OK, I'm wanting to build another semi custom lightweight rifle with 18-20" barrel to shoot suppressed. I don't care about any ballistics over 400 yards. This will be mainly used for whitetail & smaller game. I think I have narrow it down to either a 7MM-08 or 6.5CM. I think the 7-08 outshines the 6.5 but I keep coming back to 6.5 for ammo availability. ( I don't reload). I don't need to hear that 6.5CM is a man-bun rifle. Hate it or not, it is definitely here to stay. But if you were building such rifle, which one would you choose & why. PS, I also have a heavy short barrel 308 rifle that I could just change out the barrel with a carbon fiber barrel, so that is a option, but I do have a lightweight short barrel 300WSM that fills my upper power needs. TIA
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That’s easy, if you don’t load and plan to do any traveling away from your domicile, then go with the creed. You stated it, ammo availability and selection will be much greater. -
I vote 6.5 as well. I made a semi custom howa 6.5 creed with a stocky carbon stock. This is 8 pounds but the bull barrel makes it feel a lot heavier
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I am about to have a couple rifles built and going to build a 7-08 for my wife. I’ll have someone load 200-300 rounds which will last her for years. From what I have seen out of the creed is it doesn’t leave a blood trail. Leaves the same size hole in the entrance as it does on the exit. Maybe not shooting the right ammo. If you can find a load that will blow a hole and leave a good blood trail out of the creed it would be a great choice since ammo is readily available.Comment
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6.5 GrendelComment
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Bullet choice and shot placement and you will have a blood trail.Originally posted by Short Mag View PostComment
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Learn to shoot two thirds up the shoulder and you won’t need a blood trail.
I’ve been using a .22 Creedmoor. I was a 7mm08 fan and still am but mine hasn’t been on a hunt yet this year because I’m having great success with my new toy.Comment
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6.5 Creed wins due to your observation about ammo availability. BUT if you were able to stockpile ammo during the “good times” the 7-08 is what I’d go with. Why? Just because and because it’s a classic. I simply love the caliber. I’m sure somebody can come up with different info but from the numbers I’ve come up with several times with what I would handload (I do reload and maybe the bold/italicized will keep the typical comments limited….but I doubt it.), the 7-08 actually beats the 6.5 out to 400ish yards.Comment
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Stockpiling ammo may generally work if one is never far from home, or wherever your stockpile is. However if you travel much with a firearm there is always a chance your ammo will get lost, forgotten, etc., and you will have to beg, borrow, or buy ammo, perhaps at some small shop in Timbuktu someplace. So, ammo availability can be important even to someone who reloads. Just keep that in mind.Comment
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just built a semi custom and went 7-08. Ammo isnt hard to find online. I dont know how much you shoot but i didnt have any trouble finding what i wanted. waited a little while to find the nosler 120 bt's. Got nosler bt 120 & 140, hornady american 139, barnes 120 & 140. gun loves the barnes 120'sComment
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Ammo availability? 6.5 Creed more in my opinion. I recently bought a .308 mainly for this exact reason.Comment
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Man bun or no… creed purely for ammo availability. It’s why I have one.
and 6.5 mm vs 7mm, one leaving a blood trail and the other not is laughable. Never mind the 257 Robert’s has been out here killing deer forever and it’s smaller than both.Comment
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7mm-08 is my pick. thinking about getting one myself. Just a better overall caliber. Find the ammo it likes and buy a bunch at one timeComment
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During the pandemic the most available ammo was 308 bar none. I’d go that route. You have ammo weight options from 150 to 180 grains. I love my 16” carbon APR
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