Short barrel, largish caliber

[Gamerancher]

Mate, if you want a rifle to target shoot and hunt with, one chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor wouldn't be a bad choice. There are plenty of good quality, off the shelf rifles available in it at your stated price point. 24 inch barrel is fine. 1 in 8 is a pretty standard twist for 6.5mm. From what I saw last time I was down there, (Oct '17), Tasmanian gunshops seem to have a good supply of factory ammo in 6.5 Creedmoor at reasonable prices.
The cartridge is popular due to it's inherent accuracy, ( the thing all 6.5's have in common), availability of quality off the shelf ammo, it's reloadability, and most importantly, it's efficiency. It produces very similar performance to other 6.5's but using less powder. This means, lower felt recoil, longer barrel life and less report or muzzle blast.
6.5 bullets are available from all major manufacturers in a wide variety of styles and weights from 90 through to 160 grains, giving you a lot of choices when it comes to reloading.
By the way, I do own and shoot a rifle chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor, unlike some of the other fellas giving advice on it here. I shoot high power metallic silhouette out to 500m with it. I have also put plenty of holes in critters with it and it does the job well!
More than happy with it for all of the reasons stated above, (apart from the factory ammo, I have never used factory ammo),
It hands down out-shoots both of my 7-08's set up for the same task and is a lot more pleasant to shoot.

Also, despite the naysayers, considering the fact that the cartridge was designed specifically for the U.S High Power National Match, it has the runs on the board when it comes to winning at that and various other matches, ( e.g. 2011 Snipers Hide Cup winner and runner up both used it as well as two others in the top 10, this match is shot at varying distances out to 1000 yards), you won't be at any disadvantage choosing it to have a go at target shooting.

[Urastus]

I honestly think your overthinking it - in the digital world the CM vs 7/08 vs 260 vs 308 might appear different, but in reality they will all shoot exceptionally over medium and longer ranges (if your rifle and load is tuned).. There are far bigger variables such as windage and shooter error that will make you realize the comparison of these different specifications is much less of a significant factor than you might imagine... And you have to think about the cost of running it - 308 will be far cheaper to run, whether it be handloads or factory (but especially factory). Granted the 308 might jump a bit more, but if you get a decent brake and the rifle is on the heavier side, you can still get back on target in time to see the impact for shots 300m and beyond... I dunno, personally I'd be steering clear of 260 simply due to ammo/projectile availability. The other three - take your pic. But I say all things considered, the venerable 308 is tried-and-tested - the latest projectiles really aren't far behind the leaders. I say get a nice heavy barrel on a proven action, don't skimp on your optics, and then go out and shoot. There is a long road to travel before the characteristics of the CM vs 308w become a truly relevant factor...

I was expecting that, and you're right, of course. It is a real nit picking luxury to have expertise and experience here to advise. My own desires come into it too of course to steer things in general. And it's been a refinement of thought. I'm pretty settled now and all is good. Because of the reloading, to buy me some time, I'll focus on finding a creedmoor. That it's good on the range and hunting, no massive recoil (apparently). I didn't give recoil much thought. I used to shoot shotgun and .22 when I was a kid; my shoulders have copped a lot of damage since then (one keeps me awake). And I think it's a choice I will keep, not regret and look again. The 7mm-08; I would have chosen this if I was already into reloading.

[Urastus]

just go for a 6mm dasher and be done with it
shoot the 100-107gr projies at 3000fps and kill heaps of paper and fallow
heres a 260 next to a 6mm dasher, the little case that could



buy a 243 in varmint config, dock the barrel to 20-22 and rechamber to 6mm dasher, jobs done

I can understand the addiction of speed. It really appeals to me. 3000 fps - whew!

[Urastus]

just go for a 6mm dasher and be done with it
shoot the 100-107gr projies at 3000fps and kill heaps of paper and fallow
heres a 260 next to a 6mm dasher, the little case that could



buy a 243 in varmint config, dock the barrel to 20-22 and rechamber to 6mm dasher, jobs done

I can understand the addiction of speed. It really appeals to me. 3000 fps - whew! It breaks the sound barrier nearly 3 x

[marksman]

but the 6mm dasher absolutely kills the crudmoor in every way

if you want pure precision do not buy off the rack, build it
good luck with it and I hope it turns out what you expect it to be

[Gamerancher]

You'll be able to send 100 grainers out of a Creedmoor @ 3000+ f/s no worries.
Will make a big mess of those small insects you blokes down there call "roos".

[Urastus]

but the 6mm dasher absolutely kills the crudmoor in every way

if you want pure precision do not buy off the rack, build it
good luck with it and I hope it turns out what you expect it to be

I'm an "off the rack" kind of guy I'm beginning to think your advice may be a little biased toward the 6mm That's awesome that you have something you like so much. Those heavy barrelled howas look like great value - I'll probably end up with a long barrel too, but that's sweet if I know I'm doing the best I can for accuracy within a budget. It's been a learning process.

[bigpete]

Lol,I gotta admit,when I think of largeish calibre, i don't think of anything under .358.....

[Gamerancher]

True, I'm about the same. Just answering ol' mates questions, he set the calibers.

[marksman]

mate I actually own 2 x 6.5's

this is my 6.5x284 mauser 98



this is how it shoots



and a 6.5x55 mauser 98



I am about to rebarrel the 6.5x55 to 6.5x284 because it is such a great round
some carry on it's a barrel burner but if I can get 1500 really precise shots and fill the freezer a few times its paid for itself
I do own a 6mm dasher as well and it does kill the creedmoor, heaps more records with the dasher

you will like the creedmoor but just because it is 6'5 dont mean it will shoot

[Urastus]

Marksman - I like your 6.5 x 284 (the barrel) and the scope - adjustable objective? Another cartridge I haven't heard of That's the sort of thing I want. I might need a more vertical grip - I've been playing with my .22, just shouldering it. I did consider the grendel early on, but I think the CM is really as small as I can go for deer; or at least what I'm comfortable with. A lot of people shoot wallaby here - I don't want to. I don't think their numbers are what they were.

[SCJ429]

You will find 6mm is where it is at for accuracy shooting, the only place where other calibers are competitive is PRS shooting or where 6mm are not allowed.

If you want to dip your toe into mid to long range accuracy shooting there is an easy way. Buy a Tikka Varmint in 223 with a 1:8 twist barrel, a second hand one is fine. Bolt a 3 inch forend adapter to the Tupperware stock and get a front rest to suit. Get some 80 Bergers and Lapua brass. Fill the case with 2208 and then marvel at your new found shooting ability out to 1000 metres.

This would mean that you need a separate hunting rifle, get the $600 Howa Marksman pointed out earlier.

[bladeracer]

You will find 6mm is where it is at for accuracy shooting, the only place where other calibers are competitive is PRS shooting or where 6mm are not allowed.

Oh dear, now he's going to be looking at 6mm Creedmoor as well

[Urastus]

You will find 6mm is where it is at for accuracy shooting, the only place where other calibers are competitive is PRS shooting or where 6mm are not allowed.

If you want to dip your toe into mid to long range accuracy shooting there is an easy way. Buy a Tikka Varmint in 223 with a 1:8 twist barrel, a second hand one is fine. Bolt a 3 inch forend adapter to the Tupperware stock and get a front rest to suit. Get some 80 Bergers and Lapua brass. Fill the case with 2208 and then marvel at your new found shooting ability out to 1000 metres.

This would mean that you need a separate hunting rifle, get the $600 Howa Marksman pointed out earlier.

Thanks; it's a balance. It was either 6.5 cm or 7mm-08 because of deer. I didn't want to spread myself too thin with too much gear and not enough time to stay familiar with each. I'll do as well as I can at the range with whatever I get. As many others have said, I'm sure the rifle won't be my limitation at the range I imagine I'll pick up most of my skill with the .22.

[bladeracer]

I imagine I'll pick up most of my skill with the .22.

Absolutely spot on, nothing gives you more valuable learning experience than a few cases of .22LR downrange.
You can actually sit at the bench and shoot hundreds of rounds trying a variety of shooting positions, holds on the rifle, rests, aiming points, snap shooting and so on...all for just a few bucks a session, bugger all noise, recoil or blast, and an inordinate amount of damned good fun!

[Urastus]

Oh dear, now he's going to be looking at 6mm Creedmoor as well

[Stix]

Yea alright Blade...seriously...thats enough of that carry on...!!!

Desperately passionate & addicted shooters wallowing in copious amounts of trigger withdrawal while stuck in the burbs dont need to be hearing how much fun shooting half a brick of .22 is...ok...

Now im crying...!!!

Are you happy now...!!!

Look what you've done...!!!

[bladeracer]

Yea alright Blade...seriously...thats enough of that carry on...!!!

Desperately passionate & addicted shooters wallowing in copious amounts of trigger withdrawal while stuck in the burbs dont need to be hearing how much fun shooting half a brick of .22 is...ok...

Now im crying...!!!

Are you happy now...!!!

Look what you've done...!!!

I do feel for you Stix, and all the other shooters that are coming into a sport that has very rapidly dwindling outlets for the fun that can be gained from it.

I am not one for grandiose ideals, but if I had the wherewithal, I would absolutely love to buy a few hundred acres between Melbourne and Sydney and just leave the gate open for shooters to go and enjoy themselves any time they wanted to. I have enough faith in shooters as a whole that they would treat it with the required respect, and that they would self-govern to keep away anybody that didn't.

Frankly, this is the sort of thing I would expect SSAA to be doing with our membership fees, creating places for us to shoot!

[Stix]

Yea alright Blade...seriously...thats enough of that carry on...!!!

Desperately passionate & addicted shooters wallowing in copious amounts of trigger withdrawal while stuck in the burbs dont need to be hearing how much fun shooting half a brick of .22 is...ok...

Now im crying...!!!

Are you happy now...!!!

Look what you've done...!!!

I do feel for you Stix, and all the other shooters that are coming into a sport that has very rapidly dwindling outlets for the fun that can be gained from it.

I am not one for grandiose ideals, but if I had the wherewithal, I would absolutely love to buy a few hundred acres between Melbourne and Sydney and just leave the gate open for shooters to go and enjoy themselves any time they wanted to. I have enough faith in shooters as a whole that they would treat it with the required respect, and that they would self-govern to keep away anybody that didn't.

[color=#FF0000]Frankly, this is the sort of thing I would expect SSAA to be doing with our membership fees, creating places for us to shoot[/color]!

You would think so...but they will argue they are spending the money on setting up & maintaining ranges...!!

And while i admire your sentiment re shooters self monitoring it...it would just be like fisheries---always the greedy ones that care for themselves & would just ruin it...see them everywhere...
Taking undersize callop from the river..take 4 three inch long yabbies cos thats all they got....undersized bluey's off the jetties...undersize reds n whiting out of the gulfs...
So there would be the selfish ones who would shoot out a warren of ALL bunnies, & kill ALL deer & goats when numbers were down just so they get them & no one else does...

A select bunch of likeminded non-selfish compromising blokes together in a block could be the way
...

[TassieTiger]

II dunno, personally I'd be steering clear of 260 simply due to ammo/projectile availability. The other three - take your pick...

This is a confusing statement...projectile availability between 260 and 6.5 cm?? Hi
And Brass is easier to find for 260 than cm - including lapua in my neighbourhood.

[SCJ429]

You are going to end up with a 223 at some point, everyone does so why fight it.

When you want to go hunting T-Rex, swing past my place and I will loan you something.

[bladeracer]

You would think so...but they will argue they are spending the money on setting up & maintaining ranges...!!

And while i admire your sentiment re shooters self monitoring it...it would just be like fisheries---always the greedy ones that care for themselves & would just ruin it...see them everywhere...
Taking undersize callop from the river..take 4 three inch long yabbies cos thats all they got....undersized bluey's off the jetties...undersize reds n whiting out of the gulfs...
So there would be the selfish ones who would shoot out a warren of ALL bunnies, & kill ALL deer & goats when numbers were down just so they get them & no one else does...

A select bunch of likeminded non-selfish compromising blokes together in a block could be the way
...

Yep, except they use their ranges as a means of taking our money and keeping tight rein on our options.

I wasn't referring to hunting, just shooting, I will have shot all the game myself before opening it up to the public

I have suggested numerous times that shooters need to get together and buy blocks together just for shooting on. Not everybody can afford to have a few hundred acres sitting idle, but a group of fifty shooters just might consider $10k apiece to be a good investment to always have somewhere available to go shooting and camping. Also a viable option for farmers that are struggling to earn a living or trying to recover from fires or floods.

[in2anity]

II dunno, personally I'd be steering clear of 260 simply due to ammo/projectile availability. The other three - take your pick...

This is a confusing statement...projectile availability between 260 and 6.5 cm?? Hi
And Brass is easier to find for 260 than cm - including lapua in my neighbourhood.

Look TBH I don't shoot a 260 or a CM - so I'm not in a position to ague the market nuances of brass/projectile availability between these two. But the vibe I get from everywhere I shoot is the CM is becoming ever increasingly popular, whereas I don't often hear of people selling the 260 these days... especially down the track, that's gotta stand for something right? (market economy and all that) I suppose my statement was anecdotal - if the 260 is truly cheaper and more convenient to run than the CM I stand corrected

[SCJ429]

In PRS shooting a survey in 2016 of the top 100 shooters, 20 used a 6.5x47 Lapua and 11 used a 6x47 Lapua. Nine used a 6.5 Creedmoor and six used the 6mm Creedmoor. Only two used a 260.

Interestingly six of the top ten used 6mm and two of the top ten used 6.5mm.

Fashion changes quickly in this style of shooting so this data is nearly two years old and could have changes.

[SCJ429]

The advantage the Creedmoor has over the 260 is a 30 degree shoulder compared to 20. If that concerned you,one could run an Ackley reamer up your 260.

If you run Lapua brass, the Creedmoor also utilises a small primer pocket. This is also available to the 260 shooter if they neck down 308 Palma brass.

[Stix]

Can i butt in & ask what the benefit of using a small primer in such size cases as these...? Maybe sothing to do with burn or igition rate...??

[SCJ429]

The small primer pocket and flash hole seem to be part of the reason the PPC and 6BR are so accurate. They tried it in the 308 and the jury is still out as to wether it makes a difference. The one thing it does is leave a lot of brass around the primer pocket which stops the pocket loosening up as much when shooting high pressure loads.

[TassieTiger]

[

[TassieTiger]

II dunno, personally I'd be steering clear of 260 simply due to ammo/projectile availability. The other three - take your pick...

This is a confusing statement...projectile availability between 260 and 6.5 cm?? Hi
And Brass is easier to find for 260 than cm - including lapua in my neighbourhood.

Look TBH I don't shoot a 260 or a CM - so I'm not in a position to ague the market nuances of brass/projectile availability between these two. But the vibe I get from everywhere I shoot is the CM is becoming ever increasingly popular, whereas I don't often hear of people selling the 260 these days... especially down the track, that's gotta stand for something right? (market economy and all that) I suppose my statement was anecdotal - if the 260 is truly cheaper and more convenient to run than the CM I stand corrected

I get your trying to promote a Calibre you obviously shoot, but 264” projectiles are the same 6.5s ? And you kinda were arguing market nuances by saying 260 projectiles are hard to get.
Maybe you should have written that it was a vibe...lol
but for at least where I am located, high end 6.5 CM factory rounds are insanely difficult to obtain.

[TassieTiger]

I think the USA MILITRY has now adopted the 6.5mm creedmore as a base round for their precision shooters - if that’s correct, then I’d expect some pretty special development to come along in a few years around...