If you were to choose a barrel chambered in one of those calibers, to use mainly as a hunting rifle? Occasionally for recreational target shooting. Which one would you choose? What powder and bullet would you use for a barrel with a 1/8" twist? I have two reloading manuals and plan on purchasing the Speer reloading manual. I have no hands on experience with any of these cartridges so I am looking for tips from anyone who does. I plan on buying a Lee Deluxe rifle die set, any objections/suggestions, thanks.
6.5x47, .260, 6.5x55
- Thread starter lopezni
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JimKirk
Member
260
jk
jk
USSR
Member
6.5x55. Better selection of quality brass (Lapua). I have used RL22, H4350, and N160 powders with the 139 - 142gr bullets.
Don
Don
Claude Clay
Member
6.5 x 55 and 140 gr bullets
NCsmitty
Member
6.5x47 and .260 are very fine rounds in their own right, but to achieve their performance levels, the chamber pressures run quite high.
The 6.5x55 Swede case holds 3gr more than the 260 case, and can deliver comparable performance at less pressure, and that's a good thing.
The longer case neck of the 6.5x55 also contributes in allowing one to seat the bullet out further and gain powder space. The 6.5x55 is an easy cartridge to reload for accuracy and has proven to be a hunter's choice.
NCsmitty
The 6.5x55 Swede case holds 3gr more than the 260 case, and can deliver comparable performance at less pressure, and that's a good thing.
The longer case neck of the 6.5x55 also contributes in allowing one to seat the bullet out further and gain powder space. The 6.5x55 is an easy cartridge to reload for accuracy and has proven to be a hunter's choice.
NCsmitty
Offfhand
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Check the rifles used in national rifle championships: high power, silhouette and F-class, and you'll find that a high percentage are .260's. The .260 is easy to shoot and accurate. Never heard of anyone using a 6.5 Swede in serious US competitions.
627PCFan
Member
260's are for SA Rifles, 6.5x55 will fit but you lose the ability to seat the bullet long and use the extra case capacity.
The Swede in the US is overlooked because shooters shy away from long actions.
Order IMO
6.5x55
6.5x47
260
The Swede in the US is overlooked because shooters shy away from long actions.
Order IMO
6.5x55
6.5x47
260
Actually it is for a single shot rifle, so action length is irrelevant. I think I'm going to go with the 6.5x55. The reasons that people have given go along with what I have read and fall in line with what I want in a caliber.
Offfhand
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Quote from above post:
"kind of remember that you can use 308 cases for the 260 and they are plentiful.."
Very true and another reason the .260 is a good choice. Actually, I use Lapua .243 Win brass for my .260 target rifles simply by necking it up. Which is easy to do and provides first class cases. Any .243 brass will work fine: Win, Norma, etc. No problem
"kind of remember that you can use 308 cases for the 260 and they are plentiful.."
Very true and another reason the .260 is a good choice. Actually, I use Lapua .243 Win brass for my .260 target rifles simply by necking it up. Which is easy to do and provides first class cases. Any .243 brass will work fine: Win, Norma, etc. No problem
aerod1
Member
Which one of those powders did you like best and why? BTW, my 6.5x55 rifles are all military.
BTW, I'm am in the 6.5x55 camp for reasons stated above.
Will Fennell
Member
Nosler
I have 1 6.5 swede and 2 260's. I have great luck with Lapua brass for the 6.5, and also great performance with the Nosler 260 brass.
When I get another rifle chambered for a .264 diameter round, it will probally be a .260, but if it happened to be a long action, I wouldn't mind another 6.5 Swede.
I have 1 6.5 swede and 2 260's. I have great luck with Lapua brass for the 6.5, and also great performance with the Nosler 260 brass.
When I get another rifle chambered for a .264 diameter round, it will probally be a .260, but if it happened to be a long action, I wouldn't mind another 6.5 Swede.
David Wile
Member
Hey folks,
I have a couple of military (Sweden) rifles in 6.5X55, and I had a chance to buy a couple of cases of Lapua Boxer primed ammo at a special price maybe 15 or so years ago. I kept a case of ammo for myself and sold the rest. I don't shoot hot loads, so the Lapua brass keeps on going and going and going. I wouldn't put the other calibers down, but I can say good things about the 6.5X55.
Best wishes,
Dave Wile
I have a couple of military (Sweden) rifles in 6.5X55, and I had a chance to buy a couple of cases of Lapua Boxer primed ammo at a special price maybe 15 or so years ago. I kept a case of ammo for myself and sold the rest. I don't shoot hot loads, so the Lapua brass keeps on going and going and going. I wouldn't put the other calibers down, but I can say good things about the 6.5X55.
Best wishes,
Dave Wile
Kernel
Member
260 since it’s chambered in so many rifles. Take your pick. Everyone makes one. Blue or stainless. Standard barrel or carbine. Matte or polished. Wood stock or synthetic. Bolt action or semi auto. Choices abound. I think there’s even a Browning BLR lever action in 260.
6.5x55 is a great cartridge, but not so common. Limited choices. Same for 6.5x47, except more so.
If cost is not object, and you intend to have a custom rifle made, then 6.5x55.
6.5x55 is a great cartridge, but not so common. Limited choices. Same for 6.5x47, except more so.
If cost is not object, and you intend to have a custom rifle made, then 6.5x55.
USSR
Member
They all work quite well. I am presently using N160 simply because I have an 8# cannister of it. RL22 would probably be your best bet in military rifles.
Don
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