The 6.5 Creedmoor round might be today’s darling amongst competitive shooters and hunters. In addition, the U.S. military is looking at the creedmoor because of its long-range performance. Even the newest rifle shooter can ring steel out to 1,000 yards without that much skill. Because of this,  almost every rifle manufacturer that had not already trotted-out  a rifle chambered in 6.5. SHOT show had one for debut at the NRAM held in Atlanta, Georgia last weekend. We didn’t see a manufacturer that didn’t have a 6.5 on display. 

The 6.5 is the round that whacks steel with less recoil and with a flat, fps- eating trajectory that stays that way past 1300 yards. It’s caught the attention of the military because of that.  That’s apparently prompted more  manufacturers to build a 6.5 direct impingement rifles with 18-inch  barrels. 

Many old school rifle shooters say the 6.5 isn’t anything new except that the modern 6.5 cartridges now are uniformly loaded and will rock right out of a standard 762 mag. This is because competitors push gear, ammunition and rifles to their limits and generally set the bar for what the rest of the consumers will want with regards to standardization of gear and hardware. It goes without saying that for military applications,  a rifle that can take a standard mag is a must.

The Seekins Prevision gas-powered 6.5 comes with a 20 round standard .762 magazine and its  parts were the talk among long-range competitors. More than anything, it’s the tolerances and  that hand-guard! It’s totally flat on the bottom and that’s what is making our eyes shiny.  It will level out the rifle very nicely on virtually any shooting surface that can be thrown at it.

Still, the offerings of equally fabulous .308s made it clear; No matter how many times the gun industry says the 6.5 is new and the most awesome thing shooting fire right this minute, It’s unlikely that the 6.5 will unseat the .308 as the reigning king of cartridges. It remains the most-purchased and reloaded cartridge. While it’s being made to feel stodgy and outdated, the .308 is the most consistent round out to 800 yards. Because of that it’s still the most suitable round for hunting, military applications as well as for long-range shooting competitions.

We hope that rifle manufacturers don’t stop innovations within the .308 platform especially in light of the growing 3-Gun Nation “heavy” division.  Competitors are creating a demand for lighter but tougher .308 rifles.

And there’s more credit due to the .308. It doesn’t shoot-out a barrel in under 2600 rounds like a 6.5 will and the cartridges are plentiful for factory ammo buyers as well the reloader.  What is your favorite rifle round and why?