7mm-08 vs 6.5 Creedmoor: What's Best For You?

[@taddwillbern9007]

I own both. Hunt with 7mm-08 even though it’s not my primary hunting rifle. Have taken a cow elk at 299 yds with it, a few whitetail deer and hogs. Have never lost any game I’ve pulled the trigger on with it. 6.5 Creedmoor is more or less fun to take out with my buddies and make ragged little 5 shot, one hole groups at 200 yds. Each to their own. Do what you love and love what you do! They both make me happy and that’s all that matters to me.

[@jerrybobteasdale]

Sounds about right.

[@Paul-q3m7k]

How dare you …the 6.5 creedmoor can shoot a moose at 8000 yards 😂😂

[@calicojack556]

Here's my take on the two; what ever 6.5 CM can do, the 7mm-08 can do better. ;)

[@masonraley4585]

Now if I could just find a good rifle in it for sale right now lol

[@AlaskanBallistics]

If you can find a good barrel in 1 in 8 twist then you can actually shoot the high b.c. 180gr+ and get the same b.c. as the 6.5creedmoor

[@JRH6271]

I went to a Scheels today, 100 rifles on the floor at least, a good 60+% in 6.5 Creed with many others in other popular 6.5s like the 6.5 PRC. Only found a single 7mm-08 in the whole lot and it was buried in the small used section in the back. A handful were 7mm Rem Mag, but I could still count all of them on one hand. Love 7mm cartridges, but the market has really spoken. 6.5s and .30s rule the roost for now.

[@hardball107]

@@AlaskanBallistics Shaw Barrels.

[@kurtwilhelm3823]

True

[@patchitwood7428]

I like both. I went with 7mm-08 due to the fact that my home state (Kentucky) has a .277 caliber minimum for elk. While I think either would do the job, I would not be able to legally hunt elk in the event I ever get drawn for the elusive Kentucky elk hunt. My son and I have taken 9 deer with our 7mm-08, and I really like the balance of power, trajectory , and recoil.

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

That's a good point regarding the .277 caliber minimum for elk. Not every state has rules like that, but you might have saved yourself some heartache in the future by paying attention now when you made that initial rifle purchase.

[@smokedbrisket3033]

Kind of a silly rule when you think about it. Millions of Scandinavian moose and caribou have been killed with 6.5x55 since that cartridge was first introduced in 1892. And factory loads for that cartridge have to account for lots of Krag-Jorgensens out there (weaker action than a standard small ring Mauser M96), with MV for the 150-160 gr bullets around 2300-2400 fps. I shoot Woodleigh 160 gr out of my Swede, clocked at about 2380 fps. I could have pushed it harder, maybe to 2500, but I'm stacking 5 shot groups at that velocity. Other than big bears, there's nothing in North America I would feel uncomfortable hunting with it.

[@kurtglo]

@@smokedbrisket3033 my thoughts exactly.

[@chuckydubree1925]

I'm from the sticks of ky also happy hunting

[@papatorr3669]

I once talked to a deer that was hit by a father and son and he said that he could definitely feel the harder punch of the 7mm-08 fired by the father moreso than that narrow 6.5 Creedmoor that traveled completely through him. He died shortly thereafter, but we were unable to determine cause of death due to the marginal 0.5mm difference between the cartridges.

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

I give you an A+ for your sense of humor! :)

[@kurtglo]

the deer forgot to tell you that the 6.5 was a match bullet (for target shooting) and not a ELD-X (for hunting) and that's why it passed through it.

[@VictorFrench-zi3ec]

❤​@@kurtglo

[@MarAgt]

I switched to a 7mm-08 several years ago and have never looked back. Ammo (until recent times) has always been easy to find for it.

[@jaybailleaux630]

You got a modern çartige that can do what the old 30-06 and 270 can do.

[@leskrug9266]

Reload!

[@michaelshapiro1543]

I haven't seen 7mm-08 ammo stocked or normally stocked in Canada for several years now. (It's 2024.) Of course, there ARE no BLR rifles, either. Banned, I think.

[@drunknnirish]

Frontal area is never talked about and often over looked when just comparing on paper, but it matters more than almost anything short of bullet construction when it comes to taking down game at distances people are capable of shooting at. Overall a very good comparison video, for me the Creedmoor is better at taking paper and the 7mm-08 is better at taking game (I think the 7mm-08 is the finest round commercially available for taking game 350 lbs and under at ranges of 400 yards or under).

[@phild9813]

6.5 CM and 7mm08 are nearly identical in performance at the types of hunting conditions you describe. Advantage to the 7 is a little heavier bullet option for those that want it, but they are, practically speaking, identical in performance on game at shorter ranges. Advantage to the 6.5 is factory load options, where the 7mm08 is lagging unfortunately.

[@Gieszkanne]

Its kind of strange that with rifle calibers people argue about 0,5mm more makes a difference while on pistol calibers people say that 9mm is just as good as 45ACP or 40 S&W.

[@CalvinL.Stevens]

Yeah, that's the point. Those fancy new 6.5 or even 6mm calibers will perform excellent at competitions, but going below 7mm seems to hurt lethality. I've read a thread at ammoforsale blog where a guy compared 7,62 x 39 and 6.5 Grendel for taking game at ranges to 150 yards and praised the frontal area of 7,62.

[@papatorr3669]

I suppose that's significant when comparing a 12 gauge slug to a 7mm-08... But "it matters more than almost almost anything" at a 0.5mm? NOT! Velocity and ballistic coefficient would matter more. Even price and availability would matter more than 0.5 mm! The 6.5-08 Ackley bests both.

[@smokedbrisket3033]

@@CalvinL.Stevens - Swedes and Norwegians would disagree with you rather strenuously. They've killed millions of moose and caribou with 6.5x55 over the last century+. With good bullets, like Nosler, Norma, Lapua, Swift, Barnes, and Woodleigh, 7mm-08 and 6.5 manbun (I like my 6.5x55) will both do the same job. I'm a fan of all cartridges in the 6.5 and 7mm families - they all punch well above their weight.

[@mot0rhe4d40]

For versatility, the 7-08 is the better choice. I have several boxes of Speer 160gr btsp with a BC of .519. The 6.5C has a lot of good points to it for sure. Yet if we are talking all around use on game. I would ( and have ) picked the 7mm08, just for it's sheer range of option in this caliber.

[@kencleg7721]

I use a 120 on these small Texas whitetail drt every time

[@joelodjick230]

Think I'd be using a 120-140gr mono out of either of em, so kind of a wash for me.

[@ridgewalker2416]

When my granddaughter got interested in hunting big game at 12 yo and less than 5’ tall, I labored over these two cartridges a long time. Since she had a 22 LR and a 222 Rem for coyotes down, I chose the 7mm-08 to cover the range from antelope up to elk. She now is 15 yo and 5’ 6 1/2”. To date she has taken 2 mule deer does, 2 exotic rams, and a nice antelope. I believe I made the correct choice. The recoil doesn’t appear to bother her in the least whether hunting or on the range. If she used it for coyote up, my choice might have been different.

[@denisleblanc4506]

I have been using the 7mm-08 for a long time. First with reloads. It was relatively easy to find loads that would shoot acceptably in my rifle (around an inch.) When better selections of factory loads came around, I stopped reloading because I didn't have to anymore. Of the 9 factory loads I tried over the years, they all would shoot around an inch for 3 and inch and a half for 5 shots. Totally acceptable for my uses. I did reload recently for moose. While I had 140 grain loads that probably would have worked well (140 grain Accubond and Partitions) I had some 160 grain old style Grand Slams and quickly worked up a load that shot an inch for 3 shots and got about 2600 fps. I shot two moose with the load, both with one shot. I'm now working up a load with some 160 TBT Federals that look promising. They should give me slightly longer effective range for moose than my dwindling Grand Slams. BTW, the most accurate factory load in my rifle are Hornady Superformance SST that shoot better than I can at 100. I'm not knocking the 6.5 Creed, I just don't feel any need for it. The 7mm-08 always did what I asked of it, was and maybe still is available with managed recoil loads if I wanted less recoil (which aren't available in the 6.5 Creed.) I"m not a long range precision shooter but if I was I'd probably go for something less powerful than the 6.5 Creed to really reduce recoil but prefer just plinking at 100 with a 22LR for fun.

[@falsekings-p9z]

Denis LeBlanc : Here It looks little different kind of hunting moose .I have shot with ( 9.3 x 62) with 285 gr:n bullet about 25 different moose .Five yard till hundred yard. Mostly 40 yards max.

[@georgeholt8929]

There is a bias towards the 6.5 Creedmoor over the 7mm-08, mainly because the bullet manufacturers have been making a greater number of light weight boat tail bullets, while those same manufactures have not done the justice for the 7mm lineup of bullets except in recent years with the 28 Nosler cartridge or the 284 Winchester. These two cartridges can handle heavier weight bullets while the 7mm-08 is restricted to bullets weighting less then 176 grains. I have a custom made three position Remington 700 in 7mm-08 that I used shooting at NRA registered matches from the last 1985 era and I had a rather hard time purchasing suitable boat tail bullets for the 600 yard slow fire string of fire at such matches. Eventually I settled on using the Sierra 175gr HPBT Match king, which is now being removed from production. The Hornady ELD Match 162gr, 7mm bullet is becoming the bullet to use across the course now, but wasn't available back in the 1980's.

[@Catboy-hr2qp]

My family used to use 243 and 6.5cm but after getting our first 7mm08 and seeing what it did on game we have since all switched to the 7mm08 it's just so versatile especially when reloading and if you have a faster twist custom barrel, but even the 9.5 twist can stabilize those 162s if your not near sea level. Either way you cant go wrong for deer sized game with 7mm08 or 6.5cm but if going for bigger game like elk or moose consider adding a 7mm08 to your collection those bigger bullets really have more thump especially inside of 300 yards which is where almost all game is taken. For factory loadings that I have experience with I'd recommend Hornady superfomance in 139gr and 129gr SSTs respectively

[@ВладимирХрамцов-555]

what twist do you think is optimal for a heavy bullet 7-08?

[@johnmorganjr769]

Excellent break-down!! I like both,but lean toward the 7mm 08.

[@stephensonwood]

This is one of the best explainations of the 6.5 CM Ive ever seen. I myself do not own one but do own several 7mm08 platforms. I have two remington model 7's that my dad and I purchased weeks apart about 25 years ago. I have TC encore in the 26" rifle and the 15 inch pistol. I also have another break down single shot CVA. The funny thing about the remington Model 7 rifles is that The one that belonged to my dad would shoot almost every bullet/powder combination we tried with very good accuracy (less than 1-1/2 inch groups at 100). The rifle I had purchased was very picky but with 3 or 4 loads it would print under 1/2" 3 shot groups at 100. We always had to keep it to 3 shot groups because of the very thin barrels of the model 7's and they would heat up extremely quickly. Both of my TC encore platforms (rifle and pistol) are extremely accurate with a variety of bullets all except one. The rifle version would not shoot the 160 Grain boat tail bullet accurately at all. It would be a good day if it got 3 inch 100 yard groups. The pistol on the other hand would get cloverleaf touching holes at 100 yards. Again I would like to thank you for taking the time to do a comparison of the two. Im sure the 6.5 CM is an amazing cartridge because it was designed with the short action in mind. The action and chamber length, case capacity and bullet design are the reason it is such a great round. Thank you for taking the time to explain this so well. Happy shooting

[@hiromikami]

You explain things perfectly and I notice, now that I've listened lots of your videos, you have a certain flow like a good teacher. Just wanted to say thanks for all these ballistic discussions.

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

I appreciate that!

[@danielbeach4855]

7mm-08 can always kept firing with .308WIN brass necked down. 6.5CM means one must buy expensive, boutique cases to reload. Case availability certainly goes to 7mm-08.

[@thomassellers3813]

I resize 308 to 6.5 all the time.

[@trentmitche11]

Boutique 6.5 Creedmoor cases? Are you serious? Every manufacturer makes Creedmoor brass.

[@fyisense9312]

You have to neck turn .308 cases to make 7mm-.308 fit a 7mm08 chamber. It [.7-08] is also longer, the 7-08 factory round is roughly a .243 necked up. The .308 has a shorter neck.

[@gibsonsgplayer99]

I am a huge fan of a 7mm-08. I have harvested dozens of white tails, hogs, and coyotes with a 7mm-08 at ranges from 15 to 350 yards and even dropped a pretty large caribou with a heart shot at 150 yards. I probably wouldn’t shoot anything larger than a caribou with mine, but for all my normal hunting applications it is by far my favorite. I currently have a TC Venture that shoots Sub-MOA with cheap factory ammo and it’s hard to beat.

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

What ammo did you use to take that caribou with your 7mm-08?

[@gibsonsgplayer99]

@@Thebiggamehuntingblog I used Hornady’s Superformance 139gr SST for that one. For white tails I just use 140gr Remington Core-Lokt since it’s cheaper and my gun loves it. I’ve never branched out and used any of the heavier or lighter options.

[@css31069]

7mm-08 has to be one of the best "all around" calibers. Great for a truck gun and to shoot. Go Blazers.

[@JunkfoodZombieGuns]

My take was basically this: I wanted something to shoot for long range. I was interested in both of these cartridges and decided that when I found the rifle I was looking for locally, and at a good price, I would buy it regardless of which one it was. I found the rifle I wanted, on sale for a great price and it was 6.5 Creedmoor, so that's what I bought. If it had been in 7mm-08, I would have bought that instead. They are so closely matched until you get way out there that it didn't matter all that much to me. However, I do have a 1,000 yard range local to me, so having the 6.5 was probably better for me anyway. I could use it for deer if I wanted, but it's a pretty heavy rifle at close to 10 lbs, and I have rifles in .45-70, .308, .303, .30-30, 7.62x54R, 7.5x55 Swiss, 8mm Mauser, etc that I can use to hunt most anything on this continent, so having a dedicated LR rifle in 6.5 works out for me. Plus, I'm not a Fudd, so I don't poo-poo everything that isn't decades old. I'm sure all their favorite cartridges were shit on by old men when they were new too. "I mean, who the hell needs these crazy new-fangled brass-cased cartridges when muh cap-and-ball, black-powder guns work just fine?!?!" "You and your gunpowder! What's wrong with bows and arrows?!" "Arrows?! You wuss! Can't you just throw a rock, like everyone else?! DAMN YOUNGSTERS!!!" 🤣🤣🤣

[@johnmorganjr769]

😆 That's the size of it!!! Think about the Revolutionary War Vet laying eyes on a 'repeating' arm!!! (Think Boone,Crockett,Marion.)!!!

[@TXLorenzo]

Go for the 7mm 08, can use cheap brass and can go with bigger bullets if needed. Bullet selection is right behind the .30 cal. You don't need to drink the 6.5cm koolaid.

[@35southkiwi16]

Red and fellow deer with 7 08. Works well, prefer it to the 308 I had previously but that may be more due to the rifle rather than the cartridge. If I was to take up long range target shooting I can see the 6.5 having a distinct advantage with the lighter recoil. However this isnt an issue to me hunting as the round count for my hunts is nothing like it would be shooting a match and the larger 7mm diameter bullet may give me slightly more margin for error. A friend hunts with a 6.5x55 and I have great respect for that cartridge. I just don't tell him that. LoL

[@mot0rhe4d40]

Love the 308. Just a great general purpose round. Got locked into a 7-08 due to the rifle being used and at a great price ( not easy finding quality left hand bolt guns used ). That being said. The 08 is a very versatile round with a lot of good bullets available in the .284 family. Just more flush with 308 components for hand loading 😉

[@jameslabounty3768]

8

[@blackie1of4]

By far the best comparison of these two cartridges! I personally prefer the 7mm-08. Why? Because it flat out works! That's not to say the Creedmoor doesn't... but when I first experienced the 7mm-08 Remington the 6.5 Creedmoor wasn't even a thought. I loved the light recoil in a lightweight Remington 700 mountain lss. I shot several brands of factory ammo and quite honestly was extremely happy with groups you could cover with a quarter at 100 yards. Lastly... I stand behind it's performance on whitetail deer. My biggest complaint about the Creedmoor is the marketing. I almost felt as if I didn't purchase a Creedmoor than I was stupid! I hear that a lot from other hunters too. I also hear ... I truly need a 6.5 Creedmoor! I only have a 270 Winchester, 260 Remington, 280 Remington, 308 Winchester, ect. You see what I mean :) Cleaver marketing PS... I subscribed... I didn't know you had a KZbin channel... I have been reading tons of your information on the website. Great deal of information... Thank you so much! Mark

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

Glad you enjoyed the video and that you've been a long time reader of The Big Game Hunting Blog. If you enjoy this stuff, be sure to check out The Big Game Hunting Podcast as well! I agree 100% with your assessment of the Creedmoor marketing. They made a good product with that cartridge and combined it with a very aggressive and effective marketing campaign that we haven't seen in many other cases in recent history.

[@blackie1of4]

@@Thebiggamehuntingblog I'll definitely check out your podcast. I'm telling you this... your knowledge is exceptional! I'm an older fellow and I'm learning so much by tuning in. Your articles and videos are A plus!

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

Thank you very much! I'm glad you enjoy my work and that you learn a lot from my videos and articles.

[@fedup3582]

I know what you mean about the creedmoor. As good as the creedmoor is, it is definitely overhyped in my opinion. I even had to get one to find out for myself. It proved to be an easy shooting, accurate, rifle/cartridge combo with effectiveness in the field comparable to a 260 remington, 6.5x55 swede, and other comparable cartridges. It is not the "magic, do all" cartridge that so many seem to want you to believe. I no longer have mine, I have other rifles that I am much happier with.

[@mot0rhe4d40]

Both are capable calibers in their own right. And yeah the marketing for the 6.5C is what Remington failed to do with the 260 Remmy. For overall versatility, the 08 wins hands down. Took a very nice mature Ozark mountain buck with my Tikka T3X Hunter the season I bought it. It has shot good groups with Winchester and Hornady factory loads. Heads up, my Tikka hated the Federal Buckmaster Academy Sports exclusive ammo though. Printed 5-7" groups.

[@chaleys8089]

I have both and can’t complain about either as far as taking game, just that 7mm-08 is harder to find bullets for. My model 7 likes 120 grains. 🤙

[@chrisrowland4279]

Bullets or cartridges?

[@truckert9729]

For everything I've got, 6.5cm will do just fine. That said, I wouldn't look down on 7-08 either. I'm just already into the 6.5.

[@rclaws1347]

I've used a 30-30 and a 308 for over 50 years, If I had it to do over again I'd get a 7/08 instead of the 308, but honestly I've hunted with the 30-30 way more than the 308 because where I hunt the ranges are usually close. Unless you don't have a rifle and you just decide on a 6.5 CM I don't see the need for it. I know several guys who use the 7/08 for deer hunting and as far as I'm concerned it's the best medium to long range deer cartridge there is. Then there is the 25/06 which I've heard is the best deer cartridge in the world; this argument could go on for ever and I guess that's one of the interesing things about being a hunter or shooter in the US.

[@orestwitiw213]

I am a big fan of the 7mm caliber and I have a Tikka T3X with an MDT Hybrid chassis in 7mm-08 and I also have a Remington 700 BDL DM in 7mm REM Mag. I use the Mag for moose and I bought the 7mm-08 for deer. The recoil of the 7mm REM Mag doesn’t bother me at all and I’m not a big guy about 165 pounds. When I’m hunting I can’t honestly say I even feel it when shooting at a deer. I looked at the 7mm PRC but decide to order a Sako S20 Precision in 7mm REM Mag as I have the ammo already. Just to be fair I picked up a Sako S20 in .308. All calibers that I can easily get ammo for. I subscribed to your channel I enjoy the detail you present and I watched this video twice now. Great work!

[@_cal_techie]

Just a trivia note: when the 7mm-08 cartridges came out the Remington salesmen called it the "7mm OUGHT 8" in the same convention as the "30 OUGHT 6".

[@davidgonzalez2174]

I have loaded 7mm 08 for over 2 decades. As you said very versatile bullets from 100 - 190 gr in 7mm. I have taken many deer with my browning micro medalion in 7mm 08. Scoped and loaded with a leupold vx 3 1.75-6 weighing just over 7#s loaded with a 120 gr at close to 2950 fps it drives tacks and hits like a lightning bolt. For hog I load a Barnes 120gr. I would put up any of my 7mm08s against a 6.5 creedmore any day. Both in accuracy or knock down power. I'm not saying the creedmore is not good. I just would not shoot an animal at 400-500 yards. I don't see the need at present and hopefully never will.

[@mikehenry7018]

I don't reload. I buy hornady american whitetail for my 7-08, which are interlock 139s. (Luckily I caught it on sale and bought a sackfull of it a couple of years ago for $17/box, but oh how I wish I'd bought 3 sackfulls!) I don't know how that combo could be improved on. I just have a savage axis with the accutrigger--which was an extra $60 Very well spent--but it shoots great. I think better than any other rifle I have. I haven't put it on a cement bench, and I don't claim to be a competition shooter but I think it would do 1in groups if the right guy had it on a solid bench. And it doesn't kick Anything like my '06 (which may be a little of why I shoot it better) but the deer I shoot with it hit the ground just as hard as the ones I've shot with the '06. Farthest has been 350. Held right on his back, punched him right through the lungs. Big gnarly exit hole, he went 25-30 yards and was done. What more could you want? I keep thinking about selling my '06 but I haven't, just in case I ever go elk hunting again. Altho based on what it does to fullsized midwestern deer I think it'd work on elk too, especially if I went to a little heavier bullet. I read a line somewhere that a 7-08 "punches above it's weight class". I firmly agree, what it does to deer for no more than it kicks is Impressive. And it shoots as flat as I, and I think 99% of all hunters, need it to. I don't have anything against the 6.5cm but I sure don't see the need for one, because I don't see how it could be any better than the 7-08. And I admit, I get sick of reading how you're just not Cool if you don't have a 6.5m cuz they're some kinda Magic....

[@mot0rhe4d40]

Have had great groups from my Tikka with that same Hornady load. Winchester's power X 140's took a real nice mountain buck two seasons ago. I feel you on not picking up more when it was available. As is life 😆. Still though I am seeing it back on shelves, even if I won't pay what they are asking for it. I'll leave it for the non reloading community 😉

[@fyisense9312]

I've owned several 7-08s and I found that the elephant in the living room is consistent case volume. Nosler custom, Norma and Lapua will all give near benchrest accuracy because they have consistent volumes. Prior to good brass availability I made mine from Lapua .243 Win brass.The rest need to be sorted and can vary enough to change the point of impact enough to be inaccurate at over 250 yds when unsorted. I have not used Hornady brass in 7-08 but have in other calibers and in 6.5 Grendel it is very consistent. I actually prefer Hornady brass for my .44 mag short barrel revolver over every other.

[@kurtwpg]

Love my 7mm08. Have never shot a Creedmoor. For a moose or black bear, I'll take mine.

[@bluepunk182]

You should try a creedmoor if you ever get a chance. They're nice little shooters. Not saying they're better, but as a gun enthusiast, they are a fun round to shoot.

[@mot0rhe4d40]

Exactly Kurt, the 08 brings a lot more to the table when larger fare is on the menu. Still have a few boxes of Speer 160gr BTSP that I am eager to work up loads for, for my Tikka. Just with heavier game in mind. For my local game of Deer, Bear and Hogs, 139/140gr pills do fine. We are starting to see Elk more frequently in my area of the Ozark mountains. And at our ranges I think those 160gr Speers would do well.

[@wasachevyguy]

Wind drift and such a non factor 99.9% of the time in real hunting situations. Minute of deer is a large area unless you’re shooting over 500 yards in which case neither of these calibers should be used. A 120 gr. TTSX bullet will drop deer, black bear, and yes, even elk and moose. It’s a devastating round. And the lighter weight compared to a traditional 139 or 140 grainer will extent your range even more. What’s more, the solid copper round punches above its weight big time. I’ve NEVER recovered a single one. Two holes every time. As for accuracy, mine shoots .39 moa out of my X-Bolt. And that’s with factory Barnes ammunition. The 7mm-08 is the most underrated caliber there is imho. It’s a beauty.

[@DreamConundrum]

I have taken a few deer with a 6.5 Creedmoor. To me, the benefits of the 6.5 CM are that it is in the same ballpark ballistically as the 6.5x55 and commercial ammo is everywhere. I couldn't care less how it performs beyond 300 yards. The 7mm-08, which I don't own, is the ballistic copy (roughly) of the 7x57, which I do own. What these cartridges have in common is that they both had success mimicking the performance of old European cartridges, repackaged in shorter casings and with more US-friendly names.

[@hadleyscott1160]

I loved my 7-08 Got many deer with it. It goes in .284 comes out three fingers wide. Perfect. One bit of advice. I wouldn’t use a ballistic tip. It will blow up going through( it still will ). But pieces of the bullet will go from the left shoulder at impact and may clip the right rear leg going out. Clear through the gut bag. ( I hate that smell) but out the other side. Recoil? What’s that? Only thing lighter on recoil a .22 even in ultra lights. Mine weighed less than 7 pounds and that’s loaded with a scope.(3-9x40)

[@perrinayebarra]

As a hand loader the availability and massive selection of 6.5 bullets wins it for me. Plus 7-08 is not enough different from 308 for me to bother with it.

[@cbwelch4]

I have a 6.5 CM Tikka T3x Superlight and an old Savage 110 in .308. My range has steel targets set up to 400 yards. With either gun I really don’t miss the gongs. If anything it has renewed my affection for my trusty .308. I have shot it a lot more than the 6.5 and I do about equally well with both although the 6.5 doesn’t make my shoulder at all sore as the .308 does after a long range session, but the .308 ain’t bad. I’m grateful I haven’t really had much trouble finding .308 during this ammo crunch. If anything, I never ran out. That said if 7mm-08 is flatter shooting than .308, there isn’t much to choose from between it and 6.5. Both will certainly take a whitetail with ease. I thought about 7mm-08 and .270. All would do. I might look at a .30-06 as a bigger game gun.

[@robertvasquez240]

I never considered the 7mm-08 since I'm a fan of the .270 WIN, the .308 WIN, and the .30-06 Springfield calibers. But after watching your comparison with the 6.5 Creedmoor, I'm more impressed with the 7mm-08 as a lighter-shooting option to my favorite calibers. If I have one concern, it would be ammo availability: I can always find .270, .308, and .30-06 commercial loads (I'm not a reloader). Other than that, I can see a possibility for me to buy a 7mm-08 rifle in the future. Thanks for the informative video!

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@edjett2631]

I'd go with the 7mm-08 because it is a .308 Win family cartridge which family I'm already deeply invested in.

[@BCBtrucks64]

hers my take on them , if you have a 6.5 cm you dont need a 7mm 08 you may as well step up to 270

[@MrHf4l]

Smallish differences in BC can’t make up for frontal area benefits on game. I’ll take the 7mm-08 all day every day when hunting over the 6.5. And, I would still take the 308 win over the 7mm-08 99% of the time.

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

I was amazed at how well the 7mm-08 performed relative to the 6.5 Creedmoor when I actually compared them apples to apples. I agree, the 7mm-08 is a great cartridge overall!

[@Bigfish1day]

So basically I need both of them cause they both can kill game at the distances I hunt. But I still love my .308 w 150gr rounds.

[@carolinesmith1866]

We have owned a lot of rifles chambered for a lot of cartridges over the past fifty years and a genuine Mauser action barreled for .30/06 is never a mistake. That said, anyone can make a case for or against almost any cartridge in a certain class and put it on a holy alter, (there's a lot to choose from!). At the end of the day, know you shot what made you happy.

[@rpk5250]

Hey your videos are great. Excellent way to compare!! The Creedmoor cartridge doesn’t make you pay for what you get out of it that’s what makes it great. Like any other cartridge its limitations have to be understood and respected. I don’t think anybody can blame a marketing team for selling a product because the money from that goes towards other things which benefits the whole gun community. It is irresponsible for people to think that hitting a target is the same thing as killing a game animal and it’s not. I don’t think anybody can deny the fact that the Creedmoor creation has changed the industry and how cartridges are thought of. I think the Creedmoor has contributed to fair rifle twist rates to go with the potential of a chambering. There’s so many great chain brings that already exist that would be better if factory barrel twist rates were better.

[@robertwolfe2971]

Something that the 6.5×55 Swede already accomplished 100 years ago.

[@SJVA]

Excellent analysis and comparisons. Thanks for the video. 🎥🎬 The 7mm-08 for hunting. Energy #'s on a 150 gr bullet are suitable for ethically hunting Elk out to approximately 450+/- yards. The 6.5 Creed for 1,000 target matches.

[@anthonywithem2272]

Love my Browning blr 7mm08 and my Ruger No1 7mm Remington magnum.

[@douglasrudisill5272]

Having several 7/08 rifles and am mainly a hunter I choose the 7/08. I have thought of rebarreling a older HV .308 into a 7/08 because I like the cartridge that much. If I wanted a 6.5 I may opt for the .260 Rem.

[@gregorywalker4997]

enjoyed, subscribed! i already have several 7-08 rifles. no reason to buy loading dies for the creedmore.

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@squirrelmarm7218]

I took a mule deer at 140 yards with my 7mm-08 last weekend. My Tikka shoots 1moa groups with Norma ammo, or better with hand loads. Seems to me 7mm-08 would have the advantage for hunting due to the larger diameter.

[@stormiewutzke4190]

One of the best comparisons I have heard. I wasn't sure the 6.5 CM was really going to hang around when I bought my little 7mm. Wish I would have got the 6.5 just for ammo prices. I like my 7mm better so i guess I'm happy.

[@BlueTJay]

7mm-08 for me anytime. The 6.5 Creed is a fad at the moment! .270 7mm .243 .260 all great cartridges..

[@hotramen5952]

its already 15 years old man. its not a fad, people figured out how good of a deer chambering it is. the only cartridge chambered in more rifles is .308.

[@fordrac1ng81]

Own both. I take 7mm-08 out for myself and give the 6.5 to people I'm taking with me be it youth or women or new hunters. They do the same job, honestly.

[@Jeff_Seely]

This is a superb comparison of these two cartridges. Please consider doing a cartridge comparison of the 264 Winchester magnum and some of the more modern 6.5 mm magnums. I love watching this informative channel and thank you for your hard work!

[@clintjohnson7023]

Both are best for me because I own them both In every configuration and use them both.

[@happydanks9206]

Appreciate the honest and informative content.

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

I appreciate that!

[@timhalloran7910]

Great content, thank you. I fixed the debate by getting both rifles 😎 I enjoy them both.

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

Good solution! Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@chadhuxington690]

I love my .308 but have always thought of a 7-08. Nice video.

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

Thanks 👍

[@sparky_-mf2cs]

So have i. i like the 7mm 08 but having a 308 i see no need for a 7mm 08.

[@buzzpollard986]

I am like u in that I loved 308’s, still do, and still have one. But most of my early experience with a 308 was with an old model 600 or 660 REM w/no recoil pad, that kicked like a mule on steroids. And, way long ago, I’m in my 70’s now, I had a wonderful Tom-boy daughter coming along, so I started her out with a 243. She killed a couple deer with that 243 when she was 12 and 13. One of which I didn’t find until following morning, kill shot but no blood 🩸 trail. I had already, by that time, 30 yrs ago, bought 3-7mm08’s. By the time she turned 14 I’d had good experience with 7-08’s and white tailed deer and I really liked-‘em.

[@CL-ty6wp]

@@buzzpollard986 ever shot a 3.5" 12GA turkey mag?

[@xxdryicexx6968]

The marketing of the 6.5 creedmoore got me but it’s not like it’s horrible. I’ve seen deer dropped in there tracks with both guns. The only problem I have with the 6.5 hype is the lack of ammo I can buy.

[@russellapplegate5661]

7mm-08 is a ballistic twin of the 7x57 Mauser, which was created in 1892. It was designed for 175 grain bullets. It seems like a like of jacking around just to reproduce the ballistics of a cartridge made ages ago.

[@flynnryder7798]

Same with the 6.5 creedmoor and the 6.5x55 Swede

[@Me2Lancer]

Thanks for the great comparison. I have both rifles. Have a long history with 7mm cartridges so my comfort zone may be closer to the 7mm-08.

[@martinfrenandez7350]

I simply like the 7mm 08 because their are more heaver bullet selections provided by factory loaded ammunition for large game. I have a .264 WM with a 1:9 twist which leaves me with no way to use high BC bullets to carry more energy down range and 140grs. Speer does have a bonded gold dot that is used for tactical use but does hold together at 3000 fps impacts into 2"x4" and (4) 1gal water jugs with a BC of .571 and is also coming out with Impact bullet .646 BC in again 140gr. The Ruger american go wild rifle chambered in 7mm 08 has a twist rate of 1:8.5 wich should stabilize all availible factory loaded ammunition just like the Creedmore's 1:8 twist for all factory loaded ammunition.

[@cbwelch4]

I’m heavily invested in .308. Kills deer and pigs easily. I decided to try 6.5 CM because everybody raves about how accurate and amazing it is. So I got a really nice setup, a Tikka T3X with a Burris Fullfield 4 2-10x. Love it. But it turns out that both my old Savage 110 with an old school Weatherby 2x7 (still a nice scope with great glass) shoots similarly with me behind the trigger. I have shot sub moa with both. The big difference is recoil, but since .308 recoil is not excessive, I have no problem there. I’ve been interested in 7mm 08, but I have a harder time finding it in stores other than Cabella’s. I see 6.5 more where I am a though I’m sure it hits harder at hunting ranges, probably the mid point between 6.5 and .308. I’m sure it is a great hunting round. To be honest at the ranges I’ll take a shot and the game I hunt, all will work. If I were shooting a 300+ lbs hog, I’d prefer .308 over 6.5, but I think with the correct bullet 6.5 would work.

[@thelast9021]

I spent a bunch of time looking into this. I been looking for my first hunting rifle to go with my brother. I told them we were hunting pretty low to mid range and the 7-08 would be better then the 6.5 and they got mad at me and made someone else take care of me when I said oh well I guess everyone has opinions. They were right about ammo though. Can find it, but the selection isn't great.

[@DeerHunter308]

This is a good example of a pair of evenly matched competitors. The recoil difference is the only facet where the creed is slightly better. All the rest are pretty much even and sice I just bought a 7mm in a Wi

[@samuelpope7798]

6.5 will do anything the 7 will do as far as hunting goes. Close range energy difference isn't enough difference to make a difference although the 7 has noticeably more recoil and blast in light builds. The 6.5 is a significantly better long range plinker. If you own 7 and just hunt , not worth switch. If you don't already have a hunting rifle for deer size game I would recommend 6.5.

[@caleb7190]

The 6.5 cm would have more unburnt powder (blast) than the 7mm08 with the same barrel lengths due to the wider caliber of the 7 (wider hole to burn powder). 6.5cm being significantly better at long range I dont see as well, at 1000 yards they'd be pretty much the same ballistics. The 7mm08 also doesn't recoil much more at all, maybe like 1-2 footpounds more at best with same bullet weight.

[@jimwest1967]

how many people that actually buy 6.5 creedmore are actually going to shoot out to 500 yards? my 308 does just fine and i can always find cheap ammo

[@russellkeeling9712]

I can see by the picture the 6.5 case is somewhat shorter than the 7mm-08 with a sharper shoulder angle. The 6.5 also looks like the bullet would be seated deeper in the case taking powder room. I don't know the weight of the two bullets displayed but it looks like the .284 bullet is a 140 grain that there is nothing wrong with but a 154 grain can be launched pretty rapidly and has a higher sectional density. Since I am not a long range shooter I don't need a 20 mil scope mount and I do want to send some mass when I send a bullet.

[@DylanRenfre-Webber]

I don’t have experience enough with either cartridge for comment, but your thoughts about treating the 6.5 with deference because of popularity is sound. I hope the gun companies treat my old preference for 30-06 the same but I wonder. Great input thank you!

[@jamessurratt3282]

7mm08 is by far the better round.

[@bkb5668]

My pick would be the 7mm-08. I worked up a load for the 7mm-08 with a cup and core bullet that weighs 175gr. at 2450fps that is good to 300 yards and expands and penetrates like crazy. You can take elk and deer with this load at all angles and still get into the vitals you can't do that with the 6.5 creed, you have to take sunny day shots with the 6.5 and I don't like that.

[@ajfam871]

Holly smokes you videos are very informative and excellent. Very entertaining to people like me. Thanks for the work. I think the 6.5 is great almost all factory ammo is match grade. Almost non need to hand load. Where as 243 and 7-08 are fantastic rounds with almost no Match grade Ammo and to truly get the best out of them you certainly need to hand load.

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

[@jaybailleaux630]

For big game edge goes to 7mm 08 . For varmint target edge goes to 6.5 Creed. Splitting hairs here by .5 mm and a few grains of bullet weight. Up close it would be hard to beat 160 -175gr. 7mm bullet on a critter that bites back. I would take as much power and Nosler partition bullet as I can.

[@tylarhaugan7908]

I like both of these rounds to. Using 156 noma oryx in creed for deer this year in 20 inch gas gun. Shooting 130 and in

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

Man, I'll bet that load will hammer a deer!

[@tylarhaugan7908]

@@Thebiggamehuntingblog yes will try it on elk also 125 yards and in

[@TAWier]

Norma makes a 170 grain Tip Strike load for the 7mm-08 with a .51 BC at a 2690 fps muzzle velocity that will smoke that 6.5 creed out past 600 yards, so take that for what it's worth.

[@travise8008]

My Ruger American in 7mm-08 shoots almost .5 moa with my 150 grain ABLR handloads.

[@ultrahighgain412]

Seems that if you are comparing these two cartridges strictly as a hunting option, the 7mm-08 is the clear winner, unless you are extremely recoil averse or have ammo availability concerns.

[@johnkaraphillis754]

I watch quite a few videos on KZbin regarding different cartridges, ballistics, performance, etc. You did a great job comparing these 2 cartridges. I’m not sure rifle manufacturers feel anymore pressure building a Creedmore vs any other caliber (hope not) but agree the hype of that cartridge is not normal. Shooting/hunting well over 40 years and never witnessed the marketing/hype of the 6.5 CM. And it was successful. I will never buy one but acknowledge that it is a very good cartridge that fits its niche. You either hate it or love it. The Glock scenario of rifle cartridges. Look forward to your next video/comparison. Thanks

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

Glad you're enjoying these videos!

[@p.p.8624]

It doesn’t have a “niche” unless you call *most* North American game a “niche”. It’s far superior to the beloved 243 anyway.

[@russellkeeling9712]

If I were to want one of these calibers I would choose the 7mm-08.

[@snglshot]

Excellent comparison!

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@murrayandru7527]

Once again , the 7mm 08 sits on a case that fosters a few different rounds .. .243 win .260 rem . 7mm - 08 .308 win .338 fed .358 win. So take your pic all have a use !!

[@archstanton9703]

I'm thinking about getting a 7mm-08 for an all around lightweight hunting rifle. I noticed that Federal makes 7mm-08 Nosler Partition factory loads, which aren't available in 6.5 Creedmoor. What's your opinion on the 7mm-08 Nosler Partition for elk? Thanks for the educational video!

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

The 7mm-08 is a great option for an all-around lightweight hunting rifle. For what it's worth, Nosler produces a 140gr Nosler Partition load in 6.5 Creedmoor. If I were to hunt elk with the Creedmoor, that's the ammo I'd use. That said, I'd lean more towards the 7mm-08 with a Partition if I had to choose between the two. I think the 7mm-08 is right at the lower end of what I'd like to hunt elk with. It will definitely work, especially with really good ammo (like the Partition), but I personally prefer something with a little more power.

[@archstanton9703]

@@Thebiggamehuntingblog I appreciate the reply. I haven't come across factory Nosler Partition loads for the 6.5 but will keep looking. I don't reload, so factory loads are my only option. I have a 6.5 that and best ammo I've found is the the Hornady ELDX but have read that they're not that effective at closer ranges. I was considering a 308 but already have an 06. A friend has a Tikka 7mm-08 that he swears by and recommends it highly. Thanks!

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

The 143gr ELDX would be my #3 factory load recommendation for the Creedmoor behind the Nosler Partition and Nosler AccuBond if you'll be using this rifle for elk sized game. That Hornady bullet will work really well for deer, pronghorn, etc though.

[@archstanton9703]

@@Thebiggamehuntingblog I haven't seen the factory load Nosler Partitions in 6.5 Creedmoor listed on any of the major outdoor retailers' websites just the out-of-stock ammo. I might part with my 6.5 and get a T3X Lite in 7mm-08 for my all purpose rifle but still use my 06 for elk. I appreciate the reply and recommendations. Have a good one!

[@fedup3582]

A friend of mine had twin boys who at 12 years of age, could start hunting in Wyoming. He asked me what rifles would be good for them. I set them each up with matching remington 700 youth rifles in 7mm-08 with 3-9 Leopold scopes and federal ammo with 140 GR partitions. One evening we were headed back to his cabin and he told the boys they could go check a salt lick for elk, if they wanted, but to come right back. The boys took off running and shortly came back all excited. They found a herd of elk at the lick and each had dropped a cow with one shot. We were gutting elk in the dark. 😊

[@fredbalster3100]

Both cartridges are great for the one gun hunter.

[@ebttt]

Can you do a 6.5 PRC comparison 7 mm '08 and 270

[@Clearanceman2]

The problem with 6.5 is factory ammo being in stock. Eventually it will keep up since they sell so many guns in 6.5 creedmoor and 6.5 creedmoor ammo will be around like .308. I have two .308s and a .243 and 25-06. If I buy one in between it will be a creedmoor. Although I do not need either of these rounds, I live where a long shot is 200 yards.

[@jameseroh6544]

Seem like a .350 Legend would be a good gun in your neighborhood.

[@royjohnson465]

Do not get sucked into an inferior 6.5 Creedmore if you already have a superior 25-06. Just get high BC ammo for your 25-06.

[@hopefulballistics]

Great video! Could you compare 6.5-284 Norma or 280 Ackley Improved to something comparable?

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

Great suggestion. Be on the lookout for one of those comparisons from me in the future!

[@tylarhaugan7908]

Me I love the 280 ai would love to build one on 1 in 8 twist

[@cottonkiller8081]

I love that idea

[@vernonlarson7016]

@@tylarhaugan7908 I have a 280ai Ruger m77 Hawkeye African. It has a 1-8.5 twist. Really shoots great.

[@mausermongerkoziczkowski8104]

I'll opt for the 6.5x55 and Rem. 280.

[@thehoneybadger8089]

It looks like that 6.5 CM bullet takes up a lot more of the power space in its case than the 7mm-08 bullet takes up in its case. Now, if you wanted to do a valid comparison, it would be between the 6.5 CM and the 6.5x55mm Swede, 6.5x57mm Mauser, 6.5x54mm Mauser, 264 WinMag., 6.5mmRemMag., and the 260 Rem., all of which proceeded it, some by well over 100 years.

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

Lucky for you, I've done that comparison as well: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eaeXpaZ7pt6HfLM

[@csjrogerson2377]

If the arms manufactures offered existing rifles with tighter twists and breeches/mags could accept longer heavier (better BC) bullets the whole 6.5CM, 6.5PRC, 6.8 Western thing would die a death. There is little ballistically between the 7mm-08 & 6.5CM out to normal hunting ranges - a slight advantage to the 7mm-08, but they both kill deer. The 6.5CM is better at much longer ranges, but steel plate doesn't taste nice. So if you're a hunter, stick with 7mm-08, if a long range target shooter, stick to 6.5CM.

[@gerardgrote3153]

Are these two calibers suitable for black bear? I don’t ever remember black bear being in these discussions. I am getting older and would like a light rifle for deer and black bear.

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

Yes, both will work for black bear. I'd lean towards the 7mm-08 for what you're planning on doing.

[@johnnixon1026]

Excellent work, thank you

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

Thanks!

[@MrHornung]

What about 6.8 vs 7mm 08 ????? trying to decide

[@joelodjick230]

"bigger bullets make bigger holes" only counts if they are the same size when they are expanded. Half a mm in dia. at the start doesn't mean as much as the mushroom does.

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

That's a fair point, but my original argument still stands. The 7mm bullet will still make a larger hole as long as both expand to the same size relative to their original diameter: 1.5x, 1.75x, 2x, etc. The 6.5mm bullet will need to expand a fair bit more than the 7mm bullet to make a larger hole. Like 2x expansion for the 6.5 vs 1.75x expansion for the 7mm.

[@capt.america6296]

..284 class is tough to beat. Takes far less than 30 kills, retains energy better than the 308 and the 6.5 and .277.. solid weights from 110 to 195 g. Seven MM 08 with 160 grain sierra Game came for 168 grain berger veld would be interesting to see. Couldn’t handle the extra 10 grains, maintain or increase its energy advantage or would it be too slow and without the speed, what is its health Kinetic energy than 150 grain bullet?

[@kurtwpg]

I've looked at the 160 and 168 grain load data. Staball 6.5 seems to have a bit more standard deviation than 4350, but the velocities are impressive. Can't find Staball data for the 168. Likely your kinetic energy would be a hair less than the 150 grain, but not enough to matter and would obviously surpass it at relatively short range.

[@leonardmartin3545]

I just got browning 6.5 dan defensive 6.5 but I hunt with 2506 700 Remington 24"

[@robertjohnson9273]

6.5 swedish

[@karlmason6145]

7mm 08 all day every day !!! I'm not into trends I'm into results.

[@GetMeThere1]

Nice video. Useful comparison. Thanks!

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

Glad it was helpful!

[@futurechamp2]

Great video, thanks for your work

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@davematney1918]

My opinion....For paper=6.5>7mm-08.......for hunting=7mm-08>6.5. But both will adequately do either fine and dandy.

[@allenrosesr.8480]

7mm08 all the way

[@Robert-ne1vk]

My self 3006i use quiet a bit but i do like my 243..3030 med game.depends on what im hunting.

[@D70340]

Great video for sure.

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@randyjohnson6845]

260 rem.

[@kurtglo]

I have bolt's & pins in my shoulder from surgery. How is the recoil on the 7mm-08?