6.5 calibers

[luteai]

Lots of older European 6.5's  your 6.5X54 Mannlicher was an elephant slayer! Dutch 6.5X53 Mannlicher, 6.5X52 Carcano, Of course the Arisaka in 6.5X50. German sporting round 6.5X68 as well.  I may have a new mid to end of life project! Exploring the 6.5 family...

[Jolten]

I'm having alot of fun with my 26 nosler

[huntandjeep]

I cant jump on the 6.5 Creed bandwagon , my 6.5 x 284 does just fine . I am however contemplating a 6.5 x 47 Lapua ?

[buckfvr]

6.5 is great whether you have a hot rod chambering or a more conservative one, accurate and deadly.

[fishngamereaper]

Useless without pics

My PRC is almost ready. And my kids creed isa joy to shoot and has one shot one killed some nice animals.

[callturner]

A Browning Hells Canyon?

[fishngamereaper]

A Browning Hells Canyon?

Ya. Xbolt speed.
Can't wait to shoot it. Just need to find time.

[Miles]

I am very happy with my Tikka 6.5x55 that I’ve had it since around 2005.    I’ve killed multiple deer and a moose with it.   With that said, here in Colorado I use my 7mag mostly.  I prefer that for the longer shots on elk and anytime a cross canyon long shot could be possible.   That’s not to say the Swede couldn’t do it, I just like that extra insurance.   The 7 mag will straight flatten an elk at 600+ yards, I haven’t seen the same results from the 6.5.   If I’m strictly hunting timber with limited shot distance, I’ll carry the Swede.


I like the Swede as it doesn’t require a man bun to operate...

[luteai]

"I like the Swede as it doesn’t require a man bun to operate..."

[Alchase]

Since it has already been addressed.
Lets compare real world statistics between the 6.5 CM and the 300 Win Mag.

6.5 Creedmoor with a 143 grain ELD-X bullet going 2700 fps reaches the
minimum energy to kill a deer at just over 750 yards, it reaches the
minimum energy to kill an elk at 400 yards. 

A 300 Win Mag firing a 210 Berger VLD hunting bullet at 2900 fps will have enough
minimum energy to kill a deer at past 1200 yards and
minimum energy to kill an elk at just past 900 yards.

Obviously, these numbers only take into consideration the energy required and don’t consider whether the shooter is skilled enough or should be shooting those distances.

Species   Max Range 6.5 Creedmoor   Max Range 300 Win Mag

THESE ARE MINIMUMS

Deer (Min Energy 1000 ft/lbs.)   6.5 CM 750 Yards   300 WM 1200 Yards
Elk (Min Energy 1500 ft/lbs.)   6.5 CM 400 Yards   300 WM 900 Yards

Realistically, there is only two things the 6.5 Cm does better that a 300 Win Mag,

1. Felt Reduced recoil
2. Mandatory man bun before shooting

Synopsis:

The 6.5 CM is more than capable of taking game (in the lower 48) out past distances that your average hunter will ever reach.

In no way is it bullisticaly comparable to the 300 WIn Mag.

[wadu1]

"I like the Swede as it doesn’t require a man bun to operate..."

Vel Swetnick Dat Thar is funny. After 100 years the 6.5 Swede is still going, my choice also. Mine is a CZFS and the little brother of my CZFS 9.3X62.

[Widgeondeke]

I picked up a pair of T/C Compass in 6.5 creedmoor almost 3 years ago. One for my son who is shooting Nosler 120gr ballistic tips. He has taken a whitetail at 117yds and an antelope at 302yds. The whitetail ran 60 yds and fell over. The lope shot was a bit back, he put a 2nd bullet in it at 365yds and it was down for the count.

I am shooting Nosler 142gr Accubonds. I shot 2 lopes this year, both frontal shots. The doe was knock on her butt at 185yds, got up and then flipped over. The bullet exited through the back leg. The buck was shot at 215yds and I destroyed the shoulder and a lung. Bullet also broke some ribs and exited bout 6 ribs back.

I have been very happy with these rifles.
They are easy to shoot and (knock on wood) have yet to miss the animal we shot at   

[Mulie87]

Love my 6.5 PRC. 143grn Hornady ELD-x at 2930fps. It’s a flat shooting laser with .322” group at 100yds.

[salish]

I don't own nor have I shot a 6.5 CM, but I bought a 6.5x55 Swede M96 long rifle about three years ago and it is an incredibly accurate and pleasant rifle to shoot, even though it's close to a hundred years old. What a great caliber. I like .25's. I've shot a .250 Savage for over 40 years.

[mountainman]

Love my 6.5 PRC. 143grn Hornady ELD-x at 2930fps. It’s a flat shooting laser with .322” group at 100yds.

The PRC is everything the Creedmore wanted to be but isn't.