New Rifle for son - Opinions on caliber

[MAG00]

I am looking at picking up a new rifle for my 15 y/o son. He currently shoots my old Rem model 7 6mm and wants to bump up a little. I’m looking at Bergara and am trying to decide on which caliber to go with. I’m looking at either 6.5 creedmoor or .308 win. From my research, there should not be much difference out to about 500 yards. After that, it seems the 6.5 has less drop and drift. And the 6.5 may be a little less recoil. Also, I once would have said that .308 ammo is more available and with more options, but that seems to be a wash nowadays with the popularity of the 6.5.

For some background, this will be predominately for hunting whitetail 500yd or less. If we want something with a little less recoil, we can back down to my 6mm Rem I have and he currently shoots. With that said, I could get the .308 and that way I could keep with similar ammo to what I have. Additionally, I already have a 300wsm and a 280AI from my late Dad's stuff if we want something heavier. He also had a 6.5wsm that I am having re-done to a 6.5PRC since I don't currently reload.

With all that said, would you go with 6.5 creedmoor or .308 win? Stock is going fast, so need to make a decision pretty quick. Thanks for any and all input.

 

[huntnh]

Tikka is always a good choice and 6.5 has a nice light recoil wont break the bank and shoots like a champ!!
When my son stared hunting 10 years ago I picked up a stainless tikka in 243 it's still his go to gun for deer and small game

 

[UpSideDown]

6.5cm is cheaper to find in factory match ammo, more readily available, lower recoiling, very capable in terms of precision/range/wind drift for its features, tons of options in this caliber, not so susceptible to ammo shortages. .308 is also a good trainer but I have no regrets of getting a 6.5cm. With my Berger 156 EOL's my calculator tells me this is an impressively capable hunting cartridge. From memory it meets the energy/fps requirements for deer to 900 yards and elk to 700 yards from a 20" barrel. I doubt I'd take shots near those ranges. I'd trust it for deer no question.

I love my Tikka. It's a better gun than it should be for the price.

 

[MAG00]

Tikka was the other factory rifle I was looking at. In regards to caliber choice, I know the 6.5 creedmoor has become very popular and from most things I have read shows it to be better ballistically speaking than .308 especially at longer distances. With that said, if used predominately for hunting at 400yds or less and some target, I have read that the .308 may be the better option more specifically for hunting. But it does seem that a lot of folks have either decided on or moved to the 6.5 creedmoor.

One reason I had thought maybe .308 was due to the fact that I shoot a .308 for hunting (same ammo) and I do have a 6mm Remington if wanting something a little smaller.

Any more input given the info I have provided?

 

[deersniper]

6.5cm
American gunner is cheap and accurate. Plenty of good hunting ammo.

 

[MAG00]

Couple of folks mentioned Tikka. Any thoughts on Bergara? Or if you think there is a better factory rifle (budget up to $1,200 give or take a little)?

 

[jcmullis2]

I wouldn’t get a Bergara myself because of the problems with the bolt. They were blowing firing pins and shattering bolt shrouds. You didn’t mention what your budget is so I used about the price of a Bergara. I would get a Remington 700p in 308 as my first choice or a Remington 700 gen ii 5r stainless in 6.5cm. The 308 inside 500 yards for hunting is hard to beat. The r700p in 308 is a great deal imo. I picked up one a couple of weeks back from arms Unlimited for $750. Hs precision stock, 40xp adjustable trigger down as low as 1.5Lbs, 24 inch threaded 5r barrel, #8-40 scope base holes, tactical bolt handle, and out of the box accuracy of 1/2moa with fgmm 175gn SMKs. I bought mine after another fella on here, TommyD, that I suggested get this rifle got .3 moa with browning 168gn factory ammo. Best $750 rifle I ever bought that’s for sure. The Tikka Hunter in 308 win, 260 rem or 6.5cm would be good choices too.

 

[athanasios23]

I think everyone should have a 308. Its not the latest and greatest but its solid caliber. I was surprised at the amount of new hunting ammo I've seen for the 308. I love using my trusty 243 for hunting deer. How is your son with recoil? You could go 6.5creed and then use the excuse that hes out grown it to buy a 308 in a couple years.

As for rifles. Hard to beat the tikka for the price.

 

[deersniper]

out of the box accuracy of 1/2moa with fgmm 175gn SMKs. I bought mine after another fella on here, TommyD, that I suggested get this rifle got .3 moa with browning 168gn factory ammo

Sure

 

[BuLLet]

I agree, can't beat what American Gunner 6.5 CM is capable of.

6.5cm
American gunner is cheap and accurate. Plenty of good hunting ammo.

 

[hereinaz]

Inside 500 there is little difference IMO ballistically. Ammo is basically the same. Rifles the same.

Splitting hairs.

Whitetail won't know if it is a .243, .264 or .308 bullet...

Get a 6.5 so you have more options if ammo stays scarce. It is also better ballistically if you ever want to have fun past 500.

 

[stello1001]

Why not go with a 7-08? You're between 308 and 6.5 creed and the 7-08 is somewhere between those. I would also suggest that. 243 is a great choice but your 6mm rifle that he can already shoot is already a .244 cal variant.

Personally, I like the 6.5 for deer but if you truly want more energy, you can consider the 7.

Best of luck!

 

[Vio515]

Another vote for the Tikka in 6.5cm.

 

[Average guy]

I personally shoot a 6.5 creedmoor or a 270 for hunting but a 308 is a deer killing machine. Can’t go wrong with either.

 

[AJPERALTA]

My 16 year old son killed a 6x7 Bull last winter with Tikka 3x in 7mm08 shooting factory 150 ELDX. I bought it used on a local forum and it was well worth the money. Even my younger daughters shoot it very well.

 

[264win]

Tikka for the rifle and 6.5 cm for the caliber.

 

[MAG00]

6.5 seems to the caliber of choice. Several have noted Tikka. Any other factory rifles you'd highly recommend (again $500 to $1,200 budget for rifle)? For example, a specific model from any of these...Remington, Winchester, Ruger, Weatherby, Savage, Bergara, etc.

 

[Kir]

Read your own post. You seem to have answered your own question. Good shootin' to y'all.

 

[DocRDS]

Why is there a need to "bump up" from 6mm.

.243 kills dear dead. There is always this mentality that we are undergunned and we end up with giant-ass rifles hunting white tail. (Guilty myself).

6.5 vs 308? Stick with 6.5. 308 can get bigger bullets, but for whitetail--not needed.

 

[deersniper]

243 kills dear dead.

So does 223


I hear 65 has a fairly longer barrel life versus 6.

Op. Put a want to buy ad in the for sale section. Might be surprised what you are offered. Only buy from people that have been here a while. Scammers are attracted to WTB ads

 

[Vio515]

6.5 seems to the caliber of choice. Several have noted Tikka. Any other factory rifles you'd highly recommend (again $500 to $1,200 budget for rifle)? For example, a specific model from any of these...Remington, Winchester, Ruger, Weatherby, Savage, Bergara, etc.

Nope, Tikka. Folks are recommending this rifle because they work. I have never seen a turd Tikka. I've seen plenty of turd Remington 700s.

Also, the aftermarket support for Tikka's is lightyears better than it was a few years ago.

You can spend more money on a "better" brand name rifle however, I'll put a Tikka up against any factor rifle and I know where I'm placing my money.

 

[UpSideDown]

I bought a Tikka, put it in a KRG Bravo, traded the Bravo for a Manners, and plan to shoot the barrel out. When the barrel is gone I'll buy a nicer action and build another gun, and probably keep this one and rebarrel. The Tikka is like a barebones higher end long-action with a length constraint. You can buy parts for it, it's super smooth, the factory trigger is great, they're precise enough to get prefit barrels for. But they don't have any fancy features, don't have a wide selection of bolt faces and if you handload they stuff you into using SAAMI spec long action calibers. They're fantastic for the price.

 

[Totoro]

For straight turn key, Tikka for me.

In fact I have 3 loaner rifles in various Tikka models, all shoot with minimal fuss with wide range of ammo into tight groups.

All capable of minute of animal.

Caliber wise 6.5CM is tough to beat in factory configuration almost neck in neck with 308.

Pick either and live happy with whatever ammo you choose.

 

[GrumpyOleFart]

Tikka in 6.5 cm.
Maybe get the fluted barrel version?
Hard to beat a Tikka.

 

[sierracharlie338]

Another vote for the 7mm-08 in Tikka

 

[sava]

I'd go with the 6.5 for him. The 6.5 is readily available, flatter shooting, and about the same price as 308. But then again, you'll never go wrong with a 308 either. With costs being equal....I prefer the 6.5.

 

[GrumpyOleFart]

Tikka ,Tikka ,Tikka Oi Oi Oi !!!

 

[mmlj]

I recently had to make this decision for my 10 yr. old grandson. He would use the rifle for javelina, deer and elk. I bought him the Savage 110 Hunter in 6.5 Creedmoor. A big part of that decision was the adjustable stock for length of pull and comb height, accutrigger and the aluminum bedding block. Also, Savage's reputation for accurate barrels. I already loaded the 6.5 Creedmoor for another rifle. He shoots the rifle extremely well, and as he grows, we can adjust the stock to fit him.

 

[fdkay]

I have a fondness for the .308, but I also shoot 7-08 and a 6.5x55.
There is a stark difference in recoil between the 6.5 and the .308, the .308 is not punishing, but there is significantly more muzzle jump.
Of course, the reduced recoil loads featuring the 125 class bullets are real deer killers inside of 250 yards or so.
Since you don't reload, I'm going to say the 6.5 CM is your answer.
The 130 class bullets would be awesome whitetail medicine with the 140 class are a good choice for elk.

 

[NWnewguy]

If your son is like most (alright maybe not most, but most good)15yo, I would ask him what he wants. Make it a joint decision (that obviously you have final approval on as the capital provider) that way you guys can talk and deliberate about. In the end he will appreciate it and you will have helped him to work through making a decision based on facts and logic (Which btw, would have 6.5cm coming out on top. Unless you get a fast twist 308, there's really no practical factor where 308 is better than 6.5, and I don't even have one, so this isn't fanboydom, just simple physics.) I do have a 6.5x47, but I wouldn't recommend it to you since you aren't into reloading. Many a Reindeer and Moose have dropped to projectiles in 6.5 over the last 130 years and most of those at lower muzzle velocities. Either one is a good choice though, and I'd probably let him pick what he wanted as long as he could tell me why and it made sense. Same as far as the platform as well.

Lastly, I would say, appreciate the time that you are in right now and savor it. It's super cliche, but the next thing you know, he'll be too busy with life and college and girls to spend much time with you. Make sure he knows you love him and tell him often.