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Question on whether a 6.5 or 308 for long range

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  • duckhunter

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    I am considering doing some of the long range shooting and would like to see some recommendations from forum members who are doing this.
     

    SAWMAN

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    Oh God . . . this is gonna be a dooooooooooozie !!
    Info in 》》》》》 info out.
    * define "long range".
    * what action.
    * do you reload or are you prepared to reload for your choice.
    * will you spend good money on trigger,rifle scope,spotting scope.
    * where will you shoot
    * why have you narrowed it down to these two chamberings
    Feel free to answer all or none.--- SAWMAN
     

    duckhunter

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    Okay here goes: 400 to 500 yard range because we don't have many places with something longer close by Cantonment I guess. Bolt action yes we are prepared to reload but will purchase better grade ammo at first then begin to reload. Yes I would spend money on good trigger . I have them on my other rifles and carbines now. No real reason to narrow it to these I figured that it was something I didn't currently have and several friends have bought these calibers to do it.
     

    FrommerStop

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    For most things in florida if buying a new rifle and only longer distance was a factor I would go with 6.5 rather than a .308 assuming both shooting projectiles of the same weight and at similar velocities. Under those conditions the 6.5 bullet will have greater sectional density, losing less velocity at longer ranges and have similar recoil. I am thinking 6.5 creedmoor versus .308 winchester. The 6.5 velocity is
    6.5 creedmoor 143 gr (9 g) Hornady ELD-X 2,710 ft/s
    compare this to a 150 grain .308 bullets at 2800 fps.
    I have a .308, but do not own a 6.5 creedmoor and will stick with the .308.
     

    duckhunter

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    Thank you. It will not be used for hunting but just target shooting.
     

    FrommerStop

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    Thank you. It will not be used for hunting but just target shooting.
    For paper target shooting go .308. Ammo choices, components are more plentiful in the .308. For steel silhouette shooting where things have to be knocked down I am not so sure since there are people that swear on the 6.5 Swede cartridge as knocking down steel as well as a .308. For hitting paper or what not go .308.
    .223-5.56 nato would fine also for paper punching at 400-500 yards.
     

    wildrider666

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    Punching paper or ringing steel: the hands down winner is the 6.5CM. its a more efficient (ballistically and economically) cartridge @ less perceived recoil too. The .308 has a wider choice of bullets and loadings plus mil/surplus compatibility/availability. Its a tougher choice picking the gun/scope than the caliber. I recommend you buy as if planning to shoot 1K yards and enjoy the "results" even if you don't stretch the range. With the continued growth in popularity of the 6.5CM (especially in the last few years) there are a lot of options on the rack.
    Good luck, keep us posted.
     

    The Pitt

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    either will do. 6.5 makes it easier.
     

    FLT

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    I shoot a 308 and a 243 and manage to be competitive, I’ve decided that 308’s capabilities are better than mine.
     

    FrommerStop

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    I can go to walmarts and buy .308 or just about any other place and they will never be out of stock. If I went to 6.5, the creedmoor is the newest, but for a bolt action not necessarily the best 6.5 out there. It was designed for the AR10. Now all of a sudden for many americans they seem to think it is the only 6.5 mm cartridge out there.
    Here is a good link for 6.5 cartridges https://www.gunsandammo.com/editorial/13-popular-6-5mm-rifle-cartridges/247527
    I would favor the 6.5x55 swede for a bolt action rifle. If you some day plan to get an AR10, then getting a bolt gun in 6.5 creedmoor makes more sense.
    Bred for war, the 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser dates back to the late 19th century, yet remains one of the finest 6.5mmcartridges on the market. Offering the capability of driving the heavy 156- and160-grain bullets to a muzzle velocity of just over 2,500 feet per second (fps)- it makes a good choice for an all-around hunting rifle. The Swede will shine with the 140-spitzers, pushing them to over 2,850 fps; this betters the Creedmoor's velocity by over 100 fps, making the Swede a perfectly viable long-range cartridge. No, it won't run in an AR platform, but makes a great choice for the bolt guns.
    Here is photo of some 6.5 rounds.
    13-Popular-6.5mm-Rifle-Cartridges.jpg
     

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    wildrider666

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    Daezee

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    I have a TC LRR in 6.5 CM. I've never shot factory ammo in it, only my reloads. I'm not the best shot, but it normally does 5 shots into .55" at 100yd, 3 shots into 1.5" at 300yd and 5 shots into 2" at 300yd. The last time out I was re-sighting it in at 300yd after I got my Nikon X1000 4-16x scope back from repairs. I fired 4 shots at 300yd to make sure it was re-sighted...4 shots were 1" at 300yd...I must've done everything right on that group. My Ruger Precisions in .308 and 5.56 give me .7" for 5 shots at 100yd. ONE time I got a .75" 3 shot group with the 5.56 at 300yd...I must've held my tongue just right on that group too.

    I shoot steel for fun at 300yd...love the clang of the hits. 300yd is the length of the range I go to. Plan on 300yd this coming weekend. OP, are you a member of the Pensacola Rifle and Pistol Club? That's where I'll be Sunday morning, weather permitting at the 300yd range. I'll have a couple of "long range" rifles with me. Friends will be shooting with me.

    PS. Another rifle at less cost is the Savage 110 Tactical. A little lighter, it can also be used for hunting. Its length of pull and cheek height can also be adjusted. Threaded bbl if you want to shoot suppressed or add a muzzle brake. There are 2 of them in 6.5 CM in my group of 6 shooting friends.
     
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    SAWMAN

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    Just one point that I would like to make.
    What did all the long range shooters do BEFORE the 6.5Creedmoor came along ??
    Well . . . nothing,because most of the 6.5Creedmoor shooters were still in high school.
    BWAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHA !!! I crack myself up. --- SAWMAN
     

    Jester896

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    I chose the 6.5 (.260) because of the max ordinate differences. For me there is roughly 10MOA difference between my .260 and my .308 at 1K. I remember when we first started shooting them I had a hard time spotting, I was looking too high for trace and still will if I'm not careful.

    My .260 will knock over a life size chicken or turkey @ 1K. It will slam over a 60-70# sized pig at 730y
     

    Runned Over

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    .223!!! M-16/AR
    Talk to Kingfisher or Kingfish on PFF. He was hittin targets at 1000 yards with iron sights all day long!!!!m16:whistle:sniper:pound:
     

    Zeroed in

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    Join the wave, go with the 6.5 Grendel in AR15 platform. I just completed my build, went with a 24" spiral ss barrel. I'll get to the range with it sometime soon, I hope.
    Same 6.5cm bc projectiles, a bit slower due to powder capacity. It's a 200-800yd cartridge, and will do what you want at 500yds easy peasy.

    Abstract From The Wikipedia Site:

    Performance
    Proponents assert that the Grendel is a middle ground between the 5.56×45mm NATO and the 7.62×51mm NATO. It retains greater terminal energy at extended ranges than either of these cartridges due to its higher ballistic coefficient.[2] For example, the 123 gr (8.0 g) 6.5 Grendel has more energy and better armor penetration at 1,000 meters than the larger and heavier 147 gr (9.5 g) M80 7.62 NATO round.

    In order to obtain ballistics that are superior to the 7.62×51mm cartridge, a weapon with a longer barrel and firing a heavier bullet is necessary. To achieve the same results from shorter length barrels, even heavier bullets are needed.
     

    John B.

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    .223!!! M-16/AR
    Talk to Kingfisher or Kingfish on PFF. He was hittin targets at 1000 yards with iron sights all day long!!!!m16:whistle:sniper:pound:
    The butthurt is still strong with you I see.... IIRC he claimed irons @ 600yds with the m4 platform, but I digress.

    Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
     
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