No offense to anyone but I see some biased BS in this 257R vs 6.5x55.
Muzzle was assumed to be 3000 with the 115 in the .257, and 2700 with the 140 in the 6.5x55. I've found these to be typical muzzle velocities with safe handloads in both rounds, in 24" barrel.
First of all if you look at Nosler Load Guide you see the 257 R maxing out at around 2,850 or less. Now if MD says you can take that bullet to 25-06/3000 mv speed I'll believe him.
But then to say the 6.5x55 shoots 140s at 2,700 is t
ypical is really shorting it by 150 fps.
2nd of all why don't you compare a Hornaday 6.5 120 Amax at 3,000 to a 115 BT?
Seems to make more sense comparing closer bullets weights and shows the better flexibility of the 6.5 that it can go low weight to higher weight bullets and cover any ground a 25 caliber or 27 caliber ( in a 06 case) can.
At 1000y the 6.5/120/3000mv has a velocity of
1,329 fps that puts it just above what a
25-06, excuse me a 257 R can do.
NOT to mention the 123g SMK with a .510 BC that hits 1,429 fps at 1000y.
And while we are at it let's look at what the "real" potential of the 6.5x55 can do.
Let's look at the Swift 130 S2 which btw I just tested this bullet into some wet phone books it penetrated just as much as the 270 130 partition and 6.5 140 AB and had a wider CS.
At 2,900 fps at 1000y it's velocity is
1,500 fps. thats 200 fps faster than a 25/115BT Not bad for a bullet that weighs only 15g more.
Gee, and no wonder I can tell the difference between shooting a 260 Rem and a 25-06 at long range.
Btw, They can tout the 257 R on elk but when it comes down to it on a nice bull hunt which would you rather have?
A 6.5 shooting a 140g NP or a 257 R shooting a 115/120g bullet?
I know which one I'll take.
