype. It does everything better than either 7-08 or 308. Of course so will the 260, 6.5X55 and most of the other 6.5 offerings. The advantage of the 6.5 CM is that it will do it with off the shelf rifles and ammo at reasonable prices.

To the OP, the 6.5 CM is going to be around for a long time and it is just a matter of time before it kills off all of the other short action 6.5's as well as making a huge dent in 308's popularity. It may well kill off the 7-08 as well. Not because it is significantly better, but simply due to availability and price. The only reason to choose any other 6.5 is simply because you already have one, or just like to tinker with stuff.

 

[Varminterror]

Do most shooters wear out barrels very often?

Hunters don't. Shooters, however, should. I suppose it depends on how little volume someone feels happy with to call themselves a shooter. I can't feel too good about shooting even a 308win less than 4,000rnds in a decade. But in fairness, most firearm owners are exactly that - the firearm leaves the store, finds a closet to hide in or bed to hide under, and only see a range a few times a year the rest of the owner's life, if that. I recall my HS girlfriend's gpa who fancied himself a shooter, he had a 22LR pumper and a Win 70 pre-64, like my brother's, which he bought 10 boxes of ammo with when he bought it when he got back from the war, and remained 3 boxes left when he died 50 some odd years later. That wasn't how I defined a "shooter" for myself then, or now.

 

[Walkalong]

Hunters don't. Shooters, however, should.

Competitors definitely do, my definition of shooters included all the shoot a few rounds at the range here and there folks. They are not going to wear out a barrel, or barrels, in a season.

The shorter barrel life of the 6.5 Creedmore over calibers like .308 hasn't slowed up people buying them.

And even the non competition shooters who shoot a lot still tend to go back with what they had, whether they don't reload, or they just like what they have and don't need the fine edge the latest and greatest may give over what they have.

 

[Mosin Bubba]

I was shocked to walk into Wal-Mart the other day and see three different kinds of 6.5 Creedmoor ammo on the shelf. Given how ruthlessly Wal-Mart trims the fat on their inventory (and especially with guns - few stores here even stock firearms, most just have a locked cabinet or two of ammo), that tells you that 6.5 CM is moving units. It's here to stay.

As far as anything better coming up - the caliber wars will rage eternal, but really, you're not going to see anything so drastically better than 6.5 CM to totally obsolete it. Short of phased plasma rifles in the 40W range coming out sometime soon, you're not going to regret your purchase.

 

[someguy2800]

I was curious so I counted a couple months ago at my local Fleet Farm store. They had 13 different kinds of 6.5 creedmoor on the shelf. There were more variety of 6.5C's than 270. The only kinds with more variety were 30-06, 308, 243, and of course 223.

 

[TN Outlaw]

I'm not sure I understand exactly what your wanting to do?

Are you wanting to build a new AR and are trying to decide what to chamber it in? In that case what are you looking to do with it? Punch paper, and at what range? Hunt? Etc?

Or are you wanting a rifle chambered in 6.5CM? In that case, it's a dandy of a cartridge. Guns, barrels, ammo, and components abound. It's a fine round for it's intended purpose and makes a great hunting round.

The 260rem and 7mm-08 also make very good choices in the same light as the CM but the CM seems to be far more popular and therefore easier to find ammo for in my area.

 

[earlthegoat2]

I’m jumping on the next greatest thing by not even looking at new tangled rounds. I built my AR10 in .308.

Probably not going to be able to even kill a piglet with it let alone a hogzilla.

 

[Captcurt]

I am looking at getting one, but bolt action just to hunt with, so it will be a general-purpose hunting rifle with a low yearly round count. Looking hard at the Ruger American predator.

I wish that I still had mine. It was a handy deer getter. Light, super accurate and more that enough for deer out to 400 yards. Never popped one at that distance but it worked swell out to 300 on several. 300 yards was easy with a 4X12 Vortex.

 

[coondogger]

Have you considered .257 Roberts?

 

[Newtosavage]

Hunters don't. Shooters, however, should. I suppose it depends on how little volume someone feels happy with to call themselves a shooter. I can't feel too good about shooting even a 308win less than 4,000rnds in a decade. But in fairness, most firearm owners are exactly that - the firearm leaves the store, finds a closet to hide in or bed to hide under, and only see a range a few times a year the rest of the owner's life, if that. I recall my HS girlfriend's gpa who fancied himself a shooter, he had a 22LR pumper and a Win 70 pre-64, like my brother's, which he bought 10 boxes of ammo with when he bought it when he got back from the war, and remained 3 boxes left when he died 50 some odd years later. That wasn't how I defined a "shooter" for myself then, or now.

You should have seen the look on my buddy's face when - standing at the range with his brand new hunting rifle - I told him most people will never realize the accuracy of their rifle because they will never shoot them enough to break them in. He asked how many rounds does that take and I told him none of my Savages shot their best groups until I had over 200 rounds through the tube. His eyes got real big. He replied "That's TEN BOXES OF AMMO!" LOL

Oh well. There you have it.

As for the OP's question, I agree that a person should shoot what they have and not worry about what's "next." Life is too short. And my last trip to the Wal-mart gun counter proved that the 6.5 CM is here to stay. There were as many choices of 6.5 CM ammo as there were '06, .243 and 30-30. Only the .308 had more choices at that particular store. That was an eye opener for me. Yup, it's here to stay.

 

[someguy2800]

You should have seen the look on my buddy's face when - standing at the range with his brand new hunting rifle - I told him most people will never realize the accuracy of their rifle because they will never shoot them enough to break them in. He asked how many rounds does that take and I told him none of my Savages shot their best groups until I had over 200 rounds through the tube. His eyes got real big. He replied "That's TEN BOXES OF AMMO!" LOL

Oh well. There you have it.

As for the OP's question, I agree that a person should shoot what they have and not worry about what's "next." Life is too short. And my last trip to the Wal-mart gun counter proved that the 6.5 CM is here to stay. There were as many choices of 6.5 CM ammo as there were '06, .243 and 30-30. Only the .308 had more choices at that particular store. That was an eye opener for me. Yup, it's here to stay.

Yeah for most people that’s a lifetime supply. I’m not high volume of a shooter. When I bought my first hunting rifle I tried a couple kinds of ammo to find what it wanted and then bought two cases. That was gone in a year and a half and I’m still reloading the brass and it’s on it’s 5th reloading. I don’t shoot it much anymore as I have other stuff now.

 

[Newtosavage]

I keep track by the boxes of primers I buy. I'm already on my 3rd box for the Grendel, and I've only owned it a month now. LOL