I'm looking to purchase a new rifle. I'm looked through forums at nosia trying to compare 6.5 vs 308. The information I'm truly looking for I cant find. That is these 2 calibers at close range. I like the idea of the 6.5 for less recoil. But how does it do from 20-200 yards where most my Wisconsin hunting shots occur. Every time I Google the 2 all I get is how superior the 6.5 is at long range. But what about your normal 70 yard shot. Or even 20. Would love to hear from you guys/gals on this matter. Would probably shoot 143 eld x out of the creed or 150 accubond out of the 308.

308 wins ammo is cheaper to find much more common ammo, and has a long successful record of successful use.
the difference in recoil will be minimal , a larger and even marginally heavier projectile will generally produce a more lethal wound on deer and hogs etc. the only advantage the 6.5mm has is marginally flatter trajectory and youll see almost zero advantage under 200 yards
the 308 win will push a 150 grain bullet about 150 fps faster than a 147 grain creedmoor
you could reasonably expect less than 3 ft lbs difference in recoil in similar rifles
Id be surprised if you see any real difference if either choice is used for either hunting or targets at under 200 yards

http://www.shooterscalculator.com/recoil-calculator.php

http://www.jbmballistics.com/cgi-bin/jbmrecoil-5.1.cgi

https://www.hornady.com/team-hornady...alculators/#!/

http://www.handloads.com/loaddata/de...=Rifle&Source=

https://press.hornady.com/assets/sit...147gr-data.pdf

Thank you. I keep finding myself going back to the 308. The gun I'm looking at getting is the Christensen Arms Mesa. Which does have a brake on it. Thinking a leupold vx3i 2.5-8 for the FOV. Only need 400 yard max.

you think at 400 yards a deer will know the difference?

It's not at 400 I'm wondering about. It's the under 100. Wondering how the creed will open up at shorter ranges.

Worst case scenario with both calibers not opening up at all is you still get a bigger diameter hole with the 308. From your choice of rifle, it does not sound like there are any financial issues to consider as in cost of rounds, etc. And it sounds like you're hunting locally so are not worried about whether you can find ammo on the road, etc. Since you're looking at closer ranges (20-200 yards) are there any brush busting issues to consider?

Sounds like you need a .30-30

But to answer your question. I doubt it will matter either way.

Personally I'd go with the .308. But maybe that's just because I don't feel like jumping on the creedmoor bandwagon.

-Jake

To answer your question, in ranges that you specified, bullet selection would be more important in all honesty. With the speeds of both cartridges being somewhat close to each other in initial muzzle velocities, you will want a bullet that is constructed a bit on the tougher side for those close range shots you feel you are going to encounter more often. The accubond choice from Nosler is a good choice. It's build lends to both holding together well on close range high velocity impacts as well as good opening on lower velocity long range impacts. Another good bullet to look at would be Hornady's Interlock line. I've hit elk at both super short range, 11 yards, and longer ranges, little over 500, with no blow up at the short and opening well with deep penetration at the long with my .300wm. I have no experience with the newer eld line so I couldn't tell you about those. With your range expectations, I would go with the .308. The 6.5cr is a better paper puncher at longer ranges than the .308 but retained energy at say 500 yards the .308 will have more punch in terminal ballistics.

Cal Hunter, could you please further explain your brush busting issue comment? Please tell me you aren't one of those folks that thinks the bigger bullets get through brush without deflection easier than small and fast. I've seen 220gr bullets from a .300wm get deflected by a tiny little stem, just barely bigger than a grass stem, throwing my bullet off more than a foot and hitting a deer plumb sideways. Granted it blew the whole front chest out of the deer but if it had been another 40 yards it would have missed it completely. Keyhole entry can be a mess.

I am a big fan of 6.5 calibers but the one I like the best is the good old 6.5x55 Swedish. Great round, low recoil, very accurate and works great on game. Another really good one is the 6.5x54 Mannlicher but it is hard to find ammo for but reloading components are readily available which is how I keep mine firing.

Guilty. Nothing works 100% or is guaranteed not to deflect but I still like something bigger.