243 or 6.5x55

[viking499]

Thank you all for the input.

If I ask ignorant questions, sorry, but sometimes I guess I do that. If my questions are to stupid to understand, then don't respond. Not trying to be a smart***. Just looking at it as a simple question, sorry if you think I was a jerk about it.

I weighed both options and at this particular time, the swede fits my purpose.

Again, thanks for the replies. Keep on offering input if you would like.

 

[ruger700]

"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."

Sir, I would select the CZ in 6.5 swede. I have a Remington 700 243, a Winchester Model 70 243 and a CZ 527 in 223. Based on my experience with these rifles and calibers, I would select the CZ swede and enjoy the experience.

 

[6.5x55swedish]

Great thread for a first post

The swedish hands down.... comparing a swede to a 243 is like comparing Faith Hill to a hooker with AIDS.

 

[Mr_Pale_Horse]

6,5x55mm Skål

 

[foudufoot]

Ditto for the Swede. VERSATILITY!! Varmint to moose, target to sniping...

 

[NCsmitty]

That's a very nice collection foudufoot. Congratulations.

I have a M38 Husky Swede, and a custom 98 heavy barrel VZ24 in 6.5 Swede.


NCsmitty

 

[deerhunter61]

I would go with the Swede. This will be the second year I will be hunting with mine. I took it out to the range a few weeks ago to shoot it using my deer hunting round and here is the results...5 shot group. And oh by the way it is a CZ. I love their SST!

 

[deerhunter61]

Another factor is recoil. There's a reason cartridges like the .204 Ruger and the .223 Rem (and the old .22 Hornet) are so popular. With the mild recoil, you can actually spot your own shots. And a day's shooting isn't so punishing.

Recoil? And you are talking about the 6.5x55 Swede? Surely you jest....

 

[jjohnson]

Swede, Hands Down

Yeah, the Swedes still use theirs for target - it is an inherently accurate round - as well as for hunting MOOSE - and it's been doing that for well over a century, with nobody whining about the bullet not doing its job.

Not knocking the .243 at all - but you can do an awful lot with the Swede. If you're planning on shooting varmints, okay, but the Swede has an almost legendary reputation in Europe - recoil is quite moderate, too.

Oh, and by the way, don't apologize - it's a good question and worth asking.

 

[Mr_Pale_Horse]

foudofoot,

Nice Dog

 

[litman252]

If you only shoot at anything above the 180-200lb mark once in a great deal and it's a white-tail or a muely, then the 243 is ok. If deer and bigger are your focus then the sweede wins easy.

I'd go .243 w/ the uses you stated, but if the bigger deer or Elk are you goals later and it's only the one gun go Sweede as you have done.

I love my Sweede, but don't shoot paper for fun, have a 25-06 for light and quick handling little things and have easy access to a .223. The sweede is the BEST of the light calibers for me!! The bigger guns now keep the dust off the Sweede in the safe..............

Tony

 

[Huntin'Gun]

So, you're only going to have 1 rifle. It will either be a .243 or a 6.5x55. Then definately get the 6.5x55. I have one in a Tikka T3 Hunter. I have a handload with 125 gr Nosler Partitions going over 2900 fps. Shoots great. I think it that load would put down an elk. It's on the marginal end of things, so I haven't [and won't] try it, but I think it could do it. If I were doing varmints and plinking, I'd load up with 95 grain Hornady Interlocks. There's nothing the .243 could do that the 6.5x55 can't. But there's a lot the 6.5x55 can do that the .243 can't.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

In Scandanavia, the 6.5X55 is one of the most popular cartridges for hunting alg (which are actually moose.) Of course, hunters must pass a shooting test, and that probably makes them better able to use what we might consider a "light" cartridge.

 

[foudufoot]

Thanks Pale Horse & NCSmitty. Max likes the fullstocks, especially the Swedish type. I still want a CZ full-stock in 6.5x55 or 9.3x62 mm. Those are some SWEET looking and shooting rifles! Nice shooting deerhunter61! Is that CZ scoped? What distance?

Which do you prefer, 6.5x55swedish? Faith Hill or the alterrnative?

 

[TheGrimReaper]

+1 on the 6.5x55!!!

 

[GunTech]

I shoot the 260 Remington, which is close to the Swede, though if you hand load and have a modern action, you can get more from the Swede.

I would pick the Swede over the 253 any day. I've shot everything from 85gn hollow points to 142gn FMJ. Don;'t let anyone tell you the Swede won;t do Varmints. Your barrel twist is what's going to limit you.

As far as long range, 6.5 has a huge selection of high BC bullets that make it the choice of long range shooters.

107gn SMK or 108 Lapua scenar work great for PDs. The 140gn SP will reliably kill elk.

 

[CB900F]

Viking499;

Let me put it this way: I shoot off the left shoulder, go try to find a left hand bolt 6.5 Swede. The only one's even remotely available are European and rather expensive. So, obviously I'm voting the .243, right?

Nope, I've got a thing about not dating AIDs ridden hookers. I'm having a custom LHB 6.5 built on a Tikka action. At least this way I get to spend the money in increments over a coupla years.

900F