The ballistic coefficient is the selling point. It does plenty of damage with a lower charge than other cartridges in the same ballpark. As with the 9mm vs 45 argument bullet construction has improved over the years allowing for smaller calibers to compete with the old heavy weights. For a deer round regardless of what caliber you shoot the most important thing is to only take ethical shots and you shouldn't have any escapees. If you're already in a 308 and like it I would stick to it. If you just want another caliber the 6.5 is a lot of fun in my opinion.

Bullets matter.

Not headstamps.

^^^….yessir

I've hunted with a 6.5 CM for the past 4 years, and "No", I don't squat to pee. In the past, I've mainly hunted with a .270 and a .308. I really don't know how many deer I've killed with the 6.5 but it's in the range of 15 or so. Most deer have dropped in their tracks, regardless of where I shot them. I usually aim for the lungs or high shoulder. I've only had 4 deer run off, with the longest running close to 200 yards but I haven't lost a deer with it yet. Not a single one of those that ran off bled a drop until just before they dropped. There may be a little blood in the area where they fell, but NOTHING where they were shot or when running. Those 4 deer all had one very important thing in common, they were large bodied bucks that made my heart sink when they ran off. I seldom get a pass through shot, and NEVER have on any of the bucks, whether they dropped or ran off. I use the 143 gr ELDX Hornady Precision Hunter ammo. I am always amazed at the internal damage it does. The longest shot on one that ran off is around 200 yards and the shortest shot was around 30 yards.

This year, I shot my personal best buck with it at a distance of around 50 yards. It ran off. I saw the direction it ran and knew exactly where it was standing at the shot. No blood anywhere. While it leaves me with a sick feeling every time one runs off, I haven't lost one yet. I know they are dead usually within a hundred yards, it's just a matter of finding them. Until I find it, self doubt and dread set in.

Bottom line: The 6.5 is a gun I love to shoot. It has minimal recoil and is deadly accurate (I have shot under a measured 1/2" group). It is deadly, no doubt, but I seldom get pass throughs. When the deer run off, there is no blood trail. Would I buy it again? I don't know...but the lack of blood trails is making me think twice, especially this year when I saw my 154" buck run off. Thankfully, he didn't hit the nearby thick brush, but ran into some open pines. If the area you hunt has a lot of very thick cover, I would personally opt for something that will punch through larger bodied animals. I don't mean this in a bad way, but I think it is better suited for younger kids and females, but will work for anyone. The reason I bought mine was because I was having some health issues at the time and wanted something that was accurate and didn't kick too hard. It certainly fit that bill. I really don't care what others think, especially those without any actual experience with a caliber. I absolutely love the gun and especially the scope I put on it, so I am hesitant to hunt with anything else at this time. Anyway, that's my honest opinion based on real life experience.

I also went to the 6.5. I am 73, wanted something light to tote, so I bought a Savage Lightweight Hunter. Even with a Meopta scope the total ready to hunt weight is about 7.5 lbs. Low recoil is a plus as is the accuracy. I don't have many long range situations, so most of the deer I've shot have been in the neck. I am confidant out to 150 yards doing that with my Savage, That shot placement means DRT and, at my age, I don't care to drag a deer very far, if at all. The areas I hunt and the way I set up, allow me, in most cases, to drive right up to the animal with my sxs, load it into the bed with my electric winch, and head for the house. My weapon of choice allows me to place the shot correctly and I, also, am very pleased with the 6.5.

I used the Hornady 143gr ELD-X in my 6.5 PRC. I wasn’t very impressed with the small exit wound and the lack of blood on the ground when one didn’t drop instantly. N2TRKYS loaded me some 120gr Barnes TTSX’s. Shot a doe at 250 yards Thanksgiving evening and was very impressed with the results.

Very impressive. The ELDX's are so accurate out of my gun, I haven't tried anything else. I may have to experiment. I sure would like an exit wound if they run off.

If you definitely want an exit, barnes will do it. Only time I didn’t have an exit, deer was shot almost directly facing me. Bullet stopped in opposite ham. Deer only made it 10 ft

I don’t believe the 6.5 is the reason for no exit, I think it is the bullet construction. I really don’t know how the eldx is constructed

Sounds like the ELD X has issues.

Try the ELD M.

I would try barnes, nosler partition, swift a frame, or federal trophy bonded. I believe all of these will give you an wxit most of the time

Pure blasphemy in that article. The CREED is a straight up laser beam of death and greatest caliber ever made. The fact that skinny jean, man bun wearing fanboys worship it, makes it even better in today's "woke" and LGBTQ environment. LOL. It's a solid caliber as others have stated but also as others have stated, it's nothing super special in the way of a hunting round. It does what about 70 other calibers do, it kills animals.

Heck, I’m not knocking it. Seems like a solid choice really, but like stated ….it’s not a magic wand and it doesn’t necessarily out shoot other traditional calibers in every category. Does it excel in some ways over individual calibers? Sure it does, but they may also surpass the creed in other ways. All in what one is looking for.

I actually purchased one today. Got a good deal, had ammo available, in a rifle that I wanted. I was in need of an extra rifle because I’m having some issues with another one. I bought a Kimber 84m in 6.5 Creedmoor because they didn’t have a 308. I also purchased plenty of ammo in 125 grain Deer Season Xp. I can tell you, if I don’t get exit wounds, it won’t stay here long. I’m color blind and I need all the blood pouring out I can get. I’m hoping the recoil isn’t too bad because my daughter can shoot it. I will see next week I reckon.

Try the eld m . We have great results with the 140

barnes lrx shot through several 200 plus pound deer and hogs. It leaves an exit every time and blood.

I have a 260 that I am shooting the 143 ELDX out of and l have have had opposite results than some described. Getting a large exit wound and excellent bloodtrails. Have killed 8 I think since swapping over to it from 130 grain Berger VLD. 41 grains of H4350 pushing it.

75% of mine have dropped in their tracks and the other 4 were found. The internal damage is massive. A buddy used the ELD -M and while he got pass throughs, he had very little damage and had deer run off and/or take a while to die.

I was going to haven't son load me some others, but he couldn't get powder and other supplies. I'm glad others are getting pass throughs.

I bought one and the first day on the range my wife (120lbs) but a box of shells through it by herself. So, anything she likes to shoot that much means she can actually be excited to hunt with it instead of being scared of recoil the whole time she's watching for deer.

It's a fun gun to shoot, and I like long(ish) range and the whole fam can participate. It's also the most accurate rifle I have, and I just like shooting rifles that are nail drivers. If I had a 300win that was as accurate as my 6.5cr....id probably hunt with it. For killing power, if you put it in the ribs it's a dead animal. Only time I've ever had to track one was when I shot a nervous doe on the trot. Hit her in the back of the hip and the bullet was under the skin of the opposite front shoulder). She went 100 yards downhill without a spec of blood.

If it's gonna make you nervous and second guess yourself in the moment of truth, just get more gun (but not more than you can handle). Easy-peasy.

I have all of them the Tikka superlite in 6.5 is very nice it drives tacks and lite to carry ,probably my favorite caliber is my 270 wsm though but calibers are like butt holes , everyone has one and they all stink haha

I have some hand loaded 120 gr Barnes TTSX's for my 6.5 CM coming my way hopefully before too long. I plan to kill a couple does later this year and maybe another buck, if the right one shows up. I hope I get similar results. Thanks for the suggestion.