6.5 Creedmoor or .243

[Deer hunter88]

If you had to choose between the .243 and 6.5 Creedmoor for deer hunting which one would you choose and why? I’ve found a 6.5 Creedmoor that I’m considering buying but on the other hand I’ve been wanting a .243 for awhile now.

[TimW77]

Although I don't have a 6.5C, I do have a .260 Rem.

Personally, at least for my needs, with rifles in .223 Rem, 6.5 Grendel and the .260 Rem I see NO USE in any of the 24 calibers (let's see how many cry babies get upset about that).

Especially for deer hunting the 6.5mm's are far better. Just as the 24s are running out of bullet weight (about 85-100g), the 26 calibers are just beginning (100-160g).

Bought my .260 as a "family" hunting rifle. Can use the 100g bullets for my young daughter and wife (who at 115 lbs and 5'8' is very recoil sensitive), the 120-125g bullets for my older sons and the heavier (140g) bullets for myself.

Gives my children plenty of "room to grow" or to size the bullets for the game...

T.

[Txhillbilly]

I'd choose the 6.5 CM over the 243,but don't forget about the ole 25-06 or 257 Roberts. They are deer slaying machines!

[jmr40]

A 243 with 100-105 gr bullets will do anything a 25-06 or 257R will do. IF the 243 has a barrel twisted to shoot heavy bullets. With lighter bullets it doesn't offer enough advantage over 223 for me to justify buying one.

There are far more options for really great bullets and factory loads in 6.5 Creedmoor. Recoil is between 243 and 308, but much closer to 243. One of the huge advantages of 6.5 Creedmoor is that Hornady has made very good match grade factory loads readily available and reasonably priced. You can get match grade factory loads priced at about $30/box. Their American Whitetail hunting ammo is under $20/box. You won't see it at Walmart yet, but is in any decent gun shop or online.

If you compare 140-147 gr 6.5 loads to 150 gr 308 loads the 308 starts out 100-150 fps faster. But by having virtually the same bullet weight in 26 caliber vs 30 caliber means you'll get a much longer bullet and much better penetration on game with the 26 caliber bullet. Beyond about 200 yards the 6.5 is moving faster, has more energy and shoots flatter than 308 with 150's.

If you compare 6.5 to 270, both with 130 gr bullets the 270 only has a 100 fps advantage at the muzzle. But the better 6.5 bullets will pass the 270 at about 300 yards and out perform it at longer ranges. With 2/3 the recoil.

[zipspyder]

6.5 CM because more is always better if recoil isn't an issue.

[oldscot3]

I have a 6mm Rem, and a 6.5 Creedmoor. I have killed many, deer with the old 6mm using 100 grain bullets. Beginning last year, I used the 6.5 with 120 and 125 grain bullets. I can't say I noticed any big difference,; dead is dead.

Based on my experience, that puts the subject in the realm of theoretical differences, and my conclusion is that the 6.5 is way more versatile based on the common twist rate and range of bullet weights.

[eastbank]

I,ve been using the .260 rem for years and just bought a 700 SA rem sps .260 with a 1-8 twist and 24" barrel for under 500.00 and it will do every thing the 6.5 cm will do. as a reloader I have all the cases I need both factory and reformed .308. eastbank.

[kraigwy]

Flip a coin.

For deer/antelope hunting the 243 is hard to beat. If you move on to elk then the 6.5 CM would be a better option.

Most 243s come with a 1:10 twist barrel so you're going to be limited to =/< 100 gr. bullets, but with deer size animals that is plenty.

My wife uses a 243 for her deer/antelope hunting. Tried the 87 gn Bergers VLD for hunting. They were too violent, leaving a rather large exit wound and lots of damage meat. We went to the Hornady 100 BTSP and they work better.

I normally use a 257 Roberts for deer and antelope. But this year I've been playing with the 6.5 CM. It works, but again it destroys a lot of meat. Overkill in my opinion. But in the Creedmoors defense, I've only used 140-143 weight bullets.

I'm going to save my 6.5 CM for elk and go back to my 257 Roberts for deer/antelope.

Again you wont go wrong with either the 243 or 6.5 CM.

Wife got this guy at 540 yards with her 243 last fall, using the 100 gr BTSPs.



I got this one on the first of this month with the 143 gr. Horn. 6.5 CM, at 651 yards.



They both work, flip a coin.

[mavracer]

If you're starting from scratch I'd prolly go Creedmoor, I built a 243 for my long range AR because I already had dies brass and bullets.

[MarkCO]

Having several 6mm and 6.5mms in the safe, I'd agree it is flip a coin. I have shot deer and Pronghorn with calibers from .223Rem to .338WM. While I'd still shoot a Mulie with .270 on up, I prefer the 6 and 6.5mms for Deer. Taking the .243 Win this year, shot the last one with a .270.

For Whitetail/Pronghorn, I would stick with the .243Win. If you want to hunt Mulies, maybe move up to a 6.5CM (or one of the other 20 some odd 6.5mms). While the 6.5s are fine with a good bullet, I really prefer a .30 caliber or larger for Elk, Moose, Caribou.

[fourbore]

Given a free choice and no consideration on ammo cost ammo loads or rifles available, I would go 6.5. For smaller deer or any deer under 200 yards the 243 is fine and I have one myself. Its a sweet shooter. And very effective.

On the internet, I am sure the 243 can kill elephant at 1000 yards. That is another discussion.

The 6.5 will extend the size of the game or range, what ever we decide to call one or the ohter's limit. Both 243 or 6.6 have minimal recoild. In an ideal world there is no reason to choose a 243 over a 6.5. But; in a real world I did will choose a 243 over the new and somewhat limited 6.5.

It all depends on what kind of world you live and and how you hunt.

PS. I also had 260 and currently a 7mm08. It all works. Might as well just get a 7mm08 as any other as far as I am concerned.

While the ballistics probably do not matter much. The choice of rifle probably will be more important.

[T. O'Heir]

Wasn't this discussed just last week? Or was that on another forum?
Anyway, you won't likely find 6.5 Creedmoor ammo in small places. You will find .243 everywhere. Only matters when you get off hunting and find you left your ammo on the kitchen table.
"...Most 243s come with a 1:10 twist barrel..." Nope. Some do, but 1 in 9 or 9.125 are far more common.

[eastbank]

the best long range bullets in the .243 will require a fast twist for best results. and I also agree there is nothing wrong with the 7mm08, a 120gr nosler at 3000fps is not to shabby. eastbank.

[Dranrab]

Since you joined the forum in June you have asked about everything from a 223 to a 35 Whelen for deer hunting. When are you going to do something with all the information you have been given?

[RC20]

And then we don't have lengthy discussions!

Me, I would go with 6.5 as its more versatile.

243 shot a lot will eat up a barrel sooner but for deer only and with a re-loader you can make the round longer and make up for the throat getting eaten out.

If the range is within the bullet weights, then a 243 is just fine.

note: I draw the line on Elk size game, I don't think a 6.5 is suited for it. Its not that you can't do it, its marginal. That's what 270, 308 etc are for.

[Ghost1958]

.243 hands down

[BBarn]

For just deer hunting, I'd choose the 6.5. I have a 243 and a 7mm-08 (which is close to the 6.5). The 6.5 will perform a bit better at less than ideal shooting angles, such as quartering away.

Shooting wise, my 243 is noticably more pleasant to shoot than the 7-08. And the 243 is also a reasonable choice for ground hogs and such as well.

The 6.5 is a favorite right now. For those who bought them, hopefully it doesn't turn into a fad instead.

[stagpanther]

Or you can combine the two--I'm building a 6mm Creedmoor right now.

[FISHNFRANK]

Don’t ignore the 7mm-08, low recoil and more energy than the Creedmoor

[VoodooMountain]

Between those 2 the creedmoor wins it for me. It does everything the 243 does but with better barrel life, matxh factory ammo, and the option to shoot very long ranges for fun while bucking the wind a little better.

Only downside is brass and ammo are a bit more expensive and you will want to have a bit of a stockpile because I imagine in 10-15 it may be harder to find.

For strictly a deer/coyote gun I prefer a 25/06. It too does everything the 243 does but with the option of heavier bullets.

The 243 basically tops out ballistically where most deer hunting begins. It is a grey little round but just more limited. Like JMR, I prefer using the 223 for lighter bullets.

[Kachok]

Having hunted with a 243 and a 6.5x55 (ballistic twin to the 6.5 CM) I will take the 6.5mm any day, consistent penetration on deer class game (even with cheap cup and core bullets) and dramatically improved effective range make the 243 seem like a toy in comparison. The only situation in which I would choose a 243 over a 6.5mm is if did more varmint hunting then anything else and all of my deer hunting was inside 250 yards, that dual use is the 243s strong suit but in terms of deer class game the 6.5mm is considerably better IMHO, 20-60% more bullet mass, vastly better bullet BCs, more energy throughout the spectrum.....etc.

[Don Fischer]

Something the 6.5's have that the 243 can't get near, 160gr bullet's! If eating were a matter of life and death, I would not hesitate to grab a 22 LR! Not the best choice but if it's all you have, it's adequate! 243 will certainly work on deer but not my first choice. Have two of them but have ever killed three deer with a 243. Three shot's and they don't get any deader! But I'm not comfortable with them on deer. Great on predator's!

[doofus47]

If deer is the only species to be hunted, either would be fine.

[kilotanker22]

I have been offline for a couple years now, but these things really don't change.....

The .243 WIN is an excellent Cartridge as well as the 6.5 CM.

If you are like me, and shoot a -CENSORED--CENSORED--CENSORED--CENSORED- ton. Then the 243 will be a cheaper option for sure. Bullets, Cases are cheaper.

That being said, for a hunting purpose 6.5 CM is a ridiculously well suited Cartridge. And Would be My choice

[Sure Shot Mc Gee]

Staying on point.

As far as which for deer. 243 or 6.5 Creedmoor?

I know first hand what a 243 is capable of. i.e. pin point accuracy and a whole lot of speed.
Although up sizing to 26 cal. (I think) is a much better choice for big game hunting. A bit more forgiving in the bullet placement category the 26 would likely be along with bullet weights available. So in that respect. I'd rather be toting a Creedmoor on my hunts than a 243.