Pros and cons of 6.5 CM vs 243?

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Jlwilliams

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So I'm really considering a rifle in one of these calibers. On the one hand, 6.5 CM is all the rage and everyone I know who has one loves it. On the other hand, 243 has been the cartridge in that size niche for decades and (wait for it....) everyone I know who has one loves it.

They are both flat shooting, low recoil medium game rifles. Both are easy to get ammo for. I'm pretty sure that if you have one you don't need the other, but I have neither. Is there a compelling reason to pick one over the other, or should I jump on whichever comes up "right deal right time" style? Bear in mind I'm not running out to spend money today. I'm thinking ahead.
 
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I looked hard at a .243 for my first setup but eventually settled for .223 as I could not find a rifle I wanted in .243.

I’m not saying go for a .223, but you might be limited by rifle selection. What do you want to do with the rifle?
 
i have killed deer with both....6.5 offers the ability to step up and take larger game with some of the heavier grain bullets.

both are light recoiling fun to shoot guns...my 243 is in a BLR and my 6.5 in a bolt gun so not really apples to apples comparison
 
There is more hunting ammo available for the 243. The few 6.5 CM hunting loads I see for are pricey.
 
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Both have plenty of factory loads for hunting but for match ammo and rifles available for the higher BC bullets the 6.5 Creedmoor is the one to go with. The .243 for long range match ammo is a handloaders game. If you are building a rifle then you can use either as you can get the rifle built with the proper twist barrel but most .243s are slow twist barrels and won't work well with the heavier higher BC bullets used for long range.

As mentioned above if you want a 6mm then go 6 Creed as the barrels are faster twist than factory .243 barrels but you have less factory hunting ammo availability but still enough.

What will be the main use of the rifle and will you be buying factory or building?
 
.243 ackley, problem solved, except for the off the shelve ammo. I'm bias cause I've been shooting that cartridge a long time. I really like a .243 for all around.
 
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Me. said:
I’m not a hunter, so excuse my ignorance…..

I would think ANY bullet that leaves a 6.5 Creedmoor barrel would drop any game you shoot with it.

Any of it seems like it would beat an arrow. Folks hunt with them all the time.
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First of all, arrows kill a bit differently than do bullets. Secondly, some bullets are not very good for killing game quickly. Full metal jacketed bullets are frequently not allowed for hunting big game because generally do less damage than do normal hunting bullets. This allows the animal to run off wounded to die later. Not good.

I have several 243 rifles and have been very successful on game from deer to prairie dogs with them. I can not speak about the CM because I do not have one and have never shot one. The short and super short magnums were quite the rage several years ago, but you hear very little about most of them these days. I do not know whether the CM fad will fade anytime soon or at all, but I doubt that 243Winchester will ever go the way of the 243 WSSM, the 270 WSM, the 325 WSM, or one or two others that enjoyed popularity at one time.
 
Me. said:
I’m not a hunter, so excuse my ignorance…..

I would think ANY bullet that leaves a 6.5 Creedmoor barrel would drop any game you shoot with it.

Any of it seems like it would beat an arrow. Folks hunt with them all the time.
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Not a hunter either. A 6.5 creedmor in a target or competition load would likely go right through a deer a most reasonable distances and then you’d be chasing a blood trail forever so ammo does matter. I bought a 6.5 for fun and just in case I want to hunt. I had a 243 years ago. Cool round. For most things the 243 will do the job with a well placed shot. Either round is really good depending on your use. And like said above 223 will do a lot too and is more common. If you have a 2223/556 then I‘d go 6.5, if you don‘t then maybe 243. Either way you’ll be fine.
 
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243 biggest issue is it has to be chambered in slow twist factory barrels that can’t use long high bc bullets

If you’re just going to shoot a deer with a hunting load both work, but if you’re wanting to play long range it starts to matter.


6.5 creed really falls into a great niche with good ammo, tons of components, low recoil for spotting shots, plenty of weight for game. Just a nice general easy button. So would 260 had Remington not screwed it with a slow twist like every other good idea they had
 
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Thanks for all the input so far.

My intention with the rifle is some hunting, some informal range shooting. I might buy a new rifle, or I might re barrel a Stevens 200 I have (already have the wrenches, would rent the gauges.) Depends what turns up, again right price right moment. I already have 223 in a few guns (including the Stevens) and have a 30-30. Would like a longer range hunting/ general use bolt action rifle. I like a light weight gun so that's why I'm thinking about the lower recoil rounds. 308 isn't off the table (I have a little fmj plinking ammo left over from a gun I no longer have) but I've been thinking about the smaller bores so that's why I asked specifically about them.
 
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Jlwilliams said:
Would like a longer range hunting/ general use bolt action rifle. I like a light weight gun so that's why I'm thinking about the lower recoil rounds. 308 isn't off the table (I have a little fmj plinking ammo left over from a gun I no longer have) but I've been thinking about the smaller bores so that's why I asked specifically about them.
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I will begin by affirming that I am not an expert, either by experience, training, reading the internet, or by staying in a Holiday Inn Express. I just gently pose a couple of questions:

1. "Longer" range is comparative, but I think your question revolves more around the absolute. What ranges are you talking about? Within 300 yards? Out to 600 yards? Do you want to ring steel at 1000 yards?

2. By "light weight," would you consider a single shot vs. a bolt action? Or maybe a 4-round detachable magazine in a lever action like a Henry Long Ranger (available in .243, .308., and 6.5 CM? For example, the latter in 6.5 CM lists as 7 lbs (22" barrel) and in .308 as 7 lbs (20" barrel), whilst their single shot .308 lists as 6.9 lbs (22" barrel) -- no 6.5 CM in single shot.

3. How much do you wish or are you willing to spend on 'glass?' With due regard to the initial disclaimer, my understanding is that the greater the range, the greater the relative need for (expensive) good optics.

By way of disclosure, I have the Henry Long Ranger in 0.243 Win and -- if a certain online dealer will get on with the shipping -- soon to have the 0.308 single shot (possibly a case of buying a rifle to fit ammo stock on hand -- ;)).

In any case, as a gentle suggestion, I think your inquiry is better considered in terms of specific numbers, range and weight, than in the potentially vague relative terms of 'long' and 'light.' I hope this comes across as trying to help frame your inquiry, not as an implied criticism.

PS add #3
 
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Well put, and I'll take that nudge and narrow in on the definitions of light and longer range.

By longer range I mean longer than 30-30 range but I don't have access to anywhere I might ring steel at 1000. I'd love to, but realistically a few hundred is probably about it, 600 would be unlikely but plausible. Depends where I might get hunting permission/lease somewhere but I'm not on a mountain side hitting a prong horn on the next ridge. By light weight I mean lighter than the M1a I used to have or lighter than a Rem 700 tacticool that I also used to have. Both fine shooters and both guns people do carry but I'd like a rifle I can walk with in one hand.

I have a couple of H&R Handi rifles so I'm not opposed to single shot in general but I want a bolt action. I've always been partial to bolt guns.
 
DangerRanger said:
243 biggest issue is it has to be chambered in slow twist factory barrels that can’t use long high bc bullets

If you’re just going to shoot a deer with a hunting load both work, but if you’re wanting to play long range it starts to matter.


6.5 creed really falls into a great niche with good ammo, tons of components, low recoil for spotting shots, plenty of weight for game. Just a nice general easy button. So would 260 had Remington not screwed it with a slow twist like every other good idea they had
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Exactly. Most factory 243's have slow twist barrels. Most 6 creeds have faster twist barrels and free bore to run the heavies. I've ran 115 dtacs at 3180 and still had room to go more.

6.5 is a good all around chambering. Finding box loads is a chore right now, at least in my area. If you reload then it's not a problem.
 
Charlie said:
Secondly, some bullets are not very good for killing game quickly. Full metal jacketed bullets are frequently not allowed for hunting big game because generally do less damage than do normal hunting bullets. This allows the animal to run off wounded to die later. Not good.
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I hope nobody ever tells @Michael458 you’re not supposed to hunt big game with solids. 😁
 
BigWaylon said:
I hope nobody ever tells @Michael458 you’re not supposed to hunt big game with solids.
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Blasphemy....... Pure Blasphemy...................

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Charlie said:
Secondly, some bullets are not very good for killing game quickly. Full metal jacketed bullets are frequently not allowed for hunting big game because generally do less damage than do normal hunting bullets. This allows the animal to run off wounded to die later. Not good.
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And, with the "Solid Pun" done above, I would concur with Charlie on his original assessment.......... those tiny little FMJ pointy things, they are not real solids in the terms I consider..............
 
Charlie said:
I did have some solids for my 458 WM in case an elephant or Cape Buffalo showed up under my deer stand.
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Good Insurance against such pests............. But also, one might consider when everything goes wrong on the first shot, which is sometimes does, that backup solid just might save the day. Of proper design, that solid does not much care what gets in its way, it will plow through thick brush, sticks, stems, and even trees to make its way to intended target, where other bullets will not. And, most likely if that first shot is bad, you are looking at the south end of a north bound critter, nothing better than a proper designed solid to get to it's final destination............ A good Solid is a good item to have along on a hunt......... Many good reasons to have them for any endeavor, and no good reason not to.
 
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