6.5mm - Is there a "consumer" cartridge?

[ranger56528]

I got fed up with trying to figure out what I should get for target shooting and finally went with the Savage 12 LRP in 6.5 Creedmoor,then I bought a set of dies then afew cases of 140 A-Max,extra brass,few pounds of powder and some Hornady bullets and had primers so now I'm good to go. The 260 just about ended up in the safe but the creedmoor won out this time. Buying a BLR 308 tomorrow heeheehee.

 

[Kerf]

Should you ever take up reloading, and consider barrel life a factor, you may want to look at the 6.5X57.

kerf

 

[jrdolall]

I now hunt with a 1918 Swedish Mauser in 6.5x55. I use factory loads for hunting and the gun is as close to a tack driver as I can make it. My daughter also uses the Swede so I still have to revert to the 30-06 on occasion.
The rifle is as close to a "dream to shoot" as any gun I have ever used. Shoulders well, limited recoil (though I an not recoil sensitive) and I think it would make an excellent target rifle as well. I do order my hunting ammo online because the Privi I found locally was not accurate out of the gun.

 

[cprher]

My experience is the same as Flatbush Harry's. My Ruger 77 in 6.5X55 Swedish was superbly accurate with a variety of commercial ammo. I sold it to a buddy and build a custom Mauser in that same caliber I was so impressed. It to is a barn burner. I like it far more than ANY other 6.5 because you can buy commercial hunting ammo for it world wide, and high quality match ammo that rivals the best reloads. Plus it is far more flexible in terms of bullet weight than the 260 Rem, similar to how the 30'06 can handle more bullet weight than its smaller brother the 308. Can't go wrong with it and you'll never feel the need to "upgrade".
Keith

 

[GooseGestapo]

I went with a .260Rem... Hunting Rifle. Rem. Mod-7 CDL.
All my brass read ".308win" or ".243".

However, I'm rather "biased" against it. It doesn't do anything my .257Roberts does. And, the 7mm08 pretty much beats it in just about any category that you can come up with, except recoil. The 7mm does recoil just a tad bit more.

but, a 162-175gr bullet from the 7mm is just a bit better than any 140 or 160gr bullet from the 6.5.

There is a reason that the 7mm's have beaten out the 6.5's...

Sorry, but after over 100 deer killed between the two cartridges, that's just my opinion.

 

[Savageman25]

As a direct answer to your opening remarks, this is the where I place them.

If only a bolt action gun- 260 rem or 6.5 swede its a coin flip. Especially if you don't mind a long vs short action

6.5 Creedmoor-If planning (you say you plan for a long time) for bolt and a gasser anytime and if ever possible in future, this caliber allows optimum flexibility between all different platforms and is readily accessible ammo. This also allows, in the case you stop reloading, you can still get ammo for it. This round covers all bases and I see no downside to it in any way. This allows for less money spent buying different dies, casings, etc.. (One and done deal). If you can not tell this is my overall choice.


My opinion is that the 6.5 is the most verccatile bullet made, it won't dissappear from the market, and sense you reload it doesn't much matter what's on the shelves after you do your initial comparison as you mentioned earlier so it's nice to be able to pick and choose whatever you want.

Ar15- 6.5 Grendel is a great round if you happen to get into that platform, I would not hesitate to bank on it being around for a very very long time.