For my 6.5 lovers, this is nothing new to you. For the guys who don’t have a 6.5, I wanted to talk about my build and hopefully inspire some of you out there to convert current platforms or invest in another rifle. Just don't let your significant other know...I had to hide mine for a while!
Here's some data on the cartridge:
Bullet Diameter: 0.264" (6.706 mm)
Maximum COL: 2.800"
Maximum Case Length: 1.920"
Minimum Case Length: 1.900"
Case Trim Length: 1.910"
Type of Primer: Large Rifle and Small Rifle
Projectile Weights: Best to use, 120-143
SAMMI Pressure spec: 62,000 PSI
*Info provided from Hornady Superformance Factory Ammunition Ballistic Data below
Hornady .308 168 Grain ELD-M
Range. (yd) Elev. (In) Time. (Sec) Energy. (Ft.lbf) Vel. (Ft/s)
0 -1.50 0.00 3138 2692
100 0.00 0.12 2758 2524
200 -3.97 0.24 2415 2361
300 -14.20 0.37 2105 2205
400 -31.58 0.51 1827 2054
500 -57.23 0.66 1577 1909
600 -92.45 0.83 1355 1769
700 -138.80 1.00 1157 1635
800 -198.19 1.19 983 1506
900 -272.95 1.40 827 1382
1000 -365.96 1.63 692 1264
1100 -481.03 1.88 576 1153
1200 -622.00 2.15 508 1083
1300 -792.81 2.43 468 1040
1400 -995.77 2.72 437 1004
1500 -1233.17 3.03 411 974
1600 -1507.61 3.34 389 948
1700 -1820.77 3.66 368 922
Hornady 300 Win Mag 195 Grain ELD-M
Range. (yd) Elev. (In) Time. (Sec) Energy. (Ft.lbf) Vel. (Ft/s)
0 -1.50 0.00 3692 2920
100 0.00 0.11 3305 2762
200 -3.07 0.22 2950 2610
300 -11.25 0.34 2624 2462
400 -25.17 0.46 2327 2318
500 -45.57 0.60 2057 2179
600 -73.31 0.74 1811 2045
700 -109.37 0.89 1588 1915
800 -154.94 1.05 1387 1789
900 -211.38 1.22 1206 1669
1000 -280.33 1.41 1043 1552
1100 -363.73 1.61 897 1440
1200 -464.14 1.83 767 1331
1300 -584.05 2.06 650 1225
1400 -727.13 2.32 556 1133
1500 -897.47 2.59 503 1078
1600 -1097.73 2.88 468 1040
1700 -1330.10 3.17 440 100
Hornady 6.5 Creedmoor 140 Grain ELD-M
Range. (yd) Elev. (In) Time. (Sec) Energy. (Ft.lbf) Vel. (Ft/s)
0 -1.50 0.00 2270 2702
100 0.00 0.11 2046 2566
200 -3.80 0.23 1840 2433
300 -13.47 0.36 1651 2304
400 -29.70 0.50 1476 2179
500 -53.27 0.64 1316 2058
600 -85.06 0.79 1170 1940
700 -126.10 0.95 1036 1826
800 -177.58 1.12 915 1715
900 -240.90 1.30 804 608
1000 -317.68 1.49 705 1505
1100 -409.82 1.70 614 1405
1200 -519.80 1.92 532 1308
1300 -649.96 2.16 457 1213
1400 -804.01 2.41 398 1131
1500 -985.18 2.68 364 1081
1600 -1196.07 2.97 340 1046
1700 -1438.68 3.26 321 1016
Now that you have seen the data, ill show you what I was able to do.
I was never a firm believer in factory ammo. To be honest, i'm sure most of the hand-loaders reading this are not either. Hell, that's why we reload! However, the harsh reality is with the right gear, the right shooter, and pretty expensive ammo, you can get amazing results.
So, the other day in Missouri I had the opportunity to break out my 6.5 and happened to get some Hornady American Gunner, 140's for Christmas to sight in a new scope.
To cut to the chase, I'll just show you the picture:
As you can see, I was pretty damn surprised to see these results, Especially for factory ammo that's not even considered "Match Ammo." Although, I have not had the chance to shoot the Match Ammo Hornady provides or any other match quality rounds. However, from what I can gather the difference is around $0.30 between American Gunner that is $1.10 a round and the match ammo costing $1.40.
Nonetheless, if you look at the data previously shown, the 6.5 has many advantages over the .308 Winchester. Having both platforms, I haven't even touched my .308 after I built my 6.5 CM. Don't get me wrong, there are far better rounds than the 6.5 CM, however it seems a lot of individuals are switching.
Ok, so what are the advantages over .308 besides the data listed?
Hit percentage: you get about 30% flatter trajectory and it reduces the effect of crosswinds on the projectiles path around 40%
Hold overs: at 300 yards with a .308, if you're looking at 10 mph winds, you'll end up holding off 7.2"
However, with the 6.5 Creedmoor, you'll be looking at a hold of 4.7"
Cost of match ammo: Ever check the price on Hunting or Match ammo for the .308 compared to 6.5? the .308 Winchester costs just as much, and even some cases can cost more. That's currently today. That can most certainly change overtime. I will say that I have found Sellier and Ballot 6.5 creedmoor ammo, 140 grain projectiles, brass casing at $0.59 a round in a 500 count lot. For the .308, I could find steel cased Tula ammo at $0.32 a piece in a 20 count lot.
Hunting with the 6.5 creed: back to holdovers, if you look at the data you can take longer shots with more confidence over a .308. Don't get that buck fever though...
Elk hunting: Easily one of the most arguable topics around when it comes to 6.5 Creedmoor. I'll say this, anything a .308 can take down, a 6.5 can do just as good if not better. Many elk hunters prefer the 6.5 Creedmoor while some argue that it can't take down an animal of that size. Personally, I've seen individuals drop animals with 6.5's at long ranges.
Our armed forces use .308: I found an interesting article talking about 6.5 Creedmoor on Truthaboutguns.com, and this is something that I did not even know of before pulling the "trigger" on converting my .308 to a 6.5, "Because USSOCOM (U.S. Special Operations Command) found that, as compared to flat-footed .308 (specifically M118LR, the military’s best long-range .308 load), 6.5 Creedmoor doubles snipers’ hit probability at 1,000 meters, increases effective range by at least a third, increases energy on target by 50%, reduces the effect of wind by 40%, and has at least 30% less recoil, they will begin converting their .308 Win MK110A1 and Mk20 rifles to 6.5 CM in 2019 (see here and here). A process that requires nothing more than a new barrel, by the way. "
So, you be the verdict...is the 6.5 creed REALLY a "hipster" round?
For those out there that might want to get a 6.5 and already have a .308, I have good news:
If you want a gas gun, and have an AR-10 currently, you pretty much just have to get a different barrel. You can use the same BCG and Magazines provided for your .308. I do suggest getting an adjustable gas block and messing around with it, if theirs not one already on your rifle. Also, I suggest looking into JP firing pins made specifically for 6.5 creed.
For those who have a bolt .308, you just need to swap out your barrel. I personally went with a Criterion Remage drop in barrel that uses a similar style locking nut like AR's have. Most individuals can swap the barrel at home if you want to save that hard earned money on gun smithing fees. Below the picture I have listed my build, which was originally a Remington 700 Sporter that had gone through many changes. Now, it's a complete tack driver.
My verdict for the gas gun route: buy an AR10 in .308 and just get a separate 6.5 barrel and be done with it. test it out for yourself, if you find out that you like the 6.5 more, you can sell or keep the .308 barrel.
My verdict for the bolt gun route: go out and buy a .308 bolt gun and look into Criterion Remage barrels. If you don't own a Rem 700 action, you can always look into prefit barrels if you have a Ruger precision rifle. However, it's not the end of the road for those who don't have either of these platforms. Other barrel makers have prefit barrels. If they don't, that just means you'll have some extra work to do.
Here is my build list:
4. Vortex Optics Razor HD Gen 2 4.5-27x56 EBR-2C
5. Deadair Sandman-L Suppressor
7. Burnproof Heavy Suppressor wrap.
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