The Creedmoor conundrum

[wildfowler.250]

So I’ve been trying to find a sweet spot for a stalking rifle. This has stemmed partly from loving using a .222,(having previously had a .22-250 as my ‘small cal’) . It’s just so light, small action, accurate and quiet. It’s my go to roe gun.
I’ve also got a craving for an adjustable stock and pse seem to be the way to go. Probably buy a stock and get a smith to put the action and barrel together?

So I thought there must be a sweet spot for a deer legal caliber. Effective, milder recoil but enough clout.

.243 - shot one. Always dismissed it. But it’s been around for ages and nothing wrong with it. Maybe more difficult to shoot heavier bullets but I believe Scotland has dropped the weight criteria now anyway.

So what’s up from a .243? 6.5CM . Always comes back to this caliber despite wanting to buck the trend.. It’s seems to fit a nice gap.

Looked at the 6.5 PRC, is 300 fps actually noticeable? Possibly can use a shorter barrel but it’s the trade up worth it? Maybe not.


Then there’s the Swede which is grand but just more factory options and new rifles in CM these days.

.308/.270/.30-06 more effective / clout but more boom.


Is the creedmore actually worth the hype? It seems to do well for UK needs. I have to say I’d be more inclined to shoot the 120 grain bullets from a trajectory point of view but very tempted by one.

 

[Tim.243]

So I’ve been trying to find a sweet spot for a stalking rifle. This has stemmed partly from loving using a .222,(having previously had a .22-250 as my ‘small cal’) . It’s just so light, small action, accurate and quiet. It’s my go to roe gun.
I’ve also got a craving for an adjustable stock and pse seem to be the way to go. Probably buy a stock and get a smith to put the action and barrel together?

So I thought there must be a sweet spot for a deer legal caliber. Effective, milder recoil but enough clout.

.243 - shot one. Always dismissed it. But it’s been around for ages and nothing wrong with it. Maybe more difficult to shoot heavier bullets but I believe Scotland has dropped the weight criteria now anyway.

So what’s up from a .243? 6.5CM . Always comes back to this caliber despite wanting to buck the trend.. It’s seems to fit a nice gap.

Looked at the 6.5 PRC, is 300 fps actually noticeable? Possibly can use a shorter barrel but it’s the trade up worth it? Maybe not.


Then there’s the Swede which is grand but just more factory options and new rifles in CM these days.

.308/.270/.30-06 more effective / clout but more boom.


Is the creedmore actually worth the hype? It seems to do well for UK needs. I have to say I’d be more inclined to shoot the 120 grain bullets from a trajectory point of view but very tempted by one.

I just take the .243 or .270 and get on with it as the more time people are chopping bits off or bothering for a variation the less time they are out in the field/wood/swamp...

 

[Andyquadra]

If your having the rifle made, don't discount a 1in8 twist .243

 

[FoxAndDeer]

I haven't used a CM, so apologies to the OP if my comment here isn't helpful. But I absolutely love my 243.

I originally had a .308, and mainly shot fallow.

Since moving to an area with only roe / muntjac, I bought a 243 as a combo fox / deer rifle and now can't think why I would take out the 308. It's so light, wide variety of bullets / weights to suit different quarry (think explosive 58gr foxing rounds, up to 100g soft point larger deer rounds).

So while I can't comment on a creedmore, I can advocate a .243

 

[petlowe]

They all make the deer dead, the question is what else do you want / need / hope to achieve with it.
Distance, convenience, low noise, short length blah blah blah.

The .243 with a 80gr non lead is a devastating thing and you can fox with it and it shoots flat. The 6.5 adds a bit more mass if you are on red stags but tbh that's hill work and you need to choose your place and your reason.
My wife asked me for a <38" UK deer legal rifle that a wee thing can carry without cussing all the time, a .243 does that nicely.

 

[Mungo]

So I’ve been trying to find a sweet spot for a stalking rifle. This has stemmed partly from loving using a .222,(having previously had a .22-250 as my ‘small cal’) . It’s just so light, small action, accurate and quiet. It’s my go to roe gun.
I’ve also got a craving for an adjustable stock and pse seem to be the way to go. Probably buy a stock and get a smith to put the action and barrel together?

So I thought there must be a sweet spot for a deer legal caliber. Effective, milder recoil but enough clout.

.243 - shot one. Always dismissed it. But it’s been around for ages and nothing wrong with it. Maybe more difficult to shoot heavier bullets but I believe Scotland has dropped the weight criteria now anyway.

So what’s up from a .243? 6.5CM . Always comes back to this caliber despite wanting to buck the trend.. It’s seems to fit a nice gap.

Looked at the 6.5 PRC, is 300 fps actually noticeable? Possibly can use a shorter barrel but it’s the trade up worth it? Maybe not.


Then there’s the Swede which is grand but just more factory options and new rifles in CM these days.

.308/.270/.30-06 more effective / clout but more boom.


Is the creedmore actually worth the hype? It seems to do well for UK needs. I have to say I’d be more inclined to shoot the 120 grain bullets from a trajectory point of view but very tempted by one.

Creedmoor is probably the absolute definition of a mild mannered middle of the road general purpose round. However so is the .308. It is not some wonder calibre - if anything it’s a bit slow in 20” barrels.

PRC is much more like a .270 plus a bit - not ideal for roe at short range. And really not worth shooting from a 20” barrel.

Ultimately it doesn’t matter a great deal. You could choose one at random between.243 and .30-06 and be entirely happy. The fact that you will get people on here passionately arguing that their particular calibre is amazing indicates that they are ALL in fact good.

 

[Jack3]

I’m a big fan of the 6.5CM. I chose it as my first deer calibre for the reasons you mentioned:
- Flat shooting
- Mild recoil
- Good availability of factory ammo/rifles
- Can use on any UK deer

 

[freid]

.257 Roberts, or if factory something like 6.5x55

 

[Utectok]

if you home load and are getting a rifle built id say 6.5x55 you can get it going a little faster than a CM and it has all the advantages of a CM. If you don't homeload a CM is pretty hard to beat for uk deer

 

[@theroedeerguy]

I’ve shot lots of deer with a .243

Hundreds of deer with a .308

A few with a .270

Absolutely loving my fairly recent switch to 6.5 Creedmoor

Pinpoint accuracy, minimal recoil, excellent factory ammunition options and outstanding terminal performance on deer.

 

[Jack3]

I’ve shot lots of deer with a .243

Hundreds of deer with a .308

A few with a .270

Absolutely loving my fairly recent switch to 6.5 Creedmoor

Pinpoint accuracy, minimal recoil, excellent factory ammunition options and outstanding terminal performance on deer.

Favourite ammo?

 

[Stumpy2]

Started with a 308, then also used 243, both now gone for a 6.5 Creedmoor using 118 grain non lead. All the calibres mentioned above kill reds and smaller.

Calibre wasn’t the deciding factor why I got rid of the 243 and 308, the 6.5 does everything I need it to do (and you can always get 95 vmax for the ) and I preferred the fit of the rifle over the others.

Confidence in yourself and your kit plays a greater role than the calibre.

And I don’t have a man bun or the ability to grow one

 

[CastleStalker]

if you home load and are getting a rifle built id say 6.5x55 you can get it going a little faster than a CM and it has all the advantages of a CM. If you don't homeload a CM is pretty hard to beat for uk deer

This ^^^^ all day long

 

[finnbear270]

Don't forget the PRC is a Magnum cartridge, completely different animal to a .270Win, further , flatter, but noticeably less felt recoil.

 

[@theroedeerguy]

Favourite ammo?

Currently using Federal 95gr Vmax which is working very well.

Copper factory options likely to be in the pipeline soon enough and will probably opt for Sako Blades.

 

[HallyButt]

I had a 243 and .270, since buying 6.5CM I have sold the other superfluous rifles.

 

[sauer]

I’m the first one to get caught up in caliber debates and what will be better …. Reality is we arguing over peanuts ….
What comes down to is
1. What can you get caliber specific ammo wise local to you ?
2.if homeload it’s not so critical

I shoot .25-06 love it but when it’s rebareel time it’s going …. Why ?
Choice and availability of ammo !
If I could get bit more choice for steel plinking I’d keep it

I slate 6.5 need more all the time but reality is it works !, it’s availble , it’s accurate & it will account for all we have in Uk !
It also work as a dual purpose stalking / plinking rig if you want
It’s mild recoil etc and component bits are there … factory is there …

And yes I’d have one

Now

Could say same about .243 !!

 

[Camdig]

I have .223, .243 and 6.5CM shot Roe with them all and bigger deer with .243 and 6.5CM, the .243 is a cracking round for stalking and pest control, I got the 6.5CM as for two reasons, a heavier bullet for sika stalking and the threat of non toxic being compulsory.
Just get them both.

 

[cjm1066]

The 6.5x55 is a century old and proven on elk.

The CM is a slightly better design for shorter actions.

You are a 222, why not a decidecated deer rifle, the 243 was designed for varmits and deer.

 

[paul o']

Those that know me will tell you I change rifles like underpants and had most if not all wildcats and standard stalking rifles ! Out of all of them the one that has stayed in the locker is a .270 browning Abolt it's a .25 or better ! So i can't swap or change it as its all I need . This with copper 150 gk isn't and worse.