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?