What are your experiences and thoughts on 6.5 Creedmoor?

I'm waiting on my custom .308 bolt action, but I have found a great deal on another action.  So figured that since I'll be registering the .308 when it's done, might as well make more efficient use of my time and "enjoy" it with HPD.   

But seriously, I was thinking of eventually going into the 6 mm range eventually, but this good deal may accelerate it.  Use will be the same as .308 Win, which is general target shooting, somewhat PRS style as opposed to benchrest or F-Class, with being more efficient at longer range (600 to 1000+ yards).  I'll still be focusing on .308 for the time being, but I am excited about venturing into 6 mm range.

I'm thinking 6.5 for many reasons.  Cartridge performance is a big one, but also availability of commercial/factory ammo.  Yeah, I'll be rolling my own, but good to have some match grade ammo to test with. 

What are your experiences and thoughts on 6.5 Creedmoor?

I'm waiting on my custom .308 bolt action, but I have found a great deal on another action.  So figured that since I'll be registering the .308 when it's done, might as well make more efficient use of my time and "enjoy" it with HPD.   

But seriously, I was thinking of eventually going into the 6 mm range eventually, but this good deal may accelerate it.  Use will be the same as .308 Win, which is general target shooting, somewhat PRS style as opposed to benchrest or F-Class, with being more efficient at longer range (600 to 1000+ yards).  I'll still be focusing on .308 for the time being, but I am excited about venturing into 6 mm range.

I'm thinking 6.5 for many reasons.  Cartridge performance is a big one, but also availability of commercial/factory ammo.  Yeah, I'll be rolling my own, but good to have some match grade ammo to test with.

i own no firearms, ammo, nor reloading components...

I read they are barrel burners like a 22-250

i own no firearms, ammo, nor reloading components...

Why are you here?   

 

 

I read they are barrel burners like a 22-250

Yeah.  I read something like 2000-2500 rounds.  That sucks. . . None of my close shooting buddies shoot 6.5.  One shoots 6.8 and 7 mm Mag, but just started on the 7 mm.  One plus of the .308 being "bomb proof", as my current gun builder says.  That said, a $350-400 barrel and gunsmith service every so often not that bad compared to the gun itself.  Don't even get me started on the $$$ for glass.   

i own no firearms, ammo, nor reloading components...

range too far and too expensive....

Just got the quotes in for action only, and barrelled action options.  They have a sale going on right now too.  Tempting to go with the barrelled action, which is more, but I'll have a chassis to put it in. . .

Like a super addictive drug. . .

I read they are barrel burners like a 22-250

A 22-250 can reach up to 4000fps. You might get up to 2800-2850fps with the 6.5 Creedmoor.  I wouldn't put it in the same class as the 22-250.  The 308's speed is similar to the Creedmoor's depending on the grain weight.

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A 22-250 can reach up to 4000fps. You might get up to 2800-2850fps with the 6.5 Creedmoor.  I wouldn't put it in the same class as the 22-250.  The 308's speed is similar to the Creedmoor's depending on the grain weight.

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The folks I've been following shoot the .284 Shehane/Wheeler stuff and (don't quote me on this) they are pushing their stuff regularly in the 2800-low 3000 fps range.  My current .308 loads are in the meager 2500 fps range.  Maybe in the 2600 fps range tops, but out of a 20" barrel.  New gun in the works will have a much longer barrel.  I'd have to look up the common 6.5 loads, but I do recall that the 6 mm variants are barrel burners.  Not the 5000, or even 2-3x that much for .308.  Of course reports since I'm probably at around 2000 rounds in my factory gun. 

But wow, 22-250 is pushing 4000 fps!  Yikes!  I was shooting with one of the black powder guys a while back and he let me shoot is 22.250.  I blame him for getting me started down the bolt action rifle road. 

The folks I've been following shoot the .284 Shehane/Wheeler stuff and (don't quote me on this) they are pushing their stuff regularly in the 2800-low 3000 fps range.  My current .308 loads are in the meager 2500 fps range.  Maybe in the 2600 fps range tops, but out of a 20" barrel.  New gun in the works will have a much longer barrel.  I'd have to look up the common 6.5 loads, but I do recall that the 6 mm variants are barrel burners.  Not the 5000, or even 2-3x that much for .308.  Of course reports since I'm probably at around 2000 rounds in my factory gun. 

But wow, 22-250 is pushing 4000 fps!  Yikes!  I was shooting with one of the black powder guys a while back and he let me shoot is 22.250.  I blame him for getting me started down the bolt action rifle road.

To me...anything over 3100-3200 will have reduced barrel life.  Just take a bit longer between shots.  At 2500 rds, that'll still take me a while to burn out the barrel.  Just replace it.  Unless you're buying carbon Proof barrels, they aren't too pricey.  I recently replaced two pre-1964 30-06 barrels that were heavily worn.  I have no idea how many rounds my grandfather and father shot through those old hunting rifles.  My 22" 6.5 CM only gets 2550fps from factory Hornady ELD-x's that are rated 2700fps.  Gotta handload to get anything near 2800fps from mine.  At about 50fps/inch, a longer barrel will only realize a moderate increase in speeds.

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The folks I've been following shoot the .284 Shehane/Wheeler stuff and (don't quote me on this) they are pushing their stuff regularly in the 2800-low 3000 fps range.  My current .308 loads are in the meager 2500 fps range.  Maybe in the 2600 fps range tops, but out of a 20" barrel.  New gun in the works will have a much longer barrel.  I'd have to look up the common 6.5 loads, but I do recall that the 6 mm variants are barrel burners.  Not the 5000, or even 2-3x that much for .308.  Of course reports since I'm probably at around 2000 rounds in my factory gun. 

But wow, 22-250 is pushing 4000 fps!  Yikes!  I was shooting with one of the black powder guys a while back and he let me shoot is 22.250.  I blame him for getting me started down the bolt action rifle road.

whoa

To me...anything over 3100-3200 will have reduced barrel life.  Just take a bit longer between shots.  At 2500 rds, that'll still take me a while to burn out the barrel.  Just replace it.  Unless you're buying carbon Proof barrels, they aren't too pricey.  I recently replaced two pre-1964 30-06 barrels that were heavily worn.  I have no idea how many rounds my grandfather and father shot through those old hunting rifles.  My 22" 6.5 CM only gets 2550fps from factory Hornady ELD-x's that are rated 2700fps.  Gotta handload to get anything near 2800fps from mine.  At about 50fps/inch, a longer barrel will only realize a moderate increase in speeds.

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Yeah, I'm just going off of what folks have told me (2000-2500 rounds) for 6 mm.  Some shoot PRS on the mainland, but not my good buddies.  So yeah, they probably burn through barrels differently than I would.  Yeah, 2500 rounds would take me a while too.  That said, I'm not too concerned with burning them out here and there and have to replace.  I'm not into those CF Proof barrels, at least not yet.  Haha

I have shot out a couple of AR barrels, but nothing close for my .308. 

whoa

Maybe more.  I dunno.   

I personally like the 6.5 cm.  I got one and its great.  Doubt I will ever get close to shooting out the barrel. 

I personally like the 6.5 cm.  I got one and its great.  Doubt I will ever get close to shooting out the barrel.

What’s great about it?

Can you state some facts.

What’s great about it?

Can you state some facts.

Let's not. . .

I'm sure you have experience (even second hand) with 6.5 or other similar calibers.  Whaddya got? 

What’s great about it?

Can you state some facts.

Not an expert marksman but it does shoot flatter, if we ever get past 100 yards it will make a difference.   Mine has excellent accuracy.  Ammo is about as avaliable as 308 and other experiences are similar to 308 for me so I didn't see any downsides. 

Not an expert marksman but it does shoot flatter, if we ever get past 100 yards it will make a difference.   Ammo is about as avaliable as 308 and other experiences are similar to 308 for me so I didn't see any downsides.

Ok.  Decent response.  Will help you expand your horizons.  Typically, most are looking for personal experience with owning, shooting, etc.  Understand that folks need to start somewhere and not everyone's lifestyle (time, desire, etc) facilitates that.  That said, sharing your personal perspective is helpful, but also helpful to include background on whys.  100 yard target shooting is certainly good, but different than long(er) range shooting.  So when you say "shoots flatter", hope you understand or will learn by asking GOOD questions about why that matters.  Not just going by what you read somewhere, hear someone else say, etc. 

When comparing things, context is again key.  Again, for target/paper shooting at 100 yards, performance of .308 and 6.5 likely won't see an appreciable difference.  Different than say hunting, longer range (500 yards +), etc.  Not a criticism, but explaining why context is important when sharing experiences in gun forums. 

Ok.  Decent response.  Will help you expand your horizons.  Typically, most are looking for personal experience with owning, shooting, etc.  Understand that folks need to start somewhere and not everyone's lifestyle (time, desire, etc) facilitates that.  That said, sharing your personal perspective is helpful, but also helpful to include background on whys.  100 yard target shooting is certainly good, but different than long(er) range shooting.  So when you say "shoots flatter", hope you understand or will learn by asking GOOD questions about why that matters.  Not just going by what you read somewhere, hear someone else say, etc. 

When comparing things, context is again key.  Again, for target/paper shooting at 100 yards, performance of .308 and 6.5 likely won't see an appreciable difference.  Different than say hunting, longer range (500 yards +), etc.  Not a criticism, but explaining why context is important when sharing experiences in gun forums.

Yeah I only shoot paper at 100 yards.   Mine is not a hunting rifle more of a bench rifle it weighs almost 20lbs.  It's more accurate than my abilities and has functioned perfectly.  Unfortunately there is no range that I can go to that reaches past that but if there was then the "flatter" shooting would be appreciated.   I don't have much detailed answers some are looking for,  just inserting my amateur 2 cents on the round how it functions for my use.   Will try be more detailed next time.   Thanks

https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/65-creedmoor-vs-308-winchester/
at shorter distance, the 308 has more energy than the 6.5CM.  which is why i'm not ready to get on the 6.5CM boat.  i very rarely shoot past 100 yards, and when i do its maybe out to 300 yards, so my 308 does just fine and is very accurate out to that distance
I've never shot a 6.5CM, so all my knowledge comes from online info
6.5 CM is flatter shooting at longer distances.  probably advantageous at long distance shooting.  ammo availability and price is considerable also

have you considered other calibers like 6mm ARC or any other of the newer calibers?