Ruger options?

[Sniffer]

I fancy something to shoot accurately at distance and the Ruger pretty much fits the bill - seems reasonable cash for what you get, 10 round mags and I like the look (particularly the gen 2s)

Obviously there are a few calibre offerings (308 win, 243 win and 6.5 Creedmoor) - so what are the strengths and weaknesses of each? The 6.5 seems to get great reviews but from what I can tell it is relatively new and ammo is not widely stocked. Don't know much about the other two.

I`ve read quite a lot regarding the costs for each type of ammunition and it seems to differ widely - is one more cost effective than the other? I know there are two components to this question - am I buying pre built or the components to make my own. Again I know zero regarding this but I imagine hand loading ends up being cheaper?

This question is probably worthy of a thread of its own in the relevant section but how hard is hand loading and are the tools/components expensive?

Thanks in advance

 

[stockriderman]

I have RPR v2 308 is cheaper of them all. 6.5 is available almost anywhere these days. It's getting more popular, yet quite a bit more expensive. No surplus availability,etc. But 6.5 is better for long range shooting.

 

[Chas59]

I have a few .308's that are quite accurate, or certainly better than I can shoot. Hand loading has made a difference for me in going from moa to 1/2 moa with the right hand load. Less than half the cost per round for me than quality ammo would be, and you can really tailor it to what your rifle likes. I am fairly new at the shooting game but picked an RCBS single stage and found it very simple to get started. Case prep was a pain until I bought the Lyman case prep machine, it works great and has made life easier.

 

[burnaby]

308 is cheapest to shoot. Tons of factory and reload options plus surplus. Designed for 5-600m, stretchable to 800+ but at that distance 6.5CM is ballistically better option.

 

[Sniffer]

I have RPR v2 308 is cheaper of them all. 6.5 is available almost anywhere these days. It's getting more popular, yet quite a bit more expensive. No surplus availability,etc. But 6.5 is better for long range shooting.

How much more expensive?

Do you reload or no?

From what Ive read it seems the 6.5 has better performance but if 308 is substantially cheaper and works well I`d give it a whirl

 

[Sniffer]

I have a few .308's that are quite accurate, or certainly better than I can shoot. Hand loading has made a difference for me in going from moa to 1/2 moa with the right hand load. Less than half the cost per round for me than quality ammo would be, and you can really tailor it to what your rifle likes. I am fairly new at the shooting game but picked an RCBS single stage and found it very simple to get started. Case prep was a pain until I bought the Lyman case prep machine, it works great and has made life easier.

Whoa there!

I must be newer than you cos most of that went right over my head! Care to elaborate in baby steps for those of us that are in the dark?

 

[stockriderman]

How much more expensive?

Do you reload or no?

From what Ive read it seems the 6.5 has better performance but if 308 is substantially cheaper and works well I`d give it a whirl

Hard to say. If I had to take a wild guess, about twice.
reloading may not save you money if you want the match grade stuff... And I assume you want match grade stuff if you want 6.5
Check the ammo stores(eg sponsors above) and see what they charge for ammo, shells, bullets, powder, primers.) Add those up.

 

[Sniffer]

308 is cheapest to shoot. Tons of factory and reload options plus surplus. Designed for 5-600m, stretchable to 800+ but at that distance 6.5CM is ballistically better option.

Interesting - so what kind of upper distance are we talking about for the 6.5CM version?