Is the 6.5 Creedmoor capable of everything a 7mm Rem Mag is? All game in the UK, including boar.

[Adyb]

Massive variables when shooting running game no matter how good you are. I used 270 for a few years but came to conclusion bit too light for driven boar and reds. 7rm, 308, 30 06 etc significantly better punch power.
Clearly 6.5 will kill anything in the UK but I would go for something heavier for boar regardless of hunting style - you may end up needing to track one if a shot goes wrong, they are seriously dangerous when cornered/injured, lots of dogs killed by them in Europe every year and human fatalities not unknown

 

[TundB]

6.5 CM is nowhere near 7RM. One is regular cartridge while other is magnum.
Both will kill the UK species but I think 7RM is too much for lowland situations which will suit better in Scottish highlands for longer distance shootings around 300-400 yards.

For occasional boar, 6.5mm should be fine at home, however even though it may be legal it will be frowned upon for driving boar in many places abroad.

I think 308Win is one of the best comprimised cartridges for the UK species and occasional boar.

 

[Mungo]

Scenario: all uk Deer Species including boar, no shots taken past 300M. I’m only interested in UK game in this discussion.
TIA

This comes down to what you mean by ‘capable’.

If you mean ‘will both kill everything you shoot at, inside 300m’, then yes, both will, most of the time. Though I personally think Creedmoor starts to get a bit marginal on large deer past 200m.

If you mean ‘are they similar enough that if you picked one at random each time you went out, the results would be so similar you wouldn’t notice the difference’, the answer is obviously no, not even close.

 

[JohnSmith]

If it weren't for grizzly bear and wood bison, I'd exclusively hunt with a 6.5 cm in Canada. It's fine for moose, elk, black bear, etc.

I have a 300wm, 308 and 7x57 as well, but I sure as heck don't need them. It's just nice to have options.

At the end of the day what you hunt with is your choice, but you sure as heck don't need magnum calibers to hunt any UK species, even boar.

 

[HonestJohn]

From .222 through the big boys like 375H&H,, put it in the place that’s relative to your chambering and bullet choice in relation to distance of shot, and it’s good.

It’s all relative

 

[User00033]

Scenario: all uk Deer Species including boar, no shots taken past 300M. I’m only interested in UK game in this discussion.
TIA

Yes.

The other 43 answers to the thread were not really necessary.

 

[Mungo]

Yes.

The other 43 answers to the thread were not really necessary.

I usually agree with you, and obviously you have much, much more experience than me. But remember that a lot of people here will be shooting factory ammo from a 20” barrel, so unlikely to be getting much more than 2550fps muzzle velocity. I don’t think you can expect that to compare consistently with a 7mmRM.

As you know, I shoot a Creedmoor and a 6.5 PRC. There is very definitely a difference in the outcome if I hit something like a sika deer in the chest at 200m.

 

[gixer1]

Yup, you're just gay if you buy a Creedmoor

Well hello sailor…..

 

[Dunwaters]

Both rounds will kill pretty much anything that you point them at, but the more powerful cartridge will hit with more authority and noticeably harder at both ends. The magnum will shoot flatter too.
Thats been my experience with the 6.5 and .270Win and theres not a lot of difference between .270win and 7mm REM

 

[User00033]

I usually agree with you, and obviously you have much, much more experience than me. But remember that a lot of people here will be shooting factory ammo from a 20” barrel, so unlikely to be getting much more than 2550fps muzzle velocity. I don’t think you can expect that to compare consistently with a 7mmRM.

As you know, I shoot a Creedmoor and a 6.5 PRC. There is very definitely a difference in the outcome if I hit something like a sika deer in the chest at 200m.

Short story:

I often shoot alongside a guy who is usually carrying a semi-custom 7mm SAUM shooting 162gr Hornady. I remember with crystal clarity the first time I took him into a favourite block for some longer range deer sniping.

I had my 6.5 Creedmoor. I’d been using it a while but it was the first time with this fella in tow.

There’s a video of the outcome on YT. As I lined up on a red hind at 523m, I got all the normal Creedmoor powder puff skimmed milk latte blah blah but underpinning the mickey taking was a concern the 6.5 might not be up to the shot, not being a magnum and all. I flattened the deer as I expected and as always happens with shots in the front of the shoulder.

Old mate now owns a 6.5 Creedmoor. (Which has turned out to be a godsend because it’s considerably easier to get components for.)

I stopped shooting the 6.5 a couple of years ago when I moved down a calibre to 6mm. By that time the 6.5 had a tally of around 300 red deer, the majority shot on that block well in excess of 300m.

So I’ll stick with my answer. Yes. The 6.5 is capable of everything the 7mm is within 300m. No question about it. How much more dead than dead is required?

700m? Different answer.

 

[1894]

Scenario: all uk Deer Species including boar, no shots taken past 300M. I’m only interested in UK game in this discussion.
TIA

Yes

 

[6pt-sika]

I’m no 30 caliber person far more into 6mm 6.5mm and 7mm , but if I were doing driven boar hunts I want something that’ll make bigger hole without excessive recoil so second third fourth and fifth shots are easier to regain position . So I’d be more intrested with a 308 or 338 Federal on a short action platform or the 30-06 or 338-06 on the long action platform . I’d most likely go with the 338 Federal first . I realize ammo is an issue for you guys so that gives the nod to the 308/30-06 , however I reload so whateva .

 

[njc110381]

They're quite different cartridges. I haven't had either of them but I have had a 6.5 Swede and a 7STW, so close enough. The 6.5 is nothing like the 7mm mag. Both will kill anything you shoot with them here, but the 7mm will knock over larger animals with more authority, especially at longer range.

 

[njc110381]

I'd add its true that some that can't hit a small point to kill need a big rifle to offset there inadequacies

Nah, some of us like the challenge of being able to shoot a big rifle as well as a small one. Some folk go out to the range to try to get super small groups at long range, fail, and work on getting better. I like to go out and see if I can match my .25-06 group with my .300WSM, or my .35 Whelen, or my .416 Rigby. I can't but trying to get better is fun.

 

[Utectok]

They're quite different cartridges. I haven't had either of them but I have had a 6.5 Swede and a 7STW, so close enough. The 6.5 is nothing like the 7mm mag. Both will kill anything you shoot with them here, but the 7mm will knock over larger animals with more authority, especially at longer range.

That’s all true…. Except no normal deer calibre will “knock over” larger deer. The deer fall over due to blood loss or damaged nervous system but they are not knocked over unless you are firing bricks.

 

[NigelM]

Nah, some of us like the challenge of being able to shoot a big rifle as well as a small one. Some folk go out to the range to try to get super small groups at long range, fail, and work on getting better. I like to go out and see if I can match my .25-06 group with my .300WSM, or my .35 Whelen, or my .416 Rigby. I can't but trying to get better is fun.

Very well said. If I'm out to shoot primarily Roe and Muntjac I take the 6XC, if the target is Fallow or hinds I take the 6.5 Lapua and for Red and Sika Stags I take the 280ai. All precision cartridges that shoot very small groups if I do my bit. But the most fun I have with a rifle is taking the 338WM out for running Boar practice or on the Boar themselves. You can't beat shooting freehand with a big calibre for the grin factor. I will take the 338 on the Stags one day - just need to find a stalker who will tolerate it

 

[Bowland blades]

its like comparing a fiesta with a pickup truck ! The thinking person knows when its best to use the fiesta and when to use the pickup truck . You cannot compare apples to oranges ! Who the heck wants to have apple sauce on thier morning toast or eat an orange pie ? Just because they are both fruit and round is meaningless . Personally i have no need of the 7mm Rem mag , the weight of the gun required , make a second shot at another target , not seeing the strike well and the ammo cost, noise , powder burnt . barrel life , ammo availibility etc etc etc , oh and the recoil
if i was hunting 500-600 yard elk on windy ground and shooting a dozen beasts a year then i might consider it , don't see many of them around here though to say the least because a Sika or Red at 300 can be dropped on the spot with 243 let alone a 7mm rem mag !

 

[billy_boyle_2010]

I am currently looking into this question too. At present, I have a 270 and shoot 130gn bullet. According to ballistic tables, a 6.5 cm 129 hornady bullet, at 100yds has 100ft lbs less energy than the 270. At 200yds it has the same as the 270 and 300yds has nearly 100ft lbs more energy than the 270. So I cant see it being an issue. Unless im missing something!

Those numbers looked wayyyy off to me- so a bit of googling- numbers at the muzzle and 300 yards

143g CM 2315 1658
145g 270 2840 1955

Even at 500 yards the 270 has 200 ft lbs more energy.

As to the OP- plenty of others have answered the question

 

[25 Sharps]

Those numbers looked wayyyy off to me- so a bit of googling- numbers at the muzzle and 300 yards

143g CM 2315 1658
145g 270 2840 1955

Even at 500 yards the 270 has 200 ft lbs more energy.

As to the OP- plenty of others have answered the question

Are those factory loads? Comparable barrel lengths?

140 gr bullets are not optimal power wise for the creedmoor, 120-30 gr are with 2500 ft-lb being achievable.

But the .270 with it extra 15 ish grains Of powder is going to win, far fewer high BC bullets available to make the most of it though.

 

[Bowland blades]

6.5 will kill any UK species.

I've seen sika stags run after being shot with a 375 hh,and not just a death dart.

Placement is vital

folks who have not killed a rutting stag tell me 243 aint big enough , yet i never had one beast prove that to me and most of em aint ever shot one . If it was allowed i would like to take one with 22 hornet , between the ear and the eye under 100 yards , you cant get lazy then and wallop one at 500 yards eh?!