im at a impasse here 6.5 CM or 338 ***its ordered

[par0thead151]

i have the platform chosen, DTA SRS, however i am having a hell of a time deciding which caliber conversion to start with. Odds are i will be shooting this caliber for a year or two before i even consider a different cal conversion, if ever. originally i was planning on a 308 and then upgrading to 338 when i needed to stretch the rifles legs. however after talking at great length with a member on here, i realized that 308 would be a poor choice for what i am looking to do.

things i would like the rifle to do are:

-shoot 1200M accurately as that is the longest range within a 2 hour round trip distance of my location.

- be able to hunt hogs and deer with the rifle

-have enough load data published to offer insight on precision projectiles and loads that are great to work your way up to.

-turn cover into concealment

the main appeal of the 338 is i would not need to buy a second cal conversion as it will do everything i want it to and then some. once i am proficient at 1200M i will take the SRS with me when i ski in colorado, as they have national grasslands around the fort collins area that allow shooting. meaning the distances to shoot there are endless.

the main drawback of 338 is the shorter barrel life and that it shoots $2 reloads not .50-.70 cent reloads like a 6.5 CM would. after thinking some more, another benefit of the 6.5 is that my wife will enjoy shooting it far more than she would a 338LM

I could buy the 338 SRS and buy a SAKO for about the same price as a DTA cal conversion. seeing as my scope is on lqarue 50BMG DQ rings, and the bipod is an atlas V8 w/arms mount, i could transplant those as needed.

this is my first precision rig if you have not caught on yet. hence all the second guessing.
the 6.5 sounds good, but does not make much fiscal sense as i could put the money i would spend on a cal conversion into 338 ammo and not have to work up a load on a different caliber.
i just dont know which way to go.

edited to add: i would also like to compete some day with the rifle. not serious competition, but just for fun and to push my ability.


bit the bullet and bought the 6.5 CM today.

 

[mattmcg]

Re: im at a impasse here. 6.5 CM or 338LM

If it's your first precision rig, go with the 6.5CM. Must more newbie friendly and will provide excellent and competitive ballistics all the way out to 1K.

338 is a bit too much to bite off right away. Heavier recoil, increased expense, and limited ranges to really stretch its legs make it a less utilitarian rifle.

What's nice about the DTA, just buy the conversion kit down the road when you want a 338 Lapua.

 

[turbo54]

Re: im at a impasse here. 6.5 CM or 338LM

+1 on the 6.5CM.

You'll definitely want a "reasonable" caliber 95% of the time...seriously.

You'll have that 6.5 barrel worn out by the time you're "ready" to take on a 338.

Be smart.

 

[PSYOPS]

Re: im at a impasse here. 6.5 CM or 338LM

Get the 6.5 creedmoor!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[neoinarien]

Re: im at a impasse here. 6.5 CM or 338LM

I endorse the 6.5 position.

 

[coldboremiracle]

Re: im at a impasse here. 6.5 CM or 338LM

For various reasons I too would endorse the 6.5, mainly because you say this is your first precision rifle. If you were to try and learn on the Lapua, it would be a rough expensive lesson.

Also, if I may break trend with the group, The 6.5 is ballisticly superior to the .308, but the .308 has its advantages too, and is no slouch. It is commonly denounced as a sub 1000yd caliber, but for plinking, and friendly competition, I find the .308 to be a pleasant inexpensive old friend.

 

[Bruiser_Joe]

Re: im at a impasse here. 6.5 CM or 338LM

Why not a 260rem barrel or 6.5x47

 

[par0thead151]

Re: im at a impasse here. 6.5 CM or 338LM

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BigJoe</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Why not a 260rem barrel or 6.5x47 </div></div>

what can that do that 6.5 CM cant?

 

[old95b10]

Re: im at a impasse here. 6.5 CM or 338LM

I started with a .308 ,4000 rnds later went to a .300wm.
still shooting it , and now have a .338 LM also.
The 6.5 wont hurt anyone and it has more legs out at 1000 than the .308 so for a new shooter I go to the 6.5 cm .
I will have to add this, after buying the .338 LM with a factory
brake and shooting it, I had a brake put on my .300wm as it was chipping my teeth and the .338 LM had VERY MUCH less recoil.

 

[par0thead151]

Re: im at a impasse here. 6.5 CM or 338LM

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: old95b10</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I started with a .308 ,4000 rnds later went to a .300wm.
still shooting it , and now have a .338 LM also.
The 6.5 wont hurt anyone and it has more legs out at 1000 than the .308 so for a new shooter I go to the 6.5 cm .
I will have to add this, after buying the .338 LM with a factory
brake and shooting it, I had a brake put on my .300wm as it was chipping my teeth and the .338 LM had VERY MUCH less recoil.</div></div>

i have had a good amount of trigger time on a DTA in 338 as my friend has one, he is who i blame for getting me interested in precision shooting. the recoil of 338 is a non issue for me, the main appeal to 6.5 is the cost per round, as i will shoot more, and gain experience/skill by shooting more often and putting more rounds down range.

 

[AEROMechanic]

Re: im at a impasse here. 6.5 CM or 338LM

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mattmcg</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

What's nice about the DTA, just buy the conversion kit down the road when you want a 338 Lapua. </div></div>

I just wish DTA would produce their rifles for LH people, they would certainly see a decent increase in sales.

 

[Bruiser_Joe]

Re: im at a impasse here. 6.5 CM or 338LM

You have a DTA and DTA makes 260 barrels, I didnt think they had 6.5's in

 

[GlockandRoll]

Re: im at a impasse here. 6.5 CM or 338LM

.338, so it will be for sale here after you get tired of learning with $4 rounds. :_)

 

[par0thead151]

Re: im at a impasse here. 6.5 CM or 338LM

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BigJoe</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You have a DTA and DTA makes 260 barrels, I didnt think they had 6.5's in</div></div> <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BigJoe</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You have a DTA and DTA makes 260 barrels, I didnt think they had 6.5's in</div></div>


correct i would have it rechambered from 6.5 LM to 6.5 CM
costs a hundred or so dollars at the gunsmith DTA uses.

 

[par0thead151]

Re: im at a impasse here. 6.5 CM or 338LM

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: GlockandRoll</div><div class="ubbcode-body">.338, so it will be for sale here after you get tired of learning with $4 rounds. :_)</div></div>

i can reload it for $2 and change per round, that price would not drive me to sell it. seeing the results i have already gotten with my friends DTA 338 and my reloads, i am quite pleased.

its more a factor of how much experience would i gain from shooting 50-60 rounds each range trip vs shooting 30-40

 

[turbo54]

Re: im at a impasse here. 6.5 CM or 338LM

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: par0thead151</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: GlockandRoll</div><div class="ubbcode-body">.338, so it will be for sale here after you get tired of learning with $4 rounds. :_)</div></div>

i can reload it for $2 and change per round, that price would not drive me to sell it. seeing the results i have already gotten with my friends DTA 338 and my reloads, i am quite pleased.

its more a factor of how much experience would i gain from shooting 50-60 rounds each range trip vs shooting 30-40
</div></div>

Funny you mention this! My partner and I hit the range today, and it was not a good day. Neither of us could simply bear down and focus. It took us each 35-40 rounds to find our groove. Having fired 50-60 rounds today, rather than 30-40 made the difference between a crap session of mediocre shooting, and a good solid session we were able to learn something from, and leave with confidence we CAN fight through crappy performance, and make good shots.

Get the one you can shoot more!

Be smart.

 

[par0thead151]

Re: im at a impasse here. 6.5 CM or 338LM

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: turbo54</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: par0thead151</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: GlockandRoll</div><div class="ubbcode-body">.338, so it will be for sale here after you get tired of learning with $4 rounds. :_)</div></div>

i can reload it for $2 and change per round, that price would not drive me to sell it. seeing the results i have already gotten with my friends DTA 338 and my reloads, i am quite pleased.

its more a factor of how much experience would i gain from shooting 50-60 rounds each range trip vs shooting 30-40
</div></div>

Funny you mention this! My partner and I hit the range today, and it was not a good day. Neither of us could simply bear down and focus. It took us each 35-40 rounds to find our groove. Having fired 50-60 rounds today, rather than 30-40 made the difference between a crap session of mediocre shooting, and a good solid session we were able to learn something from, and leave with confidence we CAN fight through crappy performance, and make good shots.

Get the one you can shoot more!

Be smart.</div></div>

the more i think about it, the more i tend to agree with the benefit of being able to shoot more for the same cost. couple that with the frugal part of my mind telling me 6.5 6.5 6.5 6.5 6.5 ....

 

[turbo54]

Re: im at a impasse here. 6.5 CM or 338LM

You'll be tickled with the 6.5... 30-40 rounds of 338 is HEAVY! Even if ammo cost was no factor, humping 50-100 rounds of 338 into the field/or when skiing would suck. 50-100 rounds of 6.5cm or 260 is reasonable.

Also, it's hard to find ranges that warrant the use of a 338. I shoot 600-1000 all the time, but pretty much NEVER bring my 338 along. It feels lame bothering with it for anything less than 1000...and I only get to shoot 1001+ two or three times a year.

Good luck, have fun.

 

[mouse07410]

Re: im at a impasse here. 6.5 CM or 338LM

If you decided to start with 6.5mm - then either Creedmoor or 260 Rem would do, as they're ballistically equivalent (described and compared in depth by Zak Smith: 6.5-creedmoor-260-done-right and 6.5_shootout_260-6.5x47-6.5-Creedmoor).

If the barrel you get is 260 Rem - I see no point re-chambering it for Creedmoor, unless you're truly in love with Hornady ammo (as opposed to just liking their <span style="text-decoration: underline">bullets</span>). Since 2009 there's excellent quality Lapua brass available for 260 Rem, and good quality from other sources (Norma, Nosler, Remington). That alleviates the main "Con" for 260 Rem that Zak brought up (lack of good quality brass).

P.S. From experience, DTA SRS is an excellent platform for both calibers (6.5mm and 338LM), but 338 is not what I'd like to use to hone my fundamentals.

 

[par0thead151]

Re: im at a impasse here. 6.5 CM or 338LM

im looking around for sources of the loaded 140 grain 6.5 CM, and every vendor is out of stock.
hmmm
anyone know where one can buy 400 rounds of the stuff. ideally 200 rounds of 120 grain, 200 rounds 140 grain

 

[predatornut]

Re: im at a impasse here. 6.5 CM or 338LM

I would never start with a 338, there is a reason most of us start with a 22. The more you can shoot the better you will be, as long as you are focusing on your fundamentals. And of course the whole cost of ammo issue is a big factor too.

 

[MikeeBooshay]

Re: im at a impasse here. 6.5 CM or 338LM

don't mess with the 120 grain stuff - the AMAX 140 shoots a lot better and kills stuff just fine. The GMAX ain't all it oughta be yet.

 

[turbo54]

Re: im at a impasse here. 6.5 CM or 338LM

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: predatornut</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I would never start with a 338, there is a reason most of us start with a 22. The more you can shoot the better you will be, as long as you are focusing on your fundamentals. And of course the whole cost of ammo issue is a big factor too. </div></div>

I don't think this gentleman is a "newbie" per se'... If he is, he has impeccable taste in rigs!! The DTA SRS is quite a piece of equipment!!

Your point is well taken though - much better for your "one" rifle to be of a reasonable caliber, and not a monster.

 

[par0thead151]

Re: im at a impasse here. 6.5 CM or 338LM

I am a novice in that i can admit that i have quite a bit to learn when it comes to precision shooting, but as of right now i can make consistent hits at 500M with the 338 on a 8" steel swinger

I have been reloading for the better part of a decade now.
My tastes are expensive, hence the DTA and S&B optic. when i get into something i do not half ass it, my motto is go big or go home. for instance when i got into triathlons and did a half Ironman the first year and then a full iron man a year later.


<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: turbo54</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: predatornut</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I would never start with a 338, there is a reason most of us start with a 22. The more you can shoot the better you will be, as long as you are focusing on your fundamentals. And of course the whole cost of ammo issue is a big factor too. </div></div>

I don't think this gentleman is a "newbie" per se'... If he is, he has impeccable taste in rigs!! The DTA SRS is quite a piece of equipment!!

Your point is well taken though - much better for your "one" rifle to be of a reasonable caliber, and not a monster.</div></div>

 

[mouse07410]

Re: im at a impasse here. 6.5 CM or 338LM

There's nothing 6.5mm can do that 338LM can't. There's plenty of what 338 can do that 6.5mm can't.

Reasons to go with 6.5mm:
<ul style="list-style-type: disc">[*]Ammo is cheaper overall.[*]Less beating on your shoulder (recoil) should be conducive to more practice and better results from it.[*]Some competitions and ranges will not allow 338LM. I'm not aware of any place that forbids 6.5mm.[/list]

 

[par0thead151]

Re: im at a impasse here. 6.5 CM or 338LM

and its ordered!
thanks for all the clarity guys.

 

[old95b10]

Re: im at a impasse here. 6.5 CM or 338LM

I shoot everything from .223 to .338 LM . all are good but they are very different to shoot. with a good brake any of them are cool to shoot all day long. dont think it's a good idea to put a new shooter behind a .338 LM. and am glad I didnt start with this round. as it dont suffer new folks for the most part.