6.5*55 or 308
- Thread starter DW86
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kenbro
Well-Known Member
Brave Echo Niner
Well-Known Member
.308 would be my choice, youve just got the option of heavier bullet weights and a plethora of ammunition choices, be it factory or home-load!
That said both will perform well.
Ben
That said both will perform well.
Ben
Siggy
Well-Known Member
I've got a 6.5x55 and had a 308 - both work fine! The 6.5 is nicer to shoot. One thing I hadn't really thought about is barrel length - .308 works better with a 20" barrel than a 6.5 so if you are getting a tikka it might be something to consider.
I didn't know this until recently - and it's going to be a great excuse for me to get a tikka T3 .308 to go along side my Sako 75 6.5x55...
I didn't know this until recently - and it's going to be a great excuse for me to get a tikka T3 .308 to go along side my Sako 75 6.5x55...
deerly departed
Well-Known Member
Had a 308 in a howa lightning 1500. Loved the action. The hogue stock was pants.
Got a 6.5x55 Tikka stainless supervarmint in a GRS. brilliant round in a brilliant gun.
Def a vote for the 6.5. Never got on with 308
Got both (Sako 75 in .308 and T3 in 6.5x55se).....honestly I change my mind almost daily on which is the better. It is easy to get caught up in the bigger and faster argument but for me decent stalking skills and good bullet placement far outweighs it. I haven’t shot big boar so can only bow to the expert knowledge of others but then again the 6.5x55 racked up massive kill numbers for the ivory hunters so I suspect the 6.5 will do the job on anything we are likely to face in the UK just fine.
Having said all of that, .308 ammunition is easily available and there is plenty of variety so if you don’t want to homeload then there really is no need to worry. In terms of those occasions when I go for an initial stalk on a new piece of land or I’m just not sure if I will be taking a shot at 70m or 170m, it is the .308 I turn to due to its reliability and versatility.
So today, if I had to choose only one to keep it would be the .308.......I’m out with the swede in the morning so I will probably have changed my mind by this time tomorrow!
...they are both such good rounds.
Having said all of that, .308 ammunition is easily available and there is plenty of variety so if you don’t want to homeload then there really is no need to worry. In terms of those occasions when I go for an initial stalk on a new piece of land or I’m just not sure if I will be taking a shot at 70m or 170m, it is the .308 I turn to due to its reliability and versatility.
So today, if I had to choose only one to keep it would be the .308.......I’m out with the swede in the morning so I will probably have changed my mind by this time tomorrow!
...they are both such good rounds.
I'm afraid in the final adjudication it seems likely that all persons answering in terms of chamberings other than 6.5x55 and .308 will be severely marked down for not having read/understood the question.
However, those inventing new chamberings (e.g. .275 British) will get some credit for initiative.
However, those inventing new chamberings (e.g. .275 British) will get some credit for initiative.
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ChesterP
Well-Known Member
I prefer shooting the 6.5 (the gentleman's calibre 
), but picked a .308 as my first deer rifle because of it's versatility. Not as soft to shoot but easy to load for or find ammo for and is pretty common in use for boar hunting. If you won't (realistically) do much with boar, I'd suggest the 6.5 which is a lovely shooting calibre. You can always apply for a variation for something like .308 or 7mm Rem Mag/7mm-08 for boar (a gentleman can never have too many toys!).
), but picked a .308 as my first deer rifle because of it's versatility. Not as soft to shoot but easy to load for or find ammo for and is pretty common in use for boar hunting. If you won't (realistically) do much with boar, I'd suggest the 6.5 which is a lovely shooting calibre. You can always apply for a variation for something like .308 or 7mm Rem Mag/7mm-08 for boar (a gentleman can never have too many toys!).
Chasey
Well-Known Member
Boar just falls under any other leagle quarry
It has no need to be specified by my friend Pete did get it specified for his 243 due to the controvasy but this renewal they removed that condition and had it under any other legal quarry
BUT if your going overseas for bore that could be a onsideraton
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Another question would be how often do you intend to use it for each species? I bought a 6.5 and have used it for foxes, muntjac, roe, fallow, reds & boar. It isn’t ideal for boar and it’s not the best fox calibre, but if you are going to try to do all that with one rifle you will have to compromise somewhere.
My decision was based on the fact I shoot roe and muntjac every week and boar every couple of years. I have had it ten years and would make the same decision again tomorrow.
My decision was based on the fact I shoot roe and muntjac every week and boar every couple of years. I have had it ten years and would make the same decision again tomorrow.
I think you would get problems asking for anything less than .270 if you just mentioned the possibility of boar in an application to Dorset Police. Might take a few extra months for the issue to be sorted/explained. The OP is talking about a first application!!
Better tell the OP not to mention Boar, then.
If you're looking to just do fallow, roe and red then whichever one you like best.
If you're adding boar to that mix then you should go for the .308 IMO. Boar are tough buggers and the 6.5 is limited to about 155gn top end of grain weight. The .308 can go up to 200gn to give you that knock down power you need.
Plus HO guidance is .270 and above for boar, and some European countries insist on a minimum of .30 caliber and 10 gram bullet weight - You'll be able to do that easily with the .308.
Plus its easy to reload for and you can buy ammo absolutely everywhere.
If you're adding boar to that mix then you should go for the .308 IMO. Boar are tough buggers and the 6.5 is limited to about 155gn top end of grain weight. The .308 can go up to 200gn to give you that knock down power you need.
Plus HO guidance is .270 and above for boar, and some European countries insist on a minimum of .30 caliber and 10 gram bullet weight - You'll be able to do that easily with the .308.
Plus its easy to reload for and you can buy ammo absolutely everywhere.
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