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05-18-2020, 11:23 AM
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Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 43
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243 or 6.5 Creedmoor for hunting deer?
I’m sure this is a redundant conversation.
Those of you that have shot/hunted with both a 243 and 6.5 creedmoor, which do you prefer an why? Context below:
I have a 7mm rem mag and I’m looking for something smaller and less recoil for deer and target shooting. I have a newborn son so obviously it’ll be years before he starts shooting, but it would be his first gun to use as well. I do load my own ammunition so there’s no limitation for me on ammunition availability. I’m not a long distance shooter at this point in my life so I’m not concerned about punching paper at 800 yards. I’d purchase a dedicated precision gun for that. I know there’s many calibers similar to these but firearm availability and options are high for the 243 and 6.5 creedmoor so I’m sticking to one of these. For me, I guess if I’m not hunting past 300 yards then it comes down to recoil and killing ability? Is that the right thought process?
Constructive thoughts and opinions would be appreciated.
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05-18-2020, 11:25 AM
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Join Date: May 2007
Location: Dreadful Valley
Posts: 14,586
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I’d go 6.5x55 or .260 Rem myself, if thinking .264” pills.
My preference however is 7mm-08 Rem or .275 Rigby.
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There are no absolutes
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05-18-2020, 11:53 AM
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Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 15,775
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Having used a pile of cartridges to hunt with in that weight class I’d pick the 6.5 Creedmoor in a heartbeat. It is one of the easiest cartridges to please when it comes to reloading. Good chambers, barrel’s and components are everywhere (the 6.5x55 and 7x57 can’t begin to compare here and I’ve owned and killed with both) and it’s mild in recoil. What isn’t to like?
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-Billy Molls
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05-18-2020, 12:07 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Jasper
Posts: 835
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I have owned and hunted both. 6.5 CM is what I would recommend. Efficient, low recoil, and great option for loading heavy for caliber bullets. Also fun at the range for longer distance.
Overall an awesome cartridge. Have fun!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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05-18-2020, 12:57 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Medicine Hat
Posts: 3,214
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Since you reload I would consolidate things on the bench and go with the 7mm-08 or the 7x57 (275 Rigby) so you can use the same bullets as the 7mm Rem. I have killed deer sized animals cleanly out to 300 and beyond.
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05-18-2020, 01:55 PM
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Banned
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Join Date: May 2007
Location: Calgary
Posts: 5,189
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6.5 Creedmoor is a solid 'do all', 2nd & 3rd class game capable to 600.
The .243 is a niche round often chosen as a light recoiling option for introductory purposes, or, very experienced users that know it's limits intimately and use it within them, most bullet choices suited to 2nd class game. With right bullets, experienced judgement/patience and shot placement it's accounted for plenty of 3rd class game 0-300, 2nd class game you can perhaps add a couple hundred yards to that if you run 105's.
There is a modern 6.5 equivalent to the .243 in the 6.5 Grendel, it's like a 6.5 Creedmoor Short.
I've dumped my .243 as my introductory/light hitting niche option for the 6.5 Grendel and really happy about it. Shoots 123 grains with 3rd class game SD out of the gate, it's got a trajectory similar to a 308 with about 50-55% less recoil. Still a 0-300 niche big gamer for the most part but because of the high bc/sd bullets it holds onto its velocity/penetration much better than the .243 so as the distances go beyond 300 the little Grendel starts to really strut it's stuff, if you like calling coyotes and practicing further this could be a bonus. Barrel life king.
Downside to the little Grendel is it's extra short action, so not that many rifle choices. Howa, CZ, but now Ruger chambers a couple American models the Predator and the Ranch. It's typically considered and AR round and is wildly popular for the AR people south of the border and has become the 6.5 Creedmoor for the AR's, it's dominating the hunting scene and pleny of factory ammo available now. 52,000 psi cartridge for use in those semi-auto's but it's great in a bolt action, mild recoil, mine feel like a .243 because of the heavier bullet, and if you reload you can get another 100 fps bringing up to that 60,000 psi range etc and very much mirror a .308 168 gr trajectory.
If you're set on a .243/6mm class of bullet...and you reload, then i'd still steer away from the .243 win and just go for the 6mm Creedmoor, barrel twist and all the other advantages of the 6.5 version offer will all be standard with the Creedmoor, the .243 win may not be happy running 105's on factory barrel twist and you may not seat them out far enough and still fit in mags like the Creedmoors do right out of the gate.
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05-18-2020, 02:10 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Look behind you :)
Posts: 27,775
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.260rem and .260imp are some favourites of mine.
LC
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05-18-2020, 03:57 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Ft. McMurray
Posts: 38,530
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If I had to choose between the two for hunting big game I would choose danged near any 6.5 with the relatively same over the same case capacity of the 243.
Cat
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Anytime I figure I've got this long range thing figured out, I just strap into the sling and irons and remind myself that I don't!
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05-18-2020, 04:44 PM
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Banned
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Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 5,701
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Between the 2 choices I’d pick the creedmoor
I’d steer away from the eldm
There are better bullets for hunting that are available
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05-18-2020, 05:03 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 146
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I would go with the 6.5, solely for wind drift. Out to 300 yards both will work fine for deer and such (with proper bullet selection and shot placement), but if you hunt in “windberta”, the 6.5 drifts less in the wind, this equals higher hit percentage / smaller margin of error. Now, I know people will say the difference in drift between the two is negligible, and it is, but less drift is less drift = better. It’s been a while since I did up charts for my 243, but I would wager that the 6.5 will drift around 30% less, at all ranges, than the 243. I am personally not to good to turn my nose up to 30% less bullet drift at any range.
For your son you can load lighter bullets in the 6.5, like well constructed 120 class bullets, for light recoil and still very good hunting performance. Reduced powder charges with H4895 and any bullet weight are also an option. I would also consider looking for a youth rifle that has an adult sized stock option or a rifle with an adjustable length of pull if you and your son will share it. I know it seems almost crazy to plan that far ahead, but he will likely enjoy shooting a rifle that fits him properly more than one that doesn’t.
243 isn’t a bad cartridge, 6.5 creedmoor is just more versatile. I find the factory twist rate of 243 the limiting factor for myself, it’s the reason I sold mine, and mine was laser beam accurate, but so are my 6.5’s.
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05-18-2020, 05:07 PM
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Join Date: May 2007
Location: Dreadful Valley
Posts: 14,586
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Quote:
Originally Posted by marky_mark
Between the 2 choices I’d pick the creedmoor
I’d steer away from the eldm
There are better bullets for hunting that are available
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You do know the M in ELDM stands for Match, right?
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There are no absolutes
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05-18-2020, 05:35 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 86
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I'd like to recommend 243, but...
6.5 CM is popular for all the reasons the guys are suggesting. I have a soft spot for the 243 but would only recommend it over the 6.5 CM for hunting if you really like shooting 6mm bullets -- and then I might recommend the 6MM CM If you are going to go with the 243, get a 1:8 twist barrel with a long chamber (factory Remington 700 for example, or a custom barrel chambered with a long throat) to handle the heavier bullets (105-108 grain) and get the full benefit of the case capacity with a longer COAL. 108 grains at 3,100 FPS will wack most deer hard, without much recoil. All that said, given that you reload 7mm Mag, is 7mm-08 in the consideration set for you? But 6.5 CM is a great cartridge. It would be my recommendation. Go for it!
Last edited by cbc_anderson; 05-18-2020 at 05:46 PM.
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05-18-2020, 06:49 PM
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Banned
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Join Date: May 2008
Location: Calgary-Kootenay Lake
Posts: 350
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Both are great cartridges for deer, and have very light recoil. Only advantage of 6.5CM is slightly longer barrel life compare to 243Win, but if you are not planning to shoot 1000 rounds a year it all the same. Deer won't see a difference.
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05-18-2020, 06:57 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 118
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243 for me i can use it for varmints with smaller bullets
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05-18-2020, 07:29 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Calgary
Posts: 467
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Since you've asked specifically about two cartridges, I'll recommend something completely different than what you've asked about.
.25-06
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05-18-2020, 07:38 PM
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Banned
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Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 5,701
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dick284
You do know the M in ELDM stands for Match, right?
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Im very aware that the m stands for match
Some people might not know this
So its a good idea to bring it up
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05-18-2020, 09:18 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: calgary
Posts: 415
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My pet load for my 243 is 100 grain bt and 47 grains h1000. Over the crono is 3290 with spread of 10 . Works great for all game . I just know my limit with it and nothing has gotten away.
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05-18-2020, 10:41 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: East Kootenays, BC
Posts: 1,159
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Quote:
Originally Posted by overhere
My pet load for my 243 is 100 grain bt and 47 grains h1000. Over the crono is 3290 with spread of 10 . Works great for all game . I just know my limit with it and nothing has gotten away.
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That's 200 to 290 fps faster than Nosler or Hodgdon load data. Wow.
To the OP: the 6.5 would be my choice of the two. I've shot a load of game with a 6mm Rem with good results once I started to use premium bullets. In my experience heavier larger bullets are a safer choice. My current deer rifle is a 7-08. It has also done well on elk with the same 140 gr NAB load.
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05-19-2020, 01:34 AM
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Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Edmonton
Posts: 6,496
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tronneroi
Since you've asked specifically about two cartridges, I'll recommend something completely different than what you've asked about.
.25-06
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No need to run away from that option. Would be my choice as well.
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05-19-2020, 12:37 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: calgary
Posts: 415
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Quote:
Originally Posted by brewster29
That's 200 to 290 fps faster than Nosler or Hodgdon load data. Wow.
To the OP: the 6.5 would be my choice of the two. I've shot a load of game with a 6mm Rem with good results once I started to use premium bullets. In my experience heavier larger bullets are a safer choice. My current deer rifle is a 7-08. It has also done well on elk with the same 140 gr NAB load.
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I know didn't make sense to me either...crono out 12 feet in front . But no pressure signs, flat primer or heavy bolt lift . Just loaded to hodgdon online and tried . Works great,shoots Better than I could . So stayed with that load .
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05-19-2020, 01:13 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Near Edmonton
Posts: 14,972
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I shot a pile of game in Africa, all the way up to Wildebeest, with a Suppressed 243 shooting Nosler Partitions. Out of a dozen animals all were one shot kills, no tracking, all dropped within ten feet of where they were hit, most right where they wer hit. Max range 450 yards, most were 2-300. The really large game like Eland and Waterbuck, which are bigger than Elk I used the 300 H&H. They were in really steep country and I didn't want them going anywhere after the shot, but I could probably have stuck with the 243 on them too. I have never shot anything with a Creedmore anything but I have shot lots with a 6.5x55, they kill just fine too. Pick the gun you think is the prettiest, fits you best and buy that one.
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05-19-2020, 01:19 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: At the end of the Thirsty Beaver Trail, Pinsky lake, Alberta.
Posts: 24,502
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you reload..got a mess of 7mm bullets to play with...7-08....don't overlook this beauty.
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05-19-2020, 02:50 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 43
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Thanks for all the info everyone. This gives me a lot to think about. I'm leaning 6.5 creedmoor for the time being.
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05-19-2020, 09:35 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Edmonton
Posts: 11,851
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You do not pick the Creedmore ........ it picks you. It turns an average joe into a deadly sniper. It kills before you even pull the trigger. It will heat seek and hone into your desired point of impact like a lazer guided missile - missing anything is by choice .... a few members here will tell you so.
Seriously though - but something that fits you well and you will enjoy until it's time to pass it down. Lot's of great choices 6mm and 6.5's out there - most of them are great.
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05-19-2020, 09:57 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Calgary
Posts: 227
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AVA
Thanks for all the info everyone. This gives me a lot to think about. I'm leaning 6.5 creedmoor for the time being.
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6.5x55 has more case capacity plus is long action. 6.5x55 was designed for 160 gr bullets whereas creedmore is really a target round for 100 gr bullets. 6.5x55 is the better hunting round at 140 & 160 gr.
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05-19-2020, 10:02 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Calgary
Posts: 227
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tronneroi
Since you've asked specifically about two cartridges, I'll recommend something completely different than what you've asked about.
.25-06
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Can't argue if you are planning for open prairie or alpine class 2 game only. Very capable niche round.
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05-20-2020, 10:21 AM
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Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,084
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SnipeHunter
whereas creedmore is really a target round for 100 gr bullets
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No offense, SH, but that statement is not correct at all.
OP, I’ve owned a few 243s (my last 243 just had its burnt out barrel replaced w/ a new one in 6CM) and a few 6.5CMs. For the uses you’ve described, I’d go with any of the medium capacity 6.5s. They are very versatile.
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05-22-2020, 09:42 AM
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Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 1,619
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The 6.5 CM is trendy for good reason, the .243 is also a a great choice. The bullet is what will make the difference. Use a Nosler partition in either, its a time proven projectile that just plain kills them stone dead.
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05-22-2020, 04:32 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Calgary
Posts: 467
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SnipeHunter
6.5x55 has more case capacity plus is long action. 6.5x55 was designed for 160 gr bullets whereas creedmore is really a target round for 100 gr bullets. 6.5x55 is the better hunting round at 140 & 160 gr.
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I sold my last 6.5 CM and probably won't pick up another.
I'll be re-barreling an old M700 in 6.5 x 55 for sure though.
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05-22-2020, 04:37 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Near Edmonton
Posts: 14,972
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tronneroi
I sold my last 6.5 CM and probably won't pick up another.
I'll be re-barreling an old M700 in 6.5 x 55 for sure though.
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Really nice round. With modern brass and new actions they will far outperform the CM at very safe pressures. This is one round where almost all published data is WAY conservative because of all the old guns. Norma loads this way hotter than most north American companies. Same is true of the 7x57.
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