Guest lilcrackshot Posted January 22, 2006 Report Share Posted January 22, 2006 I have the opportunity to buy a old military rifle in this caliber. Has anybody had any experience with the caliber? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted January 22, 2006 Report Share Posted January 22, 2006 Re: 6.5x55 The 6.5 Swede is a nice round. It has taken a whole lot of big game animals in the 100+ years it has been around. Ballistically, it is about the same as the .260 Rem. The long slender bullet has a high sectional density allowing it to penetrate deep into the vitals of big critters. The only drawback is there is not a lot to choose from as far as factory loaded ammo goes. If you reload, you can make this cartridge do just about anything though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hogwild63 Posted January 26, 2006 Report Share Posted January 26, 2006 Re: 6.5x55 That is my favorite gun and I took my largest buck with that gun. Mine was made in 1907. All the parts are original. I let my 10 year old son shoot it and his words were "SWEEET". My father-in-law reloads for me so I do not have the problem of finding factory loads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ronin Posted January 28, 2006 Report Share Posted January 28, 2006 Re: 6.5x55 I'm looking at one now for my son. Pretty versatile for reloaders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Idaho_ Elk_ Huntr Posted January 29, 2006 Report Share Posted January 29, 2006 Re: 6.5x55 In the late 90's I was visiting my parents in WVa. I stopped at a gun shop I think was a little north of Beckley. They had several Rem. 700 6.5x55 Classics on clearance. I purchased 3 of them and I have never fired any of them. I havent even scoped them yet. I was thinking about given one to my daughter to hunt with this coming season. It will be her first year and I think it will be a good caliber for her to start out on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ronin Posted February 3, 2006 Report Share Posted February 3, 2006 Re: 6.5x55 AJ and/or anyone, I am looking at getting my son a nice hunting rifle as a graduation present. He primarily hunts hogs and deer but he wants to move up to an occasional elk hunt. I have a great line on a rifle that I can only get in 300Win, 6.5X55, 25-06, and 260Rem. What would be your choice and why? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rifleman25 Posted February 3, 2006 Report Share Posted February 3, 2006 Re: 6.5x55 I would go with the 260, or the 6.5x55 because they have lower recoil and are good all around guns. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted February 3, 2006 Report Share Posted February 3, 2006 Re: 6.5x55 From the cartridges you have to pick from here is my opinion: 25-06 Rem = no go - Its too light for elk. Bullets max out at 120 gr and that is just too light IMO. It will work just fine for deer. 6.5x55/260 Rem = maybe - They will work for elk at moderate ranges (I would say under 250 yards) as they can be fed some nice long heavy bullets. The sectional density of the 6.5mm is high enough to ensure good penetration. Between the two, the .260 Rem wins out as it is a bit faster as it has a higher pressure than the 6.5x55. When its fed the 140 gr Partition, it will crank out 2800 fps. The benefit of the 6.5mm cartridges like Rifleman already mentioned, is they have very moderate recoil and are stout enough to do the job. The 6.5x55 has taken many of Northern Europe's moose to the ground by skilled hunters. Since you reload, you an have the .260 Rem reamed to 6.5x284. It is a wildcat but Hornady and Norma offer brass for it. It adds 100 fps to the 140 gr load. Its also a great long range varmint cartridge. 300 Win Mag - Definately a cartridge worthy of elk hunting. Its a little much for the Kalifornia deer, but it will definately do the job. The drawback to the 300 Win Mag is the extra recoil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ronin Posted February 3, 2006 Report Share Posted February 3, 2006 Re: 6.5x55 Thanks for the response and the answer is right in line with my thoughts. Normally, it would be a no brainer if it was primarily large game. However, my son will spend more time on our small blacktails, local hogs, and coyotes then he ever will on elk. The 300 is a lot of gun for any of the previous and perfect for the latter. I really like the idea of the 260 and 6.5 due to the low recoil coupled with versatility in overall shooting; reloading that is. I will have to stew on this for a bit longer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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