243 or 6.5x55

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viking499

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If you could only have one of the above, which would it be? Either caliber would come in a CZ or Tikka. No other brands are being looked at.:eek:

I know some will say that 243 ammo is more readily available, but I am going to reload for either. I already have plenty of factory ammo for each and reloading supplies for each.

Is anyone loading any 100 +/- grain loads for the swede and having good luck?(Under 120 grain)
 
I had a .243, in fact, I think I had 2 alltogether.

I have a 6.5X55. It's a keeper.

You going stainless or blue?
 
I have shot several doe mule deer here in Idaho with 243 Winchester rifles. Never any problems with dropping the deer within1- 2 shots. I wouldn't want to ever take a shot with my 243 Win that was any longer than 300yds or so. Within that range it is an excellent low recoil rifle for any game up to antelope & mule deer. For anything larger; say really big mule deer, caribou or cow elk I would go with the Tikka T3 in 6.5x55 with 120grain Nosler Partition.
 
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I had one .243 ... it's long gone. I have two 6.5x55 and they are staying. But I suppose a person could be well pleased with either.
 
Already have a Tikka stainless swede. Thinking of adding a CZ to the herd and getting rid of the 243. My son and wife both have a 243, so it's not like I would be without one.:rolleyes:
 
If you could only have one of the above, which would it be?
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Depends. Are you asking: If I could only have one of those two, but could also have a lot of other calibers? If so, how many others?

Or, are you asking: If I could only have one of those two, and it's my only centerfire hunting rifle I could own?

Or something else?
 
But that's the question I asked.

"If you could only have one of the above, which would it be? "
 
Dude. You don't get it. You can have "only one" of those two and still have 20 other guns, in completely different calibers. That's ONE possibility. Do I have a big bore? Do I have a .223? Do I have a .22 hornet? A .22 magnum? A .22 long rifle? Is that what you mean? Nevermind; you cannot answer a simple question, so nevermind. Sheesh OP.
 
Dude. You don't get it. You can have "only one" of those two and still have 20 other guns, in completely different calibers. That's ONE possibility. Do I have a big bore? Do I have a .223? Do I have a .22 hornet? A .22 magnum? A .22 long rifle? Is that what you mean? Nevermind; you cannot answer a simple question, so nevermind. Sheesh OP.
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Wow rude much?

To the OP I'd go with the 6.5x55 but I'm in love with that bullet diameter.
 
But that's the question I asked.

"If you could only have one of the above, which would it be? "
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Seems to me if you ask a question, and someone politely asks for clarification that a more polite and informative answer is called for.

6.5 if you are hunting

243 if target shooting (ammo is easier to find)
 
To me, the question seems simple. I just asked about the 2 calibers. Not looking at a safe full of various calibers or an empty closet. Just 2 calibers. Sometimes things are simple. Sometimes people try to complicate simple things.

So to ME, I do get it. 2 calibers, one choice, you choose. No other inside or outside influences.

If I have been rude to someone, I apologize. And I can answer a question. All I asked was one question.........don't care how many different shades of blue the sky could be, just wondering if it is blue or not. Sort of like a yes or no question. 2 choices, one answer. No other reasoning needed.

But if you still don't undertand my question , then look at it as this is the only gun you can have with you right now. No other calibers anywhere in the stable.
 
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The range of available bullets, 85gr-160gr, and the reputation for deep penetration, gives the Swede an obvious advantage over the 243 for big game hunting. Most notably for the larger species of deer that inhabit the more northern reaches of the country.
Smaller 80-100lb Texas deer are often taken with 22 centerfires.

The 243 is a great dual purpose round, adequate for deer, and a superb varmint caliber.


NCsmitty
 
The significance of the discussion is that the .243 is designed to be a dual-purpose cartridge, designed for both long-range varmit hunting and for deer-sized critters. The 6.5X55 is not so versatile for varmit hunting.

So if I had a varmit rifle, I'd go with the 6.5X55. If I did not, and didn't seem likely to get one soon, I might choose the .243.
 
To me, the question seems simple. I just asked about the 2 calibers. Not looking at a safe full of various calibers or an empty closet. Just 2 calibers. Sometimes things are simple. Sometimes people try to complicate simple things.

So to ME, I do get it. 2 calibers, one choice, you choose. No other inside or outside influences.

If I have been rude to someone, I apologize. And I can answer a question. All I asked was one question.........don't care how many different shades of blue the sky could be, just wondering if it is blue or not. Sort of like a yes or no question. 2 choices, one answer. No other reasoning needed.

But if you still don't undertand my question , then look at it as this is the only gun you can have with you right now. No other calibers anywhere in the stable.
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The problem is that it's not a YES or NO question. Which caliber is better? The answer depends on FOR WHAT?

Varmints? Coyotes? Deer? Targets? ????????
 
Around here we have deer, coyotes, and ground hogs that catch the crosshairs the most. Every once in awhile, paper and cans will jump out there too.
 
I would choose 6.5x55 swede. It's a great all around caliber. Is it very common in the US? Or is buying online and reloading the best bet? In the near future I'm looking at a CZ 550 in .30-06 or 6.5x55.
 
Depending upon the usage (assuming for deer) and other rifles available (for other game) I would choose the Swede in the CZ 550 Mannlicher. The CZ is a great proven action and has a good fit and finish. On the other hand, I think if and only if you live in the south and want a small deer/varmint cartridge the .243 is a great caliber...and despite your firearm choice I would go with the Winchester Featherweight (not available in 6.5 Swede). YMMV, Mav. :)
 
There's no reason I can see to get any short-action round in a Tikka, which uses a long action either way.

If you go with a CZ, one of the best arguments for getting the thing (apart from it being a generally nice, CRF rifle), is the 6.5 Swede.

Marginal round whose primary attraction is that it has low recoil, vs. one of the world's great all-purpose hunting rounds?

To me, it would be no contest.
 
The problem is that it's not a YES or NO question. Which caliber is better? The answer depends on FOR WHAT?

Varmints? Coyotes? Deer? Targets? ????????
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That's why I gave the answer I did in #19. If you plan to hunt varmits and deer-sized critters and don't have a dedicated varmit rifle, the .243 is best because it was designed to fill both roles.

If you don't care about hunting varmits, or already have a dedicated varmit rifle, the 6.5X55 is the way to go.
 
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