Need help with caliber of new bolt rifle!

blacksky · November 27, 2011, 07:38 PM

This process has been dragging on for the past 3 weeks or so. Everytime I make up my mind something or someone changes it.

First I was going with the 6.5G then the 6.5X47 Lapua, then I came to the 6.5 Creedmoor, then was put on to the 260 Remington, then back to the 308Now I'm on to the 6.5 Norma 284.

Help! My head is spinning...

I go to the range every Wednesday. I can shoot from 50 to 1000 yards there.
This will be a dual purpose rifle. Any hunting will be preditors up to deer.

The rifle I am talking about in this post is the same one that I have been rambling on about in several other posts over the past weeks.

When it comes down to the caliber I think I'm going to throw them all in hat and just draw one out! LOL!!!

stu925 · November 27, 2011, 08:43 PM

Personally if I had access to a 1000yd range, I'd lean towards the .308. But then again I've always liked the cartridge anyway.

Stu

Flapjack23 · November 27, 2011, 08:58 PM

.308 for a couple reasons. Ammo is available wherever you are. Try finding 6.5 Creedmoor the night you arrive at hunting camp. It is plenty capable to take anything up to deer and has ammo commercially available suited for anything between varmint and deer.

1goodshot · November 27, 2011, 09:24 PM

7mm-08

confirmed shooter · November 27, 2011, 10:08 PM

If I was going to build a new rifle in the deer to varmints class, I would have to go with the 6.5x06. re-load only. but then I do. craig boddington likes it?

TimW77 · November 28, 2011, 12:37 AM

"This process has been dragging on for the past 3 weeks or so. Everytime I make up my mind something or someone changes it."

Forget those 6.5mm cartridges, you need a 6.8 SPC

, it is superior to everything

(at least if you read the internet BS)

"First I was going with the 6.5G..."

As much as I like the Grendel, it was designed as a "workaround" for the limitations of the AR-15 rifle.

In the AR-15 or another rifle with extra short action length it is a GREAT cartridge.

For a rifle with a longer action there are better cartridges...

"...then the 6.5X47 Lapua, then I came to the 6.5 Creedmoor, then was put on to the 260 Remington..."

Don't think there is much difference in the actual performance of any of these cartridges.

What makes a difference is more than exact performance...

For a non-handloader, I'd say the .260R is by far the best choice due to having the most difference in factory loadings available.

The 6.5 Creedmore is not far behind with 5 different loads but its limitation is that ALL are from Hornady...

The 6.5 Lapua is always going to have 2 disadvantages, high costs and few factory loads.

For a handloader all 3 have the same excellent selection of bullets and can be loaded close enough to each other not to matter.

"Now I'm on to the 6.5 Norma 284."

I think this cartridge falls into another class for 2 reasons.

First, I think of it more as more of a "specialty" cartridge. Although it can be used for other purposes, it is made for long range shooting.
(Kind of sounds like the 6.5G vs. 6.8 arguement! We both know a LR cartridge can be used at other ranges)

Second, it needs a long action which moves it into another class than the .260R, Creedmore and Lapua. I see it more as a 6.5-06 competitor.

"...then back to the 308..."

Again, I'm just expressing my views but I don't see these 6.5mm cartridges as a replacement for the .308W. I see it as a "supplement".

For me the .223R and .308W are "must have" cartridges. This leaves a HUGE gap.

To "fill the gap" I have gone to the 6.5mm cartridges.

Actually the 6.5mm is almost perfect at this.
(.224" + .308" = .532". .532" / 2 = .266" or almost exactly the diameter of 6.5mm bullets!)

T.

__________________
By the choices we make, we define ourselves, thereby revealing what we truly care about.

10-96 · November 28, 2011, 01:40 AM

(Hey everybody, want to see Blacksky get really flustered?)

Blacksky, have you put much thought towards going Ackley Improved on either the .308, 7-08, or .260?

Mike38 · November 28, 2011, 01:44 AM

Quote:

(Hey everybody, want to see Blacksky get really flustered?)

Blacksky, have you put much thought towards going Ackley Improved on either the .308, 7-08, or .260?

You Sir, are a bad man.

10-96 · November 28, 2011, 01:52 AM

Sorry- I just couldn't bring myself to leave well enough alone.

blacksky · November 28, 2011, 12:23 PM

I did give it some thought

mapsjanhere · November 28, 2011, 03:19 PM

6.5 Swede of course.

robertsig · November 28, 2011, 03:34 PM

Quote:

To "fill the gap" I have gone to the 6.5mm cartridges.

Actually the 6.5mm is almost perfect at this.
(.224" + .308" = .532". .532" / 2 = .266" or almost exactly the diameter of 6.5mm bullets!)

He he. I went through the same math just a year ago when I started getting into rifles for the first time. .223, 6.5x55 Swede and .308 are my choices as well. I also have .30-30 and 7.62x39 for short range performance, but those were "chosen" because of the firearms, not ballistics. I like my Vz.58 and Marlin 336.

Other than .22LR of course, I don't see a need for any other rifle cartridges. I don't imagine I will need anything more powerful than .308 in my life, but if I did, I would choose ONE medium-bore rifle. No need for more than that.

AirborneMosinFan · November 28, 2011, 04:07 PM

Its a nice round, generally you can have a shorter barrel without lost accuracy and you can Shoot the military 7.62x51 therefore your round can be readily available in most places even in a shtf situation.

black mamba · November 28, 2011, 04:52 PM

If you handload, and if you can afford to buy 500+ cases, then I'd recommend the 6.5 Creedmoor. The case was designed as an accurate long-range round, and the 6.5 mm bullets are the best combo of killing power, light recoil and ballistic coefficient. The only downside is that it may go belly up, and if you don't have enough cases then you could be in trouble. With enough cases to last you, who cares if it stops being produced?

blacksky · November 28, 2011, 09:12 PM

I made up little tabs of paper with each caliber on them, closed my eyes and drew one from a hat. It was the 6.5 Creedmoor. So I threw them all back together and drew again and it was the same again. I think that it was meant to be! So off to Blueline Ammo I went and ordered a Savage 12 LPR. I also bought 2 boxes of these to break it in...

6.5 Creedmoor Hornady Match A-Max 120 Grain 3050 fps

6.5 Creedmoor Hornady Superformance SST 129 Grain 2950 fps

I'm sure glad that's over...

10-96 · November 30, 2011, 11:30 PM

Are ya sure you don't wanna AI that Creedmoor?

blacksky · December 1, 2011, 01:20 AM

Your a funny man...

GeauxTide · December 1, 2011, 12:46 PM

Went through the same process and I chose the 260. Reasoning: The 6.5-284 comes from Savage in a 22" 116, and a 26" LR Hunter (weighs 9#). There is a significant price difference in brass, so what is the performance difference? About 100-150fps.

tobnpr · December 1, 2011, 01:29 PM

6.5 Creed, .260, 7mm-08, and 6.5 Swede are all similar enough that you could probably never tell the difference if you were put behind the trigger.

6.5 x47 Lapua is a barrel burner.

Just go with the hat idea. Seriously.

November 27, 2011, 07:38 PM	#1
blacksky Senior Member Join Date: November 21, 2008 Location: OH Posts: 741	Need help with caliber of new bolt rifle! This process has been dragging on for the past 3 weeks or so. Everytime I make up my mind something or someone changes it. First I was going with the 6.5G then the 6.5X47 Lapua, then I came to the 6.5 Creedmoor, then was put on to the 260 Remington, then back to the 308Now I'm on to the 6.5 Norma 284. Help! My head is spinning... I go to the range every Wednesday. I can shoot from 50 to 1000 yards there. This will be a dual purpose rifle. Any hunting will be preditors up to deer. The rifle I am talking about in this post is the same one that I have been rambling on about in several other posts over the past weeks. When it comes down to the caliber I think I'm going to throw them all in hat and just draw one out! LOL!!! __________________ By the choices we make, we define ourselves, thereby revealing what we truly care about.

November 28, 2011, 12:37 AM	#6
TimW77 Senior Member Join Date: September 21, 2008 Posts: 485	help with caliber of new bolt rifle! "This process has been dragging on for the past 3 weeks or so. Everytime I make up my mind something or someone changes it." Forget those 6.5mm cartridges, you need a 6.8 SPC, it is superior to everything (at least if you read the internet BS) "First I was going with the 6.5G..." As much as I like the Grendel, it was designed as a "workaround" for the limitations of the AR-15 rifle. In the AR-15 or another rifle with extra short action length it is a GREAT cartridge. For a rifle with a longer action there are better cartridges... "...then the 6.5X47 Lapua, then I came to the 6.5 Creedmoor, then was put on to the 260 Remington..." Don't think there is much difference in the actual performance of any of these cartridges. What makes a difference is more than exact performance... For a non-handloader, I'd say the .260R is by far the best choice due to having the most difference in factory loadings available. The 6.5 Creedmore is not far behind with 5 different loads but its limitation is that ALL are from Hornady... The 6.5 Lapua is always going to have 2 disadvantages, high costs and few factory loads. For a handloader all 3 have the same excellent selection of bullets and can be loaded close enough to each other not to matter. "Now I'm on to the 6.5 Norma 284." I think this cartridge falls into another class for 2 reasons. First, I think of it more as more of a "specialty" cartridge. Although it can be used for other purposes, it is made for long range shooting. (Kind of sounds like the 6.5G vs. 6.8 arguement! We both know a LR cartridge can be used at other ranges) Second, it needs a long action which moves it into another class than the .260R, Creedmore and Lapua. I see it more as a 6.5-06 competitor. "...then back to the 308..." Again, I'm just expressing my views but I don't see these 6.5mm cartridges as a replacement for the .308W. I see it as a "supplement". For me the .223R and .308W are "must have" cartridges. This leaves a HUGE gap. To "fill the gap" I have gone to the 6.5mm cartridges. Actually the 6.5mm is almost perfect at this. (.224" + .308" = .532". .532" / 2 = .266" or almost exactly the diameter of 6.5mm bullets!) T. __________________ By the choices we make, we define ourselves, thereby revealing what we truly care about.

November 28, 2011, 01:40 AM	#7
10-96 Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2005 Location: Tx Panhandle Territory Posts: 4,159	(Hey everybody, want to see Blacksky get really flustered?) Blacksky, have you put much thought towards going Ackley Improved on either the .308, 7-08, or .260? __________________ Rednecks... Keeping the woods critter-free since March 2, 1836. (TX Independence Day) I suspect a thing or two... because I've seen a thing or two.

November 28, 2011, 01:52 AM	#9
10-96 Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2005 Location: Tx Panhandle Territory Posts: 4,159	Sorry- I just couldn't bring myself to leave well enough alone. __________________ Rednecks... Keeping the woods critter-free since March 2, 1836. (TX Independence Day) I suspect a thing or two... because I've seen a thing or two.

November 28, 2011, 12:23 PM	#10
blacksky Senior Member Join Date: November 21, 2008 Location: OH Posts: 741	(Hey everybody, want to see Blacksky get really flustered?) I did give it some thought __________________ By the choices we make, we define ourselves, thereby revealing what we truly care about.

November 27, 2011, 08:43 PM	#2
stu925 Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2010 Location: New York Posts: 953	Personally if I had access to a 1000yd range, I'd lean towards the .308. But then again I've always liked the cartridge anyway. Stu

November 27, 2011, 08:58 PM	#3
Flapjack23 Senior Member Join Date: January 12, 2009 Location: Yale MI Posts: 163	.308 for a couple reasons. Ammo is available wherever you are. Try finding 6.5 Creedmoor the night you arrive at hunting camp. It is plenty capable to take anything up to deer and has ammo commercially available suited for anything between varmint and deer.

November 27, 2011, 09:24 PM	#4
1goodshot Senior Member Join Date: November 11, 2001 Location: chandler,az Posts: 929	7mm-08

November 27, 2011, 10:08 PM	#5
confirmed shooter Senior Member Join Date: August 8, 2009 Location: reno, Nv. Posts: 109	If I was going to build a new rifle in the deer to varmints class, I would have to go with the 6.5x06. re-load only. but then I do. craig boddington likes it?

November 28, 2011, 03:19 PM	#11
mapsjanhere Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2009 Location: Albuquerque Posts: 2,832	6.5 Swede of course. __________________ I used to love being able to hit hard at 1000 yards. As I get older I find hitting a mini ram at 200 yards with the 22 oddly more satisfying.

November 28, 2011, 04:07 PM	#13
AirborneMosinFan Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2011 Location: Kelly nc Posts: 137	Go with the 308 Its a nice round, generally you can have a shorter barrel without lost accuracy and you can Shoot the military 7.62x51 therefore your round can be readily available in most places even in a shtf situation. __________________ "To be prepared for war is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace." - General George Washington

November 28, 2011, 04:52 PM	#14
black mamba Senior Member Join Date: September 13, 2011 Location: SW Florida Posts: 890	If you handload, and if you can afford to buy 500+ cases, then I'd recommend the 6.5 Creedmoor. The case was designed as an accurate long-range round, and the 6.5 mm bullets are the best combo of killing power, light recoil and ballistic coefficient. The only downside is that it may go belly up, and if you don't have enough cases then you could be in trouble. With enough cases to last you, who cares if it stops being produced?

November 28, 2011, 09:12 PM	#15
blacksky Senior Member Join Date: November 21, 2008 Location: OH Posts: 741	OK guys I did it... I made up my mind... well sort of I made up little tabs of paper with each caliber on them, closed my eyes and drew one from a hat. It was the 6.5 Creedmoor. So I threw them all back together and drew again and it was the same again. I think that it was meant to be! So off to Blueline Ammo I went and ordered a Savage 12 LPR. I also bought 2 boxes of these to break it in... 6.5 Creedmoor Hornady Match A-Max 120 Grain 3050 fps 6.5 Creedmoor Hornady Superformance SST 129 Grain 2950 fps I'm sure glad that's over... __________________ By the choices we make, we define ourselves, thereby revealing what we truly care about.

November 30, 2011, 11:30 PM	#16
10-96 Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2005 Location: Tx Panhandle Territory Posts: 4,159	Are ya sure you don't wanna AI that Creedmoor? __________________ Rednecks... Keeping the woods critter-free since March 2, 1836. (TX Independence Day) I suspect a thing or two... because I've seen a thing or two.

December 1, 2011, 01:20 AM	#17
blacksky Senior Member Join Date: November 21, 2008 Location: OH Posts: 741	Are ya sure you don't wanna AI that Creedmoor? Your a funny man... __________________ By the choices we make, we define ourselves, thereby revealing what we truly care about.

December 1, 2011, 12:46 PM	#18
GeauxTide Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Helena, AL Posts: 4,423	Went through the same process and I chose the 260. Reasoning: The 6.5-284 comes from Savage in a 22" 116, and a 26" LR Hunter (weighs 9#). There is a significant price difference in brass, so what is the performance difference? About 100-150fps.

December 1, 2011, 01:29 PM	#19
tobnpr Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2010 Location: Tampa Bay Posts: 4,556	6.5 Creed, .260, 7mm-08, and 6.5 Swede are all similar enough that you could probably never tell the difference if you were put behind the trigger. 6.5 x47 Lapua is a barrel burner. Just go with the hat idea. Seriously.