Posted on 03/27/2019 5:24:47 AM PDT by w1n1
Which is a Good Option as a SHTF Cartridge?
There are some great short action rifles available, some rifles being offered in 6.5 Creedmoor. There is another similar case, but not quite the same its the .308 Winchester. The 6.5 Creedmoor uses skinnier, lighter bullets and its faster downrange than the .308.
The 6.5 Creedmoor is very popular as a great selection for medium to long range (500-1000 yards) shooting. Which is why the military has incorporated this into some of their specialized rifles for long range targets.
Ballistic speaking, the skinny 6.5mm bullets perform exceptionally well, very closely matching the ballistic profile of a 300 Winchester Magnum, but with much less recoil and cost.
Its possible that for SHTF scenario the 6.5 Creedmoor is the better ballistic cartridge than .308 due to performance consistency. The 308 was designed in 1952 for a semi-automatic military rifle, while the 6.5 Creedmoor was designed in 2007 for better long range target performance in a bolt action rifle. Read the rest of this 6.5 Creedmoor vs 308.
I’m a very good shooter, but at those ranges, there’s quite the element of luck involved heh. When one shoots their rifles as much as I do, you get to be very familiar with the equipment, so that helps. You’re correct though, there’s a definite element of the “hail mary” pass going on heh.
That depends upon the bullet. The military tests only showed about a 3rd less wind drift. I have no trouble shooting 1,000 yds with a .308. But, if I need to consistently shoot a mile using anything less than a 50 BMG, I wouldn't be doing it with a Creedmoor. I'd be using a .338. But, that has nothing to do with which one is a better SHTF gun. For now, the Creedmoor loses on that aspect. The 6.5 CM has been around since 2007. Give it some time. It might catch on this go-round and become widely used enough that ammo and guns for it will be plentiful, varied, and cheap. But, the one thing it has against it compared to a .308 is short barrel life. That's likely what turned people against it when it was first introduced.
I don’t find barrel life bad. I have chronographed my factory loads at 2682 (hornady eld match 140gr). I made some handloads with 147gr eld match, and came in at 2710.
I’ll probably build a 300 PRC this year for more range, but you’re right, there are better choices for a mile and more.
The US army is using 6.5 in some application, so it’s definetly going places. They had a team shoot a range with their semi auto 308 (Think it was seals if memory serves) and the same team went through the same range with 6.5 semi and scored 50% more hits. I’d have to do some digging to find the article again. Reduced recoil and high ballistic coefficients combined with a good velocity equals great stopping power.
I like to bring up the benefits of the 6.5 because gun people are like horse people. “if it’s not a quarter horse, it’s not a horse.” that’s the way it is up here in rodeo land anyways. A lot of guys including myself would say it’s not a battle rifle if it’s not 308. I’ve since changed my mind, proving that an ol infanteer’s stubborn attitude can be overcome heh.
I just remembered about Billy Dixon’s 1538yd kill shot at Battle (2nd?) of Adobe Walls. 45-70 black powder, iron sights. 2 ranging shots, third shot kill. Years later he felt their was an element of luck.
Re; The horse people. A lot of quarter horses beat my Tennessee Walker in mounted shooting. He was a better trail horse and I miss him.
I’m 45/70 partial. It was a 45/90
That’s crazy shooting. Nice.
That’s what I want the horses for, the mountain trails here. Thousands of miles of wilderness.
I would recommend a quarter horse for you, especially if you have friends that know some good ones. They really are a good all around horse.
I know they are, but I’m 43. I’m old enough to probably appreciate the smooth gait of a Rocky mountain horse or something.
#4 buck for 12 and 20 ... in high brass.
I like it. Smaller shot works well for small game though. Nothing like a fat rabbit for the pot.
I reload 12 and 20. Easy peasey. Shotguns are more to my aged eyes liking. of course, a twenty gage slug is equivalent to TWO 44 magnums.
Heckuvalot more likely to hit your target with a shotgun than a hand cannon too. If you look beyond the gun slingers of the old west, it was the trusty shotgun that the settlers and farmers used for self-defense and food procurement.
If you look at the case dimensions, the 6.5 Creedmoor is essentially the .250 Savage Improved, necked up a whopping 0.007 inches - in other words, a very slightly modified version of something that's been around since FDR was poresident. The 6.5 Creedmoor is a fine cartridge (as is the .250 Savage ;^), but it's the "new hotness" mostly because of marketing, and VLD bullets...
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