6.5 Creedmore or 7mm?

[Stallsworth]

I am new to the group and hunting. This is my second season of whitetail, but am looking ahead to the future. I want to do some bear, and larger deer species in the next year or two. I am going back and forth between 6.5 Creedmore and 7mm. I want something with enough stopping power, but that won't blow a whitetail to pieces. I was thinking about 308 but like the flatter flight of the others. Thank you for input.

 

[belly-deep]

Any of the above!

308 is a great round, but I can’t say it works noticeably better than the smaller rounds.

 

[madtom]

What are you shooting deer with now?

 

[std7mag]

By 7mm, i'm taking it you mean 7mm-08?

In any case, i would choose the "7mm".
7mm-08, 280 Rem, 284 Win, 280AI, 7mm Rem Mag.

If you must choose a 6.5mm cartridge, might i suggest 6.5X55, 260 Rem, 6.5-06, 6.5mm Rem Mag.

Are you really prepared to grow a manbun?

A bad day bald, beats a good day with a manbun.

 

[Stallsworth]

I am using a Browning 30-30. It is fine around here due to shots at greater than 200 yards are rare in my area.

 

[BrentD]

None of the above?

 

[Stallsworth]

I am looking at the -08 and Rem Mag.

 

[Stallsworth]

What would be your suggestion to consider? BrentD

 

[VikingsGuy]

7mm08 if you are staying under 400 yards, 7mmRemMag if willing to shoot mag and want to stretch the legs of 7mm bullets beyond 400y, 6.5 manbun if shooting 400-500 and recoil shy.

 

[madtom]

I am using a Browning 30-30. It is fine around here due to shots at greater than 200 yards are rare in my area.

For anything deer-to-elk size at standard (<400 yard) hunting distance, .308 and 7mm-08 are great cartridges. Flip a coin.

 

[mlmtx01]

I shoot all of my whitetail with my 22-250. I shot 4 this weekend on an MLD permit hunt on a friends ranch here in Texas. Non took another step. A 243 is also an absolute perfect whitetail gun.

 

[Stallsworth]

7mm08 if you are staying under 400 yards, 7mmRemMag if willing to shoot mag and want to stretch the legs of 7mm bullets beyond 400y, 6.5 manbun if shooting 400-500 and recoil shy.

I am wanting the ability comfortably take down out to 600. I am comfortable shooting out to 1K. The recoil is not a concern for me.

 

[Rancho Loco]

I'm out.

 

[VikingsGuy]

I am wanting the ability comfortably take down out to 600. I am comfortable shooting out to 1K. The recoil is not a concern for me.

7mmRemMag it is . . .

 

[madtom]

Not my cup of tea. Enjoy

 

[MT_Chad]

If you reload 6.5x284 would be my choice.

 

[MJE2083]

If you want the ability to kill large game at long ranges it's the 7mm Rem Mag.

 

[mtmuley]

You will need some good rings either way. mtmuley

 

[huronmtns]

I shoot all of my whitetail with my 22-250. I shot 4 this weekend on an MLD permit hunt on a friends ranch here in Texas. Non took another step. A 243 is also an absolute perfect whitetail gun.

I'm curious to what these Texas deer weighed'? I know there is a big difference in body size between southern Texas and Northern climate white-tailed deer.

 

[Cerebral Stalker]

By 7mm, i'm taking it you mean 7mm-08?

In any case, i would choose the "7mm".
7mm-08, 280 Rem, 284 Win, 280AI, 7mm Rem Mag.

If you must choose a 6.5mm cartridge, might i suggest 6.5X55, 260 Rem, 6.5-06, 6.5mm Rem Mag.

Are you really prepared to grow a manbun?

A bad day bald, beats a good day with a manbun.

Amen!

In all seriousness though, the 7mm really is the way to go. 7mm(.284) is right smack in the middle of 6.5(.264) and .308. You get the best of both worlds. I'd definitely go with the Rem. Mag. You'll end up wanting the extra fps eventually especially if you want to get to that 600 mark. As far as meat damage goes just make good shots and use bullets to your liking. All high powered rifle calibers are going to ruin lots of meat on misplaced shots.