6.5 vs. 308

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L2bravo

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#1
So I got an RPR in 308. I really like it, meaning the rifle. I am about to get into reloading, and shooting a lot more. My end run goal is LR shooting and hunting with it. 600-1000 on the shooting, deer, sheep, pigs on the hunting.

Before I get nuts deep, should I rebarrel to 6.5? I don’t want to get so deep, and regret my decision.

I have a buddy that shoots PRS professionally and he constantly rides me about the 308. Stuff like friends don’t let friends shoot a 308.

So take the bite now? Or stay with what I have? May be a stupid question, but is 6.5 that much better?
 
#5
Rthur said:
I'm sure someone will be along to give the 308 is dead speech shortly...
Grab ya a 6.5 barrel if coin isn't a problem.
6.5 will be more forgiving the further you get out there though.

R
Click to expand...

I’m not dying to just spend the money. But I don’t want to get deep in some thing, and regret not changing earlier on. If that makes any sense.
 
#8
The 6.5 will give you some ballistic advantages over the 308 past 600 yards. That being said, what is your long range experience? Are you just learning the game or have you been in it for a while? 308 will do 1000 in a RPR. My buddy owns one and does it all the time. Does a 6.5 do it better?.... probably.

Many (including me) have gone through the same thing you are and it really comes down to what you want to do. I love 308 and shoot it all the time. I realized that I shoot out to 1000+ a few times per year and a majority of my time is spent inside 800, which 308 does just fine.

If you are going to get into reloading, nothing wrong with starting with 308, and add a 6.5 later.

IMHO learn the 308, shoot it, enjoy it. Swap later.
 
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#10
TMR137 said:
The 6.5 will give you some ballistic advantages over the 308 past 600 yards. That being said, what is your long range experience? Are you just learning the game or have you been in it for a while? 308 will do 1000 in a RPR. My buddy owns one and does it all the time. Does a 6.5 do it better?.... probably.

Many (including me) have gone through the same thing you are and it really comes down to what you want to do. I love 308 and shoot it all the time. I realized that I shoot out to 1000+ a few times per year and a majority of my time is spent inside 800, which 308 does just fine.

If you are going to get into reloading, nothing wrong with starting with 308, and add a 6.5 later.

IMHO learn the 308, shoot it, enjoy it. Swap later.
Click to expand...

Thanks TMR! Yes I am just getting into the long range game. Most of what I’m most likely going to do, will be into the 4 to 600 range. One thing I do like about the 308, is the wide variety of bullets for it. Thank you for a little bit of wisdom on this, I’ll stay where I’m at.
 
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#13
L2bravo said:
So I got an RPR in 308. I really like it, meaning the rifle. I am about to get into reloading, and shooting a lot more. My end run goal is LR shooting and hunting with it. 600-1000 on the shooting, deer, sheep, pigs on the hunting.

Before I get nuts deep, should I rebarrel to 6.5? I don’t want to get so deep, and regret my decision.

I have a buddy that shoots PRS professionally and he constantly rides me about the 308. Stuff like friends don’t let friends shoot a 308.

So take the bite now? Or stay with what I have? May be a stupid question, but is 6.5 that much better?
Click to expand...

Pay no mind to the trash talk. Like others said, master the craft. Everything else will fall into place.
 
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#15
Yeah the 6.5 is going to be better in almost every way to the 308. Some people are very loyal to 308 because they've been shooting it for 30 years and I get that. but the 6.5 is better for the vast majority of Shooters and applications.

Flatter trajectory much better wind performance and less recoil to allow you to spot your own shots better which means you can make wind corrections off your misses and get follow-up hits.

While I agree having the 308 and adding a 6.5 would be ideal, if that's not a possibility switching to a 6.5 Barrel at this point makes a lot of sense. Then again most of us are reloading for numerous calibers so in the grand scheme of things, not that big a deal. Components don't cost that much.

I shoot Dasher, 6 Creedmoor, picked up a 65x47 yesterday but the next Barrel I'm having chambered is actually a 308. I just got a barrel vise in today and waiting on my action wrench so I can change calibers at home. I'm using the 308 to train with because of its poor wind performance and high recoil.

If you're going to be reloading for this rifle I would suggest you look at 6.5 x 47 Lapua over the 6.5 Creedmoor. If you're going to buy a factory ammunition I would stick with the 6.5.

This sums it up well...

"Top special operations snipers will replace their 7.62mm sniper rifles with the 6.5mm Creedmoor, which doubles their hit probability at 1,000 meters, increases their effective range by nearly half, reduces wind drift by a third and has less recoil. (Sgt. 1st Class Jacob Braman/Army)"

from this article...

https://www.armytimes.com/news/your...h-their-bullets-for-this-new-round-next-year/
 
Last edited:
#16
L2bravo said:
So I got an RPR in 308. I really like it, meaning the rifle. I am about to get into reloading, and shooting a lot more. My end run goal is LR shooting and hunting with it. 600-1000 on the shooting, deer, sheep, pigs on the hunting.

Before I get nuts deep, should I rebarrel to 6.5? I don’t want to get so deep, and regret my decision.

I have a buddy that shoots PRS professionally and he constantly rides me about the 308. Stuff like friends don’t let friends shoot a 308.

So take the bite now? Or stay with what I have? May be a stupid question, but is 6.5 that much better?
Click to expand...

L2bravo said:
Thanks TMR! Yes I am just getting into the long range game. Most of what I’m most likely going to do, will be into the 4 to 600 range. One thing I do like about the 308, is the wide variety of bullets for it. Thank you for a little bit of wisdom on this, I’ll stay where I’m at.
Click to expand...

So, which one is it?
 
#24
I have both a .308AR10, and an RPR in 6.5CM. I know that the rifles are two very different animals, but I find that I like them for different reasons. I have had the .308 out to 750 yds, but the degree of precision and consistency is just not the same as the RPR. Conversely, I have more confidence dropping a 300lb hog at 200 yds with the AR10. Ideally, I wish I could also get an RPR in .308. Maybe someday.
 
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#26
I’ve got a few 308’s and 6.5’s, and I think its hard to beat a 308 for a general purpose cartridge. Especially if you reload like I do as a hobby. Part of the fun of reloading for a 308 is having the huge selection of bullet weights and powders to choose from. Sure my 6.5x47 and 260 will edge out my 308’s waaay out there on targets, but the 308 is more versatile. It works great in short barrels, it is not picky with powders, it has improved barrel life, and it hits harder within reasonable (to me) hunting ranges. And speaking of hunting, neither of these short action cartridges are ideal for long range hunting. You mention 600+ yards for hunting but that would be better served with a magnum due to energy loss at distance.

Just my $.02
 
Last edited:
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#27
I have to wonder who are all these people who casually shoot deer at 600+ yards on such a routine basis that they give the act no second thought......

Actually, I re-read the OP and now I understand he's not looking to shoot deer at 600 - 1000 yards.

Here's what he actually said:
My end run goal is LR shooting and hunting with it. 600-1000 on the shooting, deer, sheep, pigs on the hunting.
Click to expand...

Here's what he means:
My goal is LR shooting between 600 and 1000 yards; and hunting deer, sheep, and pigs with it.
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
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#28
Speaking only for myself, but to be clear, I have had my .308 out to 750 yards, ON PAPER. My only hunting is done with the .308, inside of 200 yards. So far my RPR 6.5, which has also been out to 750 yards, has been paper only.
 
#29
I went through that decision not too long ago and chose the .308. I already had all the reloading equipment for it, it’s easy to work up rounds, great barrel life and if I’m ever short on ammo every mom and pop gun store in America will carry it. The 6.5 is better ballistically but not by a huge margin and there are more factors to consider.

For my next one I’ll go with 6.5 but that’s only because I already have the .308 covered.

So, another vote for get both but if you can only have one then .308 still has a lot of great qualities.
 
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#30
Here on whitetail deer 150-180#, out to 200 yards, the 6.5 creed with 43 grains of H4350 and a 140gr Nosler ballistic tip, is killing them very well. Doing the job on 150# pigs very well.
Been recommending this caliber over both 243 and 7-08 for women and youth in factory hunting rifles. There are several less expensive hunting options in 6 5 creed, making it worth seriously looking at.
Not going to knock the 308 here at all, but some women and youth and factory 150 grain or 165 grain aren't the best match up.
My 308 go to loads are 130 Speer flat base hollow points, Federal is loading them, and any load with a 150 Nosler ballistic tip. Very few deer have walked away from these two.
But the 6.5 creed is working fine.

Pic below, 10 year old with his 3rd deer killed with a creed. One shot per... no problems..
IMG950258.jpg



And, Creed definitely wins the wind calls at 1000 on steel over the 308, jmhe....

No, I'm not selling my 308's anytime soon.
 
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#31
Danattherock said:
Yeah the 6.5 is going to be better in almost every way to the 308. Some people are very loyal to 308 because they've been shooting it for 30 years and I get that. but the 6.5 is better for the vast majority of Shooters and applications.

Flatter trajectory much better wind performance and less recoil to allow you to spot your own shots better which means you can make wind corrections off your misses and get follow-up hits.

While I agree having the 308 and adding a 6.5 would be ideal, if that's not a possibility switching to a 6.5 Barrel at this point makes a lot of sense. Then again most of us are reloading for numerous calibers so in the grand scheme of things, not that big a deal. Components don't cost that much.

I shoot Dasher, 6 Creedmoor, picked up a 65x47 yesterday but the next Barrel I'm having chambered is actually a 308. I just got a barrel vise in today and waiting on my action wrench so I can change calibers at home. I'm using the 308 to train with because of its poor wind performance and high recoil.

If you're going to be reloading for this rifle I would suggest you look at 6.5 x 47 Lapua over the 6.5 Creedmoor. If you're going to buy a factory ammunition I would stick with the 6.5.

This sums it up well...

"Top special operations snipers will replace their 7.62mm sniper rifles with the 6.5mm Creedmoor, which doubles their hit probability at 1,000 meters, increases their effective range by nearly half, reduces wind drift by a third and has less recoil. (Sgt. 1st Class Jacob Braman/Army)"

from this article...

https://www.armytimes.com/news/your...h-their-bullets-for-this-new-round-next-year/
Click to expand...
The 308 will give you longer barrel life, you already have it, components and info are more than plentyful. I do think the 6.5 is superior but run what you got, if you decide the 308 is holding you back make the switch, it’s not hard to resell reloading components or even a barrel. The way I figure it though by running a 308 you’re saving yourself some money by not buying a barrel and it’ll be like baseball players with the donut on the bat(308), once they get done swinging that the bat (6.5) is gravy
 
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#33
why choose love my 308 and when i am ready or able to shoot further will love i hope a much my 6.5. I have only shot one 6.5 think it was a savage but at 1/2 the recoil of my 308 it was fun. Then again i really might be another future gun hoarder of America i want to collect and fire them all.
 
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#34
I started my long range journey with a 308, still have the rifle and will never part with it. Over the years I have acquired a 223AI, 6.5x47, 300WM, and 338 lapua. I still love shooting my 308. The biggest benefit to the 6.5 for me is the reduced recoil allowing me to spot my own shots. I suck at reading wind and miss with both 308 and 6.5 because of it. If you don’t know how to read the wind well going with the 6.5 won’t make a significant improvement. I feel inside 500-600 yds there isn’t that much difference between the 2. I have had both of mine out to 1080 on steel and was equally successful.

With all that being said, when I burn the barrel out on my 308, I will be switching to another 6.5mm or maybe trying a 6mm. I prefer any edge I can get.

My advice, if your not competing and just learning. Use what you have until you decide how far down this rabbit hole you are wanting to go. The cost of rebarreling or buying another rifle in 6.5 would be much better spent on ammo, range finder, kestrel with AB, classes, etc. the whole point is to have fun and the 6.5 won’t increase the fun factor enough to justify the cost at this point.
 
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#38
Stick with it learn the craft, and if it’s something you turn out to really enjoy and wanna continue to further immerse yourself, go with something different. Shoot the piss out of it and enjoy the experience.
 
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#39
j-huskey said:
Here on whitetail deer 150-180#, out to 200 yards, the 6.5 creed with 43 grains of H4350 and a 140gr Nosler ballistic tip, is killing them very well. Doing the job on 150# pigs very well.
Been recommending this caliber over both 243 and 7-08 for women and youth in factory hunting rifles. There are several less expensive hunting options in 6 5 creed, making it worth seriously looking at.
Not going to knock the 308 here at all, but some women and youth and factory 150 grain or 165 grain aren't the best match up.
My 308 go to loads are 130 Speer flat base hollow points, Federal is loading them, and any load with a 150 Nosler ballistic tip. Very few deer have walked away from these two.
But the 6.5 creed is working fine.

Pic below, 10 year old with his 3rd deer killed with a creed. One shot per... no problems..View attachment 7000341


And, Creed definitely wins the wind calls at 1000 on steel over the 308, jmhe....

No, I'm not selling my 308's anytime soon.
Click to expand...


Nice Buck! Well done young man!
 
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#42
I own both 308 and 6.5cm. I came on the site and asked the same questions as you. Bought a 6.5cm. Shoots damn good. After buying the 6.5cm and after owning it for a year. Should have "REALLY" put more time behind the 308. For my purposes, shooting at up to 550 yards the 308 will do ALL I ASK of it, and ALL I NEED it to do. Save your money, shoot the 308. In a year or a few down the road, IF you choose, buy another rifle.

The 308 is no slouch.
 
#44
The 6.5 CM never interested me over the 308 pushed hard w the correct bullet. If you want a 6.5 buy a 6.5 PRC. Im pushing the 147/150 class at over 3100 FPS. 6 MIL at 1K 16.7 MILS at 1 mile!
 
#45
The .308 is a great way to learn. On just about every side. I'd say shoot what you've got! I love the fast calibers as much as the next guy but I started on the .308 and dont regret it. Not to mention you wont have to change barrels for quite a while.

If you're feeling like your comfortable with the .308 out to 1k or even 800 and maybe want to start competing then I'd look at the 6.5s. Just my opinion.

The 6.5s are great at just about everything they do. Including making good/bad shooters.
 
#46
I was in a similar position 6 months ago. I bought an AI rifle in .308 as we can't get them from the factory with the 6.5 barrel in the UK. I was new to the long range game but the .308 is a great cartridge to learn with. It recoils and the wind moves the bullet around so you really learn how to shoot it and where to hold on the target at longer range.

Mine is a tack driver up to 800 and I can still bang 5 inch steel gongs with it at 1000 (not every time!). It really struggles from 1200 yards though and the 6.5s beat it all the time at this range, do I care? No. It's taught me how to reload, how a 155 bullet differs to a 178, how to read wind and how to handle recoil. I've also fired 1200 rounds through is and the barrel is still like new, had that been a 6.5 I would be ordering a new one now.

I'm not a .308 fanboy and I will add a 6.5 barrel to my set up when funds allow but inside 700 yards you won't notice a difference.

Final thought is actually spotting the hits on steel at very long range. The 6.5 guys can struggle to see the impacts out past 1200.......I've got the answer to that though and have just ordered a .338 Lapua barrel for 1000 yards+.....:)
 
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#47
L2bravo said:
So take the bite now? Or stay with what I have? May be a stupid question, but is 6.5 that much better?
Click to expand...
Well if your a Gucci shooter an your only targets are paper an steel, barrel up. If you are a shooter that uses guns as tools, stay the course.
No matter what you hear or are told, there are no different levels of, out of the fight or dead, in the real world.
Now I'll run to the kitchen for more popcorn,...
 
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#48
Kraze said:
Keep the 308.
Master it.
Compete against your buddy who was talking shit.
Beat him.
Make sure to remind him that he just got his ass handed to him by a lowly 308.
Then rebarrel it to a 6.5.
Click to expand...

Yeah. This.

Just shoot, shoot, shoot.

Skillset > equipment

spend the $$ you'd spend on 6.5 and just shoot out your .308 barrel in cheap ammo practicing short range positional

and the rest on Hornady ELD-M for long range stuff (high BC)

compete as often as you can

then if you switch to 6.5 later, everything will be slightly easier

a sh*tty shooter is a sh*tty shooter whether running 6mm or .223\
 
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#50
Both. 308 reinforces need for proper mechanics, fundamentals. Learn and relearn to manage recoil here. If us can add or move to 6.5 and you will be amazed at down range results. Ideally continue to train with 308, be humble, and keep learning. Shoot the 6.5 when it really counts. Hunting or matches that are important to you.

With a barrel vice and go/no go gauges you can change barrels...... or spring for AI Ax?
 
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