***UPDATE POST #21*** I decided on .308 bolt versus 6.5creedmor...bad decision?

[bsumoba]

After rummaging through lots of data, forums, magazines, and other feedback and taking into account reloading, ammo availability, the use of the rifle, etc, I think I decided on a .308 over a 6.5creedmor. Bad decision? Here is what I determined as the pros/cons of both...for me anyways. Also keep in mind, this may be my ONLY bolt action. I will more than likely be going custom and having Randall building my setup.

.308 Pros

• Effective range out to 1000 yards and maybe beyond.
• Ammo is readily available...everywhere!
• Reloading components are cheaper and readily available...can also use NATO brass if needed and pick up range brass.
• Hard hitting round and can be used for larger game if hunting is needed.
• I reload already for this round so ammo can be shared between my .308 AR and future bolt action.

.308 Cons

• Harder recoil, which may be an issue for my wife, who is more recoil sensitive. I am okay with this round in a bolt action.
• Past 800 yards, it is not optimum.
• I already have a .308 AR build which is shooting 1/2MOA out of a semi-auto, so why not go with another round? (more of my gripe and not a "con" of the .308).

6.5Creedmor Pros

• Longer effective range than .308
• The "pros" are using it for tacti-cool bolt action rifle competition due to its BC and inherent accuracy.
• Pros aside, there is a reason why they use the round...its accurate, higher BC bullet, etc.
• Softer recoiling rifle.

6.5Creedmor Cons

• Brass, Bullets, and Powder is harder to come by. It is also a "one-off" round since I dont have this round for anything else. I'll also have to hoard to maintain a good safety stock
• not as readily available off-the-shelf as far as ammo goes
• I would have to buy more reloading equipment like gauges or dies (more of my pain than pros/cons of the round itself
• less barrel life, but im not as worried about this since it would take me gobs of money to shoot out the barrel, which I doubt I would spend this kind of money. But, relative to a .308, it is a shorter barrel life.

[gorenut]

Made the right choice. I doubt you'll really be shooting anything extensively to notice any performance differences in both rounds. You went with the more practical choice, cost and availability.

[Exodus343]

You might as well go 6.5 CM just to have another caliber lol

[ExtremeX]

Regarding the pros / cons about reloading and sharing ammo between the semi and bolt .308 rifles…

In theory it can work, but practically it doesn’t. Chances are you will end up with two different sets of ammo… with their own brass and load data for each.

Loading for a bolt action you will probably have different cartridge headspace figures or be neck sizing fire formed brass out of the bolt action.

Overtime you will probably default to higher quality brass like Lapua since bolt actions don’t beat up the brass like a semi auto does. Brass life and quality of cases may take precedence over cross platform compatibility.

I have a 308 Win bolt action, but if I was going to take the effort, time, and money to have someone like Randall start building a custom rifle for me, I would have picked something a bit more exotic than a 308 Winchester which is readily available in factory configurations that shoot very well.

You might as well get a factory 308 Win rifle like a Rem 700, shoot the hell out of it, then get some custom work done it… new barrel + action work. Since 308 Win shares the same bolt face as a 6.5 Creedmor you can easily repurpose it at a later date.

If you are getting custom work done right out of the gate, I would be looking at 6.5 CM not a 308 Win.

[JMP]

In my opinion, you made the right choice. Many on this forum despise the .308 Winchester, but it is a really great round that is very versatile. The 6.5 Creed is very good for what it does, but it is a little more specific in terms of function.

[Timberwolf]

I've long been a 308 guy. If you want to go to 1k use 175 or 190 grain bullets and you'll do fine. If recoil is an issue get a good brake. Its a tried and true cartridge like its big brother the 30-06.

[SansSouci]

Hard to beat a .308 Win.

[NorCalFocus]

I think you made the right choice as well. The 6.5 creedmore is a awesome round, but not for your first bolt action. Build the 308 so you have the ammo ability, then go into the more unique round later on.

[penguinofsleep]

both have their place. right/wrong depends on your needs/goals for this particular item.

[Divernhunter]

Having a couple of 308win rifle I would have got the 6.5. Both are good. Enjoy. I would not spend the money for the custom job since there are excellent 308 rifles from the factories. Then later get the 6.5 in a custom if you feel a need for one.

[Phil3]

Depends on what you do with it. I personally would opt for the 6.5 and not consider the 308. I paper punch, so hard hitting power is of no value. Shooting for best accuracy is easier with lower recoil, something the 308 cannot claim. A muzzle brake can ease that problem, but then the extra noise and fatigue that comes with it could be an issue. The 6.5 will have shorter barrel life, less available off the shelf ammo (but you reload), and less hitting power at shorter ranges, but suspect it has plenty at any range, and for a full custom, I would reward with a cartridge that allows it to perform its best, which in my mind is the 6.5.

The 308 is a good round, and might be best for you. Kinda depends on how important each of the pros and cons you listed are for you.

I myself intend to build one off a Howa action, using the 6.5x47 my personal favorite for a few reasons.

Phil

[Exodus343]

just remember
if you get to the point where you burn your barrel out

the fact that 65 creedmoor is cheaper in terms of materials pretty much pays for a barrel

[Metal God]

You might want to consider the 260 rem . It's just a tad slower then the creed more and uses the same bullet . Oh and it uses 308 brass . Thats right in a pinch you can just size down your 308 brass . You may have the size to 7mm-08 first then down to 260 but it can be done .

[jetman624]

.308 Pros

• I reload already for this round so ammo can be shared between my .308 AR and future bolt action.

That is what I thought when I bought a 700P in .223-- sharing ammo with the AR.

Nope.

If you want to get the most out that bolt gun you will be making separate ammo for each. If you don't want to get the most out your bolt gun, maybe you shouldn't bother with a bolt gun.

I would go with the 6.5CM, hands down. No question.

[Exodus343]

like others have mentioned
loading for a bolt gun is completely separate, especially when you are chasing accurate and seat your bullets either to the lands, jamming it, or giving it a jump, your semi auto is not going to be able to feed those in a mag