[Black Legend Gauge]

I have shot 2 bucks with my 6.5 Creedmore, first at 250 yds and the 2nd was 266 yds. On both I used the 143g Hornady ELD-X. It is the most accurate I have found for my rifle and shot placement is key. First buck was DRT and the 2nd went about 30’. I have a great deal of confidence with my lowly Ruger American Predator in 6.5CM no matter what others say. My only complaint is a box of ammo used to be $25 and now it’s $45 from what I’ve seen.

I’m shooting the same round through my savage 110 predator.

My IRL experience leads me to believe a heavier projectile from a larger caliber is better for 2 reasons:

1st) Blood trail/tracking and not losing a deer.

2nd) Limiting the time of suffering an animal experiences

No chance would I even think about taking western big game with it and that was before I even shot that round.

Disclaimer - These are my opinions.

 

[antlercrazed]

I’m shooting the same round through my savage 110 predator.

My IRL experience leads me to believe a heavier projectile from a larger caliber is better for 2 reasons:

1st) Blood trail/tracking and not losing a deer.

2nd) Limiting the time of suffering an animal experiences

No chance would I even think about taking western big game with it and that was before I even shot that round.

Disclaimer - These are my opinions.

That’s my thoughts on it as well if the bullet is going to be slow it needs to be heavy. And if it’s going to be light it needs to be fast for better results. I think the 6.5 PRC is a little better setup but again the main ammo they sell at stores is 143 ELDX and ELDM. I like having a wider selection of choices personally. I shoot ELD-X in my 7mm but they are also 162 Grains and traveling at 3300FPS

 

[trapperBR549]

For shooting deer in Missouri there really isn't a nickels worth of difference in the actual cartridges being discussed. 243, 260, 7-08, are all just necked down 308 cases. The 260 and 6.5 Creedmoor are almost identical speed wise.
I would look at what bullet weight you want to shoot and decide which to pick from there. If you pick an appropriate bullet all will kill deer dead. If I didn't reload I personally would pick the 243. Ammo is cheaper and more available and less recoil.

 

[callaojoe]

Agree with Trapper, and will add, I shoot a 6.5x55 Swede for whitetails, and it kills them no problem. The 6.5 Creedmore is basically about the same performance wise. So, I suspect it's a good whitetail round as well, and it's the most commen cartridge in rifles being made today, so lots of options.

But, the 7mm08, 260Rem, 243Win, 308win are all excellent too.

Imho, find a rifle that fits your budget, and that the shooter likes in any of these, and you will be fine. 260 Rem is the hardest to find ammor for, so I probably wouldn't go there, and you won't find many rifles in .260 Rem anyway.

 

[callaojoe]

That’s my thoughts on it as well if the bullet is going to be slow it needs to be heavy. And if it’s going to be light it needs to be fast for better results. I think the 6.5 PRC is a little better setup but again the main ammo they sell at stores is 143 ELDX and ELDM. I like having a wider selection of choices personally. I shoot ELD-X in my 7mm but they are also 162 Grains and traveling at 3300FPS

I don't think I'd be buying my grand daughter a 6.5 prc.....

I think if I was buying a rifle tomorrow, and it was going to be the only rifle I hunt with, it'd be a 6.8 Western, basically a .270 Win that can shoot longer heavier bullets. Work up a round for deer, and another for Elk, and call it good.

 

[antlercrazed]

I don't think I'd be buying my grand daughter a 6.5 prc.....

I think if I was buying a rifle tomorrow, and it was going to be the only rifle I hunt with, it'd be a 6.8 Western, basically a .270 Win that can shoot longer heavier bullets. Work up a round for deer, and another for Elk, and call it good.

I wasn’t talking about for his grand daughter I was just talking about of the popular 6.5s I think the PRC is prolly the better route to go of the two.

 

[callaojoe]

I wasn’t talking about for his grand daughter I was just talking about of the popular 6.5s I think the PRC is prolly the better route to go of the two.

For you and I, yes.... 6.5 or 7 PRC would be good choices for an all round north american big game rifle.

 

[beanpile]

I see we are going down that MWT Rabbit Hole gain. I appreciate the input.

of the options that the Lady Hunter Comes in oddly enough the 6.5 Creedmore is the Cheapest, The 7-08 the most expensive and we are talking sizeable amounts. The oldest altho the smallest of the 3 sisters is more the guy's girl and shoots her Granny's 308 just fine but having to take into account the other 2 possibly using it on down the line that also has to be considered. That being said @trapperBR549 243 around here OTC is NOT an easy find and if you do no variety, 6.5 seems to be everywhere. Tat being said I'm not seeing paying $45+ a box for those Eld-Xs or whatever they are but that's her Dad's call not mine also 260 is not an option nor is the 6.5 prc so how they became part of this discussion is beyond me.

Thank you one and all

 

[trapperBR549]

I see we are going down that MWT Rabbit Hole gain. I appreciate the input.

of the options that the Lady Hunter Comes in oddly enough the 6.5 Creedmore is the Cheapest, The 7-08 the most expensive and we are talking sizeable amounts. The oldest altho the smallest of the 3 sisters is more the guy's girl and shoots her Granny's 308 just fine but having to take into account the other 2 possibly using it on down the line that also has to be considered. That being said @trapperBR549 243 around here OTC is NOT an easy find and if you do no variety, 6.5 seems to be everywhere. Tat being said I'm not seeing paying $45+ a box for those Eld-Xs or whatever they are but that's her Dad's call not mine also 260 is not an option nor is the 6.5 prc so how they became part of this discussion is beyond me.

Thank you one and all

I brought up the 260 trying to make a point that there wasn't a lot of difference in the cartridges being discussed. As far as 243 availability I glanced at Graf's website and they currently have 39 different factory loads in stock. In fairness, they did have over 70 for the Creedmoor.

 

[rat]

Most of the time I get a deer rifle, I intend to keep it for a pretty long time. I reload and had plans to load for the creedmoor but I never factored in the price of factory ammo but I don’t buy deer rifles to shoot casually. A box of ammunition for deer hunting lasts me several seasons.

I can see if you shoot a LOT the extra $0.25 per bullet or whatever would add up.

For the distances likely and the shooter considered, I’d get the .308

 

[callaojoe]

Honestly Bean, if you like the 6.5CM, nothing wrong with it. It's a good solid deer cartridge. Like I said earlier, about the same as the 6.5 Swede, and it's an excellent deer cartridge. I handload, so I have no first hand info on OTC ammo or it's prices.

6.5CM has become pretty much the "standard" rifle cartridge for most rifle makers it seems, the 30-06 of the new Millenium.

 

[beanpile]

Most of the time I get a deer rifle, I intend to keep it for a pretty long time. I reload and had plans to load for the creedmoor but I never factored in the price of factory ammo but I don’t buy deer rifles to shoot casually. A box of ammunition for deer hunting lasts me several seasons.

I can see if you shoot a LOT the extra $0.25 per bullet or whatever would add up.

For the distances likely and the shooter considered, I’d get the .308

as much as I agree with you for younger shooters range time with the hunting weapon is a must x's that by 3 girls it all adds up. altho the oldest is ok with the 308 we ( son & I) are not willing to bet the younger 2 will be, 308 is not one of the possibilities

 

[callaojoe]

If you are concerned about .308, while I know people will diss on the .243 Win, my wife has killed 8 deer, and an antelope with hers, and 5 of those deer, dropped dead where they stood...... As Captain Obvious once told me, it's all about shot placement. If they can shoot well with a .243, they will have no issues killing their deer.

 

[beanpile]

Honestly Bean, if you like the 6.5CM, nothing wrong with it. It's a good solid deer cartridge. Like I said earlier, about the same as the 6.5 Swede, and it's an excellent deer cartridge. I handload, so I have no first hand info on OTC ammo or it's prices.

6.5CM has become pretty much the "standard" rifle cartridge for most rifle makers it seems, the 30-06 of the new Millenium.

the finalist is the 243, 7-08 or 6.5cm. We have a 7-08 already so ease of ammo is a big + 243 is not easy to find locally OTC and the 6.5cm is the cheapest of the options in that rifle ( why I have no idea) and I know next to nothing about the 6.5 is why I asked for my own education.

I'll bang heads with the Son and see what he thinks..He seems to be in favor of the 243 the last we spoke

 

[callaojoe]

the finalist is the 243, 7-08 or 6.5cm. We have a 7-08 already so ease of ammo is a big + 243 is not easy to find locally OTC and the 6.5cm is the cheapest of the options in that rifle ( why I have no idea) and I know next to nothing about the 6.5 is why I asked for my own education.

I'll bang heads with the Son and see what he thinks..He seems to be in favor of the 243 the last we spoke

The deer will never know the difference of getting killed with a 6.5CM, 243Win, or 7mm-08. If you can find good ammo at reasonable prices, I would not shy away from the 6.5CM, honestly we are splitting hairs between any of these from an ability to kill a deer.

I handload 100gr Sierra's for my wifes 243, and it's been killer.

 

[rat]

I think the CM ammo is more available and less expensive just due to demand probably.

 

[beanpile]

I think the CM ammo is more available and less expensive just due to demand probably.

Paul the rifle in 6.5 itself is the cheapest and the 7-08 is the most expensive. Same rifle, different calibers , all different prices by a surprising margin. THAT is the reason I asked about a 6.5

 

[antlercrazed]

I have a 7-08, I shoot factory 120 grain Barnes out of it, it recoils like a kitten. Definitely a good choice for youth and shoots about 200FPS more than the creedmoor with similar weight factory loads. 7-08 ammo probably cost a few dollars more than 6.5 though if I had to guess

 

[seth_turner_04]

Watched my buddy put this guy down at 250 yards with the 6.5cm and 143 gr Hornady Precision Hunters on the second weekend of rifle season this year. This deer went about 40 yards and cartwheeled, but most of the deer I've watched him shoot were bang flop jobs. His gun is a cheap Rem 700 model and it drives tacks with the Hornady ELDx ammo.

 

[liv2hunt]

I see we are going down that MWT Rabbit Hole gain. I appreciate the input.

of the options that the Lady Hunter Comes in oddly enough the 6.5 Creedmore is the Cheapest, The 7-08 the most expensive and we are talking sizeable amounts. The oldest altho the smallest of the 3 sisters is more the guy's girl and shoots her Granny's 308 just fine but having to take into account the other 2 possibly using it on down the line that also has to be considered. That being said @trapperBR549 243 around here OTC is NOT an easy find and if you do no variety, 6.5 seems to be everywhere. Tat being said I'm not seeing paying $45+ a box for those Eld-Xs or whatever they are but that's her Dad's call not mine also 260 is not an option nor is the 6.5 prc so how they became part of this discussion is beyond me.

Thank you one and all

Just buy the 6.5, shoot it a lot and practice as much as possible, When you can find it get premium ammo, or if you know someone that reloads load a premium bullet in heavier bullet option. None of this is rocket science, hit your target with a premium bullet and it will all be fine. More than likely your granddaughter will never take up handloading and will have to buy over the counter ammo, If you find a good factory round and it is reasonably priced i would recommend buying a case of it now because it will probably never go down in price and it may get discontinued or banned but a case can set you up for life, I wish i would have bought me some 7mmMag Barnes 160 grn blue Moly when it was on clearance at Midway for about 19.99 a box 15 years ago!! My gun loved that ammo.