Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters So JB, why does the 6.5 CM get more attention than the 7mm-08?

LOL

The reason for starting this thread was to dig into the marketing vs ballistics and to have conversation.

My conclusion: the 6.5 CM has an easy go button with factory ammo and out of the box accuracy with factory rifles. The 7-08 can end up at the same place (and maybe further along) but the shooter has to work a little to get there. Isn't that the fun part?

Edit: like I said. I have both clamberings and love both

This is hilarious.

I gotta admit, a thread arguing a 6.5 Creedmoor against a 7mm-08, could be the definition of rifle looney-ism. They are functionally equivalent (and both outstanding, btw) yet opinions are strong, on both sides, that one is ‘better’.

It does make the campfire a cool place to hang out. It would only be better if same discussion were around a real fire….with a good cigar.

I think you've hit on something JJ. I think people tend to like cartridges that have been accurate for them personally, but the fact is, accuracy has more to do with the rifle and ammo than the cartridge.

Seems like the 6.5 CM has been the beneficiary of a lot of accurate rifles and ammo., as far as people gravitating toward it.

The 7/08 has never been very popular around here, meaning you don't find many rifles chambered for it on gun shop racks nor much selection of ammo on the shelves. What ammo you do see is always higher priced than the equivalent in more popular rounds like .30-06, .308, .270 and............



You guessed it, 6.5 Creedmoor.


Given those facts the Creedmoor is just the more likely and practical choice for most hunters looking for a short action deer rifle/cartridge, particularly if not into reloading, which the vast majority are not.

Ta ,Da

458 Lott rules.Any one who does not use one for hunting deer must be a metro-sexual.Just sayin!!

So now there are two obvious morons. What a surprise. LOL

I have always considered the 7-08 a 270 Win short. I have enough 270's and supplies am not interested in the 7-08. The ones I have played with have found other happy homes.

I had a Bergara HMR in 6.5 Creed. Thinking I would really enjoy getting into the LR shooting. Played around with it, but the LR bug did not stick. It certainly was an easy button.

That easy button is IMO why it is more popular, in addition to the support from Hornady. Over the last decade Hornady has certainly been a better run company than Remington.

I have a Husqvarna 6.5x55 with a 1:9 twist barrel that I really enjoy hunting with. If the rifle was chambered for 6.5 Creed, I would like it just as much.

Jordan,
Just curious, what load are you using in the 7-08 for less drift ? I’ve been using the 156 Berger’s at 2620-2650 fps out of my Barrett 24” barrel 6.5 Creedmoor

I’ve been contemplating a 7-08 also. I assume 180 Berger’s ?

I’ve worked with and been around about a half dozen of each, and precision has been about equivalent between the 6.5 CM and 7-08. One of each has struggled to maintain MOA with 3-shot groups, requiring some load development, and the other five of each chambering have easily achieved MOA for 3 and even 5-shot groups with several loads, with the best loads in a couple 6.5s and a couple 7-08s holding consistent 0.5-0.75 MOA with 5-shot groups.

It’s not a large enough sample size to make any definitive claims about inherent accuracy, but there it is.

IME, they’ve worked very well even on large game. Of course, appropriate bullets have been used.

I’m mostly still using up my supply of 162 AM in 7-08, but I’ve played a little with the 195 Berger at 2475 fps and the 180 ELD at ~2600 fps from 22” barrels. I’m also shooting the 147 ELD at 2650-2700 fps from my 21-26” barrelled 6.5 CMs.

I have both the 6.5 CM and a 7-08. Not much difference on paper or in the field.
Have a 280AI and a 7 Rem Mag also. They all do pretty much the same thing.


Most of the common rounds we use are more alike than they are different.

I hunt in PA so you are pretty good from 223 to 338 as long as you can hit a pie plate at 100 yards for big game.

Man, there’s a lot of people signing up for a shanking.




P

Either "would be a good choice for women, kids or men of small stature"















Been reading and holding my breath for pages.
No one beat me to it!😊😊😊😊

I'm about 6' 2" and the scale just read 224. Do I have to sell my 6.5 now?

Yeah, I'm same height and about 5 pounds less than that, do I need to sell my 7-08 AND my 243 win?

For most practical purposes, claiming a significant difference between the 7mm-08 and 6.5 CM is really splitting hairs, although we love to do just that!

I guess I don't understand the Ill will against any particular rifle cartridge. I love the 6.5 CM and don't own one. Likely never will, but never say never. I don't see anyone anywhere twisting anybody's arm to switch or try different cartridges. And the introduction of a newer cartridge design doesn't take anything away from what older cartridges can and have done.

If you're happy with what you've got, then be happy. I don't care if you shoot a 38-55 or a 7mm Patriot, or a phased plasma rifle. Or, for that matter, even the 30-06.
If you're good with the .243, or the 45-70, and been good for a lifetime, then you're good.

But...
If you're new to rifles, and need something to punch steel or fur and do it well, with no fuss, the 6.5 CM is likely the best avenue to success in it's class.

If you live for the .270 vs 30-06 articles of the 1970s I hope you have some stashed in your old reading pile