[Border Bandit 32]

Ok dudes I have decided I want another Ruger American bolt gun. The Ruger American standard I have in 223 is a tack driver. My dilemma is which caliber 308win or the 6.5 creed?
I know 6.5 is the latest and greatest and I would like to have one, but I already have a few hundred rounds of 308 for my Ruger Scout rifle. Will be using it as a range fun gun and also a whitetail/hog gun

I am looking at the Ruger American Predator model with Vortex scope combo
any ideas appreciated.....

 

[lazarus66]

I'd get a .243.

 

[dbuck47]

I would lean toward the.308 as a matter of logistics - but 6.5 gives you another option in ammo crunches.

That was helpful, LOL!

 

[Border Bandit 32]

I'd get a .243.

I do love the 243 also. But already have a Rem 700 SPS stainless in 243...GOOD GUN

 

[evlbruce]

For tight paper punching, 6.5 Creedmoor is hard to be especially at range. The question is do you mind another caliber?

 

[mac66]

I don't see any advantage to a 6.5 other than to just be different. In that you already have 308, I would stick with that.

 

[MoreMonkeyThanMan]

deleted

 

[GlockPride]

Really, out to about 300 yards the .308 is good or equal to 6.5CM. If you are going beyond that, the 6.5CM really starts to shine with better BC’s and less wind drift.
So, what distance will you mainly be shooting?

 

[CaliDBA]

I'd been shooting my 10/22 for several months and had gotten comfortable and decent with it (I'm a relative newbie). When I went to my local gun shop (Turners) and said that I was looking for something a bit more powerful, they recommended the Predator in 6.5 Creedmoor.

I have to say that I was intimidated at first - 6.5 Creedmoor is definitely not .22LR; as I handled it more, I got more comfortable, and really started to enjoy shooting it. I mentioned in another post that I'd gone out to a range one Saturday and when the range master asked me what I'd be shooting, I told him I had a Predator - he was amused (and impressed), and then said to his assistant - "we need to put her up in the tower!"

I have an out-of-state friend that just got a Springfield M21A Tactical Douglas Barrel (.308) - a beautiful firearm. He said that I could shoot it when I visit him the next time - I said that I felt unworthy; he's let me shoot his Colt1911 on a previous visit, and that was something!

 

[Border Bandit 32]

Really, out to about 300 yards the .308 is good or equal to 6.5CM. If you are going beyond that, the 6.5CM really starts to shine with better BC’s and less wind drift.
So, what distance will you mainly be shooting?

I hunt in wide open West Texas so 200+yd shots are very common. My go to long rang gun is the Rem 700 in 25-06 right now

 

[Mountain10mm]

If you're using it for hunting, I'd opt for the 308. Heavier bullets, bullets meant for hunting, and available just about anywhere. I have a hunting guide friend that does a lot of hunting in TX. He calls it the 6.5 Needmore. He says it doesn't perform well on game, though admittedly does not inspect the ammo. for actual bullets being used.

 

[835mag]

I went with the .308 in my American just because I figured it would be cheaper to shoot. Maybe not so much since I reload but definitely if one is buying factory ammo.

 

[Borg Warner]

The 6.5 will launch projectiles with better sectional density and ballistic coefficient and will stay supersonic at longer ranges and will do so with less recoil. And if you reload, ammo is the same price.

And if you don't reload the Hornady factory ammo is that same price as 308 "Premium" ammo and the Hornady factory ammo is more accurate than cheaper, non-premium .308 ammo.

 

[garya1961]

The 308 is a proven round, everyone from pig hunters to military snipers use it. If you can't hit it with a 308 I doubt a 6.5 will make any difference.

(I didn't mean to sound like I was degrading people who hunt pigs, lol.)

 

[Border Bandit 32]

lots of good input thanks guys.
I have read that the 6.5 has alot less recoil, is there any truth to that. Not that that is going to really matter to me

 

[tacticaljoey]

6.5 CM has better BC than 308. Up to 300 yards it doesn’t mean much. Past that 6.5 makes wind calls a bit easier. If you are hunting whitetail and punching paper at 100 stick with 308. You already have the caliber and it will have twice the barrel life.

 

[ede]

The 6.5 has some advantage beyond 1000 yards. I doubt you'll ever be able to take advantage of it. 308 also has more commonly available ammo. Down side to the Amaerican is magazine length restricts how far out you can seat a bullet.

 

[tacticaljoey]

lots of good input thanks guys.
I have read that the 6.5 has alot less recoil, is there any truth to that. Not that that is going to really matter to me

308 is already pretty light in recoil. The 6.5 is a little lighter still, but 308 is a cupcake already, imho.

 

[garya1961]

As someone said 308 is good out to a 1000 yards, past a 1000 yards is where the advantage of the 6.5 really comes in. How many 1000 yards plus shots do you intend to make.
I know someone will say the 6.5 has some advantages below a 1000 yds but still the 308 will get you to a 1000.

 

[tacticaljoey]

As someone said 308 is good out to a 1000 yards, past a 1000 yards is where the advantage of the 6.5 really comes in. How many 1000 yards plus shots do you intend to make.
I know someone will say the 6.5 has some advantages below a 1000 yds but still the 308 will get you to a 1000.

This is correct. I have shot a lot of 6.5CM. I shoot out to 1,000 often, still my preferred round is 308. 308 and a 175 SMK will get you to 1,200 no problem.