6.5 CM as a hunting cartridge... why?

[Tikka06]

I had a 6.5 CM in a Tikka CTR. Man that thing shot great. But interestingly enough, the felt recoil of that rifle weighing 9ish lbs was more of than that of my 6.5 lb Superlite in 308. Not sure why.

 

[Cornell Cowboy]

I literally could not care less what people choose to use. My question was more what has caused the 6.5 CM to become so popular among the hunting community. There are logical reasons for the cartridge (which I listed in my opening post) but none that really translate to hunting situations very well for anyone other than perhaps small statured, recoil sensitive shooters. In my mind, the 6.5 CM is the modern day .243 for recoil sensitive shooters, and maybe that's the answer.

For me it was hunting elk with 11 or 12 year olds (and also my wife). They all liked the recoil of the 6.5 CM (compared to my 270 and 30-06) and the sectional density/penetration is better than the 243. So far, they've killed 3 elk (one shot kills at 350 yds, 350 yds, and 200 yds) shooting 142 gr Accubond LR. At least around here, ammo selection for 6.5 CM is much better than 7mm-08.

 

[Justabirdwatcher]

For me it was hunting elk with 11 or 12 year olds (and also my wife). They all liked the recoil of the 6.5 CM (compared to my 270 and 30-06) and the sectional density/penetration is better than the 243. So far, they've killed 3 elk (one shot kills at 350 yds, 350 yds, and 200 yds) shooting 142 gr Accubond LR. At least around here, ammo selection for 6.5 CM is much better than 7mm-08.

Yes, the 7mm-08 was unfortunately marketed as a cartridge for "women and youth" and that really hurt it in the market, when in fact it is superior to the 6.5 CM in so many ways. Your sectional density comment is a good one. That is another good argument in favor of the little 6.5 for hunting applications. And of course, the marketing behind the 6.5 CM is legendary and has probably been studied by other manufacturers since. Nowhere did I ever see it billed as a cartridge for women and kids. Rather, it started out intentionally as being connected to a historic target competition (whether or not the connection was authentic) which grabbed the imaginations of many younger and some older shooting enthusiasts.

 

[Justabirdwatcher]

I had a 6.5 CM in a Tikka CTR. Man that thing shot great. But interestingly enough, the felt recoil of that rifle weighing 9ish lbs was more of than that of my 6.5 lb Superlite in 308. Not sure why.

So this is something I noticed the first time I shot my buddy's 6.5 CM which is the first rifle I'd ever fired one out of. That was a fairly heavy rifle. At least 8.5 lbs. And I wasn't impressed at all by what I had been convinced was a "low recoil" round. Like you said, I could barely tell the difference between that 6.5 CM and my 7mm-08 or .308. This is one reason I asked this question in the first place. If there was a whole bunch of hunters who were turned off by the recoil of the 7mm-08 or .308 or even the .260, I guess I could understand everyone turning to the 6.5 CM. But I just don't see that much difference in recoil. At least, not enough to justify the sales of the 6.5

 

[The Hedgehog]

I’d sure love a .22 creedmore.

 

[jimh406]

I’d sure love a .22 creedmore.

My biggest issue is the bullet selection.

 

[psinclair]

I’d sure love a .22 creedmore.

I’ve been told they work pretty well…

 

[The Hedgehog]

I’ve been told they work pretty well…
View attachment 356364

That scope would pair up nicely with my blackpowder rifle

 

[TheJason]

when in fact it is superior to the 6.5 CM in so many ways.

You keep saying this. Start naming them.

There’s not a gnat’s arse practical difference between them, save ammo availability.

 

[BAKPAKR]

That scope would pair up nicely with my blackpowder rifle

It is a good thing your blackpowder rifle isn’t a UML as that the scope is only about 1/4 of the power needed for that application.

 

[TheJason]

I’ve been told they work pretty well…
View attachment 356364

What bullet?

 

[DFS]

My biggest issue is the bullet selection.

What’s your concern with bullet selection?

 

[Carl]

I’d sure love a .22 creedmore.

One is on my short list. Most likely will do it on a Tikka but could rebarrel a Seekins 6 Creedmoor once I’m done with the 6mm barrel.

 

[jimh406]

What’s your concern with bullet selection?

Not many choices in the higher weights.

 

[psinclair]

That scope would pair up nicely with my blackpowder rifle

Anytime you want to get rid of yours, call me first… they’re getting hard to come by. I don’t think S&B is making them anymore.

 

[psinclair]

What bullet?

90gr Atip

 

[The Hedgehog]

Anytime you want to get rid of yours, call me first… they’re getting hard to come by. I don’t think S&B is making them anymore.

I’m not getting rid of mine ever and have dibs on one coming available soon. You don’t need any more

 

[Potsie]

One is on my short list. Most likely will do it on a Tikka but could rebarrel a Seekins 6 Creedmoor once I’m done with the 6mm barrel.

I keep looking at EuroOptic and the 1:8 twist .22-250 T3x stainless. Just a little tickle tickle with a reamer and probably a new mag…

 

[MTLabrador]

I really want to turn my 1:14 22-250 into either a 1:8 .22-250 AI or a .22 Creedmoor.

But until I do the old 60 grain Hornady spire points still kill deer pretty damn well. I’m kicking around using it for a bear this spring too. It’s just so damn fun to shoot.

 

[Potsie]

I really want to turn my 1:14 22-250 into either a 1:8 .22-250 AI or a .22 Creedmoor.

But until I do the old 60 grain Hornady spire points still kill deer pretty damn well. I’m kicking around using it for a bear this spring too. It’s just so damn fun to shoot.

Damnit. That’s a good idea.

New plan…