6.5 Creedmoor - Are stalkers shooting at longer ranges?

EddieArran505

Well-Known Member
I believe the 6.5 Creedmoor was developed as a long range target round. It seems very popular within the stalking community. Does this mean stalkers are shooting at longer ranges? If not, why the popularity?
No ethical leanings - just curious.
 
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I worry about where this thread may end up.

I got one to use at what is probably best described as medium range: 200-400m. I’m sure I could have used any of the other standard cartridges for these ranges, but was curious and probably a little blinded by the marketing.

I like it, and am very comfortable shooting to 300 with it, and have taken a few shots beyond that. I also shoot a .308 and would say that the wind drift is noticeably less with the Creedmoor out past 200m. However, the end results seem more or less the same. I can’t say with any certainty whether any of the deer I’ve shot with either gun would have gone differently had I been using the other!
 
I have 1 and got it simply because its the calibre that had the most amount of ammo selection in the shop.

Mine is a Tikka T3x CTR so also use it for target use.
 
How do you guys find the recoil of the Creedmoor relative to other common stalking cartridges, ie, .243, 308, etc?
 
My guess is it’s simply a new cartridge with great reviews and has the additional benefit of long range performance. I bought a 300wsm years ago for the same reason.
 
I stalk with a 6.5x55SE & the creedmore on the range.
Stalking & long range hunting are different to me. Stalk in with a fixed power scope or good mag range for target or distance type shooting.
 
I changed from the 6.5x55 using factory ammo to the creedmoor as I found it to be slow on grassing Reds. The creedmoor factory ammo Hornady 143g ELD-X certainly has them down quicker with little damage. It seams to hit them harder. You also see what you hit.
 
I changed from the 6.5x55 using factory ammo to the creedmoor as I found it to be slow on grassing Reds. The creedmoor factory ammo Hornady 143g ELD-X certainly has them down quicker with little damage. It seams to hit them harder. You also see what you hit.
Did you use the same bullet in the Swede?
 
Tried Sako, Norma and Federal. All seamed too slow at getting them down with chest shots. They all ran too far for my liking. It is a better match for me with the creedmoor and the hornady eld-x. Coupled with the z8i with ballistic Turret. Shoots well and knocks them down.
Interesting. I shoot a .308 and have little experience of either of the 6.5s; however, I can't help wondering how the same sized bullet is producing such different results in the two chamberings? Presumably, there is a velocity difference, but is it significant at stalking ranges?
 
6.5x55 factory loads are anaemic because of the older actions that people might fire them in.

The x55 has a larger case capacity than the CM and so will fire the same projectile at a faster velocity...

The CM is trendy and in a short action but that's it's only advantage if you handload the x55.
 
Loads of other threads on the 6.5 on here. Some interesting posts. Not realy into the full ballistics as some are. I changed over the year's from a. 243 to a 6.5x55 swede. As you say all the calibres are much the same. I find the creedmoor the sweetest to shoot of the three. Just finished a busy year at the Reds. Hinds are in poor condition here now. I found the creedmoor more than capable.
 
I believe the 6.5 Creedmoor was developed as a long range target round. It seems very popular within the stalking community. Does this mean stalkers are shooting at longer ranges? If not, why the popularity?
No ethical leanings - just curious.
whats your definition of longer, long range?

I have a 6.5 x 55, 308, 6.5 CM,

The Creedmoor has been around since 2007 (i think)

6.5 x 47, 6.5 x 57, 6.5 x 55, 6.5 PRC, 6.5 CM etc etc

The Creedmoor is a very energy efficient round, its 30* shoulders allows this (and other things)

Hornady made the 143 gr EDLX especially for the Creedmoor which has a very high BC, in turn making it extremely Accurate, and very popular with target shooters, for all the right reasons.

In a nut shell the CM fires a 6.5 bullet at the same speed as my 6.5 X 55 with a smaller cartridge

I know there are 308 shooter shooting deer at the the same ranges !

what would you prefer?

A deadly accurate calibre or an avg run of the mill ?

we all have choices

Many of us have hole on hole rifles, us Creedmoor boys just need to tell you about it (lol)
 
6.5x55 factory loads are anaemic because of the older actions that people might fire them in.

The x55 has a larger case capacity than the CM and so will fire the same projectile at a faster velocity...

The CM is trendy and in a short action but that's it's only advantage if you handload the x55.
I recon the 6.5CM is so well accepted because their is no fighting over to what pressure it can be loaded to. The highest pressure a 6.5x55 (CIP rating) should be loaded to is 500 bar less than the CM, so it is not right away clear if the slight bit more capacity of the 6.5x55 will actually lead to higher velocity, especially not in shorter hunting barrels. For our smaller deer I think the 6.5CM has better factory offerings.
The 6.5CM was long overdue. Recon the 6.5CM outsells a 6.5x55 20:1 at the moment.
edi
 
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