6.5 calibers

[luteai]

Back in the early 90's I chose the 7mm-08 for a big game caliber. As a reloader, it has great versatility.  When Remington came out with the .260, I nearly switched over as my wife started hunting with me. I was always a fan of the 6.5 X 55, but with my petite wife a short action Rem model 7 was a perfect fit, and the one we found was in 7mm-08.

The .260 never caught on, but 6.5 Creedmoor has caught fire.  Is there an advantage to the Creedmoor Vs. the .260 or the 6.5 X 55?

Just pondering these things On hiatus from work awaiting Covid test results! All 3 of my children (now adults) use a 7mm-08 like me, Unfortunately my wife passed away and only hunts with us in spirit now.

[callturner]

Sorry about your wife to start. I to have been pondering the 6.5 cm. . I have been looking at all of them up and down and that is going to be my choice. Get a reloading manual that has all the calibers in it and do a comparison. That's what came out ahead for me. The components are easy to find and I reload everything. Other than rimfire I have not bought a factory loaded shell in 40+ years. If your happy with your 08 look and see if there is more of something your not getting. I'm switching cause my currant 6mm has a horrible trigger and it's not worth messing with. (Ruger 77 old style)

Mike

[Igor]

I'm also curious about all of the recent 6.5 hoopla.  As a long time .270 Win. and .30-06 reloader, I have not seen anything that makes me believe that they have suddenly become obsolete in favor of the various 6.5 caibers.  What am I missing ?

[h20hunter]

I don't think you are missing anything. Personally,  I will reach for the 6.5 creed or my 25 06 simply because they are a pleasure to shoot, accurate, and with so many bullet choices you don't need a 210 grain bullet and a magnum to deliver effective kill shots.

Magum calibers had their heyday.....I think that currently it's as simple as lighter calibers are more than ever capable of lethality, accuracy, and are a joy to shoot.

[h20hunter]

Exit hole....25 06, 115gr berger on a lil sitka spike....

[h2ofowlr]

My son shoots a Tikka T3X Superlite in the 6.5 Creedmoore.  Great accurate rifle with minimal recoil.  He has now taken 3 big game animals.  Two bucks and one big horn sheep.  All three animals were a 1 shot, 1 kill.  Closest shot was 98 yards and furthest shot was 401.  So, far it is turning out to be a great cartridge.

[Stein]

I'm also curious about all of the recent 6.5 hoopla.  As a long time .270 Win. and .30-06 reloader, I have not seen anything that makes me believe that they have suddenly become obsolete in favor of the various 6.5 caibers.  What am I missing ?

I shoot 30-06 exclusively and have been toying over the idea of adding a 6.5 PRC to the stable next year.  With the 30-06, it's a great cartridge for many reasons out to about 400 yards for elk, 500 for deer or antelope.  I could get 50 more yards by bumping up the powder, but like any cartridge it has it's limitations.  I probably could move around with the .308 bullet weights and shapes and powders and optimize it for a bit more range as well.

The 6.5 PRC can stretch that out a bit which would be really nice especially for antelope.  I hunt them in a few areas that are pool table flat and awfully hard to sneak up on a herd of those things closer than 400-500.  I can usually get closer, but have not taken shots and not harvested those animals by trying to get closer or moving on. 

I don't see it as a total game changer, just something else to mess with, especially for people who also want to mess around with longer target shooting and some competitions.

I could do the same thing with a .300 win mag, so it's not like a new door was opened with the 6.5s, but it is more appealing to me to think about shooting a 6.5 all day at the range over a magnum and I do like shooting even if just for the fun of it.

[CP]

Is there an advantage to the Creedmoor Vs. the .260 or the 6.5 X 55?

I can't vouch for the other 2 but I have a Thompson Center Compass 6.5 CM.  It's a sub $300 rifle that easily plinks tennis balls at 250 yards.  Low recoil, relatively inexpensive ammo, easy to reload.  I give it a 

[jrebel]

Yeah, I know very little about the 6.5x55 or .260....but I love my 6.5 creed.   

Our family shoots 7-08 and .270 win.  All are good calibers and I wouldn't say the 6.5 is superior to either of them.  With that said the 6.5 creed is a pleasure to shoot and load for.  It is accurate and with a 140 grain accubond, I wouldn't hesitate shooting anything in north america with it.  The two bear we have taken with it were one shot kills with no tracking needed.   

[theleo]

The CM solved a niche problem that the 260 Rem didn't address, that's about it. As far as an animal is concerned they're all the same thing. 

[b23]

It's not that one is any better than the other but rather the 6.5 Creedmoor was purpose built to be used in a short action or AR10 and feed through a magazine smooth as butter. 

In a short action used as a repeater not single feeding, AND, staying within SAAMI pressures the 6.5 Creedmoor will equal or slightly out pace the 260 Rem.  Again, doesn't mean one is better than the other but rather the 6.5 CM when placed in the above restrictions will perform slightly better.

I've always been a big fan of the 6.5x55 Swede.  Any cartridge that has been around for well over 100 years and is still being chambered in modern day guns says a lot for it but because of its case length it really needs a medium or long action for it to perform to its best ability.

[jasnt]

As far as hunting goes grab any legal hunting cartridge and practice with it.   Flip a coin or draw a number.  They all work.  Or just pick the one you like

[hunting4sanity]

I've had three of the 260's and not any 6.5 Creedmoor, but I've shot the Creedmoor a lot and wouldn't have any hesitation recommending one. I love my 6.5 SAUM and my son has a 6.5 PRC that is also a joy to shoot. IMO, they all work just fine if the shooter does his part. If you're buying a factory rifle and find one that you really like then I'd let that swing the vote on caliber, otherwise go with whichever caliber catches your fancy the day you open your wallet to buy a rifle.

[bear]

They’re fun to shoot. Not a lot of knockdown power.  Most seem to shoot well.  On the small side for mule deer or bear. 

[Angry Perch]

Maybe it's time to pull out the 6.5x54 Mannlicher project and get on the 6.5 train!