6.5 Dilemma
- Thread starter Mmwat
- Start date
That’s good. What’s your opinion of the 6.5x55 Swede overall?
I have read and the gunsmith said the 6.5x284 feeds fine from a AI .300 Win Mag magazine? I haven’t done enough research on the 6.5x55.
Looks like people have very good things to say about the Magpul AC L mags for the 6.5x55.
jmm03
Gold $$ Contributor
Mmwat, I have a few old military M96 Mausers that got me into shooting the Swede . I liked the inherent accuracy of the cartridge and the light recoil compared to .30-06. I wanted a rifle that was as accurate as I could afford so I turned my model 700 into a semi custom using a Bartlien HV 5R barrel in 1 in 8.5, blueprinted the action, and had it chambered with a new PTG match reamer made up to shoot 142 grain bullets using no turn Lapua cases. 
With R26 in my 6.5 CM and my 6.5x55, both 24" barrels, I run 4 more grs of powder with 147 ELDM in the Swede and get 100 fps more velocity. Anymore powder in either cartridge starts showing pressure. I d say 100 more fps of velocity is quite significant with that bullet. (2840 vs 2735)
YMMV and this is not a statistical sample just my 2 guns and experience. BTW, both shoot 1/2-5/8" groups.
Also, even though Spec for 6.5x55 case is a .480 rim my Lapua brass measures .4775 to .478
Good luck whichever way you go !
YMMV and this is not a statistical sample just my 2 guns and experience. BTW, both shoot 1/2-5/8" groups.
Also, even though Spec for 6.5x55 case is a .480 rim my Lapua brass measures .4775 to .478
Good luck whichever way you go !
1400 yards with a 6.5 Creedmore for hunting. Are you kidding! Maybe 1400 feet.
Your sensible option is the 6.5 Creedmoor, tons of reasonably priced ammo and brass for it, its really hard not to like it,
after that my fav cartridge the 6.5-284, it has ammo and components a plenty also. Nosler factory ammo 130gr accubonds will shoot crazy accurate in any of the four 6.5-284s Ive built,
Either one you will be extremely happy.
after that my fav cartridge the 6.5-284, it has ammo and components a plenty also. Nosler factory ammo 130gr accubonds will shoot crazy accurate in any of the four 6.5-284s Ive built,
Either one you will be extremely happy.
Like has been said.....if getting box ammo is a major concern at times then it’s 6.5CM, .260 Rem and then the 6.5x55 Swede. I have and like all of them. The difference in velocity regardless of how you load the three of these in the grand scheme of things is negligible. Even the Army just tested the 6.5CM and .260 Rem. From 100 out to around 1200 yards and with bullets ranging from 120 to 140gr type bullets (147 and 150 either had just come out or where not out at the time of the testing so they where not included). In both small primer pocket and large primer pocket versions of each and there was not a clear stand out performer case wise or bullet wise.
In my 6.5CM with a 23” barrel I’m pushing 147/150gr bullets an honest 2700fps.
6.5x284 and 6.5-06 would get ruled out just because of the lack of box ammo availability. Also the 6.5x284 and the 6.5-06 while both great rounds will shorten the barrel life more than then the others. Same bore size and upping the powder amount of approx. 30% or so there is no way around it being harder on the barrel.
Later, Frank
Bartlein Barrels
In my 6.5CM with a 23” barrel I’m pushing 147/150gr bullets an honest 2700fps.
6.5x284 and 6.5-06 would get ruled out just because of the lack of box ammo availability. Also the 6.5x284 and the 6.5-06 while both great rounds will shorten the barrel life more than then the others. Same bore size and upping the powder amount of approx. 30% or so there is no way around it being harder on the barrel.
Later, Frank
Bartlein Barrels
Deleted calshipbuilder
I shot 6.5x284 for a while in a hunting rifle cobbled together from target rifle parts, excellent all-around cartidge that taught me I should just have bought a 270 winchester for hunting and left the target rifle alone 
.
You could always go 6.5x55 Ackley Improved, that way you can shoot factory ammo (albeit with potentially reduced velocity), then reload up to some pretty impressive ballistics.
.You could always go 6.5x55 Ackley Improved, that way you can shoot factory ammo (albeit with potentially reduced velocity), then reload up to some pretty impressive ballistics.
All depends on what your application is. Should you want to buy factory ammo the 6.5-06 is a no go, don't know about 6.5-.284; barrel life is not so great either. But who buys factory ammo in any quantity.
For systematic large volume shooting at known ranges and long barrel life I would vote for the 6.5 CM. My LGS(s) do not stock 6.5X55 - brass or ammo; velocities would probably be between the 6.5 CM & 6.5-06 in modern rifles, 6.5X55 brass can be bought on-line. Some consideration has to be given as to why Lapua came up with the 6.5X47, much analysis went into this - liabilities are pricey brass, only one manufacturer. 6.5CM brass is plentiful.
For my use I like the 6.5-06 -cheap brass, easy to load, lots of load data, feeds well in all long action rifles, and relatively high velocities - I like my 6.5-06 for controlled slow paced shooting at rodents at various ranges where the target is only inches high and flat trajectory helps. A 120 grain Amax (now 120 ELDM) loaded with Re 23 works just fine. Lots different than the finely tuned 6.5 CM for match use. I have some burned up 6.5-06 barrels that I use for pinning railroad ties together for retaining walls, stainless works out well.
For systematic large volume shooting at known ranges and long barrel life I would vote for the 6.5 CM. My LGS(s) do not stock 6.5X55 - brass or ammo; velocities would probably be between the 6.5 CM & 6.5-06 in modern rifles, 6.5X55 brass can be bought on-line. Some consideration has to be given as to why Lapua came up with the 6.5X47, much analysis went into this - liabilities are pricey brass, only one manufacturer. 6.5CM brass is plentiful.
For my use I like the 6.5-06 -cheap brass, easy to load, lots of load data, feeds well in all long action rifles, and relatively high velocities - I like my 6.5-06 for controlled slow paced shooting at rodents at various ranges where the target is only inches high and flat trajectory helps. A 120 grain Amax (now 120 ELDM) loaded with Re 23 works just fine. Lots different than the finely tuned 6.5 CM for match use. I have some burned up 6.5-06 barrels that I use for pinning railroad ties together for retaining walls, stainless works out well.
bobinpa
Gold $$ Contributor
As many others have said, your set up is screaming to be a 6.5-284!!! My second choice would be a 260 or 260 Improved. Either one will do what you want just fine. Maybe better than expected. Personally I don't think that either one will be outclassed by a Creedmoor either.
I try to keep 500 Round of 260 Remington on hand for my 260AI in case I get lazy or zombies. but ya know. some of us do. lol
Scott
I can’t comment on the 6.5/06 vs 6.5/284 in hunting rifles but I can on target rifles. I shoot a 6.5/06 in any/any competition at 1K yds. This is a single shot 40X action.
Actions: short actions work for a 6.5/06 BUT...... a problem occurs if you must extract a live round. In order to do this you must remove the bolt. This can be a PITA if using adjustable cheek piece. My next one will be built on a standard length 30/06 action.
Barrel life: both are barrel burners make no mistake. I’ve seen 6.5/284 barrels go south in as little as 800 rds. 6.5/06 barrels seem to do better. I’ve had several go 2,000+ of match quality accuracy. Not much but still a little over 2K rds. 6.5/284’s seem to average between 1,600-1,800 rds.
Powders: both like the slower powders. My 6.5/06 gets its best accuracy using H-4831. Other powders in this range also work well like R-23, R-26. Just about anything from 4350 up depending on bullet weight works.
Velocity: the two are nip and tuck with each other using 140gr bullets. If pushed hard I’d give the velocity advantage to the 6.5/284 by about 75-100fps.
Brass: the 6.5/06 brass is easy to make. I use 25/06 brass necked up. Load and shoot.
I don’t hunt much anymore (I’m an old guy) but was never a fan of 400+ yd shots at game animals. For average hunting ranges (under 300 yds) I’d go with one of the smaller 6.5’s. My 260 has put meat in the pot.
Actions: short actions work for a 6.5/06 BUT...... a problem occurs if you must extract a live round. In order to do this you must remove the bolt. This can be a PITA if using adjustable cheek piece. My next one will be built on a standard length 30/06 action.
Barrel life: both are barrel burners make no mistake. I’ve seen 6.5/284 barrels go south in as little as 800 rds. 6.5/06 barrels seem to do better. I’ve had several go 2,000+ of match quality accuracy. Not much but still a little over 2K rds. 6.5/284’s seem to average between 1,600-1,800 rds.
Powders: both like the slower powders. My 6.5/06 gets its best accuracy using H-4831. Other powders in this range also work well like R-23, R-26. Just about anything from 4350 up depending on bullet weight works.
Velocity: the two are nip and tuck with each other using 140gr bullets. If pushed hard I’d give the velocity advantage to the 6.5/284 by about 75-100fps.
Brass: the 6.5/06 brass is easy to make. I use 25/06 brass necked up. Load and shoot.
I don’t hunt much anymore (I’m an old guy) but was never a fan of 400+ yd shots at game animals. For average hunting ranges (under 300 yds) I’d go with one of the smaller 6.5’s. My 260 has put meat in the pot.
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