Help me choose...

[Slopok]

Hey!

Figured I would ask here, hopefully this is the correct forum.

I'm looking at two calibers currently for a new rifle. this rifle will be a pure cross over, used for longer range target and as deer/varmint gun.

I have narrowed it down to two (2) and only these two calibers, either a .243win or a 6.5 CM.

Not to be rude, but this are the only two I am interested in as I currently do not handload, I have in the past but no longer have the means, and am looking to buy a factory rifle and use factory ammo, for the time being

I am looking for something that can reach out to 1000yrds eventually, when I feel I am able, but for the most part out to 600 on paper.

i like to keep my hunting inside of 300yards so that it is more humane. (aka, I don't want to lug the animal far LOL).

Two local(ish) gun shops have both calibers in the Ruger American Ranch 2 models, which i am kind of in favor of due to detachable magazine, while is nice for hunting. I have handled the rifle and it does fit my body nicely.

Thanks for the help.

 

[Sako Collector]

The 6.5 CM will allow you to select from a range of higher ballistic coefficient bullets to reduce wind deflection for the long range target shooting, or deer out to 300yrds. The downside will be slightly higher recoil and possibly higher ammo costs.

 

[SigWig]

6.5 is newer and exists because it is better. More ammo options too.

 

[Charger 426]

Both fine for game out to 300 yds
.243 maxes out at 600-800 yds for reasonable expectation of accuracy.
6.5CM good for 1000+ yds with good BC bullets

 

[ScottMisfits]

I am a fan of the 243, however, the 6.5cm is more versatile in what you can handled, if that matters. There are a very good selection of varmint, hunting, and target bullets in various weights from light to heavy for caliber.
Another benefit is that the barrel life is a lot longer.

 

[Hitzy]

If you get a fast twist 243, like 1-7 or 1-8, it will handle the heavy for cal VLD's and will perform better at 1000m then the 6.5CM.

 

[Slopok]

If you get a fast twist 243, like 1-7 or 1-8, it will handle the heavy for cal VLD's and will perform better at 1000m then the 6.5CM.

The Ruger I’m looking at has a 1in 9 twist in 243.

 

[AlbertaJohn]

All Hail to the mighty CREEDMOOR

 

[m1008]

If you get a fast twist 243, like 1-7 or 1-8, it will handle the heavy for cal VLD's and will perform better at 1000m then the 6.5CM.

Who cares about that he’s shooting factoy ammo in a budget Ruger. This thread should be in the hunting forum

 

[Canadiankeeper]

6.5 easy pick

 

[Slopok]

Who cares about that he’s shooting factoy ammo in a budget Ruger. This thread should be in the hunting forum

i posted here because I'm looking for something that will eventually get me out to 1000m, and as a target rifle. So sorry i don't have the budget to buy what every rifle you prefer to get out there right away, some of us are trying to get into the game, and not spend 1000's of dollars.

 

[Numnutz]

If you are recoil sensitive the .243 (6mm). Keeping in mind recoil is a function of bullet weight / rifle weight. Muzzle brakes reduce recoil but produce noise levels well above 140 dB, which is the threshold for immediate, physical pain to the ears.

 

[maifire]

6.5 manbun needmore. Lol. I know. I know.

For sure the 6.5 in my books

 

[ICEDSHOT]

What barrel length are the rifles your looking at? I know the Ruger Ranch can come with some very short (16") barrels. Trying to reach out to 1000 yards would be very difficult with a cartridge optimized for that barrel length.
6.5 is my choice.

 

[Slopok]

What barrel length are the rifles your looking at? I know the Ruger Ranch can come with some very short (16") barrels. Trying to reach out to 1000 yards would be very difficult with a cartridge optimized for that barrel length.
6.5 is my choice.

The rifle that I am looking at in 6.5 comes in a 22" barrel with a 1 in 8 twist. The .243 comes with a 20", 1 in 9 twist.

 

[ICEDSHOT]

The rifle that I am looking at in 6.5 comes in a 22" barrel with a 1 in 8 twist. The .243 comes with a 20", 1 in 9 twist.

I would definitely go with the 6.5 Creedmoor in this case. The 243 will have a hard time getting accuracy to 1000 yards with factory loads and that short of a barrel. The best factory high bc. Hornady offering in 243 would be the 90gr ELD-X. Muzzle velocity will be closer to 3000fps with a 20" barrel and the bullet will drop 350 inches and slow to below 1200 fps at 1000 yards. That is very close to the speed of sound which can upset most bullets when they go transonic. A lighter bullet will make this even worse.
The 6.5 Creed 147 gr match will have a velocity at muzzle close to 2600 fps but keep over 1500 fps at 1000 yards. It will also drop approx 330 inches at that distance. 20 inches less then the 243.
Handloading would change some of these factors but the creedmoor's factory options will out perform a 243. Either cartridge would be a fine hunting/varmint cartridge within 400 yards.

 

[g3arhead]

If you’re shooting a lot of targets , I’d say 6.5 solely because of potentially a lot more barrel life .

 

[wallz]

The 6.5CM is the easy button here.

You can get target ammo in 250 or 500 packs at discounted pricing. If you don't handload, keep all your spent brass and you can resell that to re coupe some of your costs for the ammo.

https://g4cgunstore.com/product-category/ammunition/?filter_caliber=6-5-creedmoor

https://www.gotenda.com/product-cat...6-5-creedmoor&really_curr_tax=982-product_cat


Remember to budget for a decent scope as well, or look for a used rifle/scope and save a bit. The 6.5CM has many models used.

 

[Mysticprecision]

of the 2, 6.5 CM would be my choice given your parameters

Jerry

 

[Slopok]

thanks for the great information everyone!

It seems that I'm going with the 6.5cm.

looking at Arkin scopes as well, don't want to go overly cheap on a scope. and it seems that they are making a good name for themselves. Something in the 7-35x56mm area.