Favorite 6.5mm?

[1948CJ2A]

My intentions is to keep this going by moving onto 6.5mm projectiles. What is your favorite .264 caliber rifle cartridge? I'm focusing on bolt and lever rifles mostly used in hunting and target shooting applications. The list of choices in this poll is derived from the Hornady 11th edition reloading manual, which is the latest manual I have currently. Any wildcats or others not listed here can be categorized as "Other 6.5mm".

We've already had polls and discussions for 8mm, 7mm, .308 Cal, .25 Cal, and 6mm. I think we'll do a few more of these and then post the results in a single future thread.

Below is a picture of the 3 6.5mms I own and operate (260 Rem, 6.5x55 Swede, & 6.5-300 Weatherby Mag).

6.5mms.jpg

• 1948CJ2A
• Jan 15, 2024

 

[PistoleroWadcutterGANG]

6.5 / 460 Weatherby...... Barrel done in 25 shots,

 

[MarshallDodge]

6.5x47 Lapua

It was developed to compete in target shooting, and is a proven winner.

 

[JmacD]

I currently don’t own any of them, but the ol Swede is just special. That said, I’m not one of the creedmoor haters either.

 

[troy fairweather]

There's a bunch missing here.
At the moment the 6.5 prc,there's a bunch I like just like the 6mms and 7mms there no wrong answer. Been wanting to maybe do a 6.5x57 but maybe just a 6.5-06

 

[EIB0879]

I have been looking to buy a 6.5 PRC so that's how I voted.

 

[jmr40]

I confess to being late to the 6.5mm game. I grew up in a time when I was taught that 30-06 was middle of the road and 270 was a small caliber. I know better now, but that "knowledge" influenced my buying choices for most of my life. 26 caliber rifles weren't even on my radar until recently. But I have come to really appreciate the caliber.

If I were a traditionalist, I'd have to have a 6.5X55 and I completely understand why guys with 260's don't want to swap them for a 6.5CM. But for me, and I think most others just getting into the 6.5mm game the Creedmoor makes the most sense. The ballistic advantages over the older rounds are subtle and can easily be matched with handloads with both 260 or 6.5X55. It's just easier and cheaper to get to the same place with the Creedmoor unless you already own and handload for the others.

The 6.5 PRC is promising and I can see where it would appeal to some. But we've had fast 6.5's in the past and they never caught on. To me the cartridge is best when kept to 6.5X55, 260, or 6.5CM velocities.

I can see a spot for the 6.5 Grendel for the AR platform.

Most of the others are niche rounds that would only appeal to true rifle loonies or history buff's.

 

[DM~]

Personally, I don't care for the 6.5's and I no longer own one and I doubt I ever will, again.

MANY years ago, I did hunt/shoot/kill a fairly big brown bear with one, it was a Winchester Model 70 chambered in 264 Win. Mag.. That's the only big game I can remember shooting with that rifle.

DM

 

[someguy2800]

Hard to find anything about 6.5 creedmoor to dislike.

 

[Varminterror]

6.5mm is RIGHT at the edge where we have access to heavy enough bullets that life gets REALLY interesting, and applications get REALLY selective. By the time I have interest in burning as much powder as the 6.5 PRC, 264win mag, 6.5-06, etc, personally I'm stepping up to a 30cal magnum, bypassing 6.5 mags and 7mm mags in the same step. But I really, really love the 284win case, so the 6.5-284 holds a special place for me. I'd rather shoot 6.5 PRC for most of those applications today where I used a 6.5-284 in the past, and I might honestly rather shoot a 7 PRC instead of either, but I love the 6.5-284. 6.5 Grendel has been a guilty pleasure of mine for as long as it has existed as well, but I do find myself wanting more from the little case - the exact "more" that the 6 ARC delivers, but I still really enjoy the 6.5 Grendel for its own merits. Conceding plainly, 6.5 Creed is easier and less stressful than almost all of the others.

 

[adcoch1]

I have a couple 6.5 Grendels and they are a joy to play with, so that was my pick. I've always wanted a 6.5x55 Mauser sporter but haven't owned one yet, always something else in the way. Also have been intrigued by the 260 rem, and the 6.5 creedmoor, eventually I'll scratch that itch in some form, probably a precision rifle if I can find the range to use it appropriately...

 

[troy fairweather]

Hard to find anything about 6.5 creedmoor to dislike.

Well there's the fear of having a manbunn.

 

[someguy2800]

Well there's the fear of having a manbunn.

I meant about the cartridge. Personally I find the detractors to be even more insufferable than the proponents, but its hard too pick.

 

[Art30/30]

I used a Tikka 6.5 Swede for a long time. Matter of fact I have a huge box of new Winchester brass and a load of 120 Nosler ballistic tips I have no use for as I sold the rifle

 

[Bwana John]

Are we forgetting about possibly the most well known 6.5mm in US history?

 

[rayatphonix]

I have 5 that are on the list, but if I had to choose I’d go with the Creedmoor mainly because of the availability of good rifles and ammo. The Grendel is a very close second because I enjoy my 527’s. 6.5 Rem Mag was my first.

 

[Litetrigger]

I expect no discussion of 6.5's is complete without recognition of the Legendary 1903 Mannlicher. If there's a Hall of Fame of the greatest hunting rifles and calibers the 6.5x54 MS cartridge and the Mannlicher rifles chamber for it would be near the top. I found this Mannlicher in the used gun rack at the old Abercrombie&Fitch store in NYC. The salesman who sold it to me said it had belonged to a famous Explorer-hunter but I don't remember who it was. The other is a .260 Rem from Remington's Custom Shop. I've always regarded the .260 a fitting heir of the 6.5MS.

 

[InTheSwamp]

Conceding plainly, 6.5 Creed is easier and less stressful than almost all of the others.

Wholeheartedly agree. The 6.5 PRC has more horsepower, but it makes you question if you should be shooting the 7 PRC instead.

 

[codytrucker]

I bought this 6.5X55 model 70 Winchester back in the late 90's before the 6.5 became a popular caliber. Bought 200 rounds of S&B ammo to go with it( for 6 bucks a box ! ) . At the time the only rifle I had for big game was a 30-06 . That 6.5 has been my favorite ever since. Lost track of the deer and antelope it's taken, plus 3 or 4 elk and numerous coyotes.


I liked the caliber so much now that 30-06 is a 6.5-06 Ackley. I did the ackley because I have two 25-06's . I've only shot two deer with the 6.5-06 , but both went down without taking a step.its probably not a lot different then the 25-06 , but I like the extra bullet weight and selection.

 

[Charlie98]

I meant about the cartridge. Personally I find the detractors to be even more insufferable than the proponents, but its hard too pick.

I jokingly call it 6.5ManBun, heck, even my data sheets say that... but giving the devil it's due, it's an Easy Button for a number of different reasons. I don't own one... yet... because I'm committed to the .308 at the moment, but I've built an AR-10 in 6.5MB, for a friend, and steered 2 people into 6.5MB rifles that I load for. FWIW, when I burn up the .308 Savage 10 barrel I'm on now, I'll have to seriously think about moving to 6.5... you never know. I think I saw manbun toupe's on Amazon...

 

[Legionnaire]

I have a many-year affection for the .260 Remington, so I voted same. However, both of the .260s in my safe have been Ackley-ized, so I probably should have voted "Other."

Honorable mention to 6.5 Grendel (on the low end and yes, I have a bolt action in the cartridge) and 6.5 PRC (on the high end), both of which I like very much.

 

[sparkyv]

I chose 6.5CM because that's the only 6.5 caliber I've ever shot.



My, that's a Big Boy!

6.5-300 Weatherby Mag

 

[LoonWulf]

6.5CM/MB/EB for me.
Its loveable because its nearly the ideal (IMO) caliber for the 45gr capacity range.

For shock and awe the 70+ gr capacity cartridges certainly deliver.
My 26" .264WM would launch 140s at 3250 using a full case of RL-33

 

[1948CJ2A]

Are we forgetting about possibly the most well known 6.5mm in US history?
View attachment 1189569

Great point! I added it to the list; however, historical significance aside, in my years of hunting and shooting... I've yet to find anyone who uses and likes Carcano rifles much less to say it would be someone's favorite.

 

[1948CJ2A]

I chose 6.5CM because that's the only 6.5 caliber I've ever shot.



My, that's a Big Boy!

Yes it is; ridiculous ballistics, short barrel life, and finicky to handload, BUT it shoots flat as can be, hits hard just like Roy Weatherby would like, and I like rifles.