Well, you had me convinced to go 7PRC but I can't find ammo anywhere... decisions decisions
I have been getting mine on Gunbroker. I have about 80 rounds left from a 100 rd shipment and I just received another 200 rounds at about $3.something per round.
But it is definitely not at the local stores. Cheaper Than Dirt has a page for it but nothing on there.
Also, to clarify, I did not say the 7 PRC recoil impulse was less than a .308 W. Just that, to me, it felt like a .308 180 gr with a not very thick recoil pad. Others crunch the numbers and can show where it has more impulse and it is a magnum round.
And to re-iterate my first reply, given only the options of 6.5 CM and 6.8 Western I would probably lean towards the 6.5 CM just because of availability and parts. Not that it is the best round for everything. Like the video I linked, it brought down a moose at a few hundred yards.
But if starting over and wanting a new round, certainly 7 mm Rem Mag has a lot of availability.
There are other rounds. Ryan Cleckner, formerly sniper team leader in the 1st Ranger Battalion 75th Ranger Regiment shot a .300 Win Mag in service. Most engagements were well less than 800 yards. To about 500 yards ish, he could simply dial elevation for distance and and hold left or right edge of target zone into the wind and get a hit. Granted, his zone was approximately 20 inches by 24 inches.
Currently, retired, he prefers the .300 PRC and thinks the special forces, especially Rangers should adopt that round. That has significant recoil.
But if we do get down to numbers, the heavier the bullet and larger diameter stand a chance of making a wider wound channel. So, yes, as seen, a 6.5 CM will get a moose with a shot in the right place.
And so, not being a Hornady fan boy before, regardless of accusations, the 7 PRC really excited me with the performance specs.
Again, as you pointed out, getting ammo is a bit scarce, now, About as scarce as 6.5 Creedmoor was back when it started.