Pulling the parts together for a pair of custom rifles. I am having a hard time deciding on the caliber for the second rifle. One of them will for sure be 6.5, probably .260 maybe creed or lapua. The other is between 6mm and .308. They will be used for whitetail, black bear, coyote, and elk in a few years.

Here’s the rest of the specs
Defiance short action anTI actions
Manners eh8+ stocks adl.
20” proof sendero light barrels
Hawkins lightweight rings
Scopes is between nightforce nxs 2-10x42 and leupold mk5hd 3-18.

This is just me but I'd go 6.5PRC & 6mm Creedmoor

I'd go 6.5 Creedmoor, TBAC UL7 suppressor and Nightforce scope and would pass on a second rig. Too much overlap given those cartridge choices.

I feel like the 6.5 has so much overlap with anything not a 30cal mag and up though. That is why I can’t choose. I do like the 6.5prc but already have the stocks inleted and stairing at me🤪

A .223 and a 6.5 Creedmoor wouldn't hurt my feelings. If you've got the .223's covered, then a .22 Creedmoor and 6.5 Creedmoor combo would be pretty sweet. Of course a .22 Creed shooting 88's and 7WSM flinging 180 ELD's would make me happy, too. Choices, choices...

.260 or 6.5 CM would be my choice.

Make#2 a .308 WCF, doesn't get any better in SA.

260 is wonderful and easy to load. 3006 is your best choice.

For the animals you want to shoot the .270 Winchester is the obvious natural choice. If not that, a .308 Winchester. Whatever, it should be a Winchester cartridge. However, if you're looking to make it a short action and you don't want the .308 the 7-08 will do fine.

A 22 & 6.5 Creed would be a nice pair. Just depends on if you want the second as a backup for elk. Then I would probably go short 30 something or even 338 RCM. The 308 is never a bad choice, it's at least 90% as versatile as the 30-06. Or just skip the 6.5 and do a 22 or 6mm Creed and a 30 something.
Also depends on how much overlap you want.

I would do a 6mm and a 30cal, especially since you mentioned elk.

Dandy list of components!
Quick question regarding the Manners EH8 - if I'm not mistaken, there isn't a lot of real estate for barrel inlet. Will it accommodate the Proof barrel(s)?

If 6.5 is one of them and you're resolute on another, I'd likely go 22 Creedmoor.
Or, given your locale and game in the region, I'd really throw caution (and reason) to the wind, peddle the large scope(s), skip past 30 cal and go .358 Winchester.

Notice the mention of EH-8 plus which accommodate larger contours.

I'm a fan of the 338 Fed but that wasn't mentioned.

Ahhhh, thanks - I overlooked the +.
My blunders are generally numerous by this time in the morning and this is the first so I'm actually off to a good start.

6.5 CM and 308 Win... but I'd go 22" barrels.

There is so much overlap between the 6.5C and the .308, if you build them out that way, you will most likely end up just using one of them.

My vote would be for a .22-250 (not that the .22 Creed isn't good, but the .22-250 has a lot more history and will be easier to find components or loaded ammo). For the bigger gun, I would recommend a 7-08AI. Load it up for elk and longer ranges, and regularly for deer/pigs). In a pinch you can just shoot factory 7-08 ammo in it. With those two rifles, you can kill anything you want to and punch paper at long distances.

I would go with 8-twist .223, and 7-08. Also likely with 22" tubes.

6mm Creedmoor and a 308 Winchester

With the 6.5 as your certain choice, a properly twisted .223 would be great on the lighter end. With 88s, ballistics would be similar too. Too much overlap between 6 and 6.5 Creedmoor and also between 6.5 Creedmoor and .308 to justify going that way. If .223 can’t interest you, a .22 Creedmoor would be a hoot. That one is likely my next barrel.

John

I like a 223 and 308 to cover most everything. But the 6.5 and a 35 - 36 cal is more in my wheelhouse. 8.8 MM to 9.3MM? I don't need them but the medium bores are fun. A 358 Winchester can be made in one pass through the sizing die. Use bullets from 38 special style wadcutter for coyote to 310 gr for the big stuff. Then again maybe it is all OT?

I’m in the same boat.

Have parts at the smiths as we speak waiting on McM, going to be a .22 Creed. I didn’t want one, spent several weeks trying to come up with something that “looks” better, on paper and charts(talking 88s here). Seeing one in action at the 600ish yard line this weekend reaffirmed all. Too much for me not to build one.

When it’s done, if I’m satisfied with the parts I’m using, I plan on duping it in something bigger. Mostly so I’ll be legal here in VA for deer and bear, and something I can carry on the occasional elk hunt. Although it doesn’t blow you away on paper, a .260 ( or AI/Terminator) pushing 139 Scenars makes a whole lot of sense to me. I’ll be running DBM with AICS mags, so I’m a little more generous to COAL constraints than someone running a blind mag or hinged setup.

I think I’d be well covered for all but the biggest bears. No way I’ll ever afford that, and I don’t play the lottery so it’s a non issue.

So it’s 22 Creed and .260 for me. Quite a few more that’ll do about the same though. So much good stuff out there these days, a guy has a lot of good options. Brass availability (quality brass) is something I always consider now as well.

1: 6mm Creedmoor
2: 308 Win

That to me is a nice spread with SA and takes you from 20lbs game animals to 1,000 lbs.