Tactical bolt action rifle caliber choices: .223, .308, .243 or 6.5mm Creedmoor ?

The only 6mm Creedmore brass I am aware of is the custom lot GA Precision had made. I haven't heard of Hornady themselves announcing it as a standard caliber.

I really like the 6XC, and am a little surprised that it has fallen in popularity. Heard that recent lots of brass aren't that great, so that might be a factor. It's also very expensive for brass you're going to lose at a high rate ($185/100 in Canada). I used to lose somewhere between 20-40% of my brass when I shot those style of matches. Winchester shoots well enough and you don't cry (as much) when you lose it.

Most of them are shooting the 105 Hybrid, not the VLD. It's the favored bullet at this point.

Edit:
-Hornady announced their 2015 New Products today. No 6mm Creedmore.
-Norma now lists 6.5 Creedmore on their website.
 
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Why I would form my brass from 22-250. Cheap like rice and who cares if you loose a few. I am really liking the PRVI for durability.

Norma is pretty darn pricey to schuck into the weeds - that is likely the biggest reason it is not more popular. hrn is pretty darn soft so if loaded hot, you aren't getting alot of bangs from your brass.. but it is less money.

Yes, hybrids are very popular for sure. But they all shoot well. I am sure another flavor will pop up for next season.

Be wonderful if this type of format could be shot in Canada. But I just don't see DND enjoying us running all over their range :)

Jerry
 
Yeah, I've formed 6mm Crusader while practicing positions, when the lower accuracy didn't matter.

You don't need to run all over the range. All you need a fixed firing point with targets are different distances. Some of the DND ranges have UKD/artillery ranges that could be used. I can think of a private range that would be ideal for this, but unfortunately I don't think there is any interest in that type of match.

We have facilities in Canada, what we lack is the will to do it (or allow it to be done). Much of that probably comes from unfamiliarity with the matches. Bringing them under one banner (PRS) will help raise their profile and help promote interest.
 
Shawn_338 said:
I would also go with the 260, I have all of the above calibers and my 260 is the best shooter hands down
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The more I read, the more the 260 is creating interest but from what I read, the 260 is almost exclusively handloads. I have not found one place that sells factory loads.

caramel said:
There is something magic around the 308... This caliber shine everywere and if you are looking for an extra cool rifle, you can be certain they are made in 308... And 223... JP.
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I do agree that the 308 is very popular and has a large fan base and yes, I am interested in the 308. What I am considering is the 308 rifle with muzzle brake to help reduce the recoil. I am a big guy (6'3 and 225lbs) and I have fired enough bullets out of rifles to be able to live with most any type of recoil but now that I am a civilian, I just want to enjoy the sport of shooting "comfortably" so, the less recoil the better.

Warden70 said:
260 Remington. Available components, cost effective, good bullet selection, High BC and SD, outperforms the 308 at long range, has similar ballisitics to a .300 Win Mag, a lot less recoil, all in a short action! Will take game from deer to elk and moose!
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I agree with everything you say but again, if I am not reloading, I can't seem to find many shops that sell factory loads of that caliber.

caramel said:
I will spend a lot more money on anything 308 ( for me buying 308 rifle, is more like an investment, more than an expense), i had a custom build in 6.5 Creedmoor costing 3K + ( it was a great, accurate rifle but did not have the 308 aura, so i sold it, it was deem to become a safequeen) but it shine over the 308 at longer distance, my 308 shooting is almost always within 600 metres, this is 308 territory... JP.
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I agree that the 308 seems suited for the 300-800 metre range and seems to get pushed a bit more past that by the windage factor. That's why I was originally drawn to the 6.5 CM, for its long range effectiveness. I think my main issue is that I don't want to be limited to a caliber that I can't find factory loads and have to rely on hand loading exclusively. For that, the 308 offers good choices in both hand loads and factory loads.

ALMAR said:
Hey i was your neighbor at valcartier (5rgc, 1995-2001). I went for the .308 because of availability of ammo, rifles, rifle parts reloading components etc., price, selection and that it gets the job done. If your starting out like i am in this now non job related hobby, why not choose the good old, very well covered .308. I am not the foremost expert here for sure but it’s what i chose and i’m happy i did, i think that it will take a while before i can say that i have outgrown the .308, there is alot to learn with it and it's a good overall hunting round. And if recoil bothers you, you can use a muzzle brake and/or butt pad.
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Hey neighbour, judging from those dates, we might have met. Thank you for the 308 advice!

kombayotch said:
The stats are starting to roll in from this year's PRS finale:
http://precisionrifleblog.com/2014/10/14/rifle-calibers-what-the-pros-use/

Although, isn't as meaningful for the matches we shoot here in Canada because they are almost exclusively shot at single, known distances. The trend down there is towards midsized 6mm cartridges because of the flatter trajectory and low recoil (things that matter when speed is important and there is uncertainty in the distance). Hoping this will mean more brass options for the 6.5 Creedmore (or better yet 6mm Creedmore)... I think it will.
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6mm is not even something I would consider but thank you for the info.

samsplacci71 said:
First off OP, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. I have a hard time matching what my 113 y.o. Swede Mauser can do with a 29inch barrel and the 6.5x55mm cartridge. (I have a Remington 700 .308 Heavy Barrel, braked and sporting an Accuracy International AICS AX chassis). Since you're punching holes, you may as well get the most bang for your buck. Jerry Teo from Mystic Precision hit the nail on the head. Regardless of calibre, you will need to reload to get the precision you want. So, if you snag a Savage short action in say .308...you can swap in a prefit barrel to a .260 Remington or 7mm-08 since they both use the .308 as the parent case. Nice thing about most 6.5's...they pretty much duplicate what the .300 WM will do. You've been given some great advice.
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Thank you for your kind words, I appreciate it. And I agree with you, I have received great advice and I also have great appreciation for it. So much to think about and soon I will have to make a decision.
 
.308s have been known to reach 10,000 rounds and still retain decent accuracy. Barrel life of a .223 is shorter than that of a .308, as far as that goes.
There is nothing wrong with .308. I have some really accurate ones. But since I built up my .260, they've been on vacation.
My .260 is based on a M700 action, Kreiger medium Palma barrel, chambered with a Manson reamer, Harrel Precision brake, in a MilCun pattern laminated stock. PTG bottom metal, using AICS type magazines. 6-24 Sightron LRMOA scope. Very accurate, and very comfortable to shoot.
 
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joe.grey said:
I would tend to consider that a short barrel life compared to the 308. Wouldn't you?
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You guys buy a sports car and ##### about brakes and tires wearing out to fast? It's an item that wears on all rifles get used to it. But to let you know just passed the 3k mark on my 260 Coyote and it still hammers. Slight velocity loss but nothing worth crying about. O and the 260 Juan built me is a laser too.........

The 6mm and 6.5 are pretty much what everyone shoots on the PRS in the States for a definite advantage. I love the 308 it's a great round, but its at a disadvantage to a lot of SA rounds.

For a guy that doesn't want to reload it will serve you well.
 
Does anyone know a (legit) way to get the brass from GAP? They are not setup to sell outside the US. If someone is interested in a possible group buy of 6mm Creedmoor brass, please PM me and we can start a separate thread. Dealers welcome.

kombayotch said:
The only 6mm Creedmore brass I am aware of is the custom lot GA Precision had made. I haven't heard of Hornady themselves announcing it as a standard caliber.

I really like the 6XC, and am a little surprised that it has fallen in popularity. Heard that recent lots of brass aren't that great, so that might be a factor. It's also very expensive for brass you're going to lose at a high rate ($185/100 in Canada). I used to lose somewhere between 20-40% of my brass when I shot those style of matches. Winchester shoots well enough and you don't cry (as much) when you lose it.

Most of them are shooting the 105 Hybrid, not the VLD. It's the favored bullet at this point.

Edit:
-Hornady announced their 2015 New Products today. No 6mm Creedmore.
-Norma now lists 6.5 Creedmore on their website.
Click to expand...
 
Its going to be made from the same basic case, so there is no advantage aside from the headstamp and not having to size on the first loading. You'll end up paying substantially more for them.
 
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