Last year, Clay got to go test out some of Springfield’s newest goodies at an event in Las Vegas. One of the standouts was the M1A in 6.5 Creedmoor.
Since that trip, Clay’s actually had a chance to write up a full review the M1A in 6.5 Creedmoor. Check it out here.
Honestly, I would love to see the M1A in multiple calibers. I don’t understand why you would limit the rifle to a single caliber. There are just so many wonderful possibilities out there.
enjoy all the different points of view, I love the m14 /m1a and the savage bolt action heavy barrel rifles. funny but I am trying to test the 22/250 with heavy loads (69 grains) just to see it it will out shoot the 223 over long distance
I once tried to dispatch a coyote at about 175 yards using what was probably the most available bullet a the time which was a 55 grain BT FMJ cartridge; and he just sat there and let me hit him numerous times!!! He would bite the wounds, like he thought they were biting flies I assume. Finally my friend couldn’t stand it any longer and pulled his 22-250 out and said, “let’s end this” and blew the hell out of that coyote! I’ve never tried the new 60 grain and heavier military bullets, but I’d say the 22-250 is probably one of the best all around varmint rounds of the past. Now days, probably folks like the 6.5 Creedmoor better, as it is latest upstart to garner so much excitement in the shooting sports. Colonel Hatcher always did say that caliber was the optimum for all duty – so I like the latest trend.
6.5 Creedmoor? Why?
6.5 great caliber, great bullet. Works very well for me here in Alaska. Taken moose, caribou and bear with 140 & 160 grain bullets out to 350+ yds.
Punch paper @ 1000 yds if you enjoy doing so; play army with your 30 rd magazines if you must. It’s fun.
But for hunting, I’ll keep using my Ruger #1 in 6.5×55 (a truly great rd) developed in the 1890’s. Newer ain’t always better.
Mac
PS: 5th SF Vietnam 1965-68
I have never been a fan of the M-14/M1A, I do not know why it is so beloved? It was only a main battle weapon from 1959 to 1964. I mean if it was so great why didn’t it stick around? The 1911 another old and outdated War Horse has been able to justify its fan base due to its longevity and proven record (in the G.I. configuration). I love the model T, and 57 Chevy however, I won’t take a family vacation in either of them or use it as a daily commuter. Lastly, just because, I don’t get the point of it doesn’t mean there isn’t a point to it. Enjoy, I’ll be saving my money, and buying something else.
As one who carried the M-14 in the Army, I can tell you it was a fine weapon. Sadly politics cut it’s life short by a number’s crunching bean counter in the procurement department. The small 5.56 round was pushed on us because we “could carry more ammo” supposedly. The initial response from the GI’s was pretty dismal and many of my friends requested to keep their M-14’s in Viet Nam(I was fortunate not to have to take that tour in SEAsia myself). The big bullet vs. small was their go to choice. I have owned a couple of the M1A’s since leaving the military and would own one today but for my vision loss requiring a scoped rifle…..never did like a scope on my M1A’s.
Wow seems like a lot of haters out there obviously we are all gun people and should stick together everybody has their own preference love you all
Blasphemy! Burn the witch!
It’s really annoying that Springfield Armory as well as the general shooting community completely ignored the excellent 260 Rem. and then Hornady develops the 6.5 Creedmoor and everybody jumps on the bandwagon. I believe it to be plain and simple ignorance. Virtually ballistically equal yet necking down once fired 7.62×51 Lake City Brass is a piece of cake which makes shooting fairly inexpensive. My opinion is Springfield Armory can go pound sand beside James River build a far superior M1A1. They call it an M14 but it is a better rifle. I suppose a barrel swap is easily possible chambered in 260 Rem too.
260 is a great cartridge, I own several rifles and even a TC pistol, one being an AR10 with a custom 24” heavy stainless fluted barrel. The move to 6.5 creed or by my recollection over the 260 was due to neck angle, creed or was more accurate and longer, like 147g led bullets can be used in creed or but not effectively in 260 because of case depth issues. I felt the same way until I owned both calibers, shot both calibers. I’m just glad any good 6.5 caliber finally caught on. The price of 260 ammo is on par with ridiculous, but horn Andy went in whole hog with creed or offerings, I’ve seen hunting ammo as cheap as 30-30 ammo and premium ammo in the low $20 range. Compared to a box of premium 260 at $35-40 a box. I’ll go with the creedmoor. Want to buy some 260 rifles and dies?
I believe 260 Rem is superior to 6.5 Creedmoor…BUT, the Creed is a shorter case allowing you to seat longer bullets and still magazine feed them into the rifle of choice, thus opening a wider range of bullets to suit your needs. The velocity difference is negligible when considering this advantage. That’s why the Creed is more popular
I’ve never shot a 6.5 Creedmoor but I’ve got no problem with M1A making a change to add variety to the line. Life is about change. Just go with it. My safe is big enough to handle a few different calibers in the same platform. Look at the ARs out there: .223, 5.56, .243, 300BO, .308, etc… Restrictions on what to build and what to buy just play into the liberal’s hands anyway. Don’t be a hater. Shoot what you want and enjoy it.
stop making future bullet versions of already perfectly good rifles. we dont need to reinvent the wheel every damn year. do things right, like they did with the m1 in .30-06 way back when, and america wouldnt be in such a state of shit. be a man and use the .308, not a SQUIRRELbullet
So I should shoot Prairie Dogs with a .308??
Sure, it can be done, but at a price.
Get off your macho BS rant, there’s a reason for different calibers.
Really? I don’t know about you, but there is room in my gun safe for more than one rifle and more than 1 caliber. I enjoy shooting both the 308 and the 6.5. Each to their own. Let each shooter enjoy doing what he wants with whichever caliber he wants.
Don’t be a hater, that is what the anit 2A folks are for.
Sorry, the Anti 2A folks.
Hmm, a ‘long range’ high pressure cartridge in an auto loader with all kinds of crap hanging off the barrel.
Betcha a Savage bolt action in that caliber would be far more accurate right out of the box, for 1/2 the price.
I just don’t see the point of the M1A in that caliber at that price.
I think I will stick with .308 and the Fusion ammo. Easy to find and the .308 has twice the energy at 1000 yards.
You might want to look up the actual numbers on that. Otherwise you just look like another uninformed, clueless liberal. Inside 300 yds, the 308 had a slight edge in energy. But that’s where the advantages ends.. From about 300 and out, the 6.5 Creedmoor leaves it behind in every single aspect.
Unless you are into long distance target shooting, the 6.5 CM is a waste of money. Get twice the practice with 308. I hope hunters are not trying to take game at 1000 yards, I can only imagine all the wounded animals staggering off to die because someone thinks they can accurately shoot that far with their wonder cartridge.
Creedmoor rounds are the same price or cheaper than .308. I have deer rifles in both, reload for both, and like both cartridges. 6.5 is much flatter and a great round. It isn’t a waste of money or a fad. I’m sure that is what people said of .270 or .300 win mag back in the day. If you hate the round, you probably haven’t tried it, or have only put one box down range.
If you can’t handle the recoil of a 308, find another pursuit.
Well, If that’s the criteria, if you can’t handle the recoil of a .338 Win Mag with heavy loads, find another pursuit.
Makes as much sense.
NOT!
Abomination. The fad has gone too far.