alientrainwreck
Member
I owned a nice cz in 6.5×55 to bad it was stolen but since then I've came along way with my knowledge in ballistics and reloading so I have decided that my next 6.5 will be a 6.5-06 with a 40 degree improved shoulder.
.260 or 6.5x55?
- Thread starter Buck13
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SwaneeSR
Member
I agree with the comments that first find a rifle you like in 6.5mm before determining the exact chambering. They all would meet my criteria.
BTW - Weatherby is set to release the 6.5-300 Weatherby Mag in 2016. Not a short action.
http://www.weatherby.com/products/ammunition/6-5-300-wby-mag-4.html
BTW - Weatherby is set to release the 6.5-300 Weatherby Mag in 2016. Not a short action.
http://www.weatherby.com/products/ammunition/6-5-300-wby-mag-4.html
None of those reasons register with me, or probably many other hunters who shoot 40 rounds a year in a hunting rifle.
I watch about three hours of TV per week. The Walking Dead and Big Bang are on my DVR. I occasionally watch a football game.
What is the best modern rifle in 6.5x55 that is at an affordable price? I can't find one locally at any of the LGS at any price. My Swede is sporterized and a beautiful gun and I would like a "beater" in the same caliber.
justin22885
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well, for those of us actually like to practice and get good at shooting, or enjoy shooting as a hobby, not just a means to hunt, then the reasons i gave were all very valid
Corn-Picker
Member
OK, maybe, but if you can shoot 2 MOA or less you're probably not going to miss any animals.
Dr T
Member
Well, there is a bit difference between shooting 0.5 MOA from a bench and being able to do it under all field conditions. Perhaps it would better be phrased "many animals".
I know I have killed my fair share of mesquite trees...
I know I have killed my fair share of mesquite trees...
SwaneeSR
Member
Last night I finally made a decision and threw my lot in with the Swedes. I purchased a Tikka 6.5x55 Stainless Stalker. I was struggling with the choice between .260 Rem or 6.5 CR or 6.5x55. I made my final choice based on a couple factors.
I am looking for a hunting rifle.
I hand load but i am not excited about case forming at this time. There is a lot of 6.5x55 brass available at my LGS. There is little .260 Rem since the LGS owner and son are big into the caliber and collect that up.
There are lots of factory loads available for 6.5x55.
The Tikka seemed well worth the money at apx $650.
I am looking for a hunting rifle.
I hand load but i am not excited about case forming at this time. There is a lot of 6.5x55 brass available at my LGS. There is little .260 Rem since the LGS owner and son are big into the caliber and collect that up.
There are lots of factory loads available for 6.5x55.
The Tikka seemed well worth the money at apx $650.
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Newtosavage
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I like that choice. I looked at that rifle just this morning for many of the same reasons.
SwaneeSR
Member
Bought online. So now i wait and wait.....
FWIW, there's only 3 or 4 ounces difference between a long and short action, maybe a half inch in length.
Between the 2 calibers; pick one and run.
From a reloading point of view, 100 cases in a hunting rifle caliber should last a lifetime. Couple hundred bullets is enough to figure several different loads. Another couple hundred will set you up for a lifetime of hunting. Leftovers are for plinking or fouling shots.
From a factory ammo point of view. Stick with what you can find at a reasonable cost. And even then, you'll be buying several types, weights, and flavors to figure out what shoots well in the rifle. Then, buy 5 or 10 boxes and you're set up for life. That can get expensive in the upfront costs. Not all rifles like factory ammo equally. Swede or .260 ammo averages 1.50 to 2.30 a round, some of it runs as high as 3.00 to 4.00 (Midway USA)
Between the 2 calibers and action length; a .260 in a long action has a lot of merit. Of course, only gunsmiths build rifles in .260 long action....
Between the 2 calibers; pick one and run.
From a reloading point of view, 100 cases in a hunting rifle caliber should last a lifetime. Couple hundred bullets is enough to figure several different loads. Another couple hundred will set you up for a lifetime of hunting. Leftovers are for plinking or fouling shots.
From a factory ammo point of view. Stick with what you can find at a reasonable cost. And even then, you'll be buying several types, weights, and flavors to figure out what shoots well in the rifle. Then, buy 5 or 10 boxes and you're set up for life. That can get expensive in the upfront costs. Not all rifles like factory ammo equally. Swede or .260 ammo averages 1.50 to 2.30 a round, some of it runs as high as 3.00 to 4.00 (Midway USA)
Between the 2 calibers and action length; a .260 in a long action has a lot of merit. Of course, only gunsmiths build rifles in .260 long action....
Corn-Picker
Member
And maybe Tikka... When I looked at Tikkas a few years ago I seem to recall that they only had one action (long), so you may be able to buy an off the shelf long-action 260 Remington.
I hadn't even considered Tikka. They kind of lost my interest when they stopped making the M595 and M695s.
I did happen upon what appears to be the bolt stop kit to convert a short to long though.
http://www.brownells.com/rifle-part...mbly-tikka-t3-sku913-400-677-31611-60090.aspx
Magazines as pictured would work for the longer cartridges.
http://www.brownells.com/magazines/...s/magazine-t3-25-06rem-270win--prod40748.aspx
It would be worth having two rifles in long and short action side by side in a store to make sure they interchange.
Tikka website shows several action lengths, maybe the difference is the bolt stops.... The bolt head for mag. short mag, standard (308) or small (223) would be a given.
T3 / Short
T3 / Short MT
T3 / Medium
T3 / Medium MT
T3 / Short Mag
T3 / Long
T3 / Long MT
T3 / Mag
They do list the .260 with an 8 twist, that's a good thing. If the chamber has enough freebore to run 140-142 gr bullets that would be a good thing also.
Now I'm curious.
SwaneeSR
Member
I decided to go with the Tikka 3 + 1 6.5MMX55MM Swede w/Stainless Barrel/Black Synthe - See more at: http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/23566#sthash.Zhc6gv40.dpuf
Incidentally, this rifle could be found for $100 less three years ago. I had not realized firearms prices for hunting rifles are increasing? Maybe.
I went with the stainless composite stalk over the wooden stock hunting model. I prefer wood, especially higher grade walnut. But this gun will be a working gun.
There are some great looking Sako rifles that are out of my price range.
I will look at the scope mounting options, spare box magazine and other accessories. I am pretty sure the rifle comes with factory scope rings, but the stainless ones look too shiny.
Thanks for the input.
Incidentally, this rifle could be found for $100 less three years ago. I had not realized firearms prices for hunting rifles are increasing? Maybe.
I went with the stainless composite stalk over the wooden stock hunting model. I prefer wood, especially higher grade walnut. But this gun will be a working gun.
There are some great looking Sako rifles that are out of my price range.
I will look at the scope mounting options, spare box magazine and other accessories. I am pretty sure the rifle comes with factory scope rings, but the stainless ones look too shiny.
Thanks for the input.
SchekRN
Member
Warne Fixed Mounts
I used Warne fixed rings on my Tikka T 3 Forest .260. Mounts directly to the receiver and has a recoil pin that seated perfectly in the receiver. No base necessary. Rock solid. Not sure if they are available in stainless.
I used Warne fixed rings on my Tikka T 3 Forest .260. Mounts directly to the receiver and has a recoil pin that seated perfectly in the receiver. No base necessary. Rock solid. Not sure if they are available in stainless.
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SwaneeSR
Member
Thanks SchekRN. I actually prefer matte black. I will check it out. Unfortunately my FFL is out for the holidays so the Tikka is in a holding pattern.
SwaneeSR
SwaneeSR
SwaneeSR
Member
I picked up my new deer rifle. Tikka T3 Lite SS. I am moving a lesser scope over. Need to save up for optics.
I have reloading components for 6.5x55 SE, need warmer weather..... -10 degF this morning.
I have reloading components for 6.5x55 SE, need warmer weather..... -10 degF this morning.
SwaneeSR
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