6.5CM vs .308

[fitz19d]

I know some other noobs and I are slavering over the new Ruger rifle. And figured since I didnt see it in search, throw one on here for what locals think. I know the 6.5CM sounds popular on snipershide and with other comp shooters.

I was kinda wondering, though, is it still the bee's knee's for someone that might want to hunt too?

I hear the match 6.5 cheaper than match .308. But if one wants to go closer to just plinking or close enough it doesn't matter, does 6.5 have any cheap options to match the blaster .308?

I understand that reloading 6.5 doesn't have any major hurdles? Basically a resized .308 case? Less powder too? Obviously the 6.5cm is standing out to be the more accurate round, but are there reasons from a cost to reload or simplicity to favor one over the other?


And finally, let's say that all around the 6.5cm is agreed to be superior. That good to be worth the extra cost/logistics of a new round if one already has a semi 308? (And in the case of the Ruger PR, I think I'd prefer 20 inch .308 over the heavier and more unwieldly 24inch 6.5cm)

[Zach O]

Depends on what your hunting I suppose. It would be fine for deer and such. Elk, that's debatable. Some say yes, others say no. Distance on an elk will be critical along with shot placement. Ballistically speaking, the CM will win hands down, from drop to wind. Cost wise? Not sure, as I've done a lot of research and I will never have a need for a .308. Hornady match CM is not to pricy if you don't reload. It can be found for $28 ish for 20 rounds that are pretty accurate. Accurate enough a buddy was able to ring steel at 1k with 80% on target. If you have a .308 gas gun, I'd go with a flatter shooting cartridge and youll see why!!Hope that help a little bit.

[Lars]

I'll take the 6.5 over the .308 any day. The 6.5 is crazy accurate and extremely easy to reload, it was a pain for awhile to find bullets but that has since past and I can find 6.5 pills a lot easier now. The factory ammo is also excellent, both my gas gun and bolt gun eat them up as well as they do my reloads (well almost as good). Your worried about the extra 4 inches of barrel length but look at the rifle, it's not meant to be a back country rifle, it is intended for the bench and long range shooting.

[Buff]

I found a forum dedicated to the 6.5, has some good reading in it.

[Dave_L]

I've been reading up on this topic since Ruger revealed their new rifle. I think I'm leaningt towards the 6.5 at this point. Flatter and les wind effect. I don't have any .308 so either way, it'll be another caliber to get into so why not get something a little different.

[Spdu4ia]

Been researching rebarreling my .308 and 6.5cm is on the short list if that tells you anything .

[Great-Kazoo]

I want something i can plink with and shoot some distance. I'm not a hunter, or competitive LD shooter. I do reload so that's a plus either way.

[Zombie Steve]

The 6.5 CM isn't a necked down .308 - that would be a .260.

The CM is a really efficient cartridge, and has a lot going for it in terms of barrel life (compared to other skinny bullet target cartridges like 6.5-284 - 308 would win out here), trajectory and accuracy potential. If I was doing a target gun, I'd go this route (if not 6.5x47 Lapua).

BUT - if you're asking if it's the bee's knees for someone that might want to hunt too, I don't see it as an improvement over the .308. Although the two cartridges aren't tremendously different, I tend to prefer heavier bullets for game, and there's going to be a much larger hunting bullet selection in the 30 caliber cartridges. .308 has the ability to shoot bigger bullets and it has a bigger powder column.

The flat trajectory advantage the CM has at normal hunting ranges is almost irrelevant.

[Great-Kazoo]

After doing some brief component search & pricing, it looks like the 308 would be a better purchase for me.

[Delfuego]

6.5 is better in almost every way.