Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles 6.5 CM vs 7mm/08

Looking to buy a new Tikka rifle, torn between a 6.5CM or 7mm/08, will use for Deer hunting mostly, any pros or cons

Both are great deer cartridges. If you're not handloading then the 6.5 will likely be the better option for ammo availability and variety.

Six, half dozen the other for deer. If choosing the 6.5, I would stay with somewhat lighter cup and core bullet for deer. I took two deer with the 6.5 140 grain accubonds that did not open up much or leave much of a blood trail. Both deer recovered, but it took some tracking. Both double lung shots. Never had any trouble with 6.5 or 7mm cup and core like Hornady Interlock etc.

In the 6.5's ballistic twin 260 Remington we've obtained fine results on deer/pigs with 120 grain Ballistic Tips, 129 grain Interlocks, 125 grain Partitions and some factory loaded 120 grain SST's in Remington Accutip ammunition.

In the 7mm08 it's been all good with 139 & 162 grain Interlocks and 120 grain Sierras.

IMO, both of these cartridges are right in the "plenty of thump, yet easy to shoot" zone for deer cartridges.

Either one will do what you're looking for.

7-08 is my personal favorite, do anything, round. An 8 twist 260 Rem is my choice for 6.5.

Ok thanks, I think I am leaning towards the 7mm/08

Any particular reason?

Are you a handloader?

Deer hunting and antelope with SA .473” bolt gun any 6mm, .257, 6.5mm would due nicely. For deer and elk in SA I’d go with 7-08 Rem or 308 Win.

For just deer hunting, I agree with mathman on this one. The pros to having a 6.5 creedmoor outweigh having a 7mm08. If you were stepping up to elk hunting, I'd be more tempted to get the 7mm08. But you state specifically "for deer hunting". Unless you handload, and you have a stockpile of 7mm bullets. I see no advantage of the 7mm08 over the 6.5 creedmoor if you do not handload your own.

If you don't handload 7mm-08 has been scarce.

Long before I owned a .260, I thought it had to be just about the perfect whitetail round. I now have two and my opinion hasn't changed. The 6.5 CM does the same thing. I have a couple of them as well, neither because I searched them out.

I had planned to get my kids 7mm-08's but ammo, components, and rifles are more available for the CM. I don't like the marketing hype but appreciate the practicality of owning Creedmoors.

You may want to consider the 308, I did! Midway has 79 ammo options currently available from 110-200 gr.

I don't think there's much "marketing hype" that goes with the creedmoor. It was designed well and does pretty much everything that's been said about it. It's a bonus that Hornady actually promotes its cartridges and doesn't let them die by the wayside like Winchester has done. You want to hear some "marketing hype", watch some videos on the 325 WSM, when it made its debut. Those guys tried to blow smoke up our azzes and not too many of us bought in to it. The 6.5 Creedmoor is a little different in that regard.

I'm in the same situation as the OP, buying a new whitetail rifle, and went with the CM.

7mm-08 maybe

7mm-08 is a better cartridge in my book, wider bullet makes up for some of the downfalls in a 6.5… although with current situations ammo availability in 6.5 is better. Might give 6.5 prc a look as it bridges the gap between the 2

I went with the 708 and a friend went with the 6.5 creedmoor. They’re more alike than different.

From an accuracy and killing standpoint we can see no difference. From a recoil standpoint we can tell no difference. I already had 708 stuff so I went with that and I’m completely satisfied. If I’d have went 6.5 creedmoor I’m sure I’d have the same feelings.

"Bridges the gap between the 2". That had me rolling. The 6.5 and 7mm08 are really like 2 peas in a pod. Generally the 6.5 edges out the 7 in precision/accuracy and factory ammo is much easier to find for the 6.5. As well as it is much easier to find components for the 6.5. One reason I'll be shooting one of my creedmoors here in a bit and the 7mm08 sits in the safe. Those that don't get it, may never understand, but that is the simple facts of the matter.. Mathman was trying to steer the OP in the easier direction, but you know what they say about leading a horse to water. By the way, keep those jokes coming. That was a good one about bridging a gap with the PRC..

Factory ammo is easier to find in Creedmoor.

I shoot 7-08 as I reload. Never had an issue getting components.

Check this one out: