6.5 Creedmoor for hunting

[Pasme]

I've killed Whitetail with tons of different bergers. From 105 hybrid at 475, 130 hybrid at 508 (180lb buck dropped dead as a shit hammer), 210 vlds at 80 yards, and a 215 hybrid at 120 yards. All dead.

 

[skydiver386]

Ok, i do know there are other calibers that can do the same, that the Creed is a target round ext. no i do not plan to have a man bun, or wear a bra.
I needed a rifle for Springbuck and Blesbuck hunting in South Africa for up to 400-500 meters.
I am loading 130gr Sierra GameChangers, and the rifle is a Mauser M18.
What have you hunted with a creed? What will you be comfortable to hunt with it?

I think it's an excellent cartridge for this range of game.

The .257, 6.5, and .270 calibers are near perfect for Pronghorn, Mule Deer, Springbuck, Impala, Blesbuck and any similar sized game worldwide.

It is NOT an Eland or Elk cartridge, but then again, that's not what it was created for.

The best advice I can give is keep your shots to 300 yards or less if possible. In my opinion, only those with extensive experience at long range shooting should attempt shots at live game under hunting conditions. For me the stalking is half the fun.

 

[Daisy]

My guide told me he would much rather have someone use a 6.5 than something bigger they couldn’t shoot. He calls 6.5 the perfect elk caliber.

 

[CBH Australia]

RedLeg’s information raises more questions for me.

If and when the the .277Fury becomes readily available for civilians will it have the same proprietary cases the military use to run 80k PSI?

Was there any research and development for a long range rifle or sniper rifle in the 6.8x51?

Will it be suitable for reloading?
Is the Hornady 7mm Backcountry a similar concept? (in that it uses a proprietary alloy case)

I thought in part the 5.56 was originally adopted due to lighter cartridge weights allowing soldiers to carry more ammo. I understand the reference to body armour and that is more weight the individual is wearing/carrying but it seems the new ammo is going to be heavier on a round for round basis.

I expect the 6.8x51 ammo goes close to the weight of 7.62x51 with the main difference being a projectile weight.

I believe the 6.5 Creedmoor was designed to allow a higher BC projectile in a short action for long range efficiency. That leads to flatter trajectory less wind drift and sufficient energy downrange.

This led to a lot of hype and new or young shooters believing it outperforms everything that pre dates it. Used correctly it has its benefits.

I have read people quoting online that the 6.5cm was being considered by the military and spec ops branch’s etc but that seems to have changed since its public knowledge that the 6.8x51 has been decided.

I expect a 6.5 Creedmoor cartridge would be a bit lighter than the 6.8x51, would it have been adequate for military use? It’s not the same but would it be suitable in a battle rifle using a mil spec ammo?

 

[CZDiesel]

Ive guided many hunters at 2 ranches a friend and patient owns. I will always maintain problems guides see with the creedmoor are due poor bullet choices. Guides should be picky about the bullet and not the cartridge. Ive killed and seen too many killed with a 6.5 (and 308) to say theyre too light. Just pick the right bullet. Keep the shots within the effective range of the cartridge and the shooter. One ranch they have outside of cloudcroft nm is elk hunting, the one in west texas is hunted for aoudad and oryx. Imho the oryx require much more precise shots and are a harder animal to bring down. Easily the most common factor Is poor accuracy and a big factor in that is using too large a caliber the shooter cant shoot accurately. The next is shooting too far. In my experience guiding at these ranches ive seen less than 50% of hunters are making clean first shot kills with any cartridge over 500 yards. So shooting at an extended range just isnt a great idea with any cartridge. In one case and one case only the hunter couldnt have gotten closer. I havent see. Anyone yet tat can regularly read the wind in the mountains well and should be shooting at extended distance.

The right bullet is critical you are right but it doesn’t make up for the lack of energy and diameter for Elk.
And Oryx are not even close to being as tough as Elk! Not close!!! We have hunted and guided for Oryx for over 20yrs on the White Sands and though a tough animal it’s nowhere close to the punishment an Elk can take! I’ve seen a big bull Elk take a 300 Mag to the shoulder that practically took the leg off but missed the heart and only hit one lung and ran straight up a almost vertical mountain at speed with three legs! Oryx cannot and do not do this, they can’t take a hit like that! Just saying…

 

[Tradmark]

We will agree to disagree on the oryx vs elk topic. Proper bullet thru the vitals kills everytime. It takes energy just not as much as most purport. Neither are a cape buff but even with them most “it soaked up 8 shots” meant “the bullet came apart or didnt act right and/or hit in the wrong spot.” That said any animal that gets one lunged can go quite a ways. Not good shot placement.

 

[CZDiesel]

We will agree to disagree on the oryx vs elk topic. Proper bullet thru the vitals kills everytime. It takes energy just not as much as most purport. Neither are a cape buff but even with them most “it soaked up 8 shots” meant “the bullet came apart or didnt act right and/or hit in the wrong spot.” That said any animal that gets one lunged can go quite a ways. Not good shot placement.

Anyone who has hunted both of them as much as we have will tell you what I just have!

 

[Tradmark]

Most i know that have done that say the opposite. Depends on who and what u talk to. I spent plenty of elk season in the nm mountains and the same out of season time on their ranch in texas with oryx. One ling either and off they go

 

[Red Leg]

RedLeg’s information raises more questions for me.

If and when the the .277Fury becomes readily available for civilians will it have the same proprietary cases the military use to run 80k PSI?

Was there any research and development for a long range rifle or sniper rifle in the 6.8x51?

Will it be suitable for reloading?
Is the Hornady 7mm Backcountry a similar concept? (in that it uses a proprietary alloy case)

I thought in part the 5.56 was originally adopted due to lighter cartridge weights allowing soldiers to carry more ammo. I understand the reference to body armour and that is more weight the individual is wearing/carrying but it seems the new ammo is going to be heavier on a round for round basis.

I expect the 6.8x51 ammo goes close to the weight of 7.62x51 with the main difference being a projectile weight.

I believe the 6.5 Creedmoor was designed to allow a higher BC projectile in a short action for long range efficiency. That leads to flatter trajectory less wind drift and sufficient energy downrange.

This led to a lot of hype and new or young shooters believing it outperforms everything that pre dates it. Used correctly it has its benefits.

I have read people quoting online that the 6.5cm was being considered by the military and spec ops branch’s etc but that seems to have changed since its public knowledge that the 6.8x51 has been decided.

I expect a 6.5 Creedmoor cartridge would be a bit lighter than the 6.8x51, would it have been adequate for military use? It’s not the same but would it be suitable in a battle rifle using a mil spec ammo?

I suppose the Creedmoor or something similar would be superior to the 5.56, but the 6.5 is inferior to the 6.8 and even further inferior to the 7.62 NATO for medium machine gun use. Somehow that doesn't ring a bell with the Creedmoor fans wanting to use it for larger game.

If you have a brass case the same dimensions of the the mil spec 6.8 and trust it at 80K PSI, I am sure it will be awesome. The Army and its contractor could not create one - hence, the steel brass hybrid. The hybrid polymer case, if used, further negates a lot of the weight difference.

The typical battle load for a US soldier, depending on mission, is approx 5.5 lbs for ammunition and magazines. For the 5.56 that equates to about seven mags and 210 rounds. For the 6.8, that same weight works out to about 160-180 rounds depending upon magazine size. For the 7.62, the same ammo weight would be approx 100 rounds.

Looks like a pretty awesome selection to me.

 

[WAB]

Nice I had my 264’s barreled action “cryo’d” and it seems to have helped? Though not a ton of rounds through it, it’s had 500 or so and it shows no throat burn or erosion

I shoot mine a lot more than that. It will likely have to go off for a set back or a new barrel soon.

 

[cwpayton]

I have hunted almost 60 big games in Africa with the 6.5 Creedmoor and in Europe, a good number of roe deers and several wild boars dropped with this caliber. I don't count jackals and foxes.

In Africa, warthogs are definitely the game I have hunted the most with this caliber, but many waterbucks, wildebeests, red hartebeests, kudus, springboks and impalas died well with it. I have also killed a hyena and even a donkey (for meat) with it. I had a fail with an eland cow but it's my mistake and a bigger caliber would not have changed anything.
I prefer to use bonded or lead-free bullets if big games are hunted, but for springboks and blesbok, it's not needed. A good cup and core will do the job. View attachment 686457View attachment 686458View attachment 686460View attachment 686461View attachment 686462View attachment 686463View attachment 686465

nice hog, where was it taken?

 

[cwpayton]

View attachment 686585

why did you post a pic of your son .. LOL

 

[coreydb]

6.5 Creedmoor is a popular and romanticized cartridge, and is ok on medium size PG and lower. Consider the fact your PH will get you within 200 yds or less of your animal. Any 7mm/.762 caliber rifle will be enough to take PG.

 

[Mauser78]

6.5 Creedmoor is a popular and romanticized cartridge, and is ok on medium size PG and lower. Consider the fact your PH will get you within 200 yds or less of your animal. Any 7mm/.762 caliber rifle will be enough to take PG.

i don't have a 7mm or 7.62, there is no Ph, and its a driven hunt, so the animals stand where they want and you are not allowed to move from your spot.

 

[AZDAVE]

The arguments pro and con have gone on since the first man debate flint vs other stones for best spear and arrow points. We are back to the use the correct bullet for the game being hunted. In our world of detailed ballistics and specialized shooting sports each group tends to bash the other vs support them even if you don’t understand what is the critical issues. Each will make our own decisions on what is best for us to hunt with. The precision rifle crowd also has different requirements and use what is best for their use. Could I equip my 416 rigby with the long range optics and hit steel at 1000, yes likewise could I equip a 6.5 anything with irons and shoot a cape buff in the shoulder at 25 yep complete doable. However both are bad decisions based on requirements of the target being shot. So make a solid ethical decision on what works best for you and stay within capabilities of the round you are using and have fun.

 

[AZDAVE]

@CZDiesel on the elk and gemsbok I agree with part of what you said and disagree with the other.
Both are tough animals. I have helped track elk that were wounded in the paunch and the bullet made it to one lung. Two took us 4-5 days to run to ground (the hunters on both occasions quit on day 3) have also seen one shot the same way make it 200 yards and lay down and die there. Similar things with gemsbok. Each animal is different some just give up others fight and refuse to quit or die till you get more rounds into them. So generalization on which is tougher is kinda a personal opinion or experience each situation. So we can agree to disagree

 

[ActionBob]

The arguments pro and con have gone on since the first man debate flint vs other stones for best spear and arrow points. We are back to the use the correct bullet for the game being hunted. In our world of detailed ballistics and specialized shooting sports each group tends to bash the other vs support them even if you don’t understand what is the critical issues. Each will make our own decisions on what is best for us to hunt with. The precision rifle crowd also has different requirements and use what is best for their use. Could I equip my 416 rigby with the long range optics and hit steel at 1000, yes likewise could I equip a 6.5 anything with irons and shoot a cape buff in the shoulder at 25 yep complete doable. However both are bad decisions based on requirements of the target being shot. So make a solid ethical decision on what works best for you and stay within capabilities of the round you are using and have fun.

Dave you are absolutely correct.

However in spite of all the continual debate around the various 416's available..... The Creedmoor still excels like no other even eclipses the 416 Rem Mag at inspiring passionate hatred. As for @Just Gina and I, we love our Ruger Model 77 Hawkeye Predator with it's two stage trigger, ugly grey/green plywood stock, and outstanding Swarovski Z5 3.5-18x44 W4 BT scope and now clip on Leica Calanox thermal.... It is the go to truck gun. Gina shot her first mule deer with it at about half a pivot away I've taken a springbok at 524 yards, a pronghorn at 446, and a trotting coyote at 350. And lots if other critters including whitetail, red hartebeest, baboons, etc. Gina snipes ground hogs, raccoons, and now armadillo with splattering effect at relative close ranges from the house.

But the best part is that we affectionately refere to it as "the Man Bunn". And when we are out to eat and a way to stylish Millennial walks in sporting an actual Man Bunn, we snicker to each other and comment "did you see the Creedmoor Not even the mighty 416 Rigby can do all that

 

[CBH Australia]

Dave you are absolutely correct

But the best part is that we affectionately refere to it as "the Man Bunn". And when we are out to eat and a way to stylish Millennial walks in sporting an actual Man Bunn, we snicker to each other and comment "did you see the Creedmoor Not even the mighty 416 Rigby can do all that

Ubiquitously known as “the Man Bunn” worldwide

 

[JG26Irish_2]

6.5 Creed is basically a bigger version of the 243 rifle that can shoot heavier, slower bullets. That combo has worked pretty well for deer and pronghorn sized game for decades. But... While the Creed can hit a tgt at 400-500 meters, it is not going to be carrying the speed to reliably cause many of the good bonded or monolithic hunting bullets to expand like they should nor will it have the proper depth of penetration when they do expand. Using more frangible bullets can aid expansion but only makes the penetration worse. It starts to become a formula for failure that I would not recommend for ranges past about 300y or so. I have a very accurate Sako S20 in 243 that I would use on Springbok without hesitation but would simply limit my range to about 300y with a 80-100g Barnes TTSX or Fusion bonded. No reason the 6.5 would not do as good or better. Just limit it to game at reasonable range and it will be effective. At 500y you risk wounding an animal that will likely die eventually but at best you have a tough tracking job and at worse the pain of a lost trophy. I know that feeling and never want to feel that way again, (eventually, we found mine).

Why not just use a 223? People hunt deer with those too. It is even smaller.

With a well placed shot, you can kill a Moose with the 6.5 but, I would not recommend that as my first choice. If you are going to Africa, this is your excuse to buy another rifle. That is what I would do.

 

[Mauser78]

6.5 Creed is basically a bigger version of the 243 rifle that can shoot heavier, slower bullets. That combo has worked pretty well for deer and pronghorn sized game for decades. But... While the Creed can hit a tgt at 400-500 meters, it is not going to be carrying the speed to reliably cause many of the good bonded or monolithic hunting bullets to expand like they should nor will it have the proper depth of penetration when they do expand. Using more frangible bullets can aid expansion but only makes the penetration worse. It starts to become a formula for failure that I would not recommend for ranges past about 300y or so. I have a very accurate Sako S20 in 243 that I would use on Springbok without hesitation but would simply limit my range to about 300y with a 80-100g Barnes TTSX or Fusion bonded. No reason the 6.5 would not do as good or better. Just limit it to game at reasonable range and it will be effective. At 500y you risk wounding an animal that will likely die eventually but at best you have a tough tracking job and at worse the pain of a lost trophy. I know that feeling and never want to feel that way again, (eventually, we found mine).

Why not just use a 223? People hunt deer with those too. It is even smaller.

With a well placed shot, you can kill a Moose with the 6.5 but, I would not recommend that as my first choice. If you are going to Africa, this is your excuse to buy another rifle. That is what I would do.

I am South african. It took a year to get the creed licensed, and we can not just own as many as we want, normal people may own 4 Firearms and only one being for self defence. So we need to cover a couple of basis with one firearm.