.270 or 6.5 x 55

[Foxyboy43]

I have shot both and did indeed find the .270 a bit snappy but certainly manageable. I own a .6.5x55SE and know through practical experience that it will drop all legal UK quarry and you can indeed see it striking the animal through the scope. At times like this, rather than anecdotal/imagined responses I defer to those nice people at Sako who know a bit about making quality ammunition. From what I see on their very useful chart there is little or nothing in it between the two bullet for bullet but I suspect that those who “like it hot“ will know think differently…….

 

[Leec6.5]

The only downside of the 270 is it’s not always possible to see shot reaction due to recoil. Personally I like the 6.5x55 for mixed stalking with home loads. If I was an open hill only guy I’d get the 270 (actually a 6.5prc probably)

That’s incorrect, with a moderator you can see everything perfectly!

 

[Foxyboy43]

Recoil info courtesy of Chuck Hawks.

Rifle Recoil Table

 

[VSS]

270 is less hassle in the long run, because once you've got one there's no need to keep on applying for variations
I think this site needs a private sub-section especially for 270 users, where we can have sensible, grown-up discussions without constant interruptions from people making silly remarks about recoil

 

[Selous]

I don’t get the “270 recoils too much” argument as the energy is very similar to a 308 which is considered a soft shooter! Newton’s laws must apply equally so I can only assume that it is a result of poor stock design on some commonly used rifles of yesteryear. I accept that powder charge weight is a touch higher in the 270 but that difference is going to be marginal at best.

 

[Tim.243]

Thanks for the reply, I’m not currently reloading. Deer wise predominately Fallow/Roe/Muntjac.

Cheers!

Anything from .243 > will do just fine. I went up to .270 as the .243 has a NV bolted on top also the .270 I found was low round count same barrel and thread profile so both mods would fit. .
If you see (estate agent wording "light and airy" used) in quotes about these calibre's "smooth shooting" "less recoil"
"min meat damage" it is bolox lol These calibres push a 120>150gn head of lead copper or smarties (with mine)
2750 feet per second which requires a violent reaction in the chamber.

See here lol only downside of the 270 is it’s not always possible to see shot reaction due to recoil. Personally I like the 6.5x55 for mixed stalking with home loads. If I was an open hill only guy I’d get the 270 (actually a 6.5prc probably)

Home work in your local area to find a good supply of rounds as either will put a hole in what you have in the scope.

If you don't go punching paper then it is a cheap form of shooting....say £40 for 20 then 10 to dial it in, so 10 good shots is 10 deer which is cheap if you have your own ground.

 

[glasshalffull]

Depends on your wants and needs really? 6.5x55 pleasure to use low recoil and noise whereas .270 the opposite but if you want extended range then go for .270, I've used the former now for twenty years and shot all except cwd with not many calibre related issues as long as I stay within my abilities. I use federal 140gr for larger deer and 120gr for roe and foxes. What I will add is many diehard non 6.5x55 stalkers have went to 6.5x55 after having a shot with my rifle plus it's much lighter than most for the hill

 

[Sakoodin1]

Thanks for the reply, I’m not currently reloading. Deer wise predominately Fallow/Roe/Muntjac.

Cheers!

Out of them two I would go .270! Just for the fact that it will give you more fps when copper comes into full force. We had issues with the sako ammunition shooting the factory ttsx ( think it was around the 120grn) in the 6.5x55 with them not opening up beyond 180 yards ish. The .270 works right through the ranges and well out before the capabilities of the copper bullet stops preforming. If you are shooting for yourself the 6.5 is a lovely sweet calibre though with lead.just my two cents worth.

 

[Dalua]

I have shot both and did indeed find the .270 a bit snappy but certainly manageable. I own a .6.5x55SE and know through practical experience that it will drop all legal UK quarry and you can indeed see it striking the animal through the scope. At times like this, rather than anecdotal/imagined responses I defer to those nice people at Sako who know a bit about making quality ammunition. From what I see on their very useful chart there is little or nothing in it between the two bullet for bullet but I suspect that those who “like it hot“ will know think differently…….

The 2820fps which SAKO get for 130gr from a .270 is what I would have meant by downloading it to 6.5x55 levels, given enough barrel-length, of course!

Not saying it ain't quality ammunition - just that it is not making the most of the .270's potential: which is fine, of course, if you don't need the rifle to have longer legs!

 

[Bowland blades]

If your going to be a pleasure stalker get a 6.5x55 lovely calibre.

If your going to be a killer buy a 270, she is the queen of calibres, she will shoot what ever you feed it accurately with little fuss

I would shoot anything in the world up to dangerous game with mg rust bucket ruger 270 and 130gn barnes bullet

very little in it! more dependant on the bullet and very specific criteria of use

Just looking at my next Deer Rifle, would value opinions on the above Calibres?

Cheers,

Dave

Nothing in it in practical kit terms the chosen bullet is more important . Actually anything all deer legal has no real tangible gains inside 300 yards. if you doubled that range it would still be the person pulling the trigger that still really matters the most because they will all move in the wind and be effected by gravity and that comes down to the shooters skill set
Both great choices !

 

[enfieldspares]

My advice is that if you use the 156 grain (10.1 gram) bullet weight option in either you'll be well pleased. From what the old stalkers told me they liked the old 160 grain 6.5x54MS as you could hear a good hit (or a bad hit) with it when on the hill. The 6.5 Swedish is of course a 1900s service rifle which means that it was designed, partly, with military use in extreme conditions in mind. This feature has the benefit to us today that the cartridge will still feed and eject with ease compared to a more modern cartridge with a parallel sided case. The .270 WCF of course also has a slight taper.

My own choice would be on what's available in cases, bullets and off the shelf factory ammunition near where you live. Because of its historical back story the 6.5mm actually still has the option of bullets of 160 grains for the handloader. The fine .270 WCF regrettably for those who like such things tops out at 150 grains which may be an issue in any jurisdiction where there is a 10 gram minimum bullet weight law. And this...below...although old school is a damn fine bullet in 6.5mm calibre rifles which have a suitable rifling twist:

https://www.hornady.com/bullets/rifle/6-5mm-264-160-gr-interlock-rn#!/

 

[NullMac]

Thanks for the reply, I’m not currently reloading. Deer wise predominately Fallow/Roe/Muntjac.

For those species the 6.5x55 (or 65CM shhh) would probably match up better. Clearly both would work.

I shoot 270 with 110 TTSX. The extra half inch of powder helps but I am predominantly shooting Red/Sika and at longer ranges up the hill. Honestly it has more punch than is required for woodland/farmland and/or the smaller species.

Having said all of that find a rifle you like and then look at calibre.

If I was in your shoes I would go 65CM as the modern ammo available will be 'better' than the traditional loadings for 65 Swede

 

[Heym SR20]

Look for a rifle you like and that fits and suits you. Bullet choice is key, Calibre and cartridge is secondary. And in a modern rifle not a lot of difference in a 130 to 140 gn bullet from a 6.5x55, 270 or 7mm. No deer is going to notice the difference.

 

[Dunwaters]

I have both for a good while and there‘s a few differences.
The .270 hits noticeably harder, regardless of the load, recoil is a bit stiffer but not a factor, you can put a can on it, either way I don’t worry about it and I’m a notorious wimp. Downside of the .270 is the lack of target rounds, everything is hunting orientated.
The 6.5 x55 has less recoil and generates less energy than the .270, still more than enough for most of us. There are lots of different loads for both target and hunting use.
Neither round is as popular as it once was but both are doing fine.
For me, if I was looking at a mix of target and hunting, the Swede wins, for hunting use the .270 is the hands down choice, it is, after all, what the .270 was designed to do.

 

[Leec6.5]

very little in it! more dependant on the bullet and very specific criteria of use

Nothing in it in practical kit terms the chosen bullet is more important . Actually anything all deer legal has no real tangible gains inside 300 yards. if you doubled that range it would still be the person pulling the trigger that still really matters the most because they will all move in the wind and be effected by gravity and that comes down to the shooters skill set
Both great choices !

You start shooting red deer out to 250 plus there is a massive difference between the 2.

6.5x55 simply does not have the legs for it.

Thats the reason i sold my 6.5x55

Lovely calibre for sniffing around the woods with, but its not an all round killing calibre.

 

[Dorset Shakari]

Had them both. Reloaded for them both. Shot dozens of fallow, muntjac, and roe with both, rarely in excess of 150m. Preferred the 6.5 Swede, The rifle liked bog-standard 120 grains Speer HotCor at 2600 fps. Very accurate, virtually no recoil, and deadly. Shot placement is everything.

 

[Lancaster]

My advice is that if you use the 156 grain (10.1 gram) bullet weight option in either you'll be well pleased. From what the old stalkers told me they liked the old 160 grain 6.5x54MS as you could hear a good hit (or a bad hit) with it when on the hill. The 6.5 Swedish is of course a 1900s service rifle which means that it was designed, partly, with military use in extreme conditions in mind. This feature has the benefit to us today that the cartridge will still feed and eject with ease compared to a more modern cartridge with a parallel sided case. The .270 WCF of course also has a slight taper.

My own choice would be on what's available in cases, bullets and off the shelf factory ammunition near where you live. Because of its historical back story the 6.5mm actually still has the option of bullets of 160 grains for the handloader. The fine .270 WCF regrettably for those who like such things tops out at 150 grains which may be an issue in any jurisdiction where there is a 10 gram minimum bullet weight law. And this...below...although old school is a damn fine bullet in 6.5mm calibre rifles which have a suitable rifling twist:

https://www.hornady.com/bullets/rifle/6-5mm-264-160-gr-interlock-rn#!/

Sako Hammerhead, 156gn 10.1gr in .270

Sako Ltd products: Rifles, Ammunition, Accessories

Sako offers a wide range of rifles, ammunition and accessories for hunting and long-range shooting

www.sako.fi

 

[Howzat]

6.5X55 Always

 

[Dalua]

My advice is that if you use the 156 grain (10.1 gram) bullet weight option in either you'll be well pleased.

I'm sure this bullet's terminal performance is beyond reproach, but I don't think I'd be pleased with such a heavy, blunt, slow offering in a .270 intended for the hill...

 

[User00040]

If anyone finds a .270 to have 'too much recoil' it probably means a badly shaped stock (all those wooden stocks some people drool over, older Sako are some of the worst) or some form of flinch is coming into play.

You start shooting red deer out to 250 plus there is a massive difference between the 2.

6.5x55 simply does not have the legs for it.

Thats the reason i sold my 6.5x55

Lovely calibre for sniffing around the woods with, but its not an all round killing calibre.

Pretty sure @Norway has a video of him neck shooting a Sika in Ireland at 300m with a borrowed rifle, he has extensive experience with 6.5x55 ballistics from which he estimated drop data... I think 300m is a 'chip-shot' for him anyway!

Even a .224 bullet is deadly at extreme ranges if placement is correct, the skill is getting it there.

Flatter trajectory from a higher BC and MV will help but it's not going to make it easy.