6.5x55, 6.5 Creedmoor and reloading

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I doubt you'll notice a difference. I contemplated getting a Swede for a long, long time, but just couldn't justify it. It's a damn fine cartridge, there just isn't much practical reason to forgo the availability of 6.5 Creed. But I totally understand the warm, fuzzy feeling of shooting certain cartridges, so I couldn't blame you for going with the Swede.
 
A friend has a custom 6.5x55 rifle that shoots great with factory loads, we loaded some up with 140 and 147gr bullets I had with 4895 powder and was he surprised at how much difference there was with different charges, now he is ready to load more and try different powders and bullets (I think he's hooked on reloading using my equipment). When we shoot together he always brings his 6.5 to shoot at 2 and 300yrds, now that we have 500yrds set up he is ready to try that.
If you reload I would look closely at a 6.5x55 since it has more capacity and has been around a lot longer (I like 30-06 also), I think with a modern action you will have more flexibility than with the Creedmoor. Factory ammo is not as good with the x55 as with the Creedmoor, but with reloads you can equalize it
 
Welp here's my take. If the purpose of this rifle is to fire your own custom 6.5x55 loads and not factory ammo, then it isn't quite a Swedish round anymore. Of course Creedmoor reloads won't be either (yes I'm being facetious. Don't jump on me). So for that reason, I would do the short action rifle, or sans that, whatever gets you more bullet options.

If you ALSO intend to fire factory ammo and like the Swedish 6.5x55, then disregard what I wrote and go with that.
 
Go with either one if you reload. They both work fine. If you are a slave to factory ammo, obviously go with the CM.
 
I’m actually looking at those 153gr A-Tips right now. But holy moly, the cost! Almost a Buck a bullet! Yikes!
I feel your pain on the A-Tips. I recently bought a couple hundred 250 grain for my 300 PRC. I swear 20% of the cost is in the way they package these vs their other bullets. They sure are nice shooters, though.
 
Wasn't my experience built a 1 in 7 heavy barrel 243 Win AR10 and it shot good or at least so I though. I was looking to get a bolt gun and came across a 6mm Creed RPR for a great price. Long story short 243 is just much harder to get SD low enough with long 105-107 pills to compete over 800.
I rebarreled the AR10 to 6mm Creed, it's also a good plus that I can even now get Hornady Black 105 HPBT for $23 a box.
I have 3 AR10s in .243 1:8, and my shooting partner's handloads get us out to 1000 yards pretty easily. I haven't built a 6mm CR in an AR yet, but I do have two in Savage bolt guns. Even with factory ammo they outshoot my .243 bolt gun with a 1:10 twist, but there aren't any flies on the AR10s in .243. I've taken the 6mm CR out to 1300 yards and the only issue to spotting the small splashes way out there. I haven't tried the ARs in .243 out that far yet, but I think they would be as capable as the 6mm CR.

Given that, I do prefer the 6mm CR over the .243. I think I even like my newly built 6mm ARCs over the .243. The CR and the ARC are just more modern, efficient case designs.
 
But I totally understand the warm, fuzzy feeling of shooting certain cartridges, so I couldn't blame you for going with the Swede.
I feel exactly the same way, but I can only expect my shooting partner, who is our handloader, to load so many different cartridges before he throws his hands up in disgust.
 
I feel your pain on the A-Tips. I recently bought a couple hundred 250 grain for my 300 PRC. I swear 20% of the cost is in the way they package these vs their other bullets. They sure are nice shooters, though.

Seriously! I do hate that. And it’s SO true! All that fancy packaging & hype costs something! I would much rather they come in plain brown paper!

I’ve actually decided against them anyway. For your PRC, sure… even a 6.5PRC or 6.5 Norma. But for the intermediates like 260 Rem, 6.5 CM etc, I just think they are too heavy. All that lovely BC is only good above a certain velocity. The heavier bullet is not *always the best option. I still believe the 140-143 range is the sweet spot for these cartridges.
 
If you really want a Swede, by all means, build a Swede. Match grade brass is available. It is an accurate cartridge. If you build it on a long action Savage or a medium Mauser 98 action, there will be some interesting things you can do with the throat/COL in addition to running at 6,5 SKAN pressures. Think running 140-147gr match bullets on the long side of book COLs.

It sounds like you want a custom rifle that is yours. There will be many like it, but this one will be yours. In that envelope there is really no difference between building a 6.5CM or a 6,5x55 other than the chamber reamer used. I don't believe the 6.5CM is any more inherently accurate, although it may be more efficient. If cost/time is the concern, a 6.5CM that's already set up will be the easy answer.
 
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