How do you choose between 6.5, 6.8, and 7mm?

[Tony k]

I'd like to get a 6.5-284, but I use a 270win because it is very versatile.

most 6.5mm bullets have slight ballistic coefficient and sectional density advantage over equivalent weight 6.8mm and 7mm bullets. That alone makes me interested.

I've used my current 270 win on deer, elk, bear, and antelope from 30 yards to 400 yards. It can do it all pretty darn well. It wouldn't be my first choice for long range (more than 400 yards) shooting on anything bigger than a deer. For that I'd probably choose a 7mm rem or bigger.

It's amazing how much variety people have managed to squeeze out of half a millimeter.

 

[Bobson]

What is the purpose for the rifle? I ask because you say any of the three options will do the job for you. Surely, given the task, one of the calibers could shine more than the others in at least one particular, applicable area, and make this decision easier.

 

[srawl]

What is the purpose for the rifle? I ask because you say any of the three options will do the job for you. Surely, given the task, one of the calibers could shine more than the others in at least one particular, applicable area, and make this decision easier.

I will mainly be hunting deer and hogs here in Texas but there is a place near by that I would love to visit in the near future that has like 500 acres high fenced with several species of deer, ram, elk, and even african game each to hunt for a price...

 

[Bobson]

Then it sounds like terminal ballistics and bullet diameter (in that order) ought to be your two primary considerations.

 

[CB900F]

Srawl;

I'm in Outer Montana, home to deer, antelope, elk, and bear - both varieties. When I built a custom rifle it was a 6.5 X 55mm Swedish Mauser. It was built on a standard length action, and you know what? It's accurate as all hill. So accurate in fact that the speed of working the action from first to second shot is immaterial as far as I'm concerned. Then again, being the opinionated sort that I am, I'll ask those "it's gotta be a short action gun" proponents to prove they are better shots, good enough to actually be able to outshoot an outstanding long action gun.

I hunt deer, antelope, and elk with mine and don't feel under-gunned at all. Killed a nice ivory-tipped buck antelope yesterday as a matter of fact. You can do worse that the Swede and it's pretty darn tough to do better in my book.

900F

 

[Steve S.]

I own and have taken deer with both the 6.8 and the .308; brutal on the deer, both very accurate - everyone has their fave however, any of the calibers being discussed are good choices - if you and the rifle are consistent, then any of the calibers in this thread are great. Good shooting!

 

[tdoyka]

i like the 6.5 creedmoor(tc encore with a 16 1/4" mgm heavy factory barrel with high plains gunstock). i used the 270 and 7-08 and 7x57 and i can't complain. any 6.5 is just a joy to shoot and hunt deer with!

 

[Gtscotty]

I've been back and forth on the 6.5's, I actually picked up a 6.5x55 and loaded for it some, but modern reloading data can be tricky to come by, and I was never able to safely reach the speeds that I wanted with that cartridge/rifle. In the end I decided that the .270 would equal or exceed the on game performance of the .260/6.5x55/6.5 CM within any reasonable hunting ranges while being much more mainstream and widely available. Also, there are a lot of well vetted .270 loads out there using hunting bullets, since hunting was my main interest with the rifle, I went for the .270 and haven't looked back. If I was mostly interested in target shooting I probably would have leaned more towards .260 than .270, but then again, when I actually did buy a target type rifle, I wound up just reverting to the old standby .308 winnie.

I would say that if hunting is your main interest, and you're looking for sub .30 cal, you would have a hard time going wrong with either the .270 or 7mm-08 depending on whether you buy a short or long action.

 

[Revoliver]

.270 winchester

 

[Phaedrus/69]

I once had a barely sporterized 6.5 Mauser and maybe it was just dumb luck but it was freaky accurate. The bolt handle was turned down and the barrel cut down to 24" IIRC. I could hit soda cans reliably at 200 yards and even beyond with it. Eventually Dad conned me into trading it to him and he later traded it to someone else. Wish I had it back again!

 

[GooseGestapo]

I've got all three... In fact multiples of 7mm.

There is little to choose between them, but I've gotten superior results hunting big-game from the 7mm.
With a 162gr bullet (A-max or VLD), even the "little" 7mm08 performs all out of expectations.

IMO the "mystique" of the 6.5 is is just not there for me.

Like the old "hot-rodders" used to say; There's no replacement for "displacement".

In that regard, the 7.62x63 is my favorite (aka .30/06).

 

[Olympus]

I love the 6.5x55. Problem is finding a current production rifle in that caliber. Not many choices. I've actually found ammo to be easily found at my local Academy store. Remington Core Lokts are like $33/box. A good hunting bullet and gives you brass when you're ready to reload. Grafs also sells new Parvati brass pretty cheap.

I like 260 also, but again few production rifles can be found and 260 ammo is not available locally for me. So that's out.

I'd also take a look at the 257 Roberts.

I'm over the mainstream calibers. I'd rather stand out with something unique than just be another one of the masses.

 

[CaliCoastie]

i voted 7mm, love the ballistics. i have a 7mm-08 i need to play more with, love the damn thing though. just ended up with a 7mm wsm to strech it a bit, and run some heavier bullets(and because it was cheap for the rifle). best of luck.

 

[PabloJ]

Selecting rifle caliber is just like shopping for laser printer or glucose monitor. The price and availability of cartridges or strips is of utmost importance. First ammo then the rifle.

 

[1948CJ2A]

Buy one of each.

 

[CB900F]

Fella's;

Let's see, the first two commonly available rifles in 6.5 Swede that I can think of are the fine CZ550 with a classic Mauser action, and the Tikka, which is a push-feed. Going up the scale price-wise, many more then appear: Blaser, Sako, Mauser G3, Steyr, and Mannlicher-Schoenauer, just to name some.

Winchester made some very nice model 70 Featherweights in the caliber some years ago, and Remington produced it in the 1994 Classic 700. Both are hard to find, but out there. No, I don't buy the argument that finding a good rifle chambered in 6.5 X 55mm Mauser is hard, not at all. Now a left-handed Swedish Mauser, that's a trick, I built mine.

900F

 

[srawl]

I think my plan after reading all of this is to buy a savage in 270 win and after shooting it a bit, decide if I want to rebarrel it to a 6.5 Swede or possibly a 7mm 08. Or instead of the 08 could maybe just get the 7mm mag if I need one.

too bad 7mms can't have the BCs and recoil of the 6.5s then it would be a no brainer...

 

[Olympus]

Fella's;



Let's see, the first two commonly available rifles in 6.5 Swede that I can think of are the fine CZ550 with a classic Mauser action, and the Tikka, that is a push-feed. No, I don't buy the argument that finding a good rifle chambered in 6.5 X 55mm Mauser is hard, not at all.

Might want check GB. Might be maybe one CZ550 and zero Tikkas. Plenty of choices if you're interested in spending $2000 on a rifle only. Not many of us can or are willing to for a hunting rifle. The only other option is buying an old Mauser and customizing it.

 

[CB900F]

Fella's;

Believe it or not, online is not the only way to buy a rifle. Though if you wish to do so, then try Bud's, Damascus, Whittaker, established shops. Or Sodak Sports in Aberdeen South Dakota, Boise Gun Company - guess where, North Arkansas Guns, or even Optics Authority. But it is possible to go to your local gun store and ask them if they have it or can get it. Simply because some internet site doesn't show a particular item doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Things do exist off the net - believe it or not.

900F

 

[Corn-Picker]

There are two Howa 1500s in 6.5x55 on GB for ~$500.

 

[kwg020]

What do you want the cartridge and rifle to do? Hunt small game, medium game, large game? At what distance? Or, just put holes in paper. 270 you can find at Walmart. The rest you can't find unless you go to a sporting goods store.

kwg

 

[Olympus]

As a dealer myself, I can tell you with 100% certainty that ordering a production 6.5x55 from a local shop will be hard to do. I don't think a single distributor I use has a 6.5x55 rifle.

 

[jmr40]

It is pretty much hair splitting. I'd go 7-08 of your options, but there are no bad choices as to performance. I just like to keep things simple and the 7-08 offers more options for what I want a gun to do. Especially if you already own a 223.

I think we all over think this. Realistically we could all pick a 22 centerfire for everything up to, and including deer/antelope. Pick something 375 or bigger for DG. And then select anything between 6.5 up to 375 for deer and larger game up to DG. You could even include 375 in that mix, but it is bigger than I'd want as a general purpose cartridge.

After that it really comes down to personal preference, how much recoil we want to deal with and the range limitations we accept. A 6.5 with good bullets will kill a moose or elk just as dead as a 338 magnum. You just have to get closer.

 

[PabloJ]

Unless I had stash of ammo around I would never pick 6.5x55. My choice would be 6.9x64
which although cartridges are NOT interchangeable is American version of European 7x64. I bet every Walmart carries 6.9x64 ammo it is just labelled .270 Winchester.
I bought .300H&H magnum but I had whole lot of ammo for that caliber otherwise I would not pick that over .300 Winchester because pack of least expensive .300H&H is $20 more than pack of Winchester rounds.

 

[Olympus]

I never had a problem finding 6.5x55 ammo locally. And I've also found it easily online from Grafs and AIM Surplus as well. I think Prvi is still making production 6.5 ammo also. I'll agree it won't be as common as mainstream calibers, but it's not exactly scarce either.

I like the fact that the 6.5x55 performs better in the field than it would appear on paper. It is about the mildest recoiling deer caliber I've ever shot and it's unique. I really enjoy the round.