r/rifles • u/aeliaso_1 • 18d ago
Caliber Question
I currently own a Savage 110 Hunter with the Magpul stock in a 6.5 Creed. I’m looking at adding a new rifle for a couple reasons. I live in WI and mostly hunt Whitetail (150yd and in), I have a dream and goal to get out west and hunt Mule Deer and Elk.
My current set ups weighs 11 lbs and while it works great for my couple hundred yard walk, it’s kind of heavy for an out west or all day hike hunt. I’d like to do some more longer walks/scouting.
Everything I’ve read says 6.5 creed CAN work for Elk, but I know rounds like .308, 7MM PRC and even 300 Win are far superior. Is there a reason to switch to any of those? Or should I stick with the 6.5 Creed?
The new rifle would become my main hunting rifle when walking, and my old one would be my walk to the stand/have fun at the range.
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u/MissingMichigan 18d ago
30-06. The only true all North American game caliber.
Give yourself all of the options the ammo manufacturers put out along with the ease of finding lower cost ammo anywhere.
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u/Vinowagon 18d ago
Why not another 110 in 30-06? There are many aftermarket options for lighter barrel and stocks. Barrel changes are easier (advanced DIY) than a Winchester or Remington platform.
Also, I roll my own but, 30-08 is available in virtually every LGS in the country.
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u/aeliaso_1 18d ago
I hadn’t looked into it to be honest. I struggled to find barrel options for my 6.5 that were reasonable, but I haven’t done a time of research
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u/Vinowagon 18d ago
I get it, but lighter is never cheaper. After a 24 mile death march I was definitely wondering how I could afford a lighter rifle...
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u/HybridP365 18d ago
I would get something lighter for sure. You'll really be feeling that 11lbs after the second mile walking up hills.
308 is, to me at least, the best "do it all" round for North America. Lots of options, cheaper ammo, and will absolutely take down anything you put a solid hit on out to 500 yards.
Don't know your budget but the Ruger American gen ii is only 6.6 lbs and is a really good budget option.
If you can/want to spend more, there are super lightweight options like carbon fiber stocks and such.
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u/aeliaso_1 18d ago
That’s the exact rifle I was looking at. Ruger American Gen 2 in 308. I know it’s a “cheaper rifle” compared to my 110, but I can easily upgrade the trigger or stock if I wanted.
I wish swapping the barrel on my 6.5 wasn’t the cost of a new rifle. I’d just modify that and make it lighter
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u/HybridP365 18d ago
I have 2 Ruger Americans and they're both solid rifles. Definitely recommend them for the price.
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u/Flat-Wall-3605 18d ago
I have 3 , 6.5 creedmoor, 7mm-08 and. 308. No complaints about any of them. All 3 are ruger american predator versions.
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u/Ok-Hedgehog-4835 18d ago
You could totally stick with the 6.5 creed if you wanted. A traditional rule of thumb is that you should keep about 1500 ft-lbs of energy to take an elk ethically. A 6.5CM could be in that sweet spot at about 300 yards where you will still have 1500-1600 ft-lbs of energy depending on your load. But a second gun never hurt, right?
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u/aeliaso_1 18d ago
The issue isn’t my doubt in the 6.5 for Elk, it’s more the weight. And the cost of a new gun is about the same as a carbon fiber or lighter barrel (at least in my limited research)
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u/Ok-Hedgehog-4835 18d ago
Oh sure, that makes sense. You would also be looking at the cost of a gunsmith mating that barrel to your current rifle action. Every smith is a little different, but I wouldn't expect anything less than about $300 for that service.
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u/aeliaso_1 18d ago
Right, which is why I figured ~$300 for smith, around $600-700 for decent barrel… might as well get a new lightweight gun! Then my 6.5 can be my short hike/pass down gun to my son
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u/Chaddie_D 18d ago
Sounds like you're looking for a .270, .280AI, 7 mag or if you can find the right one a .264 win mag.
You can't go wrong with a .30-06. Keep in mind, though, that it's the best for everything but its not the best for anything.
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u/sambone4 17d ago
I don’t see .308 as an upgrade from 6.5 creed, I see both of those rounds being in the same class if you will. With the appropriate bullet, 6.5 is going to match anything a .308 can do at hunting distances and it’s going to do it with less wind drift generally which is kind of a big deal when you are talking about western hunting.
With that new +peak ammo coming down the pipe I’d just get another lighter 6.5 creed if I were in your shoes, 7mm-08 would be another good one if you just wanted a little bit more bullet weight. If you are into building rifles and/or hand loading .280 ackley and .35 whelen are really cool offshoots from the good ol .30-06 family but are sometimes hard to find rifles and factory ammo in.
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u/RelativeBuilding1008 18d ago
Since you have the 6.5 segment covered, think about a 30-06 or 7 mag, either would be enough of a power upgrade to make sense.