To 6.5 or not to 6.5 that is the question!

[Envillegc1]

So
Like many I suspect I have been mulling over whether to get a 6.5 Creedmoor!

A couple of seeks ago a couple of friends let me have a go with there’s out on the range.

I had my 243 with me, which held its own out to 300yds, although the cross wind did need more compensation between 200 and 300. After 300 it was noticeable how the 6.5 started to pull away.

That said I am not looking at taking deer at those ranges(which may have answered my own question).

So I guess the question is, would you swap out the 243 for a 6.5?

For deer what is it going to give that the 243 does not already do?

Would welcome your thoughts?

 

[Sakoodin1]

The creed will get you to the 1000 a lot easier than the .243 . It will no doubt hit harder on animals if you are using to top end weight of bullet. I had both a fast twist .243 and a creed after that,I much prefer my .260 but that’s not really fashionable with some. If your looking at a 6.5 go prc (depending on your range needs) if you are just stalking roe/fox/hinds say out to 250 odd the .243 will be more than fine. The creed is just a reinvention of the wheel to keep Hornady ticking along. All its hype and it still doesn’t do anything that any other calibre in that realm that’s been around for years does. The prc is a different Kettle of fish all together in the 6.5’s (they should if missed the creed out and went straight for the prc). I don’t have one or know anyone with one so I can’t say that much about it as I’m more a .260 ack/25.06/.270/.284/7mm rm type of bloke but most of them all do the same job. If you want to scratch a itch then go for it but I would be scratching elsewhere happy buying

 

[Heym SR20]

For deer stalking I wouldn’t bother swapping a perfectly good 243 for a 6.5.

If pining gongs at 1,000 is your game plenty of others will opine.

 

[@theroedeerguy]

I recently swapped over from being a happy .270 owner to being a very happy 6.5 Creed owner, just feels a bit more refined and performance on targets and deer has been excellent

 

[25 Sharps]

So
Like many I suspect I have been mulling over whether to get a 6.5 Creedmoor!

A couple of seeks ago a couple of friends let me have a go with there’s out on the range.

I had my 243 with me, which held its own out to 300yds, although the cross wind did need more compensation between 200 and 300. After 300 it was noticeable how the 6.5 started to pull away.

That said I am not looking at taking deer at those ranges(which may have answered my own question).

So I guess the question is, would you swap out the 243 for a 6.5?

For deer what is it going to give that the 243 does not already do?

Would welcome your thoughts?

An extra few hundred foot pounds, the option to shoot bullets up to around 135 grains and bullets with a higher BC.

 

[NullMac]

If you reload absolutely.

The factory loads are ridiculously underloaded. Hornady 120gr says 2900 on the box and delivers 2780 on the chrony out of a 24" barrel. My load gives 3000fps and is under SAAMI max.

Not a round for a short barrel, it is slow enough as it is.

The truth is that the 65CM is underloaded to create space for a PRC offering. If the advertised gap is 200fps but in reality was only 100fps then with various barrel selections they are the same round.

I have a 65CM and am a fan. I also have a fast twist 243 and with 105 ELD there is nothing between them. Higher MV trumps the 65's slightly higher bc, but you need fast twist.

 

[RJD]

So
Like many I suspect I have been mulling over whether to get a 6.5 Creedmoor!

A couple of seeks ago a couple of friends let me have a go with there’s out on the range.

I had my 243 with me, which held its own out to 300yds, although the cross wind did need more compensation between 200 and 300. After 300 it was noticeable how the 6.5 started to pull away.

That said I am not looking at taking deer at those ranges(which may have answered my own question).

So I guess the question is, would you swap out the 243 for a 6.5?

For deer what is it going to give that the 243 does not already do?

Would welcome your thoughts?

Are you shooting Deer bigger than Fallow? If yes then switch, if no then don’t.

 

[Stumpy2]

I prefer the extra clout of the 6.5 Creedmoor and choice to go heavier with bullet weights. Inside 200 yards you won’t really see much difference. I had both 243 and 6.5 Creedmoor in the cabinet 2 years ago, the 243 has since gone.
I would recommend a 24” barrel

 

[PhilSN12]

My CM has an 18" barrel with a 1.8 twist rate and I use Winchester Deer Season 125g which exit the barrel at 2668.
Not lightening fast but the combination works and I am happy with it.
I have never owned a .243 but my friend loves his and its what you are happy with that counts.

 

[FISH BOY]

My 243 has been my weekly go to for the past 5 years, but with the requirement shift to copper - 80gr I’ve found lacking as it just doesn’t have stopping power of 100gr lead.

Put in for a 6.5CM at my last renewal last September - my 243 hasn’t been out of the cabinet since.

The knockdown difference between 80gr and 120gr copper on fallow is noticeable.

Wish I had done it years ago.

 

[Utectok]

Put simply yes do it. The modern designed cartridges are definitely better than the older ones better twists rates and tolerances. A much more versatile cartridge than a .243
I shoot a swede which although not a new cartridges it does shoot the longest coolest projectiles almost as fast as a 6.5 prc…..

 

[Dave_45]

I did
Then I went 6.5 284

I might get a second rifle In 6.5 prc

 

[rem284]

I've had 6.5's in various concoctions. All have been good

 

[Mr. Gain]

It depends what projectiles you intend to shoot, what species you intend to shoot them at, and from how far away. For woodland stalking on roe and smaller, stick with the .243; add some fallow and opt for copper, and the 6.5 has merit; factor in some Hill stalking, and your .243 will probably leave you feeling under-gunned.

 

[25 Sharps]

An extra few hundred foot pounds, the option to shoot bullets up to around 135 grains and bullets with a higher BC.

That should be 145!!

 

[xavierdoc]

While I like the 6.5CM, I wouldn't get one for Stalking if I already had a working 243Win.

I have rifles in both, and with fast twist barrels: both drop deer and hit targets at range. If I could only have one, it would be the 6.5CM.

 

[Lloyd90]

If one was going to get a 6.5, would they be at any advantage or disadvantage comparing the 6.5 creed with the 6.5x55.

 

[Stumpy2]

That should be 145!!

You can go heavier…6.5 Creedmoor / 10.1 g (156 gr) Mega

But you’re into 308 territory at that weight!

 

[Mungo]

6.5CM is an easy, no-brain multipurpose round with noticeably more thump than a .243.

6.5PRC is a savage killer that laughs at wind and makes you smile every time you pull the trigger.

 

[Pete6.5]

If one was going to get a 6.5, would they be at any advantage or disadvantage comparing the 6.5 creed with the 6.5x55.

Not that 99 percent of people would notice