308 vs6.5 creedmore

308 for me, light, short and compact rifle.

Sure the 6.5 is better with a longer pipe, but I just go to a bigger caliber that is light, short and compact to get increased performance.

The desert tech srs a2 covert with the 18" barrel in 338 Lapua is about as good as it gets for light, short and compact while still perfectly capable for 800yd plus hunting
 
The 308 is such an adequate caliber for all round hunting that it has become painfully "vanilla".

The best thing about the 6.5 creedmoor seems to be how angered the 308 fans get. It's quite remarkable how quickly they lose composure about something that may excel slightly in one or another over the 308 win, and kind of fun to watch!!

Having said that. I just love firearms too much to run a simple single caliber. 308 is the easy button, and likely all positive reports about its capability true enough. And I also do own one (savage 99)! Though it will likely end up rebored to 358 win someday.

I've shifted to a 9.3x62 running 250 nosler accubonds that will do everything the 308 will at close and mid ranges, and probably better, and a 6.5CM that will make long shots on mid sized game also better... But I end up bringing two rifles on a multiday hunting trip, and have to leave one in a vehicle or in hunting camp, and there is a possibility that the one rifle I have with me would be the lesser of the two for the shot that presents itself, and I prefer not to have to secure a second rifle in a vehicle or at camp..

And in that sense the gentleman that shoots just one rifle may hold the better hand. And I'd be happy for them, and enjoy the condescending comments to follow about 6.5CM owners as comradery amongst hunting enthusiasts.

So, buy both!
 
The .308 is quite capable and well documented in doing so. It has become as stated, “vanilla” in todays hunting/shooting world. Almost to the point of being lumped in with the usual “boring” 270/30-06 comments that litter threads here. Boring as it may be, it still has taken everything from Varmints to Moose and beyond effectively and consistently.

The 6.5Cm has proven itself in a short amount of time. No doubt in part to heavy marketing by Hornady and also it’s versatility. While I’m not on the 6.5Cm bandwagon there’s no denying it’s target or med-game sized capabilities. And this where I think the Creed really shines, med-game sized animals ie; Muley’s, Whitetails and Pronghorn. Has it taken Goats, Sheep, Moose or large Bears. Yes, absolutely. Would I have enough confidence in it for one of those four? That I can’t say one way or the other as I have no time with one. Maybe it’s time I tried the Cal and see what all the fuss is about?

But… If you can’t decide between old faithful (.308W) or the new kid (6.5Cm) level up to a 6.5PRC and call it a day. Which is probably where’ll I’ll end up.. just can’t see myself sporting the man-bun thing at my age :stirthepot2:
 
I used to be a .308 guy, but now I'm firmly in the 6.5 camp. Nice for those windy field shots because it bucks the gusts a little better. Lower recoil is always a nice thing too. .308 can go heavier in the bullet department, but as I only hunt whitetail it doesn't much matter.
 
The 308 is a great cartridge, certainly one of the best in the mid range cartridges like 308/270/3006. The 6.5 Creed is a better long range cartridge, that shouldn't be in dispute.

For general hunting purposes (up to 400 yards or so) the 6.6 Creed and the 308are going to do about the same thing. If you want to shoot longer, the 6.5 is going to have the edge.

I have 2 308 rifles, no 6.5 Creed- my 6.5 rifles are Grendel and PRC.

I don't have a 7-08 but my 2 best friends do. For general hunting I would probably take a 7-08 over both the 308 or 6.5CM. 7-08 has good ballistics and can use a pretty wide range of bullet weights.
 
The 308 is such an adequate caliber for all round hunting that it has become painfully "vanilla".

The best thing about the 6.5 creedmoor seems to be how angered the 308 fans get. It's quite remarkable how quickly they lose composure about something that may excel slightly in one or another over the 308 win, and kind of fun to watch!!

Having said that. I just love firearms too much to run a simple single caliber. 308 is the easy button, and likely all positive reports about its capability true enough. And I also do own one (savage 99)! Though it will likely end up rebored to 358 win someday.

I've shifted to a 9.3x62 running 250 nosler accubonds that will do everything the 308 will at close and mid ranges, and probably better, and a 6.5CM that will make long shots on mid sized game also better... But I end up bringing two rifles on a multiday hunting trip, and have to leave one in a vehicle or in hunting camp, and there is a possibility that the one rifle I have with me would be the lesser of the two for the shot that presents itself, and I prefer not to have to secure a second rifle in a vehicle or at camp..

And in that sense the gentleman that shoots just one rifle may hold the better hand. And I'd be happy for them, and enjoy the condescending comments to follow about 6.5CM owners as comradery amongst hunting enthusiasts.

So, buy both!

I know of an even better one for enjoying those condescending comments lol ;)

Agree on the best part of the Creedmoor is the angering the fuds that have zero interest in looking at ballistics to understand why it's a top performer in the air and also when the swimming starts haha
 
Here's a quick compare for things anyone can buy and saami pressures comparisons and apples to apples as possible comparison on popular 'hunting' marketed loads from one manufacturer. I had to add the 300 Win Mag into this equation to lend perspective as to why the manbun is such a stud, why it's the 21st century interpretation of a .308 win, and why it will stand the test of time just as well or better. ;)

6.5 Creedmoor 143 gr eld-x factory load, .625 bc, .293 sd, 2700 fps launch
308 Win 178 gr eld-x factory load, .552 bc, .253 sd, 2600 fps launch
300 Win Mag 178 gr eld-x factory load, .552 bc, .253, 2960 fps launch

1800 fps impact at my elevation comes at; (a common minimum on game threshold by many hunters for most big game)
6.5 CM - 765 yards (160 yard 21% advantage over 308 in distance potential on game)
308 Win - 605 yards
300 Win Mag - 840 yards (28% advantage over 308, only 9% over 6.5 CM)

20" wind drift at 10 mph comes at; (a common max limit guys can actually hit well with on game in the field)
6.5 CM - 600 yards (tied 1st place with 300 WM, 9.2% advantage over 308, 9.2% higher hit probability another viewpoint)
308 Win - 545 yards
300 Win Mag - 600 yards

Recoil Energy in 8.5 lb Rifle comes at;
6.5 CM 143 gr - 11.7 ft/lbs (26.9% recoil advantage over 308, 61.8% over 300 WM!, the majority of population can shoot sub 12 ft/lbs well, falls off quick past 15 to the few)
308 Win 178 gr - 16 ft/lbs
300 Win Mag 178 gr - 30.6 ft/lbs

13.7% penetration advantage for the 6.5 CM over both the 30 cals given same impact velocity

AND, this look is just the hunting marketed hornady eld-x bullets. You could do an eld-m's compare also and the 140 6.5 is higher bc than the 143, the 147 eld-m is off the charts on bc and sd...if you tried to compare 150-165 grain bullets in the 30 cals to the 147 eld-m the 308 isn't even in the running, and then there's a-tips, and 150+ class 6.5's that hand loaded will run obliterate anything the 308 can do and run with premium choice 300 WM options (190+ gr options) all the way out to 1000 yards. Don't bring the PRC into it comparisons as it leaves the 300 WM looking pretty sad. ;)

Where can 308 beat the manbun? Not really sure, it can run with it to 400, but so can everything else too, heck a 6.5 Grendel 123 is essentially a 3/4 scale 308 168 only a few fps slower but same bc/sd so even that can run with them to 400 and single digit ft/lbs recoil energy. Anyway, the advantages for 308 aren't really in the ballistics at all, just commonality and availability, the universal 20th century cartridge carrying over into the 21st century...that's the only real advantage.

Barrel life on 308/manbun? Close enough to a draw? 300 WM loses that one by a lot. Trying to give the 308 some wins, ballistically none, but in other categories I'm trying lol...poor 308, master of nothing but pretty good at a lot. There's a new kid in town, all grown up now too and polished just fine, just the way it goes, be a long long time before a new kid comes along to do the same to the manbun...none of us will be around to see it. Our kids likely won't see it either...grandkids maybe.
 
I know of an even better one for enjoying those condescending comments lol ;)

Agree on the best part of the Creedmoor is the angering the fuds that have zero interest in looking at ballistics to understand why it's a top performer in the air and also when the swimming starts haha

Thats hilarious. Get back to us when your cm has taken as much game as a 308. Then we can all laugh. - dan
 
Maybe I am in the minority, but for me, unless the performance is worlds better, I can't justify the higher spend and the generally less available variety of cartridges for various applications. That said, I love my 308, and maybe that's why I don't really feel the draw to get the 6.5 CM. Price of ammo is a lot more and it's not always available everywhere, whereas you can almost guarantee you'll find .308 somewhere.

But the fact that I can shoot 7.62x51 through it, and there are also bulk / commercial cheapie rounds like Norinco copper washed - it gives a lot more range time for those of us who don't have deep pockets.

I am sure this is not an exact 1:1 comparison, but the discussion reminds me of the 5.56 and 7.62x39 or 300 BLK debate. Even if 300 BLK is better than the other two, it's not in stock everywhere and even if it is, it's at a higher cost. For me I am willing to sacrifice some performance for savings. This is akin to my German automobile. Dumb thing takes premium gas and I can't get around it. Apparently it is for "performance". Well, I drive like an old man, so I don't need "performance". So I am kind of crippled having something I don't necessarily need whereas I could have gotten something cheaper to meet the same need, and so what if it doesn't purrr and shift like I am on a cloud. The performance gain is not enough for me to say it was worth it.

I see 308 the same way. I don't understand the hate for it from some quarters (or maybe this was all just an internet created thing).
 
Thats hilarious. Get back to us when your cm has taken as much game as a 308. Then we can all laugh. - dan

Taking the age factor into consideration, along with what I have in the safe, my 'plan' was to limit any aditional purchases. Then COVID 19 hit. A suggestion came out to the general public to cut back on the 'probable' increase in alcohol consumption and donate the saved funds to a charity.;) Great idea!!! My drink of choice is/was beer. The only exception is a once yearly purchase of a six pack of Guinness, on my birthday. The charity of choice, M.L.R. fund. My Last Rifle fund. With the 'saved' funds, from a friend and site member, I picked up a Remington 700 Limited Edition (M.L.R.) in 6.5CM along with a sizeable quantity of factory ammo:d.
 
After 20 years of playing with gun builds, making wildcats, going deeply into classic chamberings, jumping on new exciting cartridges and hunting a good few of them, I find myself only shooting .308 and .257 Roberts in the last year. As either of those can cover the other’s job easily, I’m planning to stick with the .308 and drop the .257 in the coming years. I’ve target shot extensively to 1000 with the .308, and while the 6.5Cr has a minor edge past 500-600, it is exceedingly minor. The shooter makes a hundred times the difference there is between these two rounds, and .308 is easier to feed and live with, and comes in more different platforms.

This said, a good cartridge, they are both that. I can’t scoff at the 6.5Cr, only when people try to paint it as a drastic improvement on the .308.
 
After 20 years of playing with gun builds, making wildcats, going deeply into classic chamberings, jumping on new exciting cartridges and hunting a good few of them, I find myself only shooting .308 and .257 Roberts in the last year. As either of those can cover the other’s job easily, I’m planning to stick with the .308 and drop the .257 in the coming years. I’ve target shot extensively to 1000 with the .308, and while the 6.5Cr has a minor edge past 500-600, it is exceedingly minor. The shooter makes a hundred times the difference there is between these two rounds, and .308 is easier to feed and live with, and comes in more different platforms.

This said, a good cartridge, they are both that. I can’t scoff at the 6.5Cr, only when people try to paint it as a drastic improvement on the .308.

I opted to go with the 6.5CM, just for something a little different;) for my last rifle acquisition:).
 
I have owned 308. 6.5 Creed and 6mmAI barrels for the same match rifle, and have shot them with both match irons and sling, and scope off a front rest and rear bag.
All three barrels are superbly accurate at all distances.
The only difference I ever saw in all three barrels out to 1,000 meters was when I made a bad wind call.
The 308 was a factory Savage barrel, the 6.5Creedmoor was a McGowan, and the 6mmAI was a Shilen.
I don't shoot factory ammo so don't worry about whether or not a particular bullet is available in a particular cartridge.
For me, the cartridge head stamp is inconsequential, it would come down to what rifle the chambering was in that would be the deciding factor, as both work well.
Cat
 
Taking the age factor into consideration, along with what I have in the safe, my 'plan' was to limit any aditional purchases. Then COVID 19 hit. A suggestion came out to the general public to cut back on the 'probable' increase in alcohol consumption and donate the saved funds to a charity.;) Great idea!!! My drink of choice is/was beer. The only exception is a once yearly purchase of a six pack of Guinness, on my birthday. The charity of choice, M.L.R. fund. My Last Rifle fund. With the 'saved' funds, from a friend and site member, I picked up a Remington 700 Limited Edition (M.L.R.) in 6.5CM along with a sizeable quantity of factory ammo:d.

Lol, well, I like your charity. - dan
 
Here's a quick compare for things anyone can buy and saami pressures comparisons and apples to apples as possible comparison on popular 'hunting' marketed loads from one manufacturer. I had to add the 300 Win Mag into this equation to lend perspective as to why the manbun is such a stud, why it's the 21st century interpretation of a .308 win, and why it will stand the test of time just as well or better. ;)

6.5 Creedmoor 143 gr eld-x factory load, .625 bc, .293 sd, 2700 fps launch
308 Win 178 gr eld-x factory load, .552 bc, .253 sd, 2600 fps launch
300 Win Mag 178 gr eld-x factory load, .552 bc, .253, 2960 fps launch

1800 fps impact at my elevation comes at; (a common minimum on game threshold by many hunters for most big game)
6.5 CM - 765 yards (160 yard 21% advantage over 308 in distance potential on game)
308 Win - 605 yards
300 Win Mag - 840 yards (28% advantage over 308, only 9% over 6.5 CM)

20" wind drift at 10 mph comes at; (a common max limit guys can actually hit well with on game in the field)
6.5 CM - 600 yards (tied 1st place with 300 WM, 9.2% advantage over 308, 9.2% higher hit probability another viewpoint)
308 Win - 545 yards
300 Win Mag - 600 yards

Recoil Energy in 8.5 lb Rifle comes at;
6.5 CM 143 gr - 11.7 ft/lbs (26.9% recoil advantage over 308, 61.8% over 300 WM!, the majority of population can shoot sub 12 ft/lbs well, falls off quick past 15 to the few)
308 Win 178 gr - 16 ft/lbs
300 Win Mag 178 gr - 30.6 ft/lbs

13.7% penetration advantage for the 6.5 CM over both the 30 cals given same impact velocity

AND, this look is just the hunting marketed hornady eld-x bullets. You could do an eld-m's compare also and the 140 6.5 is higher bc than the 143, the 147 eld-m is off the charts on bc and sd...if you tried to compare 150-165 grain bullets in the 30 cals to the 147 eld-m the 308 isn't even in the running, and then there's a-tips, and 150+ class 6.5's that hand loaded will run obliterate anything the 308 can do and run with premium choice 300 WM options (190+ gr options) all the way out to 1000 yards. Don't bring the PRC into it comparisons as it leaves the 300 WM looking pretty sad. ;)

Where can 308 beat the manbun? Not really sure, it can run with it to 400, but so can everything else too, heck a 6.5 Grendel 123 is essentially a 3/4 scale 308 168 only a few fps slower but same bc/sd so even that can run with them to 400 and single digit ft/lbs recoil energy. Anyway, the advantages for 308 aren't really in the ballistics at all, just commonality and availability, the universal 20th century cartridge carrying over into the 21st century...that's the only real advantage.

Barrel life on 308/manbun? Close enough to a draw? 300 WM loses that one by a lot. Trying to give the 308 some wins, ballistically none, but in other categories I'm trying lol...poor 308, master of nothing but pretty good at a lot. There's a new kid in town, all grown up now too and polished just fine, just the way it goes, be a long long time before a new kid comes along to do the same to the manbun...none of us will be around to see it. Our kids likely won't see it either...grandkids maybe.

That's a good baseline to compare things without insults or drama. Your clearly in the wrong forum...

I'm trying the Berger 6.5 156 grain EOL bullets out (got a box through prophet river), I reloaded a bunch late last season and am keen to get out when the snow is receded. My chrono was acting up last I had it out, maybe its just something with the batteries, or maybe I gotta find a second one to verify calibration. I'd like to push velocities a bit but I dialed back the powder to where the groups were satisfying.

Bergers site says G1 BC of .679 or G7 BC .347 but I'll just have to see how it goes. It is actually lots of enjoyment with load development etc!
 
Thats hilarious. Get back to us when your cm has taken as much game as a 308. Then we can all laugh. - dan

oh boy, I can do you one better lol

is 5 years enough for a Dad with two boys that have just come of age and 15 head of game batting 1000? doing it will a 6.5 even smaller than the Creed so now what?
 
This said, a good cartridge, they are both that. I can’t scoff at the 6.5Cr, only when people try to paint it as a drastic improvement on the .308.

Agree. Sometimes, maybe more than sometimes, t's good to paint the picture when people who haven't done their homework and claim it's just marketing hype try to jump in with both feet. It's far more than that, it sold itself without any marketing help, it walks the walk and then some. So like any azz kicking contest (I mean discussion) and guys come hopping in on one leg....sometimes a more dramatic approach is required, certainly makes it more fun. ;)
 
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