Which Caliber?

[RugerHawg413]

I am looking at buying a new rifle and the two that I have come down to are 6.5 creedmoor and .308 Win. I will be using it to hunt whitetail, elk, and pronghorn. With shots out to 600 yards. Thanks for all the info!

 

[MThuntr]

split the difference 7mm08

Both are proven and with a quality bullet either will do. Personally (based purely on opinion and no science) I would reel in that distance in a couple hundred yards

 

[Losing_Sanity]

If your considering the 308 win for out to 600 yards, I'd go with the 30-06. The 308 win and 30-06 are basically equal out to about 200 yards give or take. The 30-06 out performs at longer distances and there isn't to much you can't shoot with a 165 grain. I'm no expert and I usually don't attempt to shoot that far on game animals. But, that would be my choice.

 

[RugerHawg413]

Yeah, lets cut the range down to 300 yards.

 

[targetpanic]

Two great answers posted above (7-08 and 30-06) but if you are simply deciding between the 2 you listed, I would pick the 308. There are more bullet offerings available. If it was just for whitetail and pronghorn, then I would say 6.5

 

[ShootsManyBullets]

308

 

[klampson]

You mention elk in the mix, so like others have recommended, 308 would be my choice.

 

[VikingsGuy]

If you are insisting on 600y and those two options then 6.5cm out performs at the far end due to better BCs.

But first you should consider a shorter max, especially if you are a newer/newish hunter.

And if you insist on 600y I would rather have any one of 270Win, 270WSM, 7mm08, 280Rem, 280AI, 7mmRemMag, 300WSM or 300WinMage over your two preferences.

 

[RugerHawg413]

If you are insisting on 600y and those two options then 6.5cm out performs at the far end due to better BCs.

But first you should consider a shorter max, especially if you are a newer/newish hunter.

And if you insist on 600y I would rather have any one of 270Win, 270WSM, 7mm08, 280Rem, 280AI, 7mmRemMag, 300WSM or 300WinMage over your two preferences.

I agree, 600 yards is a little to far, more like 400 yards (at tops) is about right. I have a 7mmRemMag and I love it. Thanks for the info!

 

[VikingsGuy]

I agree, 600 yards is a little to far, more like 400 yards (at tops) is about right. I have a 7mmRemMag and I love it. Thanks for the info!

At 400y any of 260Rem, 6.5cm, .270, 7mm08 or 280Rem will be great non-magnum options to add to you arsenal and all will work with proper shot placement and a quality big game bullet. 280AI, 270WSM and 300WSM are probably too close to your 7RM to make a change worthwhile (unless you just want a new gun).

 

[Dan O]

You already have the answer to Elk at a distance with your 7mm rem mag. Use it and the 6.5 if you have a manbun LOL for deer and antelope. All kidding aside I'd say use the 7mm for elk sure the others will kill an elk as many have proved. I just believe all things considered you already have the better elk rifle. If you want a short action light weight rifle the split the difference and go with the 7-08.

 

[Losing_Sanity]

If you are insisting on 600y and those two options then 6.5cm out performs at the far end due to better BCs.

But first you should consider a shorter max, especially if you are a newer/newish hunter.

And if you insist on 600y I would rather have any one of 270Win, 270WSM, 7mm08, 280Rem, 280AI, 7mmRemMag, 300WSM or 300WinMage over your two preferences.

I trust this guy's advise... I'm not admitting that my opinion in the above comment is incorrect, because I still stand by it. Just that this guy knows his guns.

 

[VikingsGuy]

I trust this guy's advise... I'm not admitting that my opinion in the above comment is incorrect, because I still stand by it. Just that this guy knows his guns.

Lots of more knowledgable folks on HTalk, like @brockel and @ImBillT. But, happy to offer my inflation-adjusted 2 cents when asked.

 

[Losing_Sanity]

Paid for by the @VikingsGuy for gun guru campaign.

 

[Carl 9.3x62]

I grew up shooting a 270 and have killed antelope, deer, elk and moose with it just fine. I have never used the 30-06, but I like the idea it over the 270 for an all purpose caliber, because of the wider selection of bullet weights in factory ammo. That said, I just got my son a 7mm-08 for his first big game rifle, haha.

 

[Big Sky Guy]

I agree, 600 yards is a little to far, more like 400 yards (at tops) is about right. I have a 7mmRemMag and I love it. Thanks for the info!

Since you have the 7mag I’d go with the 6.5 creed. I have a .30-06 and went through the same process in wanting a lower recoil, short action, lighter rifle. The .30-06 is the superior .30 caliber between that and the .308 so that ruled that out. If it was 10 years ago I would have had to choose between the .260 rem or 7mm-08. Since I don’t reload I went with a 6.5 cm.

If you know you’re elk hunting you will probably take the 7 mag over either a .308 or 6.5 cm. If you’re deer hunting but come across an elk carrying the 6.5 cm and you’re inside reasonable distances of 300-400 yards then you can still make a shot and the difference (at least on paper statistics) is negligible. I’ve noticed it also depends on age. I’m 32 and I think the 6.5 cm is on track to be the .30-06 of mine and younger generations.

 

[gregt9146]

27 Nosler. Tough to find loads or Ammo right now but that gun will be awesome

 

[Deleted member 38069]

.300 win mag is an option too!

 

[VikingsGuy]

27 Nosler. Tough to find loads or Ammo right now but that gun will be awesome

I am sure it will be cool for the right shooter, but for the un-initiated, the Nosler cartridges are chasing just behind the ultramags so be prepared for the cost and recoil associated with playing with the big boys.

 

[Carl 9.3x62]

I grew up shooting a 270 and have killed antelope, deer, elk and moose with it just fine. I have never used the 30-06, but I like the idea it over the 270 for an all purpose caliber, because of the wider selection of bullet weights in factory ammo. That said, I just got my son a 7mm-08 for his first big game rifle, haha.

Dang, I posted on the wrong thread, haha