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If you're not interested in the longer/heavier VLD 6.5mm bullets, the 260 will fit in a 700 SA factory specs magazines just as well as the 6.5 Creedmoor and, as noted previously, you get a little more case capacity with the 260.

I like the 6.5 Creedmoor and think that it has 2 advantages over the 260; great factory ammo and the shorter case allows for a better fit in 700 SA factory specs magazines with the longer/heavier bullets over 130 grains.

The 129 grain Hornady and 130 grain AB have worked well for me in a variety on 6.5mm bore rifles.

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Originally Posted by Dude270
That's what I ment, Jordan, thanks.

I know you have a bunch of experience with the 243 AI so I'd like to hear your thoughts.

I've never had trouble killing deer with a 243 but I like the idea of being able to run hunting bullets in the 120 to 130 grain weight range.


For your stated purposes, I don't think you could go wrong with either. The .243AI is plenty for the kind of shooting you'll do, given an appropriate bullet, so I wouldn't fret the 10 or 20gr of bullet you'd gain with a 6.5 shooting 120's or 130's. I've seen many, many deer-sized critters get absolutely hammered with .243 and .257" bullets out to beyond 500, so no worries there.

In my mind the 2 chamberings have the following pro's and con's:

.243AI
Pros
- cheaper bullets
- less recoil
- easier to spot your own shots
- excellent quality brass available and easy to find
- OAL with longest bullets works well with factory Rem700 S/A or AICS mag box
- nearly no brass trimming

6.5 Creed
Pros
- increased barrel life
- excellent quality, heavier bullets available
- excellent factory ammo available
- factory rifle options
- no fire forming

I've run the numbers, and at least around here the barrel life "cost" and the differential in bullet prices between .243" and .264" seem to about cancel each other out, so shooting cost is about identical. So at that point you need to decide if the reduced recoil, excellent brass, lack of trimming, and easy compatibility with common mag options of the .243 is more important to you, or the heavier bullets, lack of FF brass, factory-chambered barrels, and great factory ammo of the 6.5 Creed is. IMO, the heavier bullets don't offer a realistic advantage, as they aren't needed for killing deer-sized game out to longer distance than you've mentioned. If you were thinking elk or moose I might change my tune a little on that.

So if you're planning on having a rifle built, then I'd be thinking about recoil, brass availability, trimming, FF, and factory ammo when making the decision. If you don't intend on using factory ammo, hate trimming, and don't mind using FF loads for hunting or targets, then the decision is easy.

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Dude270 Offline OP
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A lot of you all have made great points for both sides, and I really appreciate the input from everybody.

I don't think there is a "wrong" answer between the two, but for what I want to do, I think the 243 AI may suit me better.

I have no problem shooting FF loads, as I have other ackleys and Ive always gotten great accuracy and equal to or better than parent case velocities while fireforming.

Lack of trimming is a plus, but I doubt the CM case grows much either, with it's sharp shoulder.

I agree that between the cheaper bullets of the 243 and the longer barrel life of the CM, it's a wash or very close to equal.

Honestly, less recoil is a big plus. along with the fact that I have a lot of 6mm bullets already.

Jordan, thanks for your well thought out answer. It put a lot of good points in black and white

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Good breakdown Jordan. These two, that you posted, are tough to ignore and would sway me:

- less recoil
- easier to spot your own shots

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If you were limited to factory rounds, the creed hands down. Other wise, I’d rather have a 243. An 8(7.5?) twist shooting 115 DTACs (when available) in lapua brass sounds pretty dang good to me. Since it already has the creed beat in drift, I’m not sure what you gain from the AI except for fireforming and maybe less barrel life. Have heard reports of less throat wear in the AI though.

My next long range gun for deer and steel will be a .243. Lots of great bullets from 90-115gr.


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Excellent post Jordan.

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The 6.5 certainly has more hunting bullet availability in the .5-.6 BC range. Whether or not that difference would ever matter in the field is a whole different situation.

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I'd rather have a 6.5 than a 6 when it came to bear...

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The conundrum -
6 vs 6.5
Both good choices with many good bullets to choose.

Barrel life and factory ammo vary.

How much speed do you need will determine powder capacity.

To trim or not determines shape.

A standard 243 gets a lot of work done. The AI and the similar 260 and CM in 6.5 have niceties.

In the end, a good rifleman will enjoy and be successful with any of these above mentioned if they do their job.

Me, I shoot the 47 but like the CM and 260 a lot as I do the 243.

A 243AI has one downside IMO, bore life. Yet one has to pay to play wink

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Originally Posted by dogcatcher223
I'd rather have a 6.5 than a 6 when it came to bear...


If hunting Blackies a 6 will do with good bullets but no doubt I agree. If a chance encounter with an upset bear, well size matters.

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Having shot a fair bit of deer with 6mm short actions and 6.5mm versions, I like the effects of the 6.5. Very, very hard not to like a 6.5CM or 6.5x47L for a balanced deer and target/practice rig. Sleek 120-130gr stuff at 2,900fps+ is plenty potent.


I've said it before, but I'm fond of how my 6.5x47L moves the .550BC 129gr LRAB at 2,900 with only 42gr of powder from a 22" barrel. And a 2.74" OAL fits nicely in the mag box while being just off the lands.



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Any opinion on a small rifle primer in that size case when it gets cold out?

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On a warm day with CCI 450 magnum small rifle primers in Lapua 308 palma cases necked down and turned for 260 Remington, 120 gr Nos Bal tip bullet , 40 gr of CFE will go off, but not 42 gr.

-------------------------------------------
I ordered a Benchmark 243 CAL SS 5R 1-8" TWIST #4 taper barrel yesterday.

I have killed deer with 30 cal, 7mm cal, 270 cal, 6.5 cal, and 257 cal bullets.

I hope to kill a deer with a 6mm bullet in 2016.


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Folks, think of where the 47 was originated, the country has some cold weather.....it was designed as it was surely with thought to colder temps. Capacity is less than a 260.

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I have or had both and even have two 6mm Bartlein barrels in the safe and one was for a .243AI build. The .243AI is great but after playing with the Creed I don't feel the desire or need to fire form brass. The Creed is just easy!!

My experience with the 6.5 Creed started with a Ruger American Predator to play with and use as a loaner. I fell in love with the accuracy and how easy it was to shoot right out of the box.


Below is a 200yd group with H4350 and 140gr Berger Hunting VLD's that I loaded to mag length and shot using the same load I use with A-Maxes, it also does this with factory Hornady Match Ammo. This group was with no load work up I just loaded three rounds and below is the results. In fact I have only shot three bullets out of the box of Berger's and was impressed but continued using the A-Max for the rest of the season. The five holes below is 140gr A-Max Match ammo shot at 300yds.

[Linked Image]

I used the American Predator last year and decided I wanted a custom so I used the action of my .243AI and had a 6.5 Creed built by Joe Collier.

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

Here is three shots with factory 140gr Hornady Match ammo fired by Joe before he sent me the rifle.
[Linked Image]

Like Steelhead said I think the Creed is about the perfect cartridge and would be hard to beat for accuracy.

I'm considering using one of my two 6mm Bartlein barrels for a 6mm Creed especially since Hornady is making brass for it.


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Dude270 Offline OP
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Thanks for the info TN,
what are the specs on your CM build.

Maybe I need both.....

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Originally Posted by Dude270
Thanks for the info TN,
what are the specs on your CM build.

Maybe I need both.....


Rem. 700 SA
McMillan McSwirly
Bartlein 2b 8" twist 3/4 shank finished at 24"
Threaded for suppressor
Timney Trigger set at 1.5#
Cerakoted Graphite Black
Bolt Ti-Fluted by Karl with a Campfire knob.


The scientific name for an animal that doesn't either run from or fight its enemies is lunch.
- Michael Friedman

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Dude270 Offline OP
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Nice blueprint. What's it weigh

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Originally Posted by TN deer hunter

Rem. 700 SA
McMillan McSwirly
Bartlein 2b 8" twist 3/4 shank finished at 24"
Threaded for suppressor
Timney Trigger set at 1.5#
Cerakoted Graphite Black
Bolt Ti-Fluted by Karl with a Campfire knob.


Another quick question. Threaded 1/2x28?


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I'll weigh it again since mounting the scope and see.

Yes it's 1/2x28. I'm going to use the TOMB system by SAS to attach my Reaper MX that's currently in ATF jail.


The scientific name for an animal that doesn't either run from or fight its enemies is lunch.
- Michael Friedman

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