Would you change a .243 for a 6.5x55?
- Thread starter Heym SR20
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In my experience I have found the best calibre for me to be the 6.5x55. I have had a .243, 25-06, .270, .223 and a 6.5.
The .270 did drop beasts on the spot, but it was very damaging on the carcass and not the nicest calibre to shoot.
I found that the 25-06 dropped roe efficiently beyond 140 yards with a gameking 117gr. Under this distance and certainly below 100 yards, deer could run on quite easily.
.243, roe deer can run on with 100gr bullet, with a 80gr I found that they dropped quicker. I wouldn't use it on reds in the woods, but would on the hill, but expect them to run on unless you are neck shooting. Shot a red in the rut in the engine room and it was running for about 80 yards, shot it again in the same area, opposite side. It ran on another 50 yards and went down. Got to it and it was still pi55ed off. Coupe de grace. Opened him up and the lungs were in bits and there was no heart. 2 X perfect shots. It was enough to make me never use a .243 on a stag again.
.223, yes they drop deer, but I wouldn't use one again. Just personal choice.
6.5, Every roe I have shot has dropped on the spot. Every red has dropped within 5 yards of impact except for a hind that was watchig me for about 20 seconds before I shot her. She ran between 15 and 20 yards whilst full of adrenaline. I have also used the .308 but for me the 6.5 is the most comfortable hard hitting round about. It is inherintly (if you spell it that way)
accurate. Also, if it is that bad a calibre why have so many elk and moose been taken!
To answer the original question. If you were going to shoot most species of deer in the UK, then the 6.5 is the answer. There has also been comment on the trajectory...... My 6.5 shoots 1.3" high at 100yds. At 170yds it is spot on and at 240 to 250 yds it is 6" low. If you cant shoot a deer in this country at these ranges, then you should give up.
J
The .270 did drop beasts on the spot, but it was very damaging on the carcass and not the nicest calibre to shoot.
I found that the 25-06 dropped roe efficiently beyond 140 yards with a gameking 117gr. Under this distance and certainly below 100 yards, deer could run on quite easily.
.243, roe deer can run on with 100gr bullet, with a 80gr I found that they dropped quicker. I wouldn't use it on reds in the woods, but would on the hill, but expect them to run on unless you are neck shooting. Shot a red in the rut in the engine room and it was running for about 80 yards, shot it again in the same area, opposite side. It ran on another 50 yards and went down. Got to it and it was still pi55ed off. Coupe de grace. Opened him up and the lungs were in bits and there was no heart. 2 X perfect shots. It was enough to make me never use a .243 on a stag again.
.223, yes they drop deer, but I wouldn't use one again. Just personal choice.
6.5, Every roe I have shot has dropped on the spot. Every red has dropped within 5 yards of impact except for a hind that was watchig me for about 20 seconds before I shot her. She ran between 15 and 20 yards whilst full of adrenaline. I have also used the .308 but for me the 6.5 is the most comfortable hard hitting round about. It is inherintly (if you spell it that way)
accurate. Also, if it is that bad a calibre why have so many elk and moose been taken!To answer the original question. If you were going to shoot most species of deer in the UK, then the 6.5 is the answer. There has also been comment on the trajectory...... My 6.5 shoots 1.3" high at 100yds. At 170yds it is spot on and at 240 to 250 yds it is 6" low. If you cant shoot a deer in this country at these ranges, then you should give up.
J
jingzy said:In my experience I have found the best calibre for me to be the 6.5x55. I have had a .243, 25-06, .270, .223 and a 6.5.
The .270 did drop beasts on the spot, but it was very damaging on the carcass and not the nicest calibre to shoot.
I found that the 25-06 dropped roe efficiently beyond 140 yards with a gameking 117gr. Under this distance and certainly below 100 yards, deer could run on quite easily.
.243, roe deer can run on with 100gr bullet, with a 80gr I found that they dropped quicker. I wouldn't use it on reds in the woods, but would on the hill, but expect them to run on unless you are neck shooting. Shot a red in the rut in the engine room and it was running for about 80 yards, shot it again in the same area, opposite side. It ran on another 50 yards and went down. Got to it and it was still pi55ed off. Coupe de grace. Opened him up and the lungs were in bits and there was no heart. 2 X perfect shots. It was enough to make me never use a .243 on a stag again.
.223, yes they drop deer, but I wouldn't use one again. Just personal choice.
6.5, Every roe I have shot has dropped on the spot. Every red has dropped within 5 yards of impact except for a hind that was watchig me for about 20 seconds before I shot her. She ran between 15 and 20 yards whilst full of adrenaline. I have also used the .308 but for me the 6.5 is the most comfortable hard hitting round about. It is inherintly (if you spell it that way)
To answer the original question. If you were going to shoot most species of deer in the UK, then the 6.5 is the answer. There has also been comment on the trajectory...... My 6.5 shoots 1.3" high at 100yds. At 170yds it is spot on and at 240 to 250 yds it is 6" low. If you cant shoot a deer in this country at these ranges, then you should give up.
J
i have to agree to every thing which you have said
the 6.5x55 is a cracking round.
but what i must advise is you buy a rifle to suit your individual needs
what ever they be
steve
Thar
Well-Known Member
jingzy said:
270:-using a 130gn sst Hornady Zeroed at 200yrs 1.1" high at 100yrds 2.2" low at 250yrs................the 6.5 has dropped nearly 2/3 more than the 270.
Put the cross hairs on the heart pull the trigger what could be easier at all reasonable stalking ranges?
270 with a moddy on is a pussy cat to shoot, without it is no problem to me and I don't carry much padding (fat).
Heart total destroyed with the 243, sounds like it did a good job (not that a 243 would be my first choice for Red stags, although I have drop 8 pointer Sika stags with mine I would not reach for it as a first choice.) do you think that your 6.5 would do a better job? My friends did a worse job.
As for meat damage read my previous post.
Best rgds
Tahr
we love this one
over the years we have done this one to death. but, it's still a good thread! the 30-06 sprg. is head and shoulders above the 6.5 x 55 in performance. using 165 gr bullets it is good for close to 3000 fps. that is a serious amount of power. double that with a bonded soft point bullet you get lots and lots of energy transfer it is as flat shooting as you want. At that speed you may find more damage with a balistic tip bullet but thats part of the deal.
i load my 30-06 with some 165gr btsp bullets from midway. because it is a big calibre does not make it more damaging to smaller deer carcasses. the bullets expand in a controlled manner in 10 inches of muntjac at the same rate as in 2ft of red deer. there is such bull**** talked about "overkill" too much rifle...... in my view dead is dead. there is no change from dead.
my current first choice for woodland stalking is my 7mm08. i use 145gr soft points in that. they have a high sd and bc and kill very well.... but this is loaded with a compressed 50 gr of reloader 19 (book of 2900ish) but from the 18 inch barrel probably 2800. if a short action round is required then this is a good choice.
so would i swap my 30-06 or 7mm for a 6.5? no chance. would i swap my 243 for a 6.5? no chance... i would keep the 243 and shoot fox with it and buy a 7mm, if the equation had to include plains game i would keep the 243 for foxing and buy a .30-06 and shoot 200 gr partitions in africa and 165 gr in the uk.
JC43 advised me to buy the .30-06. it was good advice
swampy
over the years we have done this one to death. but, it's still a good thread! the 30-06 sprg. is head and shoulders above the 6.5 x 55 in performance. using 165 gr bullets it is good for close to 3000 fps. that is a serious amount of power. double that with a bonded soft point bullet you get lots and lots of energy transfer it is as flat shooting as you want. At that speed you may find more damage with a balistic tip bullet but thats part of the deal.
i load my 30-06 with some 165gr btsp bullets from midway. because it is a big calibre does not make it more damaging to smaller deer carcasses. the bullets expand in a controlled manner in 10 inches of muntjac at the same rate as in 2ft of red deer. there is such bull**** talked about "overkill" too much rifle...... in my view dead is dead. there is no change from dead.
my current first choice for woodland stalking is my 7mm08. i use 145gr soft points in that. they have a high sd and bc and kill very well.... but this is loaded with a compressed 50 gr of reloader 19 (book of 2900ish) but from the 18 inch barrel probably 2800. if a short action round is required then this is a good choice.
so would i swap my 30-06 or 7mm for a 6.5? no chance. would i swap my 243 for a 6.5? no chance... i would keep the 243 and shoot fox with it and buy a 7mm, if the equation had to include plains game i would keep the 243 for foxing and buy a .30-06 and shoot 200 gr partitions in africa and 165 gr in the uk.
JC43 advised me to buy the .30-06. it was good advice
swampy
Well said swampy,
one point one always forgets is why where so many moose shot with the 6.5 in sweden since 100 years??? They had nothing else, that is the reason, they had no choice. Just like in germany the 8x57 is popular, well they had a lot of em after the war. America had a lot of 30-06 left over.
The swede is quite popular here in Ireland , why ? well they say it kills better than a 22 cal, but that's it. For decades deer had to be hunted with 22 cal by law, then they allowed 243 and 6.5. 6.5 was king for a while because nothing bigger was allowed. Now 30 cal is accepted and very popular.
I am convinced that if all those moose hunters in the last 100 years would have had the choice between 6.5x55 and 3006 more than half would have prefered the bigger caliber.
edi
one point one always forgets is why where so many moose shot with the 6.5 in sweden since 100 years??? They had nothing else, that is the reason, they had no choice. Just like in germany the 8x57 is popular, well they had a lot of em after the war. America had a lot of 30-06 left over.
The swede is quite popular here in Ireland , why ? well they say it kills better than a 22 cal, but that's it. For decades deer had to be hunted with 22 cal by law, then they allowed 243 and 6.5. 6.5 was king for a while because nothing bigger was allowed. Now 30 cal is accepted and very popular.
I am convinced that if all those moose hunters in the last 100 years would have had the choice between 6.5x55 and 3006 more than half would have prefered the bigger caliber.
edi
D
Davie
Guest
The 6.5 is a far superior round to the 243 and will make a fool of the .270 . I have had all three and shot a lot of deer with all and for me the 6.5 knocks spots off similar calibres it also fires a 70 grn head and will also fire a 168 grn head what other calibre has this wide a difference in bullets . My shooting ranges are of the normal type eg 50 mtr to 200 and at these distances the 6.5 will match and exceed the .270 that Thar uses
I have in front of me a stalking book and it has a ballistics table in it made up by three well known factory ammo makers.
243/ 100GRN 25 YARDS 50 100 150 200
- 0.9 -0.2 0 -0.9 -2.9
6 .5 /140 GRN -0.7 .02 0 -1.0 -2.3
270 / 130 GRN -0.8 -0.3 0 - 0.8 -2.7
This hopefully will tell you why the 6.5 is very popular it is hitting animals harder with a heavier projectile than the 270 and is alot flatter. it also is 40 % heavier than the 243 and yet is still holding a flatter line than the smaller faster cal.
Table made up by parker hale norma and rigby
. My shooting ranges are of the normal type eg 50 mtr to 200 and at these distances the 6.5 will match and exceed the .270 that Thar usesI have in front of me a stalking book and it has a ballistics table in it made up by three well known factory ammo makers.
243/ 100GRN 25 YARDS 50 100 150 200
- 0.9 -0.2 0 -0.9 -2.9
6 .5 /140 GRN -0.7 .02 0 -1.0 -2.3
270 / 130 GRN -0.8 -0.3 0 - 0.8 -2.7
This hopefully will tell you why the 6.5 is very popular it is hitting animals harder with a heavier projectile than the 270 and is alot flatter. it also is 40 % heavier than the 243 and yet is still holding a flatter line than the smaller faster cal.
Table made up by parker hale norma and rigby
270 v 6.5
This is purely a data exercise and it should be born in mind that both calibres are deer legal and have both taken a lot of deer of the years. i have looked at data for these rounds. i used data from hodgdons reloading data for velocities and in both chamberings i have used the highest available in a bullet that i can get the BC easily for. i used hornadies ballistic calculator to work it out and give ballistics.
the top one is 6.5 with 140s
mzl--------------100-----------------200-------------300----------- ------vel-------------vel----en------vel----en----dr----vel---en dr 2700................2521.....1976.....2349..1715...4.......2183..1482.14.2 .
270 with 130s
3085...............2846......2344....2626..1990...2.8.....2413..1681.10.6
270 with 140s
2979..............2785.......2410....2599..2099..3.........2420..1820.11.1
so we can show using this data that a 270 win is flatter shooting. and delivers higher energy than a 6.5 using the classic 130gr and a 140 gr load.
however like i said at the beginning both are deer legal calibres and both have taken many many deer. the 270 uses 60 gr of powder plus . the 6.5 uses 50.
swampy
This is purely a data exercise and it should be born in mind that both calibres are deer legal and have both taken a lot of deer of the years. i have looked at data for these rounds. i used data from hodgdons reloading data for velocities and in both chamberings i have used the highest available in a bullet that i can get the BC easily for. i used hornadies ballistic calculator to work it out and give ballistics.
the top one is 6.5 with 140s
mzl--------------100-----------------200-------------300----------- ------vel-------------vel----en------vel----en----dr----vel---en dr 2700................2521.....1976.....2349..1715...4.......2183..1482.14.2 .
270 with 130s
3085...............2846......2344....2626..1990...2.8.....2413..1681.10.6
270 with 140s
2979..............2785.......2410....2599..2099..3.........2420..1820.11.1
so we can show using this data that a 270 win is flatter shooting. and delivers higher energy than a 6.5 using the classic 130gr and a 140 gr load.
however like i said at the beginning both are deer legal calibres and both have taken many many deer. the 270 uses 60 gr of powder plus . the 6.5 uses 50.
swampy
Thar
Well-Known Member
Hi 6.5X55
Your data is worth less with out Muzzle velocity, barrel lengths and bullet type/BC.
Hornady Data:- with top line reloads (do not exceed). all zeroed at 100yrds, all using the same type of bullet:- Hornady SST, to give a true reflection of each calibre.
243, barrel length 24", 100gn bullet, drop at 200yrds= 3.2", drop at 300yrs =12"
25-06 barrel length 24" 117gn bullet, drop at 200yrds= 3.1", drop at 300yrds= 11.6"
6.5X55 barrel length 29" 129gn bullet, drop at 200yrds= 4.1", drop at 300yrs= 14.7
270 barrel length 24" 130gn bullet, drop at 200yrds=2.7, drop at 300yrds 10.2".
So despite having a barrel 5” longer than the rest it still has more drop than any other and over a 1/3rd more than 270.
Face the facts the 6.5X55 is slightly more powerful than the 243 and a bit behind the 7-08, it is not even in the same class as the 270 or other 06 based rounds which really being a long action cartridge is were it should be.
As for harder hitting I nearly feel of my chair laughing, both using 140gn bullets 270 with 24” barrel 2800lbs muzzle energy , 6.5 with 29” barrel 2100lbs muzzle energy.
Yep Like Edi says you are right if you turn the ballistic tables upside down then the 6.5 is harder hitting.
It does not mean it is not an adequate deer round, for roe and hinds ect but for the big stuff I would look for something better which is pretty much anthing else but a 243. 
Best rgds
Tahr
Your data is worth less with out Muzzle velocity, barrel lengths and bullet type/BC.
Hornady Data:- with top line reloads (do not exceed). all zeroed at 100yrds, all using the same type of bullet:- Hornady SST, to give a true reflection of each calibre.
243, barrel length 24", 100gn bullet, drop at 200yrds= 3.2", drop at 300yrs =12"
25-06 barrel length 24" 117gn bullet, drop at 200yrds= 3.1", drop at 300yrds= 11.6"
6.5X55 barrel length 29" 129gn bullet, drop at 200yrds= 4.1", drop at 300yrs= 14.7
270 barrel length 24" 130gn bullet, drop at 200yrds=2.7, drop at 300yrds 10.2".
So despite having a barrel 5” longer than the rest it still has more drop than any other and over a 1/3rd more than 270.
Face the facts the 6.5X55 is slightly more powerful than the 243 and a bit behind the 7-08, it is not even in the same class as the 270 or other 06 based rounds which really being a long action cartridge is were it should be.
As for harder hitting I nearly feel of my chair laughing,
both using 140gn bullets 270 with 24” barrel 2800lbs muzzle energy , 6.5 with 29” barrel 2100lbs muzzle energy.Yep Like Edi says you are right if you turn the ballistic tables upside down then the 6.5 is harder hitting.
It does not mean it is not an adequate deer round, for roe and hinds ect but for the big stuff I would look for something better which is pretty much anthing else but a 243.
Best rgds
Tahr
D
Davie
Guest
Thar this is not my data and unlike others i put up factory ammo because they do not push the boundaries. Now we all know we can add a dash of this and that and end up with fantastic results . But this was a tread that asked would you swap a .243 for a 6.5 for me there is no question that the 6.5 leaves the 243 well in its shadow and is the true aLL round rifle.
If you don't like the data i put up then the people to see are norma parker hale etc. But for me any one can mix and match to get data to do what suits theM for me its always about the true facts.
PS IF THE 6.5 WAS SHOOTING THE SAME WEIGHT BULLET AS THE .270 THE DIFFERNCE IN THE TWO CALIBRES WOULD BE FANTASTIC AND WOULD MAKE THE 6.5 AN EVEN GREATER WINNER.
If you don't like the data i put up then the people to see are norma parker hale etc. But for me any one can mix and match to get data to do what suits theM for me its always about the true facts.
PS IF THE 6.5 WAS SHOOTING THE SAME WEIGHT BULLET AS THE .270 THE DIFFERNCE IN THE TWO CALIBRES WOULD BE FANTASTIC AND WOULD MAKE THE 6.5 AN EVEN GREATER WINNER.
D
Davie
Guest
ps data taken Roedeer management and stalking (page 175 ) Appendix 2 .
none were taken at 300 yards but i am sure if you like that type of stalking then there are calibres out there that would make all of standard calibres null and void.
VELOCITY FPS @ 200
MUZZEL 243 = 3070 2540
MUZZEL 6.5 = 2845 2533
MUZZEL 270 = 3140 2639
ENERGY FT POUNDS @ 200
MUZZEL 243 = 2090 1430
MUZZEL 6.5 = 2512 1978
MUZZEL 270 = 2847 2011
none were taken at 300 yards but i am sure if you like that type of stalking then there are calibres out there that would make all of standard calibres null and void.
VELOCITY FPS @ 200
MUZZEL 243 = 3070 2540
MUZZEL 6.5 = 2845 2533
MUZZEL 270 = 3140 2639
ENERGY FT POUNDS @ 200
MUZZEL 243 = 2090 1430
MUZZEL 6.5 = 2512 1978
MUZZEL 270 = 2847 2011
Thar
Well-Known Member
All my data was from the same Source (Hornday) that was the whole point of me posting it, I did not mix and match anything in fact if I was being generous to the 6.5 as I should of really knock some velocity of for it having a 29” barrel. How much fairer do you want to be? Just because they are not what you would like to see does not make them untrue.6.5 x 55 said:
The 6.5X55 has a case capacity of 3.68 the 270 a capacity of 4.24 but just as importantly the 270 has a safe operating pressure of 65,000psi the 6.5 is 52,000psi.
So with less case capacity and lower maximum pressure limit how is it scientifically possible for the 6.5 to out perform the 270?
Science, objective evidence, facts. Not wife tails.
6.5 x 55 said:PS IF THE 6.5 WAS SHOOTING THE SAME WEIGHT BULLET AS THE .270 THE DIFFERNCE IN THE TWO CALIBRES WOULD BE FANTASTIC AND WOULD MAKE THE 6.5 AN EVEN GREATER WINNER.
Did you actually read my posts? In one post the 6.5 was using a 129gn and the 270 130gn sorry that 1gn would make you 6.5 bullet fly flatter so helping you.
In the next post both bullets are 140gn?
And shouting does not change things.
Would I swap a 243 for a 6.5X55 No. Would I swap a 6.5X55 for a 243 No. If you feel the need for a more powerful cartridge then look at a 7-08, 308, 270, 30-06 all are proven rounds on large deer that can be used on boar should you wish.
Best rgds
Tahr
ezzy6.5
Well-Known Member
Hi all,
Well i don't own a chrono or balistic software but i have had a 308, 270, and now i own a 6.5. ive shot deer with all of them.
I wouldn't sell a good 243 to buy a 6.5 as i feel there a bit to similar.
if you can buy a 30 cal then thats the answer, then your covered, regardlus of what a 6.5 will kill, lots of people will not want you using one on big game. Yes the 270 was very flat and bloody great on foxes at big ranges. mod on so no probs with recoil. the 308 was good but i didnt like the rifle. I have found the 6.5 a good calibre and will keep mine, if i was culling reds at 300+ then perhaps i'd consider going back to 270.
I sold my 270 because it was a single shot and i wanted a dedicated lefty, a nice 6.5 came up so i bought it, if it had been any mid size deer legal rifle i still would have bought it.
Ezzy.
Well i don't own a chrono or balistic software but i have had a 308, 270, and now i own a 6.5. ive shot deer with all of them.
I wouldn't sell a good 243 to buy a 6.5 as i feel there a bit to similar.
if you can buy a 30 cal then thats the answer, then your covered, regardlus of what a 6.5 will kill, lots of people will not want you using one on big game. Yes the 270 was very flat and bloody great on foxes at big ranges. mod on so no probs with recoil. the 308 was good but i didnt like the rifle. I have found the 6.5 a good calibre and will keep mine, if i was culling reds at 300+ then perhaps i'd consider going back to 270.
I sold my 270 because it was a single shot and i wanted a dedicated lefty, a nice 6.5 came up so i bought it, if it had been any mid size deer legal rifle i still would have bought it.
Ezzy.
Thar
Well-Known Member
6.5 x 55 said:
Totally meaning less without bullet weights, bullet BCs and barrel lengths, and you try and accuse me of bending data?
I use probably the largest sporting bullet manufactures data with a fully equipped laboratory with the latest pressure measuring equipment.
You find some data in a deer stalking book.
OK to achieve that velocity:- What type of powder? How many gains? What was the chamber pressure in PIS or CUP? Ect
Back your post with more data.
Best rgds
Tahr
Charadam, I don't think anyone is trying to make anyone feel bad.
More just trying to rectify wrong data being presented. No matter which caliber one uses one should adjust the stalking accordingly. If one has to take out large deer close to houses with a 223 one chooses shot placement accordingly.
I'd go stalking with a swede no problem, but bullet choice is so much more crutial than with the 308.
edi
More just trying to rectify wrong data being presented. No matter which caliber one uses one should adjust the stalking accordingly. If one has to take out large deer close to houses with a 223 one chooses shot placement accordingly.
I'd go stalking with a swede no problem, but bullet choice is so much more crutial than with the 308.
edi
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