30-06 vs 6.5x55 versatility

[Coltdriver]

I have had two 6.5X55 SE's and I now own a modern 6.5X54 MS which I load to 6.5X55 spec. I have owned a couple of 30-06's but I sold em and now have a .308.

I have reloaded for all of them.

A 6.5 is not remotely in the class of a 30 06. Run some ballistics software, look at the arc and particularly at the energy at every terminal state.

The only thing a 6.5X55 has going for it is the unmatched sectional density of the 160 grain bullets.

But unless you are gifted with knowing the ballistic arc of your round or you are able to slowly and methodically shoot from a static position and you know your ballistic arc the 160 grain bullets leave you with a 200 yard hunting rifle. Sure they can be fired accurately out to further distances but at 400 yards you are coming down at close to a 45 degree angle. Like I said, if you really know your ballistic arc

And it has been my experience that the 6.5X55 chambers are, naturally, cut to take the 160 grain rounds. This means you will never get close to the lands with a 130 or 140 grain round. That jump will challenge your ability to be really accurate with the lighter round.

The 30 06 can easily be down loaded to get a lighter recoil. But you can also minimize recoil with a good limb saver on your butt stock.

All that said I am taking my 6.5X54 MS deer hunting this winter. I have some 157 grain oryx bullets and some 140 grain partitions. If the shots turn out to be too long I will have my .308 in reserve.

 

[savanahsdad]

I know this is 30/06 vs 6.5X55, but have you thought about a win short mag ? as you reload that would be a great pic , you could load it down to a 6.5 (kick) or up to a 300 H&H . I have a 7mmWSM and I have load it down to a light 7mm-08 (130gr SPBT) and it kicks less than my 7mm-08 , and I have loaded 160gr's that put a hole strait through a 1/2" steel plate at over 100 yards ! I thought it would GONG.. but it whent CLACK , and I could see light throught it ! so for the widest range of loads in a 30cal the I would say the 300WSM would be at the top of the 30cal class , you can get the same bullets for it as you can for the old 30/06 yet it would be in a smaller lighter gun with a short action and you can load up more and down about the same.

I like the 7mm WSM , you can't go as big as you can with 300 but if you can punch through a 1/2" steel plate I'd think you could kill anything from a deer to a Chevy. !

 

[savanahsdad]

I have had two 6.5X55 SE's and I now own a modern 6.5X54 MS which I load to 6.5X55 spec. I have owned a couple of 30-06's but I sold em and now have a .308.

I have reloaded for all of them.

A 6.5 is not remotely in the class of a 30 06. Run some ballistics software, look at the arc and particularly at the energy at every terminal state.

The only thing a 6.5X55 has going for it is the unmatched sectional density of the 160 grain bullets.

But unless you are gifted with knowing the ballistic arc of your round or you are able to slowly and methodically shoot from a static position and you know your ballistic arc the 160 grain bullets leave you with a 200 yard hunting rifle. Sure they can be fired accurately out to further distances but at 400 yards you are coming down at close to a 45 degree angle. Like I said, if you really know your ballistic arc

And it has been my experience that the 6.5X55 chambers are, naturally, cut to take the 160 grain rounds. This means you will never get close to the lands with a 130 or 140 grain round. That jump will challenge your ability to be really accurate with the lighter round.

The 30 06 can easily be down loaded to get a lighter recoil. But you can also minimize recoil with a good limb saver on your butt stock.

All that said I am taking my 6.5X54 MS deer hunting this winter. I have some 157 grain oryx bullets and some 140 grain partitions. If the shots turn out to be too long I will have my .308 in reserve.

use Barns-X there long,, sometime to long in heavy 140gr and up but great for loading down , jump issue all fixed.....

 

[Andrew Leigh]

Shooting 130gr. Accubonds from a CZ550 6.5mm with a 0.6mm jump or .023".

 

[Rustle in the bushes]

noted- checking out the WSM. learning a ton about calibres atleast

 

[GooseGestapo]

Actually, the .308" 220gr bullets exceeds the 6.5mm 160gr for sectional density.
The .308 is .331 wheras the 6.5 is .328

Given the 50% greater weight and frontal area, it's no wonder that the .30/06 holds a higher level of esteem amoung experienced big-game hunters. Though the actual performance from a well placed shot may be moot. As Elmer Keith once said regarding the .35Whelen vs. the .30/06, the Whelen is "apt to make them flinch a bit more when hit", regarding elk. This too, has been my experience regarding the 6.5 vs .30 on deer... as well as .35 vs. .30 or .338 vs. 30.

I have a .260 and own several .30cal, to include a couple of '06's. (also smaller, larger and in-between).
I suggest the OP do as I did.
Start with the .30/06. Then if you have the urge, get a .260/6.5 later.... ditto the .270... I'm ambivilent on the .243 and .270's, but thats a personal thing....

The 6.5's require a 1/7 or 1/8 twist for stabililty with the Round Nose 155-160's. My .260Rem shoots the discontinued 160gr Sierra RN under 1" for 5-shots at 100yds, but is "iffy" with the 129gr SST's(~3"), and no-go with the 140gr SST's(5"+), wheras it shoots under MOA with a flat-based 140gr Speer or Hornady.
I've never had a problem with 220's from a 1/10" .30/06, but a .308wcf would give only 2,100fps max and 5" groups with a 220 (1/12" twist bbl).

I've shot 55gr Accelerator, and accuracy is TERRIBLE. 4" @ 100yds was the best I ever saw, and was with the factory Remington ammo. I have gotten ~1" at 50yds with 78gr RN cast bullets over 5.0gr of Bullseye powder and was a wonderful "plinking" load from a b/a .30/06.
The .30/06 IS the versatitilty KING.

Try finding 6.5 or .260Rem at your local Walmart.....
But try to decide on an '06 load.... 150,165, 180gr, Red box, grey box, green box, blue box, choices, choices, decisions, decisions.....!!!!!