To 6.5 or not to 6.5 that is the question!

Bleak Ridge is a family-run business, selling country clothing and workwear
25 Sharps said:
I think they are used for both by our stateside brethren, but I stand to be corrected.

Although apparently the Ukranians and Canadians do also, with the Ukranians getting a bit more powder behind the bullet Ukraine's Horizon's Lord: The secret behind the longest claimed sniper shot in history
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The 50 BMG was originally designed to meet a military need for a round that could be used on vehicles. As such it needed to be able to disable an unarmored vehicle by penetrating the engine block and of course killing everything inside the vehicle. The fact that the cartridge AND the original M2 machine gun that Browning designed are still being used by militaries around the world is a testament to their effectiveness. Basically they are primarily used to get through vehicles and buildings to make them and their occupants “unable to fight”. I’ve had the opportunity to fire a single shot bolt action 50BMG at the range. It’s truly something to experience being in the delivery end of something like 12,000 ft/lbs of energy!
 
Andy Mauthe said:
The 50 BMG was originally designed to meet a military need for a round that could be used on vehicles. As such it needed to be able to disable an unarmored vehicle by penetrating the engine block and of course killing everything inside the vehicle. The fact that the cartridge AND the original M2 machine gun that Browning designed are still being used by militaries around the world is a testament to their effectiveness. Basically they are primarily used to get through vehicles and buildings to make them and their occupants “unable to fight”. I’ve had the opportunity to fire a single shot bolt action 50BMG at the range. It’s truly something to experience being in the delivery end of something like 12,000 ft/lbs of energy!
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Well aware of the original intended use, but that doesn’t rule out the fact that it is also used on people.
 
a_sethia said:
Really interested in what your reasons are for the 7mm you would recommend? Is there a big advantage 7 x 57 or 7-08? I had been thinking of picking up a lightweight .270 for stags on the hill (and keeping a heavier 6.5 for smaller game/target) but always keen to hear other views! Particularly keen on a good second hand rifle so I’m ruling out 7 PRC for now (is does also seem overpowered to me for the U.K.)…
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Hi been away out of WiFi so sorry for delay. Three years ago I started shooting 7x57. It was an itch! I have been very pleasantly surprised at how easy it is to load for and that what can be achieved. I home load and can easily get 2850fps with a 140gr bullet. In my 6.5x55 that was nearer 2700fps. Both work but the 7mm has just been a bit better. I have switched over to copper in the 7mm and it has not been an issue and use 140gr Barnes which kill well. In the 6.5 I have had to go much lighter and faster to get the same responses and also change bullet design. Not an issue but not as easy as the 7mm
The 7-08 is the American short action version of the European Spanish Mauser. I have friends who shoot them and love them and have similar experiences to mine.
The 6.5 is a great bullet. There is no difference between a swede or a CM, a 260rem or any other incarnation (taking the 284 out of it). The rise in CM is hype but I’m happy to ride that as it improves availability of bullets in the long term.
The 7x57 loaded with 140gr does in my opinion give you the edge.
 
big ears said:
Hi been away out of WiFi so sorry for delay. Three years ago I started shooting 7x57. It was an itch! I have been very pleasantly surprised at how easy it is to load for and that what can be achieved. I home load and can easily get 2850fps with a 140gr bullet. In my 6.5x55 that was nearer 2700fps. Both work but the 7mm has just been a bit better. I have switched over to copper in the 7mm and it has not been an issue and use 140gr Barnes which kill well. In the 6.5 I have had to go much lighter and faster to get the same responses and also change bullet design. Not an issue but not as easy as the 7mm
The 7-08 is the American short action version of the European Spanish Mauser. I have friends who shoot them and love them and have similar experiences to mine.
The 6.5 is a great bullet. There is no difference between a swede or a CM, a 260rem or any other incarnation (taking the 284 out of it). The rise in CM is hype but I’m happy to ride that as it improves availability of bullets in the long term.
The 7x57 loaded with 140gr does in my opinion give you the edge.
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Thank you big ears, I expect your experience might save me a lot of time and thought! I’m going to get a 6.5 to start with but have also been (for some reason I’m not sure of yet) been drawn to the 7x57 for quite a while so I think that may have to be next!
 
Bowland blades said:
Can you get 58 grain varmint bullets for a creed ? Not to my knoledge ! Is the 6.5 Creed the fastest 6.5 ? No! Is it better than the 6mm creed even ? Well apparently not as regards long range events as the 6mm is available in a higher BC and it has less recoil and the PRS guys etc are changing their 6.5 creeds out for it .
What the Creed did do is put a longer higher BC target bullet into a 308 class action than was previous available . But there where folks shooting high BC bullets with 243 Ack through 30-06 actions. But then try and get them off the shelf , Hornady did a great marketing job and being the owner of the design as they are for other cartridges ( 17 hmr etc ) They have another goose that lays Golden eggs !
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Which, is why I bimble along using a 6.5 swede, doing everything that the 6.5CM can do with considerably less fuss. I'm not an advocate, just an informed observer. If I were permitted to handload (a mortal sin in my jurisdiction) I would be comfortably able to exceed the performance of the 6.5 CM (not knocking the performance of that chambering). In any event both chamberings are superb at knocking down deer sized game at humane ranges ( and probably beyond). I do know that my chambering and rifle will out shoot me any day, I'm getting older, less patient, less accurate and less of a marksman as I age, but within my limitations, I strive to take deer with single shots, with the minimum stress (on both the deer and I) and most efficient and effective techniques I can execute. I'm an avid advocate of the concept that it's the individual behind the firearm rather than anything related to the firearm itself that is crucial in dispatching game cleanly and effectively in any given circumstances. Open to being corrected, on any of the above points. Slán leat!
 
a_sethia said:
Really interested in what your reasons are for the 7mm you would recommend? Is there a big advantage 7 x 57 or 7-08? I had been thinking of picking up a lightweight .270 for stags on the hill (and keeping a heavier 6.5 for smaller game/target) but always keen to hear other views! Particularly keen on a good second hand rifle so I’m ruling out 7 PRC for now (is does also seem overpowered to me for the U.K.)…
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In reality its really small difference between 6,5, .270/6,8 and 7mm the 6,5 shoots 130-140gr best with 160 round nose as the heavy choise, the ordinary .270win, 270wsm and 270wby are limited to max weight of 160gr for cup and core bullets. 6,8 western (Winchester/Browning) has a fast twist rate so it can take 165gr low drag bullets. 7*57, 7*64 and 280rem/AI can take heavy low drag 160gr bullets and the upper range are 175gr cup and core. The low drag bullets for the 7 have the highest BC you can find without the recoil of a .30 cal.
For hunting deer you are probably not seeing much difference between a 6,5, 6,8 or 7mm. 15% frontal area 14% bullet weight.
 
KimE said:
In reality its really small difference between 6,5, .270/6,8 and 7mm the 6,5 shoots 130-140gr best with 160 round nose as the heavy choise, the ordinary .270win, 270wsm and 270wby are limited to max weight of 160gr for cup and core bullets. 6,8 western (Winchester/Browning) has a fast twist rate so it can take 165gr low drag bullets. 7*57, 7*64 and 280rem/AI can take heavy low drag 160gr bullets and the upper range are 175gr cup and core. The low drag bullets for the 7 have the highest BC you can find without the recoil of a .30 cal.
For hunting deer you are probably not seeing much difference between a 6,5, 6,8 or 7mm. 15% frontal area 14% bullet weight.
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Yes but owning a .275 Rigby is 😎

🤣🤣
 
We seem to have forgotten about the other mighty 6.5 ,the Mannlicher Shoenaur . It killed more deer than anything includeing the venerable .303 until stupid legislation killed it.
 
Bowland blades said:
Now your being daft , all people in business make bad decisions. The trick is the balance of success over failure over many years.
nobody but the Banks truly makes money out of a deposit account over a reasonable time span
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I don’t dispute what you say. I made no comment as to his political judgement. I made a simple statement of fact.
I personally would regard ANYONE who finishes with less money than they started with as a bad businessman.
Look up the definition of businessman if you’re confused !
 
Andy Mauthe said:
I live in the United States. So let me tell you, I would love a few mean tweets and non-politically correct comments if it meant not having a senile progressive puppet in office. The conditions in this country have declined by every tangible measure since the current moron took office. Idk what you hear across the pond, but I have a front row seat and it’s not good. From crime to immigration to inflation and the fires brewing up all over the world and so on. These things are not a coincidence. Biden is weak and senile. And anyone who isn’t suffering from Trump Derangement Syndrome can see that. Including other world leaders both friendly and not friendly. Take it for what it’s worth. But regardless of what the “established media” tells you, Biden’s impact on this country and the world has all been bad. Just my 2 cents from the front row.
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Believe me when I say that I’m disappointed in a country I’m proud of being only able to put up buffoons to lead us.
Likewise I cannot believe that Trump and Biden are the best that your much larger population can come up with.
We have lost leaders who have actually experienced life and LED something somewhere before entering politics.
I’ve just finished a book on ARNHEM and the disastrous operation Market Garden. But what did interest me is reading about the various tank commanders and other military men who after the war entered politics and actually knew what they were talking about. I’ve also recently read Rory Stewart’s ‘Politics On The Edge’ book - there’s an eyeopener.
 
Let me draw a line under this.
I don’t defend or favour any of the political characters in the UK or US on this site. My politics are between me and the ballot box. But if I say something on here it’s not ‘false news’.
 
Rutland lad said:
Let me draw a line under this.
I don’t defend or favour any of the political characters in the UK or US on this site. My politics are between me and the ballot box. But if I say something on here it’s not ‘false news’.
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Someone’s net worth has no bearing on their qualifications for leadership. But I can see that this specific topic about this specific person is very important to you. And I’d sooner put my faith in someone who’s tried something outside of government and has their ups and downs. Rather than a career politician. But whatever. Btw, I know what being in business means. I don’t require anyone to help me understand that.
 
Andy Mauthe said:
Someone’s net worth has no bearing on their qualifications for leadership. But I can see that this specific topic about this specific person is very important to you. And I’d sooner put my faith in someone who’s tried something outside of government and has their ups and downs. Rather than a career politician. But whatever. Btw, I know what being in business means. I don’t require anyone to help me understand that.
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I agree with your point completely on ‘career politician’
I think lines have become blurred here between what I said about an individuals reputed business ability. That’s all I said.
I offer no comment regarding who should be leading your country. I suspect that we in the UK are about to see a change.
 
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