.243 or 6.5 Creedmore?

[Truckman]

Last year I bought a Ruger SS M77 .243 intending to shoot mostly for accuracy at 2-300yds. A young friend just bought a Remington SPS 700 in 6.5 Creedmore. That thing will flat out shoot!
So, I know I need to bed the Ruger action, but I'm wondering if I should just join the 6.5 revolution. I'm seeing TC, and Savage under $300 and HOWA for under $500.
I would love to outshoot my buddy for less than half what he paid,
So I guess the question is stick with the .243 or get the 6.5? While the Ruger Precision would be nice, I'm gonna hold down the price on this one. I would consider building a barreled action on a nice stock.

[Brick]

Nothing wrong with .243, no need to scrap it. My son is busying himself building a 6mm BR "space gun" for high power competition. Not sure the 6.5 Creedmore is vastly superior to 6.5 X 55 S.E. (SKAN) as it can be loaded now.

[ar15jules]

Truckman,
I bought a budget Ruger American compact in .243 for one of my kids. On a windless day this past summer, I shot a measured 1.5 inch group at 300 yards using cheap American Eagle varmint rounds that a friend gave me. While the .243 won't shoot around corners or explode game at one mile like the 6.5, it will shoot.
Jules

[NathanB]

The 243 is quite the capable round. I always looked down on it until I did some research. It’s a good round

[DukeConnor]

243 is cool but there us no reason to choose it over 6.5.
6.5 is superior in every way.

[ar15jules]

243 is cool but there us no reason to choose it over 6.5.
6.5 is superior in every way.

Maybe out past 300 or 400 yards. The information in the linked article seems to have been collected in a fair manner. For the OPs goal of a 200 to 300 yard rifle, I don't see any reason for him to ditch the .234 he already has to pick up the 6.5

https://www.snipercountry.com/6-5-creedmoor-vs-243/

[Palerider]

Truckman,
I bought a budget Ruger American compact in .243 for one of my kids. On a windless day this past summer, I shot a measured 1.5 inch group at 300 yards using cheap American Eagle varmint rounds that a friend gave me. While the .243 won't shoot around corners or explode game at one mile like the 6.5, it will shoot.
Jules

I have 2 of the exact same rifle for my daughters. I use the one regularly when my daughter can’t hunt. I’ve only shot it at 100 yards but i think it was 2 years ago it shot a 1” inch 5 round group with Remington Cor Lokts @ 100 yards.

OP: Before doing anything more with the rifle get some different types of ammo and see what groups best.

It’s also lethal on deer within 100 yards, haven’t shot it at game past that.

[DukeConnor]

243,260,280, 308 shooters just can't seem to accept the fact that their chosen calibers are inferior to the 6.5.

Times change. Better things come along. The 6 5 is superior in every way.

[gghbi]

243,260,280, 308 shooters just can't seem to accept the fact that their chosen calibers are inferior to the 6.5.

Times change. Better things come along. The 6 5 is superior in every way.

Including a higher price for both guns and ammo!!

[Truckman]

Well, I wasn't planning to ditch the .243, just thinking about trying the 6.5. My buddy is a new shooter, and while I outshot him the first day, 3 shots in one ragged hole, with his new rifle, I think he might soon outshoot me. Of course he's 30 years younger He wants to get into the highpower leagues, and basically bought the 6.5 on my advice.
I know I really need to spend more time experimenting with different loads with the .243, and I still plan to bed it. My local range where I do most of my shooting only goes out to 200yds, but there is a range not too far away with 300yds.
All in all, I really don't need another gun, but then who ever stops at what we need?
I think for now I'll spend the money on ammo and work with the .243.
Thanks for the responses.