With a TractorHa ha Surely not meNor Gina
Even though I've never been a soldier, I would be pissed if I was classified as a "Barbie Ken". I'd think of myself as more of a Farmer version of G.I. Joe
oHello CraigV,
I must be sick as well.
But, I promise to press my bandana over my air holes, when I sneeze.
Anyway, I’ve shot two Polynesian boar and one whitetail doe with one shot each from two different brands of borrowed 6.5 Creedmoor rifles (Ruger and Remington).
All 3 critters were taken with Hornady factory loaded 140 gr spitzers.
These were the ones with lead core and a plastic thingy in the tip.
Predictably, those rifles in that caliber did EXACTLY the same thing as my CZ 550 in 6.5x55 would’ve done —> bangdead.
So I have to conclude that specifically for my needs, the new Creedmoor cartridge does absolutely nothing new or better, nothing.
Be that as it may, progress is generally speaking, not a bad thing, (particularly in the Medical profession).
However, some people seem to mistake sales gimmick for progress.
Apparently a large percentage of these “new is always better” types are easily swayed and quickly enamored with anything and everything that’s new.
No offense intended, that is simply an observation, not a cheap shot.
I suppose it’s easy for the “new is always better” folks to snap judge people who like myself, are not easily influenced and way not easily fooled.
And, I suppose it’s easy to lump us “show me” types into the elderly category.
Indeed I am old, almost fossilized actually.
However, my age has absolutely nothing to do with my resistance toward sales gimmicks.
Even when I was young, if someone could not show me an advantage to their latest product, compared to what I already had, it was always a no sale.
I’ve been like this a mighty, mighty long time.
One Example:
When I was in high school (a couple hundred years ago), CCI ammunition company marketed a version of their .22 Long Rifle “Mini-Mag” ammunition as having an “internal belt”.
Even at my then tender age, I thought, “Wow, what nitwit will fall for that reduced-powder-space sales gimmick” ?
Lo & behold, my best friend and regular hunting - fishing partner, fell for it.
Upon firing up a box of 50 rounds, he sheepishly admitted, “They gypped me, because these expensive Faulkers only shoot like regular .22 shells do” or, words to that affect.
My response was something like, “well, duh”.
Don’t worry folks, I’m running out of steam here so, my rant will end soon.
At the risk of mistaking what other “show me” people are thinking, we don’t begrudge makers and retailers for bringing out new products.
Specifically myself, I don’t even mind all their “glittering generalities” (aka: lies), in trying to sell to me their latest products.
What offends me and people like me is the fact that with No Warning At All, they suddenly stop production of the ammunition we need.
This, so that they can run their ammunition loading factories round the clock, flooding the market with their does-nothing-different new cartridge.
Too bad they can’t first, briefly flood the market, with whatever well established cartridge they decide to kill and announce their intentions to us consumers, BEFORE killing off whatever it is each time.
That way, we could at least buy the estimated amount of cartridges we will need to last us as long as we think we will be using them.
As far as shooting super tiny 5 shot, one hole groups in paper at name your distance, and / or hitting very small targets at 1,000 yards, most hunters, myself included, don’t care about that …….. not even a little bit.
However, Bryan Smith of South Africa was doing both of those things with his 6.5x55 in the global rifle shooting competition scene, (until tragically killed on his farm, by a buffalo stud bull that was corralled to be vaccinated).
So, all this talk of the Creedmoor 6.5 being more accurate than its 100+ year old ballistic twin is simply not so.
I predict that, if - name your manufacturer - made a batch of otherwise identical rifles, except that half of them were chambered in the new 6.5 cartridge and the other half of them in the century plus old original version, all would show essentially the same accuracy.
Anyway, rant over.
Cheers,
Velo Dog
PS:
What’s all this latest trend with square toed cowboy boots these days ?
Sheesh.
You mentioned one thing I truly love about the Needmore - it‘s popularity has fostered a lot more 6.5mm bullets and since the light rifle I shoot is a .264; I’ve benefitted that way from the Needmore. But I don’t see myself ever having a Needmore when that inherently inaccurate .264 gives me sub-half inch groups with an LRX at 3,220 fps.
And the women and children....
Not really something to be proud of.
@MS 9x56
@mauserhunter
@Inline6
@DLSJR
If you can't get closer than that you need a new hobby. The real challenge of the hunt is getting as close as you can. Otherwise your just shooting not hunting. Just one old hunters opinion.
I've had a discussion with @Inline6 about long range shooting. He has more knowledge in his pinky finger regarding ballistics and long range shooting than I have in my whole body. And he practices a lot.
It is interesting reading people opinions. It seems people only look at things from their perspective not asking any other questions.
“The people who hate the 6.5CM”:
There is ALWAYS a way to get closer. I grew up in the Sandhills region of western Nebraska. Opportunity for shots out to a mile and beyond on mule deer and pronghorn. Can’t tell you how many animals I have seen wounded from long range by city slickers touting their latest and greatest light saber round. They just couldn’t seem to understand what happened when they missed, or worse yet wounded an animal at 600 yards. I will admit that bullets, rifles, optics, and ranging equipment have come a long way in the last 20 years, but there is nothing sporting about sniping away at big game animals at more than a quarter mile no matter where you hunt. Get closer or don’t take the shot, simple. Prairie dogs, coyote, hogs??? Bang away as far as you want, but give the game animals the respect they deserve with a one shot kill. I really wish every state would implement a $10,000 fine for anyone caught shooting at unwounded big game at over 400 yards. Our sport of hunting would be seen in a better light by the general public.I've had a discussion with @Inline6 about long range shooting. He has more knowledge in his pinky finger regarding ballistics and long range shooting than I have in my whole body. And he practices a lot.
One could argue that in parts of Texas there really is no such thing as stalking game. You either sit over a feeder, the timer goes off and you shoot an animal that comes to feed at close range. Or you glass a wide area and shoot at distance. It can be argued the latter is more sporting. Especially for someone who really knows their stuff.
Another alternative is using thermal vision for varmints and hogs. And helicopters.
This isn't to say some property managers don't cut brush out to make a spot and stalk hunt possible. But if left to its own, this country closes itself up tight.
Drive through the small town and every one of them has a deer blind and feeder dealer on a corner
Why stop at 400 yards? I have seen many animals wounded at less than 100 yards. Why would the same not apply to everyone?
Because the margin for error increases exponentially beyond 400. Agree that poor shots are made inside that range as well, but beyond that range slight shifts in wind become major factors. Bullet flight time/target movement becomes a major factor. Exact ranging within a few yards becomes mandatory. Bullet selection and performance becomes a major factor. Just too many variables for a shot beyond 400 to be ethical. Depending on equipment, ability, experience, and conditions that ethical range may be much closer. The problem is most people overestimate their equipment and ability, especially when they have the latest and greatest equipment and a new weapon system touted as the best thing since black powder for long range shooting. I think the 6.5 CM is a great deer/pronghorn round used in the same limitations as the other medium 6.5s. I think the PRC is even better. I have the PRC and it is great on deer and pronghorn, but it is still a 400 yard package with proper hunting bullets and it is not enough gun for elk. I don’t have a CM, but have started growing my hair out. Going to buy one just because of ammo availability and I think it is a great round within its limitations.
Well the good news for you! You can actually grow your hair out! I don't have that luxury, haha.
Now you made me remember that nice mild Marlin 336 in .35 REM. That I traded a lot of years ago. It was sweet.
