To 6.5 or not to 6.5 that is the question!

[Bowland blades]

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 !

I am 100% certain Trump has enough time in and enough money to look at high risk and high returns without crying into his porridge when most of them fail .
Anyhow looking at the poles in America , he might break with previous " Facts" That a leader that lost an election can never win again, he is doing pretty well to say the least !

 

[Bowland blades]

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!

" Better " or "Best" is always down to what the buyer wants to achieve of course . I dont run a 6.5 Creedmoor but i do run a 260 and those two are very tit and tat . Creed can handle higher BC long target bullets and my 260 cannot But it can handle 100 and 120 grain tTSX hunting bullets and i can form brass from any of the 308 based cartridges. I had mine built 1-7.5 twist faster than the creed that normally 1-8 . I have no intention to run high BC bullets as i dont ever shoot deer past say 500 and that's only really for fixing problems not starting them .
260 brass of a given brand is hard to get so running 243, 7-08, 308 cases necked up or down can keep me in brass

 

[jthyttin]

Would this do ?

Yes and no. I guess the source is reputable, but it doesn't confirm your claim.

You claimed that if Trump had put his inheritance into deposit account, he'd be worth more than he now has. The article says, that up until COVID he significantly outperformed S&P 500 index but in the early 2021 "index caught up". Article is from October 2021 so it gives no information about last 2.5 years.

Problems with such comparison:

- why would you have invested in specifically S&P 500, more probably a wider index(es)
- are the fund costs taken into account (granted they're quite small for large index funds)
- personal consumption is not taken into account, or grealty undervalued ("had instead lived a simple life")
- after reading the article, I'm still uncertain if they valued the inheritance correctly
- ...

 

[Andy Mauthe]

I just find it interesting how much Trump’s every activity since birth is scrutinized so much. And yet things that are happening in the world right now which have absolutely nothing to do with Trump go unnoticed, un-discussed, un-reported on just because these things are not associated with Trump. How much is he worth? I could honestly care less. As an American Citizen who works and pays taxes, I’m strangely more interested and concerned about the current trajectory of my country. People love to point things out about Trump that really have nothing to do with what matters really. Somehow they feel it’s their duty to do so. I just wish those people could put their political filter down and actually make an honest assessment of the current situation. I’ll just leave it there. I also don’t understand why when I join an international community of shooters and hunters I come on here and see people pointing out what are really irrelevant “facts” about a person who, if people were actually being objective, did many positive and tangible good things for my country. And over the last 3 plus years, the current administration has essentially done the exact opposite. I would really challenge folks to tell me 3 specific things that the current administration has done that’s positive for the United States and the world. I await their answers and the only criteria is that they don’t reference Trump. Good luck. Now I’d like to get back to conversations about guns and hunting.

 

[waterford103]

Now I’d like to get back to conversations about guns and hunting.

 

[RescueMe0007]

" Better " or "Best" is always down to what the buyer wants to achieve of course . I dont run a 6.5 Creedmoor but i do run a 260 and those two are very tit and tat . Creed can handle higher BC long target bullets and my 260 cannot But it can handle 100 and 120 grain tTSX hunting bullets and i can form brass from any of the 308 based cartridges. I had mine built 1-7.5 twist faster than the creed that normally 1-8 . I have no intention to run high BC bullets as i dont ever shoot deer past say 500 and that's only really for fixing problems not starting them .
260 brass of a given brand is hard to get so running 243, 7-08, 308 cases necked up or down can keep me in brass

I would be very content with a .260. I have shot the cartridge in Australia alongside a 6.5X55SE (6.5SE) and both performed admirably. In my jurisdiction .260 are scarcer than hens teeth (no idea why) possibly the 6.5SE was already well established. It's impossible to get factory cartridges and reloading is functionally forbidden, so your option of using .308 brass is not available. Availability of an ammo supply is always crucial when selecting a cartridge. I have only the one deer rifle, it performs very well (exceeds me comfortably), I'll never take a shot beyond 250 metres and most will be between 80 and 150 metres, so any of the 6.5 or 7 mm cartridges would be more than adequate. We should both be very happy with our choices for a long time to come.

 

[Bowland blades]

I would be very content with a .260. I have shot the cartridge in Australia alongside a 6.5X55SE (6.5SE) and both performed admirably. In my jurisdiction .260 are scarcer than hens teeth (no idea why) possibly the 6.5SE was already well established. It's impossible to get factory cartridges and reloading is functionally forbidden, so your option of using .308 brass is not available. Availability of an ammo supply is always crucial when selecting a cartridge. I have only the one deer rifle, it performs very well (exceeds me comfortably), I'll never take a shot beyond 250 metres and most will be between 80 and 150 metres, so any of the 6.5 or 7 mm cartridges would be more than adequate. We should both be very happy with our choices for a long time to come.

I doubt there are many makers still chambering 260 as a stock item in most nations . At the time the creed could have taken a belly flop though . Obviously it did not

 

[NI Shooter]

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?

Having used a 308, 222, 6.5 x55 sweed, and a 243 a lot, and own a 6.5 creedmore. I think the 6.5 cartridge as a whole is a beautiful cartridge. At the range, the creedmoor speaks for itself, it will out compete your 243 handily. However in the deer stalking department, the 6.5 dose offer you that extra security.



The deer is a little farther, you only have a shot to go through the sholders, you want to shoot a bigger animal, etc.



I stalk mainly Sika and Red deer, and whilst a 243 as been used to hunt both successfully for a long time, once you step up into the larger stags of both, having that extra grain weight and diameter really is noticable.



especially those times where its a bit windy or rainy, and if using a 243, a 170m shot at a red stag to put it in behind the shoulder can be dicey. With the 6.5, a 147g ELDX doesnt cause me a second thought to put it through both shoulders at that range and drop it cleanly



My father used to say you can always shoot a smaller animal with a big bullet (although 95g options in 6.5 negates that slightly), you can't shoot a bigger animal with a smaller bullet.



I prefer the 6.5 as i think you can to the smaller shorter range stuff the 243 does, but gives you the freedom to be more successful and confident at the larger, longer range stuff without increasing recoil really at all.

 

[KimE]

Having used a 308, 222, 6.5 x55 sweed, and a 243 a lot, and own a 6.5 creedmore. I think the 6.5 cartridge as a whole is a beautiful cartridge. At the range, the creedmoor speaks for itself, it will out compete your 243 handily. However in the deer stalking department, the 6.5 dose offer you that extra security.



The deer is a little farther, you only have a shot to go through the sholders, you want to shoot a bigger animal, etc.



I stalk mainly Sika and Red deer, and whilst a 243 as been used to hunt both successfully for a long time, once you step up into the larger stags of both, having that extra grain weight and diameter really is noticable.



especially those times where its a bit windy or rainy, and if using a 243, a 170m shot at a red stag to put it in behind the shoulder can be dicey. With the 6.5, a 147g ELDX doesnt cause me a second thought to put it through both shoulders at that range and drop it cleanly



My father used to say you can always shoot a smaller animal with a big bullet (although 95g options in 6.5 negates that slightly), you can't shoot a bigger animal with a smaller bullet.



I prefer the 6.5 as i think you can to the smaller shorter range stuff the 243 does, but gives you the freedom to be more successful and confident at the larger, longer range stuff without increasing recoil really at all.

I have mostly used 6,5*55 or 308w for roedeer a 155gr 6,5 or 165gr-180gr, 7,62 works well on roe deer the heavy slugs takes down the violent effect a light bullets can have and the main game animal are moose, wildboar and bear season open in august then the roebuck season are. The .243 have a bad position in the Swedish regulation as you are not allowed to shoot anything bigger than roedeer or beaver with it.

 

[Tobyc064]

One man’s opinion… 6.5’s don’t kill that well. 25-06 and 270’s kill very well , is that because of the lower sectional density? Who knows.

My next build would be a 1in7 twist 6mm creedmoor

 

[Andy Mauthe]

One man’s opinion… 6.5’s don’t kill that well. 25-06 and 270’s kill very well , is that because of the lower sectional density? Who knows.

My next build would be a 1in7 twist 6mm creedmoor

6.5 Swede owners might not agree with that statement. They’ve been killing everything in Europe for over a century with it and quite effectively.

 

[Tobyc064]

6.5 Swede owners might not agree with that statement. They’ve been killing everything in Europe for over a century with it and quite effectively.

It will definitely kill , they like to run first tho. Long heavy bullets going slow puts the energy into the ground behind the animal. Too much penetration and not enough expansion

 

[Andy Mauthe]

It will definitely kill , they like to run first tho. Long heavy bullets going slow puts the energy into the ground behind the animal. Too much penetration and not enough expansion

Some of that could be bullet choice. The 6.5 Swede has a well deserved reputation for punching above its weight partly because those long skinny bullets do penetrate well. With all of the bullet choices available today it should be just a matter of matching bullet type/construction to the type of game you’re hunting. To ensure good penetration but also good controlled expansion.

 

[Mungo]

One man’s opinion… 6.5’s don’t kill that well. 25-06 and 270’s kill very well , is that because of the lower sectional density? Who knows.

My next build would be a 1in7 twist 6mm creedmoor

6.5s don’t kill well??

Have you shot with one?

Having shot with .308, several flavours of 6.5 and .270, I can’t say there was any noticeable difference in killingness. I’ve even analysed my data statistically, and there was no difference in proportion of instant kills or distance run. Roe, red, sika and fallow, distances between 25m and 350m.

Come on - we’re talking about near microscopic differences in bullet diameter. Put them in the right place and they all blow a hole through an animal.

 

[rem284]

It will definitely kill , they like to run first tho. Long heavy bullets going slow puts the energy into the ground behind the animal. Too much penetration and not enough expansion

Correct bullet design helps with a good kill. Bullet placement even more important

 

[rem284]

6.5s don’t kill well??

Have you shot with one?

Having shot with .308, several flavours of 6.5 and .270, I can’t say there was any noticeable difference in killingness. I’ve even analysed my data statistically, and there was no difference in proportion of instant kills or distance run. Roe, red, sika and fallow, distances between 25m and 350m.

Come on - we’re talking about near microscopic differences in bullet diameter. Put them in the right place and they all blow a hole through an animal.

I like the new word "killingness". I wonder how long it willbe before it is in the dictionary

 

[Tobyc064]

6.5s don’t kill well??

Have you shot with one?

Having shot with .308, several flavours of 6.5 and .270, I can’t say there was any noticeable difference in killingness. I’ve even analysed my data statistically, and there was no difference in proportion of instant kills or distance run. Roe, red, sika and fallow, distances between 25m and 350m.

Come on - we’re talking about near microscopic differences in bullet diameter. Put them in the right place and they all blow a hole through an animal.

Yes I’ve owned 2x .260 Remingtons , a 6.5x47 and a 6.5creedmoor . That’s just my experience and I think there is better choices out there

 

[Mungo]

I like the new word "killingness". I wonder how long it willbe before it is in the dictionary

It’s similar to bang-floppery.

‘The eartingle of the .270 is out of all proportion to its killingness, and its bangfloppery is no different to a .308.’

 

[Heym SR20]

P

It’s similar to bang-floppery.

‘The eartingle of the .270 is out of all proportion to its killingness, and its bangfloppery is no different to a .308.’

I assume “eartingle” is in reference to whether it provides a big or a little “owie” on your shoulder or forehead when you fire it.

 

[Heym SR20]

The reputation for a killingness of a cartridge is really down to heresay, and I would opine is really down to the early users, their choice of bullet, shot placement, range and intended target.

So go back in history to the 280 Ross. A canadian cartridge designed by a Scottish Nobleman. It was a 7mm firing a 140 or 156gn bullet at above 3,000 fps. It was offered in solid spitzer type bullets for military use, a bronze capped soft point (think ballistic tip but use bronze instead of plastic) and I believe it was adopted by the Canadian military in a straight pull rifle. This did very well on the target range, not so well in the trenches of WW1.

It was popular for a while either side of WW1 for plains game isn east africa. Gained a reputation for being accurate and killing very well. That is until a certain Grey decided it was the perfect to use on Lion after chasing them on horseback. It wasn’t. The bullet was too soft for close range use, bullet only wounded a lion, that turned round and mauled Mr Grey. He did survive, but not for long.

The 280 Ross is but a footnote in history, although it has pretty much the identical ballistics of the 280 Remington, 7mm Rem mag, 7mm PRC etc.

Meanwhile a certain other Scottish gentleman by the name of Bell was making an outstanding reputation for the both 7x57 or 275 Rigby, and the 6.5 Mannlicher by using solid round nosed bullets for shooting several hundred elephants with brain shots. Same cartridge in the hands of the Boers and the Spanish had taught the Brits and Americans a thing or two about modern cartridges and marksmanship. Whilst not popular the 7x57 is still going strong, the 6.5 Mannlicher less so, but it’s cousin the 6.5x55 is still very widespread especially in Scandinaviour.

And the more recent 6.5 CM, 7-08, 7 PRC bring these right up to date and allow manufacturers to load a full power without worry of them being used in very old rifles. I suspect, given the adoption of the 277 Fury as a military cartridge in the US, we will see this becoming all the rage in the next few years.