Looked again at chambering option. In 7mm it’s either 7x57R or 7x65R. Ballisticslly I cannot see a difference between the 6.5x55 and the 7x57R so I seem to have gone full circle. The 7x65R does give an advantage but at a larger cost not only in running it but also recoil. The comment about fitting a kick stop kind of defeats the idea of a light weight stalking rifle (5.5lb) if you have to increase the weight to make it more pleasurable to shoot.
I have to say I’ve not had any issue with runners when shooting the 6.5x55 but do take the point that it is limited in bullet weights to below 160gr with 140gr about the best which could limit its uses.
I need to ask myself would I regret not getting a 7x57R. The problem is without shooting both the 6.5x55 and the 7x57R side by side it will be difficult to assess as pleasure has to be an important part of this.
Need to find a dealer with both and see if they will let me try them out.