6.5 CM as a hunting cartridge... why?

[Justabirdwatcher]

Nobody cares

question wasn't directed to you. If you don't care, why are you posting on a thread like this?

 

[DFS]

The thread has taken a turn for the better.

 

[Nick87]

I didn’t get a sheep with a 300 WM in 1999. I didn’t get one with a 300 RUM in 2006. I got one with a 6.5 CM in 2019. So, there will always be a soft spot in my heart for the Creedmoor.

BTW — I shot the 6.5 a lot before the hunt and I was confident out to quite a bit further than I had to shoot.

View attachment 356423

That is truly an awesome picture.

 

[BAKPAKR]

Nice ram. So, to stay on topic, why did you specifically choose the CM and not a .308 based cartridge? What was the advantage the CM offered in your mind?

The marketing worked on me. I already had a 308 but it was too heavy (I wanted a sub-8 pound rifle for a backcountry hunt). I was interested in a 7mm-08 but I am a lefty and factory stainless steel lefty 7mm-08s are about as scarce as hen’s teeth. So, I got a Tikka 6.5 CM.

 

[Justabirdwatcher]

The marketing worked on me. I already had a 308 but it was too heavy (I wanted a sub-8 pound rifle for a backcountry hunt). I was interested in a 7mm-08 but I am a lefty and factory stainless steel lefty 7mm-08s are about as scarce as hen’s teeth. So, I got a Tikka 6.5 CM.

Thanks for the response. I can see that. It's a shame 7mm-08's were never well supported. The values of that cartridge have always been lost on the masses. Again, great ram and what a memory for you.

 

[Justabirdwatcher]

The thread has taken a turn for the better.

Thanks in part to your responses. Maybe if you tried not caring harder?

 

[DFS]

Thanks in part to your responses. You seem defensive for someone who says they don't care.

I own a 7mm rem mag, a 26 nosler a 6.5 prc, 6.5 creed, 243, two 22 creedmoors, a 22-250 and a 223. I would not be afraid to hunt with any of them. Different strokes for different folks.

 

[Schutzhund]

If everyone in the world shot just one same perfect cartridge what fun would that be?

Chamber specs are so much tighter on all these new cartridges which makes all them inherently more accurate when machined with prudence.

Everyone is chasing accuracy from the factory instead of earning it the old fashioned way.

I don't own a 6.5cm nor have I shot one. I know nothing. I'm Schultz.

 

[hunter49]

I've tried to like the 6.5 CM on its merits, from an objective point of view, but this is what I discovered. Just doesn't live up to any of the claims.

I don't know much about rifles. Have shot my rem22.250 and 7mag for years.

Finally got sick of that mule and put together a 6.5 this summer. Didn't know of any claims. Just researched and talked with people a bit.

One selling point was I can walk into about any store and pick up a box off the shelf. Wanted something where availability wasn't going to be an issue.

No complaints so far. Shoots better than I can.

 

[Redmt]

One thing I really like about the 6.5 CM is all the guys that don't like them usually sell their components pretty reasonably. I have a fine supply of LRX. Thank you to all the haters.

 

[Justabirdwatcher]

I don't know much about rifles. Have shot my rem22.250 and 7mag for years.

Finally got sick of that mule and put together a 6.5 this summer. Didn't know of any claims. Just researched and talked with people a bit.

One selling point was I can walk into about any store and pick up a box off the shelf. Wanted something where availability wasn't going to be an issue.

No complaints so far. Shoots better than I can.

Certainly these days, factory ammo availability is a strong selling point. I wanted to like the 6.5 CM's I owned more, but I also want to shoot monos and they need speed that (I learned) the CM just can't produce. But with cup and core, the CM is nearly interchangeable with the smaller .308 based cartridges.

 

[Justabirdwatcher]

One thing I really like about the 6.5 CM is all the guys that don't like them usually sell their components pretty reasonably. I have a fine supply of LRX. Thank you to all the haters.

I'd say you're welcome for the bullets, but then I'm not a hater. Just couldn't find a reason to choose the CM over what I already had. For those who are thrilled with their CM's, that's great! I'm always willing to learn if I'm missing something.

 

[BAKPAKR]

Certainly these days, factory ammo availability is a strong selling point. I wanted to like the 6.5 CM's I owned more, but I also want to shoot monos and they need speed that (I learned) the CM just can't produce. But with cup and core, the CM is nearly interchangeable with the smaller .308 based cartridges.

I shot one deer with the 127 gr Barnes LRX. It killed fine but nothing extraordinary. Based on my limited experience with a couple of Hammer bullets, I think Hammers might create more trauma. Out of a 300 RUM, I had petals flying everywhere.

 

[Sheltowee]

I shot one deer with the 127 gr Barnes LRX. It killed fine but nothing extraordinary. Based on my limited experience with a couple of Hammer bullets, I think Hammers might create more trauma. Out of a 300 RUM, I had petals flying everywhere.

Currently torn between taking my 6.5 Creed firing 125gr. HHTs and my .257Ackley shooting 95gr. HHTs on my annual Alabama rut hunt in two weeks. Hope to have a real world review of one or the other shortly.

 

[BAKPAKR]

Currently torn between taking my 6.5 Creed firing 125gr. HHTs and my .257Ackley shooting 95gr. HHTs on my annual Alabama rut hunt in two weeks. Hope to have a real world review of one or the other shortly.

I would use the 257 Ackley because that sounds neat.

 

[Sheltowee]

I would use the 257 Ackley because that sounds neat.

That’s where I’m leaning, mostly because I had that rifle built with this annual hunt in mind. Little CZ 550 FS with a 21” Lilja barrel getting 3218fps with the Hammers. Ought to be hell on Alabama whitetails.

 

[Potsie]

I don't know much about rifles. Have shot my rem22.250 and 7mag for years.

Finally got sick of that mule and put together a 6.5 this summer. Didn't know of any claims. Just researched and talked with people a bit.

One selling point was I can walk into about any store and pick up a box off the shelf. Wanted something where availability wasn't going to be an issue.

No complaints so far. Shoots better than I can.
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View attachment 356439

Good choice of glass to.

 

[BAKPAKR]

Good choice of glass to.

With that set up, he has to be on “the other forum.”

 

[Potsie]

Currently torn between taking my 6.5 Creed firing 125gr. HHTs and my .257Ackley shooting 95gr. HHTs on my annual Alabama rut hunt in two weeks. Hope to have a real world review of one or the other shortly.

I’ve had great results with the 125 HHT in my PRC. Great groups, and terminally have been great on elk 2 years in a row.

 

[CowboyLeroy]

While we're all in the same place, would anyone like to discuss the merits of carrying with a round chambered vs. empty??