Mid rifle debate: .25-06 Rem vs 6.5mm Creedmore

OneGunTex · Jan 12, 2021

I've been tossing this one around for a while. Up until recently the 25-06 was the choice because the 6.5 Creed was still a bit of a wildcat with expensive ammo. Now all the mainstream manufacturers aren't even offering 25-06 in favor of 6.5 Creed.

This rifle will be mainly for deer, maybe an antelope hunt in the not-too-distant future. If I ever get my s*t together for an elk hunt, I'll go bigger, probably 300WM. And while I know both of these calibers are darlings of the "long range" crowd, probably won't shoot either much past 300yds.

Is there even a debate here, or are they totally equal and I should just buy the first one that comes available at a reasonable price?

Augie · Jan 13, 2021

Can't comment on the 25-06 but every rifle I have ever shot in 6.5 Creedmoor has been a tack driver. Ammo is a problem for both right now but I have enough components to keep my 6.5's fed for awhile.

EarnestT · Jan 13, 2021

I am partial to quarter bores so 25-06 would be my choice. All the new cartridge development is just a twist on something that already exists to sell new guns. 6.5x55 would be my choice for a 6.5 caliber.

OneGunTex · Jan 13, 2021

EarnestT said:
I am partial to quarter bores so 25-06 would be my choice. All the new cartridge development is just a twist on something that already exists to sell new guns. 6.5x55 would be my choice for a 6.5 caliber.

Thanks for the recommendation. Why would you go 6.5x55? Not a round I'm familiar with?
Ammo (or rifles) equally as available as the 25-06 or Creed?

Sent from my LM-V350 using Tapatalk

EarnestT · Jan 13, 2021

OneGunTex said:
Thanks for the recommendation. Why would you go 6.5x55? Not a round I'm familiar with?
Ammo (or rifles) equally as available as the 25-06 or Creed?

Sent from my LM-V350 using Tapatalk

6.5x55 Swedish Mauser has been around since the 1890's. The 6.5 Creedmoor offers slight difference in velocity etc. Ammo can be hard to find but I reload.
You can't go wrong with any of the classics like 30-06, 270, 25-06 35 Whelen, 6.5x55; 7x57 and many more

OneGunTex · Jan 13, 2021

EarnestT said:
Ammo can be hard to find but I reload.
You can't go wrong with any of the classics like 30-06, 270, 25-06 35 Whelen, 6.5x55; 7x57 and many more

Ah okay I don't reload so that would be the issue. As you said it sounds like for the application you can't go wrong! Thx

Sent from my LM-V350 using Tapatalk

EarnestT · Jan 13, 2021

OneGunTex said:
Ah okay I don't reload so that would be the issue. As you said it sounds like for the application you can't go wrong! Thx

Sent from my LM-V350 using Tapatalk

You should just buy the first one that comes available at a reasonable price.

Michigander08 · Jan 15, 2021

Maybe you just go straight to this:

"A New Long-Range Contender Makes Its Debut.
It's been done ... meet the 6.8 Western. Today, an all-new cartridge for long-range hunting and shooting, the 6.8 Western features a higher energy and lower recoil design to perform far beyond its size."

smokey · Jan 15, 2021

257 roberts.(it's mdshooters, in an A or B thread, you must always respond with C. this is the way)

EarnestT · Jan 15, 2021

smokey0118 said:
257 roberts.(it's mdshooters, in an A or B thread, you must always respond with C. this is the way)

I second the Roberts. One damn fine cartridge.

OneGunTex · Jan 15, 2021

Well, damn, school me on the Roberts. Quick read says trajectory is not as flat or quick as 25-06 and delivers less energy as the 6.5 Creed. And that if you don't reload you're in trouble

Sent from my LM-V350 using Tapatalk

kaliroger · Jan 15, 2021

I have 25-06 and Swidish 6.5, both very nice!! I also have 7mmx64 and ammo seems to be plentiful right now (~$18 for a box of 20)!! But I did not have the opportunity to take it to the range, so I can't say one way or the other, but 7mmx64 is a very popular round in Europe.

smokey · Jan 15, 2021

OneGunTex said:
Well, damn, school me on the Roberts. Quick read says trajectory is not as flat or quick as 25-06 and delivers less energy as the 6.5 Creed. And that if you don't reload you're in trouble

Sent from my LM-V350 using Tapatalk

Basically it's a slightly more efficient version of the 25-06. Most commercial loads are downloaded in case of older Mauser actions. Handloading brings it up to -06 territory with many claiming less recoil/noise due to efficiency. There's also an Ackley version that's awesome. I like it because of my name.

joma352 · Jan 15, 2021

Hunted with 6.5 creedmore for the first time this year and really liked it. Took the only doe I shot this year down in a heap. Nice knockdown power without the kick which is what I was looking for

Pale Ryder · Jan 15, 2021

Following....
I did find this, which was good info. Only downside to 25-06 in my book wood be availability. Kinda partial to the 270, but find my 30-06 currently does what I need. Still another rifle is always cool.

https://www.ronspomeroutdoors.com/blog/25-06-remington-beats-6-5-creedmoor

OneGunTex · Jan 15, 2021

smokey0118 said:
Basically it's a slightly more efficient version of the 25-06. Most commercial loads are downloaded in case of older Mauser actions. Handloading brings it up to -06 territory with many claiming less recoil/noise due to efficiency. There's also an Ackley version that's awesome. I like it because of my name.

I saw Winchester makes 270R +P loads. Would those be equivalent to hot handloads?

Sent from my LM-V350 using Tapatalk

hobiecat590 · Jan 15, 2021

EarnestT said:
I am partial to quarter bores so 25-06 would be my choice. All the new cartridge development is just a twist on something that already exists to sell new guns. 6.5x55 would be my choice for a 6.5 caliber.

^^^This^^^ 6.5x55 Swede might very slightly have the edge over 25-06 but both have been touted as the best whitetail/'lope round. Chuck Hawks has great reviews on both. YMMV.

EarnestT · Jan 15, 2021

hobiecat590 said:
^^^This^^^ 6.5x55 Swede might very slightly have the edge over 25-06 but both have been touted as the best whitetail/'lope round. Chuck Hawks has great reviews on both. YMMV.

In Europe they use the 6.5x55 for elk and swear by it.

OneGunTex · Jan 15, 2021

hobiecat590 said:
^^^This^^^ 6.5x55 Swede might very slightly have the edge over 25-06 but both have been touted as the best whitetail/'lope round. Chuck Hawks has great reviews on both. YMMV.

Yeah I'm a reader of Chuck Hawks and one of the reasons I used to be set on 25-06. But the Creed seems like the modern successor to the Swede, with rounds available up to Elk hunting stds

Sent from my LM-V350 using Tapatalk

hobiecat590 · Jan 15, 2021

OneGunTex said:
Yeah I'm a reader of Chuck Hawks and one of the reasons I used to be set on 25-06. But the Creed seems like the modern successor to the Swede, with rounds available up to Elk hunting stds

Sent from my LM-V350 using Tapatalk

Either are perfect for whitetail, 'yotes, or 'lopes at short to very long range and most rifles are sub MOA. One can use these for elk but I would prefer to use a .300 Win Mag for those infrequent elk or bear hunts.

Mid rifle debate: .25-06 Rem vs 6.5mm Creedmore

The #1 community for Gun Owners of the Northeast

Member Benefits:

Escaped Member

Ultimate Member

In the hollow

Escaped Member

In the hollow

Escaped Member

In the hollow

ridiculous and psychotic

2A TEACHER

In the hollow

Escaped Member

Active Member

2A TEACHER

Active Member

Ultimate Member

Escaped Member

Ultimate Member

In the hollow

Escaped Member

Ultimate Member

Users who are viewing this thread

Log in

Forum statistics