Current market Factory ammo caliber for Comps choice

[Estes640]

Looking to shoot some matches next year after a hiatus from shooting in general. Putting together another bolt rifle and debating between going with either 308 or 6mm ARC.

Based on the current ammo market I can consistently find both of those types of ammo available and for decent prices. On the outside chance I can find some 6.5 creed I have that option as well. Anyone in my similar shoes go through something similar? What do y’all suggest?

P.s. I don’t plan to be in the top 10, just mid pack and going out to have some fun. I don’t reload, nor will I start with all the shortages and frankly not having enough time

 

[Yoteski]

6 ARC is extremely capable in a 26" barrel bolt gun. It will do laps around a 308 in pretty much every facet except energy on target. I hope the cartridge takes off and factory ammo comes down. When it was first released I think I remember seeing some 105bthp black ammo for like $18/20. That would make reloading a tough pill to swallow.

 

[littlepod]

Hornady coming out with factory 6gt ammo is also another tempting caliber to shoot.

 

[OREGUN]

I could always find 6CM on the shelf so I had a barrel spun up for a no-reloading-factory-ammo-only option. It’s been wonderful. I‘d avoid .308 as it disappears immediately during political unrest, etc. Also, if your matches go much beyond 800 yards, I’d lean heavily toward a 6mm option. Good shooters shoot all calibers well but you‘ll notice that “open” class isn’t usually (ever?) won by a .308.

 

[Lost_Phil]

6.5 x 47 Lapua is another option that is pretty popular for comps, and I always see ammo available for it.

 

[JAS-SH]

3 weeks ago I found and immediately bought 6mm ARC 108 ELD for $290 - 10 boxes of 20 with free shipping.

 

[JAS-SH]

6 ARC is extremely capable in a 26" barrel bolt gun. It will do laps around a 308 in pretty much every facet except energy on target. I hope the cartridge takes off and factory ammo comes down. When it was first released I think I remember seeing some 105bthp black ammo for like $18/20. That would make reloading a tough pill to swallow.

Calculations show a 26-inch barrel bolt gun delivering from 2860 to 2900 FPS for factory 108 ELDs.

 

[Estes640]

Yeah I entertained 6.5x47 for a half second then realized it’s still pretty scarce even when it’s in stock.

Looks like my two viable options are either 6 Arc or 6 creedmoor. May just go 6 arc for the extra barrel life. We will see.

 

[Shoots 700's]

6 Creed would be my choice if I needed factory ammo

 

[HotrRod308]

6 Creed would be my choice if I needed factory ammo

This

 

[Estes640]

This

My only issue with 6 creed is how much you have to tune it. Atleast that’s been my experience with 6 creed. Maybe I just didn’t do it right, but I was tuning or adjusting something atleast every 300rds.

 

[Estes640]

That's the good thing about factory ammo. You can't tune it. Problem solved.

Very true! Just May cause me to get a tuner brake, lol