New deer rifle "suggestions"

I'm not a resident pro at long distance, but you need to figure that out and 500 yards takes practice,
Skill, and an above avg rifle to shoot at an animal. You really should be hand loading additionally, do you do that?

I currently shoot a 30.06 and have for years, I'm really just looking for something different. I also have a .300Rum that is like walking around with a damn fence post on your shoulder. It's a great shooter but big and bulky. Really just looking for some insight on these two calibers because I don't know much about them. From what I have read they both perform very well. The 6.5 Creadmor just has a cool factor for me because it is a newer round. With that said there is just something about a .30 caliber round that puts deer down.

I'd go with the 6.5 if I was buying another. Like Downshift said, the 300 sucks to shoot. Mine stays in the safe the majority of time. The 7mm08 or the 30-30 usually get the nod.

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Just went through this myself. I went with the Tikka T3 Hunter and Meopta Meopro. I wanted a new gun and already had a .243, .270, 30-06. I went with the 300 wsm and put a Limbsaver recoil pad on it. Shot a whole box practicing at different ranges last Saturday and it wasn't bad at all. Very accurate, great trigger, great price. I have been looking at the 6.5 and that will probably be my next bolt gun though.

I love my creedmoor, killed a doe with it this morning. I'm shooting 129gr hornady sst bullets out of it and I honestly haven't been too impressed with the holes it leaves in deer. They never run very far, usually 30 yards tops, but it doesn't leave much a blood trail to follow. Maybe if you can load a Barnes bullet in it, it will do better. The gun itself is sweet to shoot and crazy accurate but that 300wsm will give you a much better blood trail.

The 6.5x284 is what I'm going to go with when I build a custom rifle. Only problem is I need an extra 5k laying around.

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The 6.5x284 is what I'm going to go with when I build a custom rifle. Only problem is I need an extra 5k laying around.

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Awesome caliber.

In all honesty, most places I hunt I have nowhere near a 500 yard shot. Actually most shots are inside 200 and my 30.06 is plenty enough to get it done. I'm like most people out there and just like to know I can take a shot at 500 yards if the opportunity presents. I'm liking the 300wsm because it packs some arse along with the velocity to get it there and when it gets there it can do damage. Along with the fact it will be way lighter than my 300 Rum is kinda selling it for me. Never minded a little kick out of my rifle "or after it is sighted in" because when you shoot a deer you never feel it anyway.

.300 win mag is the GOAT long range North America caliber.