6.5x55 or 6.5 creedmoor

If it is purely for stalking there is no difference at all.
Ammo availability would be the deciding factor.

If you lived in Scandinavia it would be the 55, hands down, so much good quality ammunition available.

I have no clue on the status in the uk.

The Creed is short action, that will give you some advantages of you plan to tinker in aftermarket stocks, chassis, and such.
 
I have been using a .260 (another 6.5mm cartridge) in changing to 6.5mm creedmoor.

The reason for the change is- availability of factory ammunition- I reload but do not enjoy it and have had little time to do it . 6.5mm creedmoor has lots of choice and lots of copper alternative.

Even if you reload having the option to buy ammunition can be a great benefit. If you need it for forestry commission land blocks or other requirements of permissions or ranges.

Also availability of rifles - although there is no shortage of hunting rifles in 6.5x55.

Equally both will do the job -
 
Not owned a 55 however I do own a creed. From a stats point of view there’s nothing in it. I was go for a creedmoor just because it seems to be forever growing therefore easy to buy loading gear, easy to buy factory ammo, plenty of factory rifles etc
 
Thought you all loved 243 for everything over there? Long range hilar etc?
7mm08 used to be the loved round when I arrived, can,y give them away now where we are, sell the odd packet of 243, but 308 is the go too for many, due to the ability to shorten the barrel.
TV shows and videos push the 7 mm prc, mainly as these videos are aimed at the US market.
 
I’m a cartridge nut. And I appreciate history and am nostalgic about hunting and hunting rifles. So I don’t need to say which of the two I own.

But I also appreciate well designed rifles and cartridges that match intended use. Of course the creed is easy button cheap and plentiful. Who cares. You have a 243 and 30-06 both of which are easy and cheap to feed. Real question is what kind of rifle do you want. 22-24” barrel with walnut that looks as good as it balances? Then either will do the same thing but the Swede just feels right. But I care about such things. If you don’t then there’s really not a lot of reason to go with a x55. I do think it handles heavy lead core bullets better but guessing you can’t use those anyway.

If you are looking for a short barrel suppressor ready type deal the creed has a distinct advantage with both the short action and better ballistics in short barrels. That’s pretty much it.

I like my 6.5x55 rifles. I do find myself wanting a really short barreled suppressed light weight deer rifle. But for me I’d probably go with a mini action in 6 arc.

What kind of rifle do you want?
 
I never had time for the 6.5x55, never wanted any 6.5 until the Creedmoor came. The 6.5CM changed how the majority thinks about 6.5 cal. I think it deserves the success. Saying that, for deer I still think the 308 is better under 300m.
edi
 
As said If you reload the 55 with a 120-130 grn getting pushed around 2900 fps
Will kill them all very effectively even hardy sika out to ranges a lot further than your 300 y

130 tmk 2860 fps just works 👌
 
Good evening fellow stalkers,

After your opinions (however rogue)...

I'm in the market for a new calibre for stalking, I currently have .243 and 30.06 and my main quarry is Fallow.
The maximuin range on my permissions is 300 yards.

So I've narrowed it down to 6.5x55 or 6.5 creedmoor and am after your thoughts.
Trying to factor in all the pros and cons and still can not decide! 😅

Please don't start your answer with a quip about my husband shooting too!
For me it's all about what the gun / bullet can do.

Thanks in adavance
Ballistically, no difference at all.

The only reason to choose one over the other is availability of factory ammunition. There is a much wider range available in CM, and it is more common in shops.

With the lead ban on its way, I think CM will be the easier one to get copper ammunition for, and I think may be easier to develop your own loads for.

Having said all that, be wary of using either with a short (20”) barrel. The speed can be a lot lower than you expect.

Personally, if my primary target was fallow at relatively short range, I’d actually prefer a .308. I have shot them with both .308 and Creedmoor, and with big fat autumn bucks, the .308 had the edge.
 
Long time user of .260 rem, I swapped one out for the creedmore. I like the modern case design, it feels right. Extremely easy to work up a load for too. I’m just not sure it’s worth going with a long action 6.5x55 other than for nostalgia when the creedmore (and even the .260 rem) is so good.

same, i had a 260rem before they were cool and changed to creedmoor when it came along , i could get slightly more speed out of the 260rem but we are not talking enough to bother about

i now have two creedmoors.......
 
same, i had a 260rem before they were cool and changed to creedmoor when it came along , i could get slightly more speed out of the 260rem but we are not talking enough to bother about

i now have two creedmoors.......

I have one of each for now - .260 AIAX and 6.5CM T3 semi custom. Both are brilliant to shoot and stupidly accurate. Still, a .308 serves as my main stalking rifle, it just does the job.
 
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