6.5 Creedmoor vs 243 for deer/coyotes?

jonyork

jonyork

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Hi Folks,

My son is looking to get into hunting with me, and we are currently looking at some rifles.

I was originally thinking 243 as a youth friendly deer getter, that can do double duties on coyotes very well.

On the other hand, I was also looking at getting a 6.5 creedmoor rifle myself.

Would the 6.5 Creedmoor be "ok" for the varminting/coyote aspect that the 243 would be good at? Would the 6.5 Creed be ok for a youth shooter as well? I understand the recoil is a bit more than the 243.

Thanks everyone!
 
I feel no difference in recoil between the two, there is likely a couple pounds recoil difference but if your son is not too young or small he should be okay with both. I have shot coyotes with both 6.5CM and 243, both will do it and with authority too, pick the right bullet to minimize pelt damage if you are looking to collect the fur. Both are also very capable deer slayers as well, again right bullet in the right place and venison will be in the freezer. Good luck to you and your son!
 
Regardless of what I am hunting, when I see a coyote it becomes a coyote hunt!

Coyotes are not terribly caliber sensitive as I have shot them with 222, 22-250, 243, 25-06, 260, 270, 280, 30-06 and 338.

Since we do not know anything about your "Little Man's" stature and experience all I can say is do not advance him too soon to or beyond his comfort zone.

As a 10 year old he shot a 0.83" c-c group at 300 yards with the 243 but one shot with the 260 and he said it kicked too much . . . Comfort Zone Found!
 
After enough bench resting my t3x lite in 6.5cm will bruise me up. I dont complain but a younger fellow might.

Edit. Using 143eldx it adds up but you can also shoot 95gr varmint ammo and its super soft.
 
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If only gun manufacturers would wake up and notice threads like these... the answer existed before WW1 in the 250-3000 Savage designed by Charles Newton.

But until that time arrives - and barring custom work: 6.5Grendel would be more youth friendly than both 243grossoverbore or 6.5fanaticmoor. Why the 6.5cm exists is puzzling... it's not much different from 260rem.
 
i would go 6.5 creedmoor would work on both species - as for the 243 its pretty hard on barrels - do to the angle of the shoulder compared to the 6.5 Creedmoor
 
New Camper said:
If only gun manufacturers would wake up and notice threads like these... the answer existed before WW1 in the 250-3000 Savage designed by Charles Newton.

But until that time arrives - and barring custom work: 6.5Grendel would be more youth friendly than both 243grossoverbore or 6.5fanaticmoor. Why the 6.5cm exists is puzzling... it's not much different from 260rem.
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6.5cm has a very good reason to exist. For the guy who wants a factory rifle with factory ammo that will be affordable and accurate, it's a great option.

OP, IMO I would go 243. Buy a rifle for the kid, not something for yourself that'll maybe also work for him, especially if he's smaller than you.

243 is plenty capable, it's all my one friend uses.

IvoB said:
i would go 6.5 creedmoor would work on both species - as for the 243 its pretty hard on barrels - do to the angle of the shoulder compared to the 6.5 Creedmoor
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Hogwash. For a hunting rifle 243 has plenty of barrel life.
 
I went with the .243

Because:
Bullet variations - you can go from a 50 to 100 grain bullet. Lots of choices.
Ammo is available almost anywhere and is reasonably priced.
It shoots fast and flat - Premium or home rolled ammo - 50 grain can squeeze out the muzzle at 4000+ fps and sustain supersonic at 1000 yards.
Recoil? What recoil.

The .243 is all that is awesome.

(Don't mix up your 243/308 ammo if you have both) ;)
 
Either will do just fine. Depending on his age and size I would focus on finding a rifle that fits him, that he likes, and that has the potential to grow with him for a few years. If that rifle is then offered in both .243 & 6.5 buy the less expensive of the two unless he has a preference. If they’re the same price and he doesn’t care, buy the .243. I’d be more likely to buy a used .243 for my kids than a 6.5.

I’ll shortly be coming up on the same situation for my eldest daughter. Contenders so far are the Tikka T3X Compact, Browning X-bolt Micro, and Remington Model 7 Compact. All are approx 12.5” LOP and 6#. CZ had a Youth Carbine model but I think it’s been discontinued.
 
TT1900 said:
Either will do just fine. Depending on his age and size I would focus on finding a rifle that fits him, that he likes, and that has the potential to grow with him for a few years. If that rifle is then offered in both .243 & 6.5 buy the less expensive of the two unless he has a preference. If they’re the same price and he doesn’t care, buy the .243. I’d be more likely to buy a used .243 for my kids than a 6.5.

I’ll shortly be coming up on the same situation for my eldest daughter. Contenders so far are the Tikka T3X Compact, Browning X-bolt Micro, and Remington Model 7 Compact. All are approx 12.5” LOP and 6#. CZ had a Youth Carbine model but I think it’s been discontinued.
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Im in the same boat except my daughter is still too small for a centrefire rifle. She's 10 in September but only 50lbs. Probably going to be small game only for her this year - but at least she can still come and partake in big game even if she can't be the trigger woman.
 
Yep, this is a future purchase, and really the idea behind it was if I can "standardize" ammunition if you will.

My boy is 11 now, and 5'6" and 90lbs. He's going to be looking at a "fullsize" rifle if you will since he doesn't have much issues getting around mine, but being 90lbs right now, recoil does bother him some (totally understandable), which is why I'm looking at something like a 243.

I've been using my 300 on coyotes and it's a bit....much.
 
jonyork said:
Yep, this is a future purchase, and really the idea behind it was if I can "standardize" ammunition if you will.

My boy is 11 now, and 5'6" and 90lbs. He's going to be looking at a "fullsize" rifle if you will since he doesn't have much issues getting around mine, but being 90lbs right now, recoil does bother him some (totally understandable), which is why I'm looking at something like a 243.

I've been using my 300 on coyotes and it's a bit....much.
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Im also about 5'6 (although my beer belly makes me tip the scales much higher than him lol) and I prefer a slightly shorter LOP than most rifles come with although I can shoot a regular size rifle fine.

You should look into rifles that come with spacers so the rifle can grow with him. Tikka makes one that has a 12.5" LOP and comes with a 30mm spacer for when he gets bigger. A rifle like that will give you years of good use even for a growing kid and the 243 is plenty capable for deer hunting, especially with the premium bullets available these days.

https://www.tikka.fi/rifles/tikka-t3x/t3x-compact-0

Also, don't forget to take him to the gun store and try it out. If he's really lanky then maybe a full size rifle will do but especially in a big winter jacket it might be less than ideal. Something that fits proper will make the experience more enjoyable than something he can merely shoot.
 
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Cabela’s only had 3 options for 6mm creed. They looked like neeedles stuck in a casing. The 6.5 creed looked like a bit of a happier medium. I’d go 6.5 creed for deer and coyotes
 
You can't go wrong with either cartridge. If it were me, I would go with a 6.5 cm, it'll be a better all around cartridge in case you decide at some point to hunt larger game. I think it's a better cartridge for him to grow into. Your son is only an inch shorter than me. :)
 
pete dobinson said:
You can't go wrong with either cartridge. If it were me, I would go with a 6.5 cm, it'll be a better all around cartridge in case you decide at some point to hunt larger game. I think it's a better cartridge for him to grow into. Your son is only an inch shorter than me. :)
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Please explain why the 6.5 is better for larger game?......

OP, the 243 is a good time honored cartridge for everything from coyote to deer for ages.... There are multiple factory options readily available at your local Cambodian tire and it would suit your young lad just fine...
 
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