6.5x55 or 6.5 creedmoor

[RCS Deer Management]

With the law changing to lead free, .243 will not cut the mustard. 30.06 has a little too much power and s fair kick.

Have you actually tried lead free in .243?

 

[3595wilk]

I sold my .243 due to the forthcoming changes too. Not because of its inability as a calibre to shoot copper (it can, and mine did) but it was a dual purpose, foxing rifle too. Monolithics aren't the most efficient way to manage foxes. If you are only changing because of the HSE, and have no need for it for foxing, maybe have a rethink.

That said, I switched from.243 to 6.5x55 - but only as I intended to reload from the start - and have another calibre suitable for foxing and small deer species.

Factory ammunition availability and cost for the Swedemoor, make it not as good a proposition as the Creedmoor - and you will find a rifle for sale in the newer calibre, in most racks at a RFD.

Logic and head, dictates the Creedmoor is the only sensible choice..........but where's the fun in that? Get a Swede and don't follow the herd......

 

[tarponhead]

It's the 6 of two three's. Almost flip a coin. I have the Swiss and am very happy with it, I did for a while wish id got the creed for the only reason of availability of factory ammo is regularly more available. I now re load for the Swiss and quite happy in carrying on with it. If I was to apply now knowing what I know, I would choose a creed for the only one reason of buying factory ammo is easier and more available IMO

This. I went 6.5x55 for recoil and bullet choices - now well served in copper. If I had wanted to stretch the range beyond 2-300 and target shoot then maybe the creedmoor, but nothing in it for my level of proficiency. I can kill a deer with a safe humane shot with either, so nothing between them for me. As others have said, find the right rifle for you at the right price. Happy hunting!

 

[North Cornwall Deer]

I’m on my 3rd 55 now, I did have a variation for a cred at one point simply because I was caught up in the hype, I never bothered buying one in the end as my 55 does everything i need.
Having said that I’m not sure how many rifle are still chambered in 55 compared to the cred so I’d probably pick the action over the calibre if buying a new rifle now.
Ammo availability at my local rfd would also be a consideration if you don’t intend to roll your own.

 

[Essexsussex]

Same as everyone else - I have a 55 that I love although the 243 has been more used for fallow over the last couple of years and never felt lacking.

That said I’ve had the 55 out this season and forgot how nice it is. Found a few boxes of old stock and old price 55 ammo in a gunshop (which may short term be on your side) so I’m set now for a while. You may find the cost of a used 55 is a lot less than a creed.

All to say - maybe crack on a little more with the 243 whilst you slowly find the rifle of your dreams in either swede or creed.

 

[Foxyboy43]

I love my 6.5x55SE - terrific round and unlike my .308 you can see the bullet strike through the scope.
They shoot the same bullets at the same speed but the Creedmoor is short action and does so with slightly less powder.
Good points have been made above on ammo availability but if you reload there is no real problem.
The deer will not notice the difference….

 

[Utectok]

Reload get a 55 shop bought get creedmore that’s my rule of thumb. You can get slightly better performance from a 55 if you stuff your own cartridges. Off the shelf the other way round

 

[Essexsussex]

Reload get a 55 shop bought get creedmore that’s my rule of thumb. You can get slightly better performance from a 55 if you stuff your own cartridges. Off the shelf the other way round

Agree with this - I’ve found European ammo in 55 a bit better than American but maybe that’s anecdotal. Feel like it might be loaded to higher velocities but I haven’t actually checked! I’m sure someone on here will actually know

Edited to say: I think this thesis of mine is nonsense having just done five
Minutes research. Sorry all!

 

[WiltshireStalker]

Creed for the availability of ammo, whether factory or reloading your own. There is a reason its boom so popular.
And for those that say its not a big enough calibre, I dropped a Bull moose with mine two years ago.......

 

[Dhindes]

6.5x57 is what you need - then you can say you have a 6.5 Mauser - or even a 6.5 Rigby !
Works like a dream and more exclusive !

 

[BE Precision]

to answer your question, the Creedmoor is the one to choose, unless you find the specific rifle you want in 55, but then your ammo choice will be limited.

But the real question should have been "shall I re-barrel my .243 to a 1:7 - 1:8" twist and keep it?"

 

[Taff]

I love my 6.5x55 but noticed in the local
Gun shop today 10+ types of 6.5 Creedmoor ammo compared to 1 6.5x55.
If I didn’t reload and was picking a new rifle I think I’d choose 6.5 Creedmoor (actually 6.5 PRC but you didn’t ask about that one).

But for how long creedmore is dead here already, suppliers offering great deals on rifles, 7 mm prc the flavour of the month at the moment.

 

[Swedish]

There is very little real world difference between the Swede and the Creedmoor when it comes to terminal performance. They both use similar bullets and in some instances the same bullets. It's down to (as others have said) which rifle you like and the availability of ammunition or reloading components. The Creedmoor is a short action whereas the Swede is a long. The Creedmoor is a modern round and is rated to higher pressures than the Swede although this is mainly to take into account that there are still plenty of very old Swedes around that wouldn't be able to withstand ammunition loaded to modern day pressures. There is a modern day spec developed in Scandinavia known as SKAN which is supposedly safe in modern day 6.5x55 rifles.

 

[Mike1979]

Zig or Zag.....but get a Creed for the pure "Marmite" value. I have one and love it but am thick skinned enough to cope with the constant pee taking

 

[Swedish]

Zig or Zag.....but get a Creed for the pure "Marmite" value. I have one and love it but am thick skinned enough to cope with the constant pee taking

Hold on to your hat Mike, I'm still searching for my favourite Creedmoor meme. It seems to have disappeared!

EDIT: Woohoo, found it!

 

[Mike1979]

Hold on to your hat Mike, I'm still searching for my favourite Creedmoor meme. It seems to have disappeared!

EDIT: Woohoo, found it!

View attachment 431805

I had to wax for my picture (the one on the right)

 

[Essexsussex]

But for how long creedmore is dead here already, suppliers offering great deals on rifles, 7 mm prc the flavour of the month at the moment.

Thought you all loved 243 for everything over there? Long range hilar etc?

 

[Leec6.5]

6.5x55 is one of the finest calibres you will ever own!

Do I regret selling mine all those moons ago? Yes, I do but that doesn’t matter now because I’ve got the granddaddy of them all 7 x 57 so I got there in the end it’s just a long way going around things.!

The only ball ache will be with a 55 you’ll have to hand load because the ammunition availability is no longer there the creedmoor ballsed that up!

 

[kenbro]

It’s just a matter of what feels nice

Keep it clean, please.
KB.

 

[Mike1979]

Keep it clean, please.
KB.

With a comment like that it has to be a Creedmoor