Which 6.5 is the best?

[horsemen61]

Ok everyone real simple you can only own one 6.5 for the rest of your life which is it?


For me it would have to be the 6.5 Creedmoor!

I’ve yet to find what my other 6.5’s do better?

 

[LoonWulf]

.264 Winchester or other magnumized .264......I do get to change my barrel don't I? I'm also assuming I can have as many .25s and .28s as I want

If you only let me have one of anything, it's gonna be a Magnum.
Many of the really big mags can't be downloaded very far, but they can be downloaded. A short or standard cartridge cannot be uploaded to match, especially with the heavy bullets I like.

An ackley'd standard cartridge would probably do just as well, but I like the way magnums look also.

 

[.308 Norma]

64 Winchester or other magnumized .264......I do get to change my barrel don't I?

I agree with LoonWulf. But along with changing the barrel once in a while, I'd want to be able to choose the rate of twist.

 

[VoodooMountain]

Since I would use it for punching paper I would go 6.5 creedmoor.

But if I were to use it hunting large deer the 6.5-06 would be my choice.

 

[.308 Norma]

but I like the way magnums look also.

Me too. I hear and read a lot about those "useless" or "worthless" belts. But I like the way they look, even if they don't serve any purpose on most magnum rifle cartridges anymore. For that matter, I force my belted magnums to headspace on their case shoulders after the first shot anyway. I still like the belts though - they just look neat.
BTW, I had an impeccable '55 T-bird when I was in the service. It wasn't a very good car. It wasn't even reliable transportation as I had to tinker with it every week just to keep it running. I still liked how it looked.

 

[Varminterror]

I married one woman.

I never said any vows to any cartridge.

 

[Captcurt]

I am happy with most of them. Give me a Creedmoor, Swede, 264 Mag, 6.5X284 or a 260 and I won't gripe.

 

[LoonWulf]

Me too. I hear and read a lot about those "useless" or "worthless" belts. But I like the way they look, even if they don't serve any purpose on most magnum rifle cartridges anymore. For that matter, I force my belted magnums to headspace on their case shoulders after the first shot anyway. I still like the belts though - they just look neat.
BTW, I had an impeccable '55 T-bird when I was in the service. It wasn't a very good car. It wasn't even reliable transportation as I had to tinker with it every week just to keep it running. I still liked how it looked.

yep, the belts don't hurt anything, and I like them. I want a .240wby Magnum just cause it has to be the cutest belted mag in existence.....well besides a .224, and I've never even seen one of those

 

[cougar1717]

If I'm only limited to one, I prefer a flavor of brass that has between 50-70gr of powder capacity. Something that will get you between 2800 - 3000 fps with 140's. The additional powder capacity gives a little more velocity to make sure tough hunting bullets open up. While it's true that "you can always download", I personally don't like downloading magnums either.

 

[earlthegoat2]

I don’t understand the question....

 

[MCMXI]

I have the following:

6.5 Creedmoor
6.5x47mm Lapua
6.5 PRC

I'd keep the Lapua, followed by the Creedmoor.

 

[LoonWulf]

my current family of 6.5s I've got a few more to collect.

 

[viking499]

My 6.5x55 and 6.5 Grendel have my short range and long range distances cover very nicely.

 

[jmr40]

It depends on your goals. I'm guilty of ignoring the 6.5's most of my life. I grew up believing 30-06 was the middle ground and 270 was borderline too small. That was the mentality of most of my mentors and the hunters I knew in my youth.

I know better now, and the 6.5 CM is the one that got me to try something smaller than 30 caliber. And I think that for most people just getting started in the 6.5 game it is the best choice. For those smarter than I who adopted the 6.5's earlier and have 6.5X55 and 260 rifles there isn't much reason to change. But if just starting there are enough advantages that I can't recommend the older cartridges. The availability of quality rifles and factory ammo at good prices alone is enough.

I can see the advantages of the 6.5 Grendel in an AR platform, wouldn't want one in a bolt rifle with the Creedmoor available.

The fast 6.5's don't interest me. They don't shoot bullets any heavier and wouldn't be an advantage on larger game. They do shoot a bit flatter and stay supersonic a little longer. But the 6.5 CM, or a modified custom rifle in 6.5X55 or 260 will get the job done out to almost 2000 yards. I don't see any advantage unless you're shooting at a mile or more. And that is at least double what 90% of the shooters can use.

 

[Chuck R.]

I've got a .260REM in a REM Mod 7 that puts a 120 grn BT out it's 20" barrel at 2930.

It makes a great little whitetail gun.

IF I was to do it over again, I'd look at the 6.5 PRC. Just a little more velocity with the heavier bullets in the same length action.

 

[taliv]

prob 6.5x47 or my old 260AI, but now that lapua makes small primer pocket 6.5cm, i'd give that a whirl

 

[troy fairweather]

6.5 grendel

 

[MCMXI]

prob 6.5x47 or my old 260AI, but now that lapua makes small primer pocket 6.5cm, i'd give that a whirl

I bought a bunch of that 6.5 CM Lapua SRP brass a couple of years ago and need to get a load worked up for the AW. I'll probably be piercing primers though since it has the "large" discontinued firing pin.

AXMC bolt on the left, AW bolt on the right with "large" firing pin.

 

[.455_Hunter]

6.5x55

 

[gotboostvr]

Since a 6.5 would be a looong range paper puncher, or stand hunting rifle I wouldn't mind the extra heft of a long action. Don't particularly like getting beat to pieces though.

I think a 6.5-06AI with a fast twist barrel would be a great cartridge. Little more speed than the shorties, a little better barrel life than the magnums. Practically free brass is a nice touch too.

 

[lightman]

My only 6.5 is a 6.5-284 built on a custom action. So, I guess thats my answer.

 

[Random 8]

6.5x55...because they don't make MOA rifles that are over 100 years old in 6.5 CM.

 

[Alaskan Ironworker]

I love the history of the 6.5x55 in Norway. No creedmoor ever killed no nazis. It was a design way before its time and doesnt give up anything to newer cartridges. Unfortunately its factory loadings have been dumbed down over the years, and this is where the creedmoor overtakes the swede. For a handloader they are twins, but only the swede is chambered in truly classic rifles.

 

[rayatphonix]

I’ve got five variations of the 6.5’s. I’d likely keep the CM or Grendel depending on the situation.

 

[rust collector]

I am sure most of the current 6.5s outperform my Swedes, but I have 3 different 6.5x55s because they are accurate and pleasant to shoot.

If I was starting out, the Creedmoor would make the most sense, but the x55s I have didn't go bad because a new cartridge showed up.