Single rifle caliber choice - 6.5 x 55 or a .308??

[BunnyDoom]

.308 probably wins because of ammo availability and price. 6.5 is supposedly a good round but only shot one deer with one so no practical experience (did knock over the fallow buck though). 7mm-08 is a good round but ammo is expensive and hard to get.

.270 is worth a look - friend of mine uses one on reds fallow and roe with good results. Ammo's quite easy to get too.

Personal preference though as you say - maybe try a few guns to see how they fit then once you've chosen a model see what's available in terms of calibre.

 

[Roelander]

Well gents, it truly is a contentious subject! Again, thanks for all of you advice. There are some simple points people have pointed out like average stalking ranges for example. I'll be woodland stalking for the most part so I can't see any point in going for a mega flat shooting hyper velocity round etc. The .308 does what is says on the tin, no arguments there, and with less meet damage too. I know Mike Alison from jelen Deer has used a 30-06 on everything for years now and swears by it but as everyone says, it's personal choice, the deer don't know much difference between the two calibers.

I'll be taking up Pendle and Sikadogs offer to have a go on their 6.5's (thanks lads, really appreciated) and take it from there. I had the same problem trying to decide between a .17HMR and a .22LR recently too.... I went for the .17 in the end and have not regretted it for a second but I really wasn't sure what to go for, and that was with a huge difference in performance )

 

[Vipa]

from a 6.5x55 owber who loves it.... go .308... the 6.5x55 is wonderful and will go from fox to red and beyond but... if it's only a deer machine then the availability and choice of ammo and reloading components puts it head and shoulders above the swede..

The ONLY caviat I can think of is the .308 may not be a wise choice if there is a remote possibility of shooting in some countries on the continent with it as you may not be able to!

 

[Jelendeer]

Hi Guys,

Just for interest you might wish to look at our blog. Just wrote an articla last night about this very subject.

You can check it out by clicking on the following link:

Choosing your first Deer Rifle.

If we can help in any way, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

Regards,

Mike.
(Director - Jelen Deer Services)

 

[6pt-sika]

I will freely admit I have no knowledge of the factors you guys have to deal with in the UK as far as getting ammo , components etc .

Here in the US under normal conditions it's pretty simple .

I suppose one of my negatives against the 308 is that it's so "common" for lack of a better word . But then I'd say the same thing for the 223 , 270 and 30-06 . Oh FWIW I have atleast one in all those cartridges with the single exception of the 223 .

I suppose I like things that are out of the norm so to speak .

 

[jungle_re]

Confidence in your choice counts for a great deal

100% agree

confidence helps you take quick, accurate and calm shots, doubts about calibre, shot placement accuracy in fact any worry will only inhibit good shooting IMO. Confidence will increase in direct proportion with your experience with the weapon and time spent practicing, this however can be greatly sped up by buying a rifle that your comfortable with, fits well and you like (i know it sounds silly but ti does make a difference). Either will do the job you wish for easily no questioned asked.

That said if it was me it be the 7-08

 

[Roelander]

100% agree

confidence helps you take quick, accurate and calm shots, doubts about calibre, shot placement accuracy in fact any worry will only inhibit good shooting IMO. Confidence will increase in direct proportion with your experience with the weapon and time spent practicing, this however can be greatly sped up by buying a rifle that your comfortable with, fits well and you like (i know it sounds silly but ti does make a difference). Either will do the job you wish for easily no questioned asked.

That said if it was me it be the 7-08

Totally agree there.

 

[Muir]

I shoot them both. I use the 6.5x55 more than the 308 on deer because I like the rifle it's chambered in. Get the rifle that suits you in either caliber. As above, it always comes down to the gun you feel best about shooting. The rest is smoke and mirrors.~Muir

 

[User00003]

makes no difference, literally. both handle weights up to around 150g. I've shot the 6.5 a lot from 120g to 156g'ers and it performs beautifully,,,but so does a .308 and recoils is only marginal between the two. the long action vs short action is ********, difference is not even noticeable.

if I had to pick between two identical rifles, one in 6.5 and one in .308,,,I'd pick the 308 due to the amount of bullets available, factory ammo, and ballistic data, that's the only reason.

If I was back in denmark I'd pick the 6.5, there's tons of ammo available as it's one of the 'go to' calibres/chamberings, simples.

 

[I. Farticus]

I'd vote for the 6.5x55, with 140gr Hornady SSTs, but that was my choice after using both .243s and .308s

Try as many rifles in both calibres if you can, as a .308 or 6.5x55 from one manufacturer might "feel" different to the same calibre from another.

Ultimately it is ALL about confidence (as has already been said). Pay as little or as much as you need to give you that confidence, or you'll be back looking for a replacement in a couple of months.

Enjoy the process, but be wary of taking into account too much of what we all say as we've already been through the process, and the outcome was based on personal experiences, perceptions and "feel"

Cheers
i.

 

[MONGOOSE]

6.5x55 with 120g Barnes TTSX at 2900fps does the job on most things in the UK in my opinion but not shot any huge reds but certainly worked on smaller ones....

 

[The deer man]

.308 probably wins because of ammo availability and price. 6.5 is supposedly a good round but only shot one deer with one so no practical experience (did knock over the fallow buck though). 7mm-08 is a good round but ammo is expensive and hard to get. . .

Agree 7mm-08 is a good round and seems the obvious choice if you can't decide between 6.5x55 and 308? Falls right in the middle and is versatile enough to be loaded close to either.
As for ammunition every major importer brings it in now and is readily available at the same prices as 308 or 6.5. If your local gun shop doesn't stock it, just get them to order it, how difficult can that be?!

 

[Pine Marten]

As for ammunition every major importer brings it in now and is readily available at the same prices as 308 or 6.5.

Really?! At the same price? Christ, I wish you'd told me before because I've been spending stupid money on the stuff round here... That said, it's not hard to source once you know what loads you need.

 

[dangerous]

i have shot a 308 and heard plenty about the 6.5. I however having spent alot of time with many stalkers they all say buy a .270 a it does everything you want and more. Having said that the .308 is a nice gentle calibre and will never go wrong for what you want to do with it.
Cheers
Dave

 

[highseat6.5]

I have just changed my .243...308 for a 6.5 ,the sako243 great rifle shot lots of deer/fox but with mod, bipod,wooden stock blue barrel,optics it weighed a ton after carring round four hours,the mann 308 another great rifle, light no mod (problem) wood/blue.shot loads again, Now gone practical,middle of the road,6.5 tikka t3 lightweight/alloy mod , stainless,synthetic ,nice comfortable rifle for fox & deer. Great stopping power,less meat damage than 243 .really pleased with it...6.5 has my vote....... mainly fallow,odd roe ...

 

[The deer man]

Really?! At the same price? Christ, I wish you'd told me before because I've been spending stupid money on the stuff round here... That said, it's not hard to source once you know what loads you need.

Yes, I bought 200 rounds of Federal Fusion at £26/box (I think) or it might have been £24, I'm trying to find the receipt. I have to admit it was a year and a half ago as I re-load them now but a lot of calibres seem to be between £20 and £40 a box these days more or less depending on the bullet.

 

[captdavid]

Our adult whitetail deer in Texas are about the size of fallow. Yearlings about the size of a mature roe. Although we sometimes shoot 300yds, most deer are killed under 200yds, probably closer to 100yds. The 7-08 is fast becoming the most favored by many deer hunters. I shoot its 125yo twin the 7x57. I can't imagine anything it wouldn't be perfect for in GB. capt david

 

[Brithunter]

The only plus side to the 7-08 that I can see is that it's legal in European countries who may still have the original 7mm Mauser (7x57mm) on the banned list.


Ahhh David just wondering where you get 125 years from? ............ There was me thinking twas 1892 that the 7mm Mauser came about.

 

[Pine Marten]

The only plus side to the 7-08 that I can see is that it's legal in European countries who may still have the original 7mm Mauser (7x57mm) on the banned list

That's the final reason for which I chose it: so that I can go and stalk with my brother-in-law in Normandy. Also, not that many manufacturers make new rifles in 7x57.

 

[Roelander]

That's the final reason for which I chose it: so that I can go and stalk with my brother-in-law in Normandy. Also, not that many manufacturers make new rifles in 7x57.

So how come we can't use a 308 across the Channel then? Are there other calibres banned over there too? What's the stalking like over in Normandy, we holidayed there last year and fell in love with the place. So if I can squeeze it past the Mrs whilst we are there on holiday next time.... )