[brian923]

this is the question. i am wanting to make a huntin gun, starting with a turk m,auser thats already a 8x57. want to know what you guys think about the 6.5x55. will it do all the 8 x57 will do??? i also want to use it for shootin paper and varmints. i think that the 6.5 has way more choices for handloading. but the 8 mm will through much heavier bullets? what do you guys think??? brian

[Bartkowski]

If you are hunting deer at the biggest, then it is fine, but some in europe think that its good for moose too so I think they will both work but an 8mm varmint gun is a little much...I would go with the 6.5 especially if you handload, BC's and SD's are great with that caliber.

[koja48]

Based upon the end uses you listed, I'd opt for the 6.5 . . . I believe, due to the inherent characteristics Bart described, that the holes in whatever target you're shooting will be closer together . . .

[GunTech]

6.5x55. Seeing more and more factory rifles showing up, and ammo on the shelves. Factory ammo is loaded weak, and in a modern rifle, you can really stoke it up. Great selection of bullets too.

[AntiqueCollector]

I'd leave it in 8X57. Most commercial 8mm mauser ammo is loaded pretty weak anyways, because of fears over someone putting it in a model 1888 Commision rifle. The S&B ammo is loaded pretty hot, but if you want powerful ammo, the surplus turkish ammo is powerful ammo. For smaller animals and target shooting, weaker loaded ammo could be used. It's a very versatile round...