Filling the 6.5mm hole in my life

[Big Bad Bob]

I am considered getting a 6.5mm caliber rifle for medium to long range deer, pig and recreational paper punching. I have several questions so please bear with me.

My current stable includes a 5.56, 6mm-223, 300BLK, .308, .270, 30-06 and 300WSM.

I was thinking of getting a bolt gun in either a .260, 6.5 Creedmor, 6.5x55 or 6.5-284. I reload and cant tell you the last time I bought factory rifle ammo, so factory ammo is not a factor.

1. Will any of these four choices do anything better than the current calibers I own do?

2. If I were which is the best choice, my longest shot possible is about 600 yards and the nearest range maxes at 800 yards.

3. Will a 260 or 6.5 Creed do anything a .243 loaded with 105 or 107 grain bullets cant do?

Thanks for the help. The 6.5 seems attractive for light recoil, high BC bullets and long range efficiency.

 

[jerkface11]

If you handload you should add .264 Winmag to your list of choices. If not go with .260 or Creedmore which are pretty much interchangeable.

 

[Arizona_Mike]

The 6.5x55 has a lot of headroom for handloading in a modern action. I re barreled a .270 Win (65k PSI) Savage 100 to 6.5x55. Just don't use them in you m/38

Mike

 

[tahoe2]

6.5 fever

I believe the 6.5x284 has the criteria you are looking for, and Savage makes a "long range " rifle in that caliber, my understanding is that it's quite accurate out to 1000 yards. Good Luck !!

 

[axxxel]

The swede is basically a Creedmoor with a lot of breathing room. It has both a larger case and plenty of space for the longest 6.5 mm bullets. It also feeds very well in any rifle that is built around the 30-06.

 

[Ankeny]

I own rifles in all of the calibers you have listed. My choice for an all around rifle is the 6.5 Creedmoor. Short action, and accomodates longer bullets than the .260.

The 6.5-.284 needs at least a 26 inch barrel. A 6.5x55 in a modern rifle with a 24 inch barrel will launch a 140-144 grain bullet right along side a 24 inch 6.5x284.

 

[quartermaster]

I would consider a 6.5 x 47 Lapua. 2nd choice would be 6.5 x .284

 

[MrBorland]

My choice for an all around rifle is the 6.5 Creedmoor. Short action, and accomodates longer bullets than the .260

I've heard that before, but while I don't have personal experience with the 6.5CM, my Hornady manual shows identical performance up to 140gr bullets, and more velocity with a 160 gr bullet out of the .260 Remington.

Also consider brass - Lapua now makes .260 Remington brass, but not 6.5CM. AFAIK, only Hornady makes 6.5CM brass.

Yes, you can prep Hornady brass, or form your own CM brass, but the availability of actual Lapua .260 Remington brass is a nice option if you're looking for match-grade accuracy without the additional time at the loading bench.

 

[Ron Go]

I had the same question as the OP so I will be watching this one. I was going to get the 260 until I read about the CM and how the shoulder angle caused less lengthening of the case. I am a little hesitant with the CM as it is still not too common yet but I really wish it catches on. I have heard good things about the hornady brass but haven't tried it yet. I usually use Norma, nosler or lapua just to eliminate variables. The only thing holding me back is the popularity issue.

 

[Flatbush Harry]

I'm a 6.5x55 SE fan and have a Ruger No 1 in that caliber. I originally acquired it as a deer rifle. As a hand loader, I find it is incredibly accurate with 139 gr Lapua Scenar, 140 gr. Icebound and 142 gr. Sierra Match Kings. Due to it's great sectional density and good bullets, it provides great penetration; indeed, the Scandinavians use this caliber for Moose.

I will have one of my long actions re-barreled in this caliber when I wear out a barrel...unless one of the majors offers a rifle in that caliber.


Harry

PS-this caliber is frequently used for 900 meter long-range matches so I would certainly think it will do you well at 800 yards.

 

[vaupet]

I don't know about the others but i just love 6,5x55 se.
I don't reload so I use S&B 139 fmj for old rifles and training and Lapua Match 123 gr and 139 gr scenar for precision.
Both manufacturors have a large choice in bullets in 6.5x55

Best 5 shot group sofar, 0.10 moa of a harris bipod, 20 shot groups: never bigger then 0.5 moa, in my Unique Alpine TPG 1

The all new browning x-bolt varmint , available in 308, 243 and 6.5x55 is just awsome, you will find good offerings from Tikka (t3), blaser and cz in 6.5x55 to.
link to the browning: http://browning.eu/products/mresult.php?group1=2&group2=2&submod=A-XBVARGRSSFTHRSM

 

[urbaneruralite]

A .260 120gr cup and core will far outpenetrate the heavy 6mms. And that's to say nothing of the exit.

 

[viking499]

I like the 6.5x55 for hunting. It would also be good for target work.

If strictly target, I would probably go 6.5-284.

 

[Txhillbilly]

I shoot a 260 Rem in an AR-10 style platform,and built my 6.5 Creedmoor and a 6.5-06 bolt actions.
I could really care less about Lapua brass for any caliber.It's good brass,but for what it cost,I can work a little more on the brass that I form,cheaper.
I form all of my 260 and 6.5-06 brass from 243 and 270 brass,it's as easy as running the 243 brass through the 260 die,and running the 270 brass in a forming die,and trimming the neck.
Hornady as well as Nosler produce 6.5 Creedmoor brass,and it is also easily made from 22-250 brass if needed.

I absolutely love my 6.5 Creedmoor,it is by far the most accurate rifle that I've ever owned,with a best to date group of .122",and it has always shot well under sub-moa groups out to 1k yards,if I do my part.

The 260 Remington was built as a hog hunting rifle,and I mainly shoot 140gr Sierra Gamekings out of it,but it shoots pretty well also,with a best 100 yard group of .235",and 1.5" at 500 yards.

The 6.5-06 was also built as a hunting rifle,but has shot in the .3's in load testing,and that was loading a COAL to 3.385" to fit in the blind magazine.The bullets are jumping around .100" to the lands at that length.It would probably give the Creedmoor a run for it's money if I loaded out near the lands with it.

It's hard to go wrong with any of the 6.5mm choices,they are all good.

 

[CB900F]

Big Bad Bob;

There's only really one in my book, and that's the 6.5 x 55mm Swedish Mauser. Now, go take a good long look at the Tikka Super Varminter in that caliber. Put the two of them together & go do anything you want to do from here to waaay out there. Well, you'll need good glass too of course.

My Swede is a custom left handed job and money very well spent, I have zero regrets. Blueprinted Tikka action, custom recoil lug, Lilja 24" barrel, Rob Smith stock, and Zeiss glass. It shoots. I also hunt elk with it and don't feel in the least under-gunned. My load, using 140 grain bullets would, I think, go through a brick wall at a hundred yards. Which is not to say that I wouldn't take a good shot at a big bull at 300 either, 'cause I would without a second thought. As I live in Outer Montana, I can do that almost literally out my back door.

900F

 

[Surculus]

I'd like to say 260 Remington, but Big Green abandoned their product [yet again!] and you can buy almost 2 boxes of PPU 6.5 Swede for what one box of 260Rem will set you back. And of course, you can shoot 6.5 Swede in CMP Vintage Rifle competition, but none of the others can get into that party.

 

[Bobson]

......

 

[Big Bad Bob]

Thanks the for the input! The Swede definitely seems to be the consensus pick. With tie in the 260 and 6.5 Creedmoor.

I am gonna keep doing my research. I am not sure if I want to build this rifle or it to be an off the rack purchase. I am a huge fan of Tikka, going to see if I can find one in 6.5 Swede. I saw that Ruger now makes their budget American in a medium barrel profiled Predator version in 6.5 creedmoor. That seems more budget friendly than building another rifle.

again thanks for the input!

 

[CB900F]

Big Bad Bob;

As I posted above, look at either the Tikka Varmint or Super Varmint, both are available in 6.55 x 55mm Swedish Mauser. Being the varmint versions, they are priced above the standard T3 models. I'm not sure just off the top of my head what all the bells & whistles are, but I do think it'd be hard to reproduce one built myself for less money.

Just my personal opinion, but I've handled the Ruger American, several different guns, and I can't bring myself to own one. Partly because there's nothing there that isn't redundant to what I've already got. So it can be fairly said that my curiosity factor has an upper value limit. As far as playing accuracy games, I also think the Tikka will give you more satisfaction regardless of the difference in price.

900F

 

[js8588]

6.5x55. Good choice. Get it in the best. Get a Sako.

 

[oneounceload]

I voted for the Swede, but for long range varmints, a 6X284 or your 6.5X284 will smoke them. A friend had a 6X284 built and he showed me pics from a PD hunt in SD where every 300 yard-plus shot was nothing but "mist"

 

[Surculus]

I voted for the Swede, but for long range varmints, a 6X284 or your 6.5X284 will smoke them. A friend had a 6X284 built and he showed me pics from a PD hunt in SD where every 300 yard-plus shot was nothing but "mist"

True, 6.5x284 was designed from the outset for XTC shooting. But for most of us, it's impractical overkill.

I want a rifle that fires ammo I can find on the shelf if I have to, not something that's exclusively "roll your own." :banghead:

 

[viking499]

Tikka's are great rifle. I call them the "poor mans Sako".

Rumor is that some standard Tikka's will be hitting the shore in a few months......

 

[dubbleA]

1. Will any of these four choices do anything better than the current calibers I own do?

Being practical here................your choices wont do anything better than what you already have. Sounds like you just want to add to your collection which in it's self isn't a bad thing.

 

[ExAgoradzo]

I agree with doubleA.

Having said that, I love my Sako Swede. Factory ammo is limited, but available, even in CA though very expensive. Then you can buy a Mauser later to match.

Greg