243 vs 6.5 creedmore.

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Shooterjimi

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Im gonna open up a can of worms here. I am looking to purchase a light calibre rifle. I have narrowed it down to the 243 ans 6.5 creedmore. I'm a 30.06 guy and havent shot much smaller. Comparisons on line show nearly idemtical balistics woth a slight adadvantage to the 6.5 at longer distances. Our intent is mainly deer and some target shhoting. 6.5 seems to cost on adverage 300-400 more. Is there any advantage that im not seing? Pros and cons to each thanks.
 
243 barrel burner
6.5cm expensive "starbucks" ammo


You can't go wrong with the 25-06 assuming your target shooting is hitting targets at your hunting distances. If your after precision shooting (MOA or better) at 300-400 yards than the 6.5 will probably suffice
 
6.5 will be easier to find rifles in as it's the craze of now. The 6.5 gets you a heavier bullet for bigger deer. The 243 with a good controlled expansion 100gr bullet will kill any deer if the bullet is placed right. As for ammo costs it'll depend on what ammo you wish to plink with. As for rifles they're usually the same cost as the only difference is the size of hole in the barrel and the cutting of of the chamber
Both are great cartridges
 
For a better comparison try the 6 mm Creedmoor vs 243 as both are the same caliber.
Of your choices the 6.5 gives you more options for larger game and higher BC bullets, but a fast twist 243 for deer hunting would be a nice choice as well.
Seeing as you have a 30-06 for large game my choice between your choices would be a fast twist 243 :)
 
Shooterjimi said:
Im gonna open up a can of worms here. I am looking to purchase a light calibre rifle. I have narrowed it down to the 243 ans 6.5 creedmore. I'm a 30.06 guy and havent shot much smaller. Comparisons on line show nearly idemtical balistics woth a slight adadvantage to the 6.5 at longer distances. Our intent is mainly deer and some target shhoting. 6.5 seems to cost on adverage 300-400 more. Is there any advantage that im not seing? Pros and cons to each thanks.
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Your biggest advantage fir a deer rifle is the vast array of ammo available for the Creedmoor.
If you are a hand loader, the advantage is narrowed a bit.
The one thing a person should look at is the rifle you are buying, make sure of it's a 243 that you get a fast twist if you want to shoot longer( heavier) bullets .
The Creedmoor will typically have a twist rate applicable to 140 grain bullets however.
The most important thing for me is getting a rifle I like, cartridge comes second
Cat
 
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Lots of older 243 rifles out there if you prefer to shop used and like older stuff.

243 is typically a 1:10 twist, which generally shoot 100gr bullets fine but are not well suited for the newer high BC stuff over 100gr.
 
Unless one has their heart set on a fast twist 243 shooting very high BC bullets, I like 6.5 CM all around more. More big game capable, can still get 95gr or 100gr varmint type bullets, rate of twist will work with any of it
 
What I like about the 6.5CM is the "lowish" muzzle velocity and still supersonic over 1200m. Damage on deer I shot was hardly different at 10m vs 600m using 143ELDX or 140ELDM from a 20" barrel.
edi
 
Can’t comment on the .243 but I found the 6.5 CM one of the easiest rounds to reload for.
No matter powder or bullet used
 
Shooterjimi said:
Im gonna open up a can of worms here. I am looking to purchase a light calibre rifle. I have narrowed it down to the 243 ans 6.5 creedmore. I'm a 30.06 guy and havent shot much smaller. Comparisons on line show nearly idemtical balistics woth a slight adadvantage to the 6.5 at longer distances. Our intent is mainly deer and some target shhoting. 6.5 seems to cost on adverage 300-400 more. Is there any advantage that im not seing? Pros and cons to each thanks.
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Definately the 243 Winchester before the 6.5. The 243 will be an awesome cartridge for deer, plinking, target and varmint. Less cost for bullets and brass, powder and primers will be at the same. I shoot 85 grain partition and 90 grain accubonds out of my 240 Weatherby and they do a great job on deer. The 55, 70 and 80 grain would be great for target, plinking and varmint.
 
I am partial to a fast twist 243, as I had one for years and t is a very capable multi-purpose round. However it is hard to argue against the 65CR. Either wold be a good choice.

With 70gr Ballistic Tips, the 243 is like Thor's Hammer on coyotes. I've never seen anything kill like that. Then I switched to 95gr Lapua Scenar and took the same rifle out to 2000 yds.
 
Ever consider a 7mm08 ? Light recoil, plenty of power a bunch of lightweight rifles available ...... same cartridge family,
 
45C said:
Can’t comment on the .243 but I found the 6.5 CM one of the easiest rounds to reload for.
No matter powder or bullet used
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It's still a relatively small sample size, but... Having owned and loaded for several of each, the 6.5CM and rifles chambered for it, are definitely easier to load for. If extensive target shooting is in the plans, the 243 is also quite a bit harder on barrels, I've had to retire 243 barrels at 1200 rounds.

We've used both on deer sized game, and they work great. I prefer the 6.5CM for larger game, but that's just me.
 
Most of your accuracy will be determined by the manufacturer of the rifle...the barrel being the primary provider. Even if you took 2 rifles off the assembly line that were made back to back they would most likely shoot a bit different.
That said, the chance of a real lemon is very slim, just about everything today shoots decent, so you can expect average rifles to be capable of at least MOA, with the odd gem accidentally producing half that.
So it boils down more to what you want out of the cartridge. Deer part is easy, both will bowl over deer, tons of good accurate hunting bullets available for both.
Targets, that depends on how far you plan on shooting. With a factory twist 243, you will be tapped out at 100gr SAMMI spec bullets, forget the VLD's although there are a few that may stabilize, not worth the trial and error money. 300m target shooting the 6mm is king...6mmBR , but the 243 with 87gr BTHP will have no problems, even out to 600m it will be very easy to shoot and group.
6.5cm is a little more versatile with a wider range of bullet weight selection. My personal experiences with it, i think it's ideal for the 120-130gr range of VLD type target bullets, I find it a bit lacking velocity with the 140gr+ but hey, people use them with 150gr+ and seem to think it works ok, I've found them too finicky to load myself.
With the 120-130grs 600m has also been pretty easy to shoot and group.
My top 3 target shooting rifles are in 308/243/6.5cm, all ragged hole shooters at 100m. 308 has a brake, the other 2 don't really need them, rifles are heavy enough that recoil is very mild.
The one disappointment is a 6mmCM I'm still trying to get down. Bought it specifically for the 100gr+ VLD's and it's been fighting me the whole time. Next option is going to be some Berger Hybrids for it and see how that goes. It loves the 87gr BTHP's but so does my 243, but I don't need a duplication of that.
 
Yea, they will both kill, and both target shoot, I say the 6.5 CM. More bullet selection, and greater energy down range. Load em up in the 140 gr range, or go lights.

I hunted with a 243 for years, and when I was old enough tried to pin a great load in that rifle I used to use. Just couldn't get it to shoot worth of beans. My 6.5 CM was easy to load for, and it likes multiple powders and bullet combos.
 
6.5 man bun are maximum age, what?, 2009ish?
Probably loaded somewhat hotter in factory ammo as a result, since 243 must be all of 60yrs old potentially in the same age rifles.

Both will kill deer. I shot my first moose with a 243, not ideal, but what I had. Any advantage by the 6.5 man bun, isn't worth spit until past 500yds. If you don't reload, and predominantly will shoot long range targets.....manbun. Anything else, call heads or tails.
 
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