I was in exactly the same situation three or four years ago and kept an open mind on which way I'd go for a stalking rifle and a longer range target rifle. As it turned out a good opportunity cam up on a .308 stalking rifle so I went for that. I agree with the comments about choice of bullet to suite the ballistics of the calibre for the intended use and range.
308 or 6.5cm
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I have both in multiples. IF you told me I must shoot game with a 308 that would be fine. If you told me I must use the Creedmoor, that would be fine also. Find the rifle you like. My flavor of the day is a Steyr Scout in CM. My main 308 hunting rifle is a Tikka T-3. Both are exceptionally accurate. I have others in these chamberings but these are my choices. ~Muir
Sectional density needs to be considered. A 140 Sierra GK in 6.5 is approximately the same length as a 308 x180 grain GK. The 120 grain Pro Hunter 6.5 is about the same length as a 30 cal 150 grain Pro Hunter. Simply put, if a 180 grain Game king would be too much bullet from a 308 for the deer in question, a 140 Game King from a 6.5 CM could also be an ill choice. JMHO. ~Muir
sir-lamp-alot
Well-Known Member
Never owned a 6.5cm but have owned a few .308's and would have another in a heart beat. Rifles and ammo can be found everywhere they hit with good authority whats not to like
You won't be able to use the 6.5CM in F/TR competition.
I recommend .308. I have two and they are great. An AI with a 24 inch barrel and Sauer 202 with an 18 inch barrel. I shoot 180gr bullets in both with surprisingly little difference in performance out to 900yds, so if you want a handy stalking rifle that hits like the hammer of Thor, get something similar to the Sauer with an 18 inch barrel.
landowner
Well-Known Member
This debate has been in session for a long time.
Between those two options, the ballistics are conclusive, 6.5 Creedmoor is a superior bullet. Will you notice the difference? Yes, approaching 300m range, you certainly would, it's undeniable.
I can't think of any reason to select 308 over 6.5 Creedmoor, for stalking in the UK. Any such arguments can, I believe, be satisfactorily debunked.
I think I've seen all the arguments on both sides, but I retain an open mind if somebody wants to teach me something new.
Between those two options, the ballistics are conclusive, 6.5 Creedmoor is a superior bullet. Will you notice the difference? Yes, approaching 300m range, you certainly would, it's undeniable.
I can't think of any reason to select 308 over 6.5 Creedmoor, for stalking in the UK. Any such arguments can, I believe, be satisfactorily debunked.
I think I've seen all the arguments on both sides, but I retain an open mind if somebody wants to teach me something new.
Then find the rifle that you really like, and that fits you well, and buy it. Luckily, the nicest rifles come in both flavors. You really cannot far wrong with either. I own multiples in each and have killed deer with both. In reflecting on performance, I must say the farthest I have had hard (mortally) hit deer run was using a 308 with 150 grain SST. I blame the crappy bullet. A 150 Interlock or Game king would have put him down quickly. With the SST he ran a 200 yards coughing out lung tissue.~Muir
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Heym SR20
Well-Known Member
6.5 Creedmoor vs. .308 Winchester | Field & Stream
Both the .308 Winchester and the 6.5 Creedmoor offer all-around performance for a variety of hunting and shooting applications, but there can be only one winner. Petzal weighs in and compares these two cartridges for accuracy, recoil, and effectiveness on
www.fieldandstream.com
.308 Win. vs. 6.5 Creedmoor - Caliber Battle
Last month, I called the .30-06 Springfield and the .270 Winchester “the most frequently debated rifle cartridge matchup on the planet.” Comparing the .308 Winchester and the 6.5 Creedmoor might give that statement a run for its money. No one doubts the .308 Win.’s ability to take big game. It’s...
Very much depends on whose article you read.
Really depends on what rifle, scope and bullet you choose rather than the cartridge per se.
Personally I don’t like short action cartridges - I much prefer longer cartridges like the 7x57, 7x64 and 30-06. They just look better proportioned to me. And for stalking purposes ignore all the long range arguments - they are irrelevant and just confuse the issue.
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Modern 65 bullets are more efficient than the typical 308 bullet weights used for stalking, but to see the benefit it needs a bit of range which really means towards the limit of stalking distances. There is limited benefit BUT the impact velocity may be higher giving better expansion on harder copper bullets.
With the trend to lighter copper bullets this effect favours the 65, but if the longest shot you are likely to take is ~200m then there is no practical advantage to either
With the trend to lighter copper bullets this effect favours the 65, but if the longest shot you are likely to take is ~200m then there is no practical advantage to either
landowner
Well-Known Member
Although the 308 has more energy between 0 to 700 m range, by virtue of being a bigger/heavier bullet with more momentum...
The fact is, 6.5 Creedmoor, being lighter and having a consistently higher velocity between 0 to1000 m range, is more accurate and consistent, dropping less due to gravity, and being affected less by windage, and also less recoil.
Thus, although the energy is lower, you're delivering that more accurately, faster, and at a longer range. The differences are very slight at stalking ranges, becoming more important at long-range, but there are good reasons why the newer bullet has caught on so fast.
I realise this debate has all been had before.
The fact is, 6.5 Creedmoor, being lighter and having a consistently higher velocity between 0 to1000 m range, is more accurate and consistent, dropping less due to gravity, and being affected less by windage, and also less recoil.
Thus, although the energy is lower, you're delivering that more accurately, faster, and at a longer range. The differences are very slight at stalking ranges, becoming more important at long-range, but there are good reasons why the newer bullet has caught on so fast.
I realise this debate has all been had before.
Absolutely.
Now the heresy. Energy is irrelevant. There needs to be enough energy to blow a hole clean through after that it just goes into the heather. Impact velocity is key to ensuring the best possible expansion and terminal effect.
landowner
Well-Known Member
Interesting perspective. The 6.5 Creedmoor is going through and out the other side, so with either bullet only a fraction of the energy you see on paper is being absorbed by the target. Very arguably, velocity is a more important factor in delivering a fast, clean kill and dropping the target where it stands -- even without the added benefit of superior accuracy to hit the kill zone.
Compare ballistic gel test:
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norcan
Well-Known Member
Agreed, with one exception.
The .308 would be my choice for a rifle with a 20”-and-under barrel, while the 6.5CM (or the somewhat-ballistically-superior 6.5x55) works best with 22” and longer.
norcan
Well-Known Member
Given that energy is the square of velocity, I don’t see how you can separate the two factors— at least if we’re talking about hunting-weight bullets.
norcan
Well-Known Member
For sure. The narrower 6.5 mm bore benefits from a bit more burn time, whereas an 18” (or even 16”) barrel is enough to give the wider 7.62 mm projectile sufficient punch for medium-game-hunting purposes.
On that basis, there’s enough justification to own both.
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