6.5 creed v. 7mm.08***Update 6.5 Review

[fishngamereaper]

Ok I know all the ballistics, read all the articles, etc.

What I'm looking for real world experience from anyone that owns one.

I'm buying a new gun for my 12yoa kid to start hunting with and also want something I can take deep into the backcountry on back pack hunts. These are my two final choices based on felt recoil, terminal ballistics and price.  Mostly a deer gun but would not hesitate to use either one on elk.

What's your guys experience.

[carpsniperg2]

You are good with either. My family has killed at least 12 animals I can think of with the 7mm-08's. My wife has taken boar/deer/elk/stag and all kinds of critters with the 7mm-08.

[Buckblaster]

The 7-08 is not my top choice for elk, but I did drop one with a single Barnes bullet thru the shoulder at 250 yds.  Either caliber would be a good one for youngsters or for women because of the lower recoil.  With the much broader assortment of 7mm bullet choices over the 6.5 though, the 7-08 has the edge.

[CaNINE]

I own both of these calibers. For the uses you describe I'd say flip a coin. Either are wonderful deer cartridges and can be used to take elk or even moose within limits and loaded with the right bullet.  I give the nod to the 7mm-08 because of a more wide range of bullet weights. I bought my daughter a savage axis youth in 7mm-08 and that rifle shoots half inch groups at 100 yards and dumps whitetails in their tracks.

[bullfisher]

7mm-08   

[jrebel]

I own both.....matter of fact a couple of both that my kids and wife shoot.  Both are great choices and will work for what you are using it for.

Flip a coin....but if it were me, I would do the 6.5 creed.  Can't really say why, other than the fact that mine is the least finicky rifle I have ever owned.  It will eat anything you feed it......it is very accurate. 

[Bob33]

My son's 7mm08 has worked very well on several animals. It's a joy to shoot.

[Wanttohuntmore]

I own both.   Killed animals with the 7-08 but not yet with the creed.  Much more hunting friendly bullets in 7mm.  Really the 7 has the edge up to 500 yds, after that the 6.5 starts to shine.

[Magnum_Willys]

With 162/168 handloads that lil 7mm-08 kids gun can really stretch out there and still stop an elk with high shoulder aim points.   Tho like to see a barrel a lil longer than 22 inches.

[fishngamereaper]

Thanks for the input guys. Its obvious there is a clear winner...not   Maybe I will buy both. I just found a sale on Savage Axis II for $250.  But Ive always been a Ruger fan.

[follow maggie]

They're both good rounds, which has the better ammo availability?

[fishngamereaper]

They're both good rounds, which has the better ammo availability?

My buddy is a firearms so dealer so ammo is not going to be an issue.

[JLS]

Does 0.5 mm (0.020") of diameter and 15-20 grains of weight matter to you?  That's the difference.

My 6.5 shoots 124 grain Hammer bullets at 2900+ fps. There isn't too much in the lower 48 I would be concerned about shooting with it.

[hunting4sanity]

Both are great calibers. I'd buy whichever one comes in the rifle that you like the most or that seems to be the best deal. I have both and for me I prefer the 6.5 just because my Tikka 7mm-08 has been tougher to get the same accuracy.

[HookedOnQuack]

Thanks for the input guys. Its obvious there is a clear winner...not   Maybe I will buy both. I just found a sale on Savage Axis II for $250.  But Ive always been a Ruger fan.

Im in the same boat and curious as to where you found the Savage for that price if you dont mind sharing?

[fishngamereaper]

Thanks for the input guys. Its obvious there is a clear winner...not   Maybe I will buy both. I just found a sale on Savage Axis II for $250.  But Ive always been a Ruger fan.

Im in the same boat and curious as to where you found the Savage for that price if you dont mind sharing?

The local sportsmans wearhouse had em on sale. Multiple caliber's in a camo option.

[HookedOnQuack]

Awesome thanks! I grew up in Poulsbo and my parents still live there, time to hit up Gpa to go get my son a rifle! Bass Pro over my direction had them on sale also but are all sold out

[Lefty315]

I really like the 7mm-08, and have two of them.   It really does come to a coin toss though.   The only reason I would say 7mm-08 is the variety of heavier bullets you could load.   If you're not concerned about that I'd say whichever you can get ammo for cheaper.

[Bookworm007]

Get the 7mm-08, I was in the same boat as you, I looked at the ballistics and recipes and then I went and looked at shelf. You know what there is a ton of and there always will be? 7mm-08. If this was your personal rifle for target shooting and you just love to reload then get the creed. The chances are that in 5 years or less there will be a very slim selection of 6.5 creed factory ammo. Just look at the 260 rem, 25-06 and other rounds, balistically they are almost identical, but after the new wore off they stopped getting support. On paper it is a little better than other rounds but not that much better. That is why I ended up with a 308, super cheap to shoot, great availability of reloading components and it will always be available. Just my 

[fishngamereaper]

6.5 is on order be here next week. My gun dealer found a deal I couldn't pass up.   
Loaded up on ammo today and will post up some range results soon.

[carpsniperg2]

boooooo lol

Just kidding, I'm sure the 6.5 will serve you well.

What flavor you end up with?

[fishngamereaper]

boooooo lol

Just kidding, I'm sure the 6.5 will serve you well.

What flavor you end up with?

   Sorry 7-.08 guys. I still may buy one of those just for fun. Going to try the Ruger predator. Combo deal comes with a vortex crossfire II scope which is what I was going to put on it anyway. It will be a good entry gun for the kid.

[carpsniperg2]

Oh yes I run 2 of them. One is 308/other is 22-250. Solid choice

[ghosthunter]

boooooo lol

Just kidding, I'm sure the 6.5 will serve you well.

What flavor you end up with?

   Sorry 7-.08 guys. I still may buy one of those just for fun. Going to try the Ruger predator. Combo deal comes with a vortex crossfire II scope which is what I was going to put on it anyway. It will be a good entry gun for the kid.

I bought the Savage Combo 7 mm 08 for my grandson. He has had a ton of face surgeries ,so needed a light recoil. No regrets.
Good luck with the  6.5.

[762Armo]

My gun dealer found a deal I couldn't pass up.   

How good of a deal?