To 6.5 or not to 6.5 that is the question!

[Tobyc064]

I think you’re comparing high velocity v lower velocity. The difference in killingness seems more to do with speed than calibre.

I shoot a 6.5PRC, and believe me, it kills. It’s the killingest gun I’ve ever owned.

I also shoot a 6.5CM. It is a superb roe deer gun, and fine on larger things at close range, but it definitely doesn’t kill as well as the PRC.

Firing the exact same bullet (143gr eldx). The difference is the speed.

I think you’re confusing calibre with other

when you say the creedmoor doesn’t kill as well as your prc , you know what I mean when I say something else kills better. My experience has been non magnum short action 6.5’s . If you say the difference in killingness is the speed , I was comparing 25-06 to 6.5 creedmoor as they were similar in energy But would you say a 6mm creedmoor would be better than a 6.5 creedmoor?

 

[rem284]

Terminal speed has a effect on terminal energy. If you double the speed then the energy is quadrupelled. There it stands to reason any increase in terminal speed is desirable. What I have found that most copper bullets will kill well enough up to 200m. It is only after that distance where the killingness is questionable.

 

[bbell]

I wouldn’t worry too much about energy other than to make sure you’re above the legal limit.
A 168gr eld-m and 168gr full metal jacket have the same energy, but one will kill way better than the other. Using an appropriate bullet within it’s velocity window is what counts.

 

[25 Sharps]

when you say the creedmoor doesn’t kill as well as your prc , you know what I mean when I say something else kills better. My experience has been non magnum short action 6.5’s . If you say the difference in killingness is the speed , I was comparing 25-06 to 6.5 creedmoor as they were similar in energy But would you say a 6mm creedmoor would be better than a 6.5 creedmoor?

So, it’s the size of the powder charge and therefore the speed that makes the difference not diameter of the bullet.

You made a silly statement, that 6.5 bullets (.264) don’t kill as well as 25 bullets (.257) based on your experience that shooting a lighter bullet 400 fps faster has a more decisive terminal effect.

The same bullet, provided of suitable construction, pushed faster will kill better. A bigger cartridge allows you to push it faster, the 6.5 PRC isn’t a magnum (even though marketed as such) it has very similar capacity to your 25-06 and .270.

Lots of people in here killing lots of deer with 6.5s.

 

[tomgsp]

Ive just got a 6.5 Creedmoor barrel on my ticket and going to probably get one this week. Folded under the pressure of a few mates.
Cheers Tom

 

[patjack]

Ive just got a 6.5 Creedmoor barrel on my ticket and going to probably get one this week. Folded under the pressure of a few mates.
Cheers Tom

A decision you won't regret, I have had a 6.5cm since 2011 long before the new trend had the motion it eventually got.
I still use and like my .30 cals .308-30-06 but the 6.5cm does the job without any wanting when you match barrel length bullet design powder.

 

[Andy Mauthe]

Ive just got a 6.5 Creedmoor barrel on my ticket and going to probably get one this week. Folded under the pressure of a few mates.
Cheers Tom

Great! What barrel length do you think you’ll go with? I like mine. It’s 23 inches. I think you’ll enjoy the caliber.

 

[tomgsp]

A decision you won't regret, I have had a 6.5cm since 2011 long before the new trend had the motion it eventually got.
I still use and like my .30 cals .308-30-06 but the 6.5cm does the job without any wanting when you match barrel length bullet design powder.

Getting excited tbh

 

[tomgsp]

Great! What barrel length do you think you’ll go with? I like mine. It’s 23 inches. I think you’ll enjoy the caliber.

Yes something similar.
What FPS are you getting from yours?
Thanks Tom

 

[Tobyc064]

when you say the creedmoor doesn’t kill as well as your prc , you know what I mean when I say something else kills better. My experience has been non magnum short action 6.5’s . If you say the difference in killingness is the speed , would you say a 6mm creedmoor would be better than a 6.5 creedmoor?

So, it’s the size of the powder charge and therefore the speed that makes the difference not diameter of the bullet.

You made a silly statement, that 6.5 bullets (.264) don’t kill as well as 25 bullets (.257) based on your experience that shooting a lighter bullet 400 fps faster has a more decisive terminal effect.

The same bullet, provided of suitable construction, pushed faster will kill better. A bigger cartridge allows you to push it faster, the 6.5 PRC isn’t a magnum (even though marketed as such) it has very similar capacity to your 25-06 and .270.

Lots of people in here killing lots of deer with 6.5s.

Yes 6.5’s kill deer , but for me they tend to run further than I would like . but if you think it’s to do with speed why not get a 6mm over a 6.5. A 6.5 prc has a magnum bolt face therefore it is a magnum …

 

[25 Sharps]

Yes 6.5’s kill deer , but for me they tend to run further than I would like . but if you think it’s to do with speed why not get a 6mm over a 6.5. A 6.5 prc has a magnum bolt face therefore it is a magnum …

It is not a magnum, it doesn’t run at magnum energy levels.

You really don’t get it do you? Its to do with a combination of factors, the 2 biggest being bullet design and speed, but also bullet size.

A 100 gr .257 NBT doing 3150 fps is going to have the exact same effect as a 100 gr .264 NBT doing 3150 fps on a similar sized deer with the exact same placement. Why on earth would it be any different?

Run 100 gr accubond .277 at 3550 fps and even being a slightly harder bullet it’s likely to be more decisive, on bugger deer at least.

 

[Andy Mauthe]

Yes something similar.
What FPS are you getting from yours?
Thanks Tom

I have not chronographed my 6.5 CM yet (just got it last summer). But I have loaded my ammo (Hornady and Norma factory loads) into the Zeiss ballistic app, and have shot out to 500 yards. The drops are basically spot on to what the app says they should be with those factory loads, so that’s telling me I must be pretty close to stated velocities. Maybe my logic is flawed? But if velocities were off by much I think I would see it at 500 yards in my drops which I’m not. I’m shooting factory stuff to see what shoots the best out of my Anschutz then I’ll chronograph and handload to match as a starting point for optimization. As a side note, I would have went with a 24 inch, but Anschutz doesn’t offer that in the 6.5 CM. After reading various studies on barrel length on 6.5 CM I learned that this caliber isn’t greatly impacted by barrel length after you get beyond 20” or so. Others like the PRC definitely need a longer tube to get everything out of them. So if you can go 22-24 inches I think you’ll be very pleased. Beyond the hype and chatter on the 6.5 CM it’s really a nice choice as long as you aren’t using it beyond it’s capabilities. It’s light recoiling and accurate and “stuff” to support it is widely available and reasonably priced. Keep us updated on what you settle on and how you make out. Congratulations!

 

[Tobyc064]

It is not a magnum, it doesn’t run at magnum energy levels.

You really don’t get it do you? Its to do with a combination of factors, the 2 biggest being bullet design and speed, but also bullet size.

A 100 gr .257 NBT doing 3150 fps is going to have the exact same effect as a 100 gr .264 NBT doing 3150 fps on a similar sized deer with the exact same placement. Why on earth would it be any different?

Run 100 gr accubond .277 at 3550 fps and even being a slightly harder bullet it’s likely to be more decisive, on bugger deer at least.

It is not a magnum, it doesn’t run at magnum energy levels.

You really don’t get it do you? Its to do with a combination of factors, the 2 biggest being bullet design and speed, but also bullet size.

A 100 gr .257 NBT doing 3150 fps is going to have the exact same effect as a 100 gr .264 NBT doing 3150 fps on a similar sized deer with the exact same placement. Why on earth would it be any different?

Run 100 gr accubond .277 at 3550 fps and even being a slightly harder bullet it’s likely to be more decisive, on bugger deer at least.

If it has a magnum bolt face it is a magnum.

Again , I am not saying it won’t kill a deer. Is the difference sectional density

It is not a magnum, it doesn’t run at magnum energy levels.

You really don’t get it do you? Its to do with a combination of factors, the 2 biggest being bullet design and speed, but also bullet size.

A 100 gr .257 NBT doing 3150 fps is going to have the exact same effect as a 100 gr .264 NBT doing 3150 fps on a similar sized deer with the exact same placement. Why on earth would it be any different?

Run 100 gr accubond .277 at 3550 fps and even being a slightly harder bullet it’s likely to be more decisive, on bugger deer at least.

what energy requirements does a magnum need to be classed as a magnum

Sectional density would be different , a 308 running slower than a 6.5 creedmoor gives better terminal performance , speed definitely helps expansion but if the bullet isn’t expanding like they should it will drive right through the animal and the energy goes into the ground behind.

 

[tomgsp]

I have not chronographed my 6.5 CM yet (just got it last summer). But I have loaded my ammo (Hornady and Norma factory loads) into the Zeiss ballistic app, and have shot out to 500 yards. The drops are basically spot on to what the app says they should be with those factory loads, so that’s telling me I must be pretty close to stated velocities. Maybe my logic is flawed? But if velocities were off by much I think I would see it at 500 yards in my drops which I’m not. I’m shooting factory stuff to see what shoots the best out of my Anschutz then I’ll chronograph and handload to match as a starting point for optimization. As a side note, I would have went with a 24 inch, but Anschutz doesn’t offer that in the 6.5 CM. After reading various studies on barrel length on 6.5 CM I learned that this caliber isn’t greatly impacted by barrel length after you get beyond 20” or so. Others like the PRC definitely need a longer tube to get everything out of them. So if you can go 22-24 inches I think you’ll be very pleased. Beyond the hype and chatter on the 6.5 CM it’s really a nice choice as long as you aren’t using it beyond it’s capabilities. It’s light recoiling and accurate and “stuff” to support it is widely available and reasonably priced. Keep us updated on what you settle on and how you make out. Congratulations!

Cheers Andy I will let you know

 

[Andy Mauthe]

Cheers Andy I will let you know

6.5 Creedmoor- Effect of Barrel Length on Velocity: Cutting up a Creedmoor!

Since its introduction by Hornady in 2007, the 6.5 Creedmoor (sometimes shortened to Creed) has established a strong foothold in the US rifle market. The 6.5 Creedmoor balances the excellent exter…

rifleshooter.com

Tom, here’s a good article on 6.5 CM and barrel length. They actually chronographed velocities for different barrel lengths by starting with a long barrel and sawing it down in precise increments. A good read especially as you’re just making your selection for your barrel.

 

[25 Sharps]

If it has a magnum bolt face it is a magnum.

Again , I am not saying it won’t kill a deer. Is the difference sectional density

what energy requirements does a magnum need to be classed as a magnum

Sectional density would be different , a 308 running slower than a 6.5 creedmoor gives better terminal performance , speed definitely helps expansion but if the bullet isn’t expanding like they should it will drive right through the animal and the energy goes into the ground behind.

You’re trying to say a .257 bullet has a different sectional density than a .264, and that’s why a .257 kills better, for an equally weighted and profiled bullet it will be virtually identical.

I genuinely can’t fathom how you think a .264 suddenly stops working for 7 thousandths of an inch difference.

 

[Andy Mauthe]

I just thought I would relate a nice shooting session I had yesterday with a few rifles. I took a Tikka 595 in .223 to confirm zero at 100 yards as I plan to use this for my medium range varmint gun. Shooting 45 grain tipped varmint bullets with factory Sig Sauer ammo it was making nice cloverleaf groups so I’m good with that setup. I also took a recently purchased Anschutz model 64 sporter and it did very well at 50 yards and its intended purpose will be close in pest control at my property. But what really pleased me was my Anschutz 1782 in 6.5 CM. I bought it last year but yesterday was really the first time I had time to really play with it and try different factory ammo and shoot it out to 500 yards. At 200 yard zero, I printed several groups just at an inch to about 1.25 inches so that was nice. And while I as of now I don’t have a chronograph, I was able to dial incrementally out to 500 yards and the impact was right where the ballistic calculator said it should be using factory velocity and BC data. So that tells me I must be getting close to published velocity if the trajectory matched up. I was scoring regular hits on the 5 inch steel disc at 500 yards which was really exciting for me. At any rate I was happy and thought I would share. Best accuracy was with Hornady 147 grain ELDM. So a fun day at the range with a good friend finally getting a chance to stretch the rifle and scope out a little and it appears that everything was working as advertised. The group is at 200 and the pen in the picture was used for scale so we could determine the diameter of the steel disc afterwards since I had forgotten my measuring tape. The moral of the story is to get out with friends and get to the shooting club more often. It can help you forget the craziness in the world for a while and help justify the investment in our “tools”. Cheers.

 

[geoshot]

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?

Just wondering, after 12 pages of this thread with detours via other chamberings (naturally, it's an SD thread, they do that) , on to politics national & international (again, it's an SD thread, it happens).........
Have you decided on whether to go for the 6.5 Creedmoor or not?
If you have, will it replace or be in addition to the .243w?

 

[FeckArseIndustries]

One from today with the old 6.5x55

That looks like it worked a treat. Lovely shot too.

 

[FeckArseIndustries]

View attachment 366751

Soft tissue damage, (that was a heart) .280 with 124 grain yew tree, 3100 fps at the muzzle, impact at 120ish yards.

I prefer copper that sheds petals, that said I have had similar with barnes 80 gr out of the 25-45 at a similar speed.

Holy arse! There's nothing left of the dear???