Thought some members might (or might not) enjoy this thread--which appeared four years after the cartridge appeared in 2007. Please note that the thread eventually lost steam--and then was revived in 2017: It went almost 200 posts, so I edited it down to the most pertinent:
WILL THE 6.5 CREEDMOOR SURVIVE?
Just as the title says, do you think this cartridge is going to survive. I'm looking into a new rifle in some type of 6.5 and wondering if you think it'll be around or going by the way of most of the WSSM's
Thanks,
Mike [Grunt_0351, last logged on 12/07/15)
I'm for betting that it won't last long commercially. But could be wrong and then some, have been b4.
Dober
I agree it's in the mix and ballistically similar to the 260 and Swede so it may survive in the Loonie crowd or competition shooters but as for hunting no way.
Flyboy Flem
Define "survive".
Unlike the WSMs, brass for the Creedmoor is easily formed from existing cartridges.
BarryC
If you buy a 6.5 Sweed you will have no need to ask the question.
Jim
I think it will. The fact that Ruger's Hawkeyes in it are selling pretty well and the fact that those cheap factory rifles are surprisingly accurate is going to be a factor.
Eremicus
I'll bet it's going to rival the Ruger 300 RSM in popularity-
Royce
Purely looking at the Creed as to it's design and performance, it has few flies...but if it had the 308 based case to source brass, and the same options ie. Lapua brass and ammo options by other mfg. as the 260 does, then it would make those concerned w/the future viability of the round's supply of ammo/brass become moot and the OP would not be asking the question IMO.
65BR
While brass can't be sourced from .308 it CAN be sourced from the 22-250 and that's not going away. Plus - if a guy just can't live without superior brass - Lapua does make 22-250 brass...
Teal
There's another article on the 6.5 Creedmoor in the November issue of Guns & Ammo. In a photo line-up of the 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 Grendel, .260 Rem, 6.5 Rem Mag, and .264 Win Mag it's easy to see what the author of that article is explaining when he says the Creedmoor case was designed from the ground up as a short-action cartridge with a modern shoulder angle as compared to the .260 Rem. Whether the cartridge survives, as in readily available factory loaded ammo, no one can know. As with everything new, the market will decide its long term fate. That said, change and innovation has been the hallmark of the firearms industry for centuries and I applaud companies like Hornady and Ruger for keeping that tradition alive and well.
MacLorry
We could just as well have dismissed the .260 when it appeared because all it did was match what several of the original, redundant military 6.5mm rounds would so. But the .260 was also designed as a niche cartridge, one that fit in a short magazine--and also had consistent chamber and brass dimensions, unlike all those old military 6.5's, including the 6.5x55. Just try using ALL the different brands of 6.5x55 brass in a wide variety of rifles, and you'll understand part of the reason for .260.
Mule Deer
The 260 filled a legitimate need [6.5x55 ballistics in a short action]. The Creedmore, 30T/C, RCM, WSSM, WSM, and other similar cartridges were designed/produced to fill someone's bank account, not to put a better product in the shooters hands.
Dmsbandit
(I believe this ^^^ was the first post I saw that misspelled “Creedmoor,” but far from the last--MD)
My point is that nobody goes to Walmart and buys 6BR ammo or 6BR rifles. In fact, I doubt that 90% of guys pulling triggers have ever even heard of it. Does that matter? No, that isn't the point of the cartridge.
Barry C
(Of course, Walmarts did start carrying 6.5 Creedmoor ammo—as did numerous other gun stores around the world--MD)
I wish somebody would commercialize my favorite 6.5...the 6.5-06. I would definitely buy one of those. I had one a number of years ago but it went to pay for bills during tough times. Oh, wait, ain't that the .256 Newton???
Pastor Dan
Didn't read the entire thread, but, the way the writers in the gun mags are singing it's praises, you'd think its the end all of cartridges.
TBREW401
Oh ,horseschit. Gunwriters are merely explaining it's virtues. It's called writing. It's funny that annoys you since nobody is putting a gun to your head to read them. I have never seen a writer yet that claimed the 6.5 Creedmoor should replace anything. Your gun writer "hate" is showing. Grow up.
Jim62
Will the 6.5 Creedmoor survive? Just look at how long this thread has survived.
Rug3
THIS THREAD APPEARED IN OCTOBER 2011—and was revived again in November 2017:
In 2011, the OP's question seems valid. In 2017 not so much. The consumers have spoken and it appears they DID want a 6.5 Swede that fit into true short action with twist rates suitable for 140g slugs…. The fact that superbly accurate factory ammo that is reasonably priced and readily available has not hurt the 6.5 Creedmoor , either.
Jk 16
A local podunk hardware store I went by had Creed hunting ammo sitting on their shelf in stock.
DakotaDeer
Biggest problem I see with 6.5 CM is that everyone seems to be loading it with H4350 and now I can't find any to load my 30-06 with.
Cantershot
It was designed over ten years ago and just now has shown significant popularity in the marketplace. And look who has been the main promoter - Hornady - and what is their main business? Component sales! In the last few decades, they have become serious purveyors of quality ammo, but components - mostly bullets - were what brought them to this party. It just so happens that the 6.5 Creedmoor also kills critters very efficiently. And the same attributes that make it easy to shoot one-hole groups just happen to be transferable to the hunt.
Bearbacker
It appears the word "fad" must have a new meaning to some at least, like the meaning of the word "gay" changed over the years. To me a round that has been around 10 years or so and getting more popular every year and with sales of the factory ammo, components and the rifles being at such an insane level might lead one to conclude it must not be a fad. I would love to have a profitable "fad" like that !
Nomosendero2
Marketing is great for the initial rollout. Marketing has nothing to do with its continued popularity. If it was marginal or underperformed with the serious shooting public, it would have been panned and lost popularity to another 6.5 the way the .264 did to the 7RM. New cartridges aren’t propped up, especially when the internet is looking for a reason to diminish them.
dtspoke
the vote is in. Just got back from Sportsmans Warehouse. They had boxes of Remington 140 gr pspcl 260 Rem for $35.99. They had boxes of Remington 140 gr pspcl 6.5 CM for $22.99. There were at least 10 other brands weights types of 6.5 CM. Only other 260 Rem I saw was Remington with 120g Barnes. Even Remington is killing the 260.
Sycamore
I just wanted to chime in here to say how worried I am that the 6.5 CM won't survive. I mean, if it actually had anything going for it like good ballistics, mild recoil, or accuracy, that would be one thing, but as it stands now, it's obviously just a passing fad. I can't sleep a wink!
Yondering
I love Waffle House. Creedmore?
Alwaysoutdoors
Gunwriters have been claiming for decades that America won’t take to 6.5’s. I’m betting this one breaks the mold. It’s been real hard for hunters to admit that recoil is not fun. The LR/tacticool community’s adoption of the round gives guys an excuse to quit the 300 mags.
And quite frankly, it has the SD to reliably take game larger than deer, something that cannot he said of 6mm and 25 cal rounds. In other words, guys shoot it well and it kills well. My guess is it stays with force.
Bellydeep
Never underestimate the way that people will fall for a cool name. (Not to mention their indignant denial that they do so.
5sdad
What's even cooler is watching my 6.5 Tikka T3X, which cost me $560 at Whittaker's, print .25-.55 groups all day long with factory ammo, with mild recoil.
JGRaider
