Quote Originally Posted by tobnpr View Post
If you don't "need" the advantages of the 6.5 (longer range shooting), I'd consider seeing how the rifle shoots.
True, might bring a few bucks less at sale time. But if it shoots as well as you can, why not keep it?

Most can't shoot the difference between a .308 and 6.5 inside of around 600 yards. Its beyond that, that higher BC bullets increase their advantage. There's always this rush to jump on the "cartridge due jour", when at times all it will do for the shooter is decrease the life of their barrel. For someone that shoots only a few hundred yards, throat burners like the 6mm. Creed would be a perfect example.

Savage factory barrels can be (but not always) very accurate. I recently worked over a customer's rifle (6.5) that was brand new but had a defective chamber (he didn't want to send it back to Savage). Set back and re-cut the chamber, trued the action and bedded the HS Precision stock he'd added. It shot in the 2-3's when he got it back with factory ammo, exceptional for any factory barrel.

No reason not to " want" another rifle at that price, can't go wrong. But if the question is "need", that depends on how far you shoot, whether you handload, and your skill level. The .308 remains a capable and versatile round with long barrel life.
Precisely why I went with .308....not to mention chances are they will have filled orders before the 6.5 to boot. I understand from the rumor mill that as of 10/25 a large batch of .308s will ship. That said, the OP already has his! If I was in his shoes and wanted a new barrel, I would be tempted to get a better "match" type .308 barrel. I only have 100, 200, and 300 yards within a reasonable distance. Maybe the OP has access to much longer range...

I do understand the logic of "Well, the 6.5 will not do worse than a .308 at 100 yards, and I have the gun if I find longer range" thinking, and I almost went 6.5. Realistically the only difference for me would be a slightly less recoiling gun. I dont think it is that different, and the .308 doesnt have to be at max loads.

Russellc