To 6.5 or not to 6.5 that is the question!

[jthyttin]

If one was going to get a 6.5, would they be at any advantage or disadvantage comparing the 6.5 creed with the 6.5x55.

Despite people yelling that Creedmoor is only a reinvention of the wheel, it's the first truly short action 6.5mm cartridge with "308 class" case capacity (it has fatter case than 308 family, that compensates being a bit shorter). Factory loads are modern and you basically get what you expect regardless of manufacturer. EDIT: maybe "less tapering case" is better expression than "fatter case" when comparing Creedmoor to 308

As a side track, Creedmoor vs. 260:

It may matter to you or not, but as owner of several 260 Rem rifles, it's dramatic what few millimeters in COAL can do. You're really handicapping the 260 if you're limited to strict 71mm COAL. AICS and TRG/CTR magazines (and I'm sure others) give you few extra millimeters to get the full caliber part of bullet forward of the shoulder/neck junction but this only works with 120gr traditional (non-monolithic) bullets. If I were starting over, there's no question that I'd choose Creedmoor.

6.5 Swede on the other hand usually has long throat, and with longer bullets you can really gain on case capacity by seating longer. It is std length action, that severely limits your aftermarket options (affordable target stocks etc). Factory loads are a toss, some manufacturers have decent velocity etc. and some are anemic. If you want modern performance, you really need to home load but then it has definite edge over Creedmoor and 260.

 

[Envillegc1]

Despite people yelling that Creedmoor is only a reinvention of the wheel, it's the first truly short action 6.5mm cartridge with "308 class" case capacity (it has fatter case than 308 family, that compensates being a bit shorter). Factory loads are modern and you basically get what you expect regardless of manufacturer.

As a side track, Creedmoor vs. 260:

It may matter to you or not, but as owner of several 260 Rem rifles, it's dramatic what few millimeters in COAL can do. You're really handicapping the 260 if you're limited to strict 71mm COAL. AICS and TRG/CTR magazines (and I'm sure others) give you few extra millimeters to get the full caliber part of bullet forward of the shoulder/neck junction but this only works with 120gr traditional (non-monolithic) bullets. If I were starting over, there's no question that I'd choose Creedmoor.

6.5 Swede on the other hand usually has long throat, and with longer bullets you can really gain on case capacity by seating longer. It is std length action, that severely limits your aftermarket options (affordable target stocks etc). Factory loads are a toss, some manufacturers have decent velocity etc. and some are anemic. If you want modern performance, you really need to home load but then it has definite edge over Creedmoor and 260.

My intention would be to home load. So the Swede is looking like a good option. I know Sako do this calibre and that maybe my starting point.

 

[Utectok]

My intention would be to home load. So the Swede is looking like a good option. I know Sako do this calibre and that maybe my starting point.

A drop tube helps to get the powder volume up to achieve good speeds. I use n555…and a brass 7mm tube I fettled to fit

 

[Uncle Buck]

Has this not been beat to death, 6.5 this /that
Shoots to a thousand yards through a polo mint !
C, mon guys I’m old school cut my teeth on 243
near 20year the deer never complained as long as l did my bit. Sadly l no longer poses a 243.
308 & 270 for the past 12 year they go the distance .Most are shot under 200yd mark.l like to creep in / see the white of the eyes, Realistically who’s shooting deer at long ranges.
Suddenly everyone wants a 6.5 or “creed” l thaught that was an expensive aftershave !
Rant over

 

[DavyG]

My intention would be to home load. So the Swede is looking like a good option. I know Sako do this calibre and that maybe my starting point.

Lots of 6.5 options out there.
Being rather “long in the tooth” I never really felt the need for a 6.5 in any guise. The old .270 never failed to deliver. But then I developed an itch which needed scratched…6.5 prc. Weighing in at 17lbs, it’s only ever going to be a 600M +
Plate plinker. But if I was ever to consider a replacement for a hunting cartridge, I’d need not to look any further.
DG

 

[Mr. Gain]

Just dont add bits that are not typed eh ? who is the least sain American leader is a whole different matter . I dont envy his life one bit TBF , imagine this forum times a few 1000 bigger

Sorry, but you actually typed "someone speaks rubbish or bias on this type of platform, they simply do not get the following" and I gave you an example of someone who speaks rubbish on every platform and has a huge following. I did this because I didn't understand your point and wanted to provide an example to show why.

 

[trickie]

243, 270 and 65-55 are all great chambering and if you have one and it’s working for you then no need to change to 65 CM.

A couple of weeks ago I shot my Tikka 6.5 CM side by side with a friend with his 6.5 55, we were both extremely happy with our shooting, following each other around the targets (steel pest and prey targets out to over 700 mr.)

I was as impressed with his rifle and performance as he was with mine. A new kid on the block - yes, better or slightly different, slightly different.
The CM is very easy to find a decent load (not owned a 6.5 55 I can’t comment on that).
Lots of homework went into my decision and I am very happy with the results

 

[hendrix's rifle]

Yes, I watched that too… interesting about the 6.5 CM and the 6.5 PRC being the same cartridge… achieving same velocities through different barrel lengths… This rings true to me of Hornady marketing creating new chamberings to promote new interest and sales..

It's quite literally like saying the 7-08 and 7rem mag are the same. They're just not.

308 the same as the 300wm? Same thing. It's not

 

[CNN]

This video compares box listed vs actual velocities including 6.5 and indicates that on a 26 inch barrel in 6.5CM there is very little difference to PRC -> .

 

[GBR66]

So
Like many I suspect I have been mulling over whether to get a 6.5 Creedmoor!

A couple of seeks ago a couple of friends let me have a go with there’s out on the range.

I had my 243 with me, which held its own out to 300yds, although the cross wind did need more compensation between 200 and 300. After 300 it was noticeable how the 6.5 started to pull away.

That said I am not looking at taking deer at those ranges(which may have answered my own question).

So I guess the question is, would you swap out the 243 for a 6.5?

For deer what is it going to give that the 243 does not already do?

Would welcome your thoughts?

If you are looking at lead free then I would switch....to something bigger whether .6.5 or not. I was always .308 when friends were .243, they have both gone .30-06 with light copper bullets (130-140g) as they weren't happy with killing power of .243 and copper. Collected my .30-06 this morning (mid life/most of the way through life crisis, had a 30 year old gun, not threaded barrel, now want a mod) and looking forward to zeroing it on Saturday!

 

[waterford103]

I have a PH 1200v in 243 and a Rem700 in 6.5 CM also a Rem 700 in 260r . Since acquiring the 6.5 cm the 243 hasn't left the cabinet and I only use the 260 at long range I like the 140gr bullets and they work very well.

 

[Tazz]

So
Like many I suspect I have been mulling over whether to get a 6.5 Creedmoor!

A couple of seeks ago a couple of friends let me have a go with there’s out on the range.

I had my 243 with me, which held its own out to 300yds, although the cross wind did need more compensation between 200 and 300. After 300 it was noticeable how the 6.5 started to pull away.

That said I am not looking at taking deer at those ranges(which may have answered my own question).

So I guess the question is, would you swap out the 243 for a 6.5?

For deer what is it going to give that the 243 does not already do?

Would welcome your thoughts?

Just say NO you have a perfectly good well established calibre 6.5 Creedmore stalking equivalent of Snowboarding !!!

 

[shakey jake]

Just say NO you have a perfectly good well established calibre 6.5 Creedmore stalking equivalent of Snowboarding !!!

is that the same as a 6.5 Creedmoor?

 

[Tazz]

is that the same as a 6.5 Creedmoor?

I always miss spell it just to see if any Creedmoor “Fans” bite

 

[25 Sharps]

It's quite literally like saying the 7-08 and 7rem mag are the same. They're just not.

308 the same as the 300wm? Same thing. It's not

It’s not.

The 7-08 and creedmoor are almost identical in capacity at 52.2/52.5 grains of water respectively.

The 6.5 PRC is far closer to the the .280, in comparison, 68.8 grains vs 67.9 whilst the 7 mm rem mag is 82 grains so a real step up from the 7-08.

The PRC isn’t really a magnum at all with similar or lower muzzle energy to .308 it’s really not much of a step up from creedmoor, it’s 30-06 family at best. In fact it loses out to the 25-06 by 150 to 200 fps with a 120 grain bullet so would do the same with a 6.5-06.

This one really is just marketing!

 

[25 Sharps]

Despite people yelling that Creedmoor is only a reinvention of the wheel, it's the first truly short action 6.5mm cartridge with "308 class" case capacity (it has fatter case than 308 family, that compensates being a bit shorter). Factory loads are modern and you basically get what you expect regardless of manufacturer. EDIT: maybe "less tapering case" is better expression than "fatter case" when comparing Creedmoor to 308

As a side track, Creedmoor vs. 260:

It may matter to you or not, but as owner of several 260 Rem rifles, it's dramatic what few millimeters in COAL can do. You're really handicapping the 260 if you're limited to strict 71mm COAL. AICS and TRG/CTR magazines (and I'm sure others) give you few extra millimeters to get the full caliber part of bullet forward of the shoulder/neck junction but this only works with 120gr traditional (non-monolithic) bullets. If I were starting over, there's no question that I'd choose Creedmoor.

6.5 Swede on the other hand usually has long throat, and with longer bullets you can really gain on case capacity by seating longer. It is std length action, that severely limits your aftermarket options (affordable target stocks etc). Factory loads are a toss, some manufacturers have decent velocity etc. and some are anemic. If you want modern performance, you really need to home load but then it has definite edge over Creedmoor and 260.

Does it have a fatter case? Or is it just less taper?

 

[jack243win]

6.5x55 hand-loaded

 

[25 Sharps]

6.5x55 hand-loaded

Is the king.

Although 6.5x55 AI may just be, The One!

 

[25 Sharps]

It’s not.

The 7-08 and creedmoor are almost identical in capacity at 52.2/52.5 grains of water respectively.

The 6.5 PRC is far closer to the the .280, in comparison, 68.8 grains vs 67.9 whilst the 7 mm rem mag is 82 grains so a real step up from the 7-08.

The PRC isn’t really a magnum at all with similar or lower muzzle energy to .308 it’s really not much of a step up from creedmoor, it’s 30-06 family at best. In fact it loses out to the 25-06 by 150 to 200 fps with a 120 grain bullet so would do the same with a 6.5-06.

This one really is just marketing!

Edit. Picked up the wrong data for the 25-06 but it’s still only on a par with the cartridge.

 

[Mungo]

Edit. Picked up the wrong data for the 25-06 but it’s still only on a par with the cartridge.

I have to disagree.

I have shot identical bullets (143 eldx and 147 eldm) from 24” barrelled CM and PRC.

With factory or home loaded ammo, there is a 250-300fps difference.

I can load my CM to close to PRC factory speeds. But I can then load the PRC as well, and regain the difference.