260 Rem or 6.5 creedmoore???

[lionhunter]

I have a Browning A Bolt in .243 that I am seriously thinking of converting to 6.5 caliber. So far I really like the sounds of the 260 Remington and the 6.5 creed. Can someone who has messed with both give me the pro' and con's????? ( on paper they seem very simular)

 

Also, can someone recomend a good smith to do the work

 

Thanks,

Whitey

[CraigK]

I don't think you could go wrong with either. The 6.5CM is definitely a popular caliber right now. If you're in Tucson Kyle with Craig's Custom Rifles does great work. it's always fun thinking about a new build. I have a .243 I'm either going to go the 6.5 direction with or just get a tighter twist match barrel for.

 

Kurt

[Pine Donkey]

Thanks for making this post Lionhunter. I am looking at beginning a 6.5 build also. After a lot of reading and talking with people I am leaning toward the 6.5 saum (6.5 GAP). I am still studying and looking for all the info I can get. One of my biggest concerns about the saum is the availability of brass. It seems that the 7mm saum and 300 saum have inconsistent availability so the option of necking down and trimming may be a bit limiting. I did read a thread on the hide forum that claims Hornaday will be producing them this summer, but you never know.

[DesertBull]

When I build mine it will probably be a 6.5/06

[lancetkenyon]

Main plans for the shooting volume would help decide. No way would I run a 6.5 SAUM if I planned on doing a LOT of shooting. But it would be extremely hard to beat for a hunting rifle.

 

Recoil sensitive? 6.5 Creed, then .260 Rem. Much more recoil with a 6.5 SAUM.

Any of them will get you shooting on paper or steel to 1000 easily.

 

Throw game in the mix, and you better get some more velocity to push the heavies to retain energy past 800 or so.

What do you plan to hunt with it? Varmints & medium sized big game? 6.5 Creed or .260 Rem would be plenty of gun out to 800 yards. If you want to push them further, or shoot at elk too, a 6.5 SAUM will get you a lot more energy.

 

2800-2900+ are reasonable expectations pushing a 140 from the 6.5 Creed or .260 Rem. 3100+ is attainable with the 6.5 SAUM.

 

Want available factory ammo? 6.5 Creed and .260 Rem. With the .260 Rem having more brands, bullet weights and types available. If you want to shoot rounds someone else made, the 6.5 SAUM only has 1 factory loading that I think might be available, Copper Creek, and they are pricey.

 

Components: Brass for the .260 is available from many manufacturers. 6.5 Creed is a lot harder to find. 6.5 SAUM is either bought from a very limited number of suppliers when available, or made by the reloader. Powder is readily available from numerous sources. Bullets are the same.

Powder charges are similar between the 6.5 Creed and .260 Rem. H4350 is the most common, and both are anywhere between 41.5-43.5. The 6.5 SAUM uses slower burning mag powders at much higher charge weights. So more powder consumption.

 

Barrel life. I know you read about 2500 rounds from a 6.5 SAUM, but that does not take into account setting it back and rechambering to freshen up the throat. The .260 Rem and 6.5 Creed will shoot the same, with no barrel work needed in between.

 

There are some other cool cartridges out there in the 6.5 realm that are great options if you hand load and like something a little different.

6.5x47 Lapua

6.5 SLR (I love mine)

.260 Ackley Imp. 40°

6.5-06

6.5-06 Ackley Imp.

6.5x55 Swede

6.5-.257 Roberts

6.5 4S

6.5 Sherman Short Mag

.264 WM

6.5 STW

etc.