Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Choosing Between 6.5X55 and 7mm-08

My question really amounts to whether there's any particular reason to avoid the 6.5 Swede.

Chances are good that the new rifle will be a Tikka T-3. I don't really need it, but I've recently learned that I don't necessarily need a new rifle in order buy one...

This one will be used to hunt deer, informal shooting at 100 - 300 yards, and as a base for my return to handloading.

I began handloading 30 years ago, but for one reason and another fell away from it. So, while I understand some of the concepts and some of the needed equipment, it'll be nearly starting fresh.

Lyman's 47th says, "As with many foreign rifles, groove diameter tends to vary considerably from the nominal 0.264" diameter." In addition, I've read in one forum or another that the case head diameters of various makers tend to vary. Are either of these things cause for concern?

Jaywalker

sounds like lyman is talking about carcanos - not swede 96s or tikkas. the 6.5x55 is sweet to shoot, and rich in history, and easy to handload for whatever your needs may be. the 7mm-08 is, well, modern.

I think that the 6.5x55 is one of the most underrated and unsung cartridges for the hunting of deer. I am also a history nut, and appreciate the large resume of the cartridge. If I did not own a single rifle suitable for hunting deer, I would be tempted to send for a Tikka chambered in the Swede. More especially so, if I planned to handload for it, as it sounds like you do.

I think I am about to talk myself into one........

Don't worry about differing bore sizes, that is no longer an issue with modern rifles. The rim diameters do vary according to manufacturer (American brass is usually smaller), but it doesn't affect the feeding or extraction in any of the rifles I've used, seen or even heard of.

The 6.5x55 is a great cartridge and I'm sure you will be pleased with your choice.
John

Jaywalker,

I don't see any reason to avoid the 6.5 Swede. One thing it usually has is a quicker twist than the 7mm-08, and it can use heavier bullets.

My suspicion is the 6.5X55 is going to be chambered in hunting rifles a lot longer than the 7-08. Ordinarily I favor the larger cross-sectional areas cartridge for hunting too.

jim dodd

No moss growing on the Swede. If you want it, get it. 7mm-08's are efficient, but lack history and charm.

BMT

What is the "rich" history of the 6.5X55? As I recall Sweden sided with the Germans in the world wars and really never really did much fighting at all.

They allowed the Nazi's to use their country for submarines etc. Not really a battle cartridge is it after all.

The Tikka is only made in one action length so there is no advantage for the 7mm-08 (suits in SA) over the 6.5x55 (is a gimp in the SA) in that department!

For deer I don't think there is any visible difference in performance between the old swede and the young yankee!

The 6.5x55 is a real allrounder that handles bullets well from 85-160 gr.

Well Savage 99 perhaps we swedes never used the 6.5x55 in war. But our brothers the norwegians probably killed some nazis with their 6.5x55 chambered Krags if it is human blood that counts to be famous (you americans seems to like human blood).

The norwegians used the Krag alot in the artic area too and it has probably killed more polar bears, seals and walruss than most other cartridges. In Sweden the 6.5x55 have killed more moose than any other cartridge (even if the 30-06 is in the heels now)!

And Sweden never sided with the Germans in the WWII. We sold some iron and let them use our railroad ones for troop movements. It's nothing we have been proud about. It was a different time then. And we was more afraid of the russians than the germans back in those days.

Actually, I'm interested in the rifle's ability to hit small paper target a ways off, and its ability to put down a deer. The only human blood that'll ever be on it is mine, when I fall and cut myself - unfortunately, a none too rare experience.



These rings that come with it - are they the high ones, made for shoot-in-the-dark Euro scopes, or are they for daytime scopes?



How about the length of pull?



Jaywalker

Don,

Seems to me the question was about the relative merits of the 6.5x55 vs. the 7mm-08. Not whom fought whom or sided with whom in a war that few remember and ever fewer fought in. OTOH, there are quite a few shooters here who shoot the 8mm Mauser and that was directly used by Germany. Not to mention the 7.62x39 (Russian Cart.) That was used against us in wars that even young people remember. I don't think that who used what has any bearing on the ballistic merits of the 6.5x55...the9.3Guy

I can't thoroughly describe the swede's preformance with a 140gr nosler partition.I have shot abunch of these texas whitetails with mine,but one stands out.I shot him broadside in the shoulder at the joint and exited the same on the other side.It took the top of his heart off and shattered both shoulders,the exit wound was the size of a golf ball.The deer's front end dropped and the back end looked like a paddleship run aground. An amazing 10 seconds to watch.I cant say enough about this cartrage.

hey jay

no brainer 6.5x55 nicest I ever shot

Bearbeater

Jaywalker,

You've come from Kimber 84M, to Sako 75, to Tikka T3? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I've followed about the same line as you, but I'm back to the Kimber. Now I need to decide between wood/blue or stainless/synthetic, and caliber. Christmas is near, I need to hurry up... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

As to your question, I would be happy either way. Here's what Chuck Hawks has to say:
http://www.chuckhawks.com/compared_260_7mm-08.htm
http://www.chuckhawks.com/compared_6.5x55_7x57.htm

You can disregard the action length requirement differences for the 6.5x55 in the Tikka T3 because they are all long action receivers.

Well, actually, it was first the Sako M75, then the Kimber, then the T-3, but yeah, spending money is hard... I think the leading contender is now the Sako, regardless of what I wrote at the top of this thread. Next week it may change again.

I wish I could recall who wrote it on one forum or another so that I could cite him properly, but he was very succinct, though I may have changed it to my current front-runner: "Recoil bad. Cleaning bad. Stainless 6.5X55 good." That sounds like the Finnlight.

Jaywalker

"One thing it usually has is a quicker twist than the 7mm-08, and it can use heavier bullets."

Not knocking the 6.5, but all factory 7mm-08's have enough twist to shoot 175 grain bullets. So this isn't an advantage in the Swede's corner. Also with todays bullets "heavier" is a moot point. You just don't need them.

To me the rifle is more important than the cartridge. One should handle the lightweights and compare them to each other and to the other rifles in your battery.

Some care about the popularity or availability of a cartridge and others want something that others don't have.

I read the first essay by Chuck Hawks and it's just the old fashioned rehash of SD's vrs starting velocities. One needs to know the specifics of the bullet and what the game is at what ranges to get optimum performance.

Considering the available rifles, twists and bullets I like the 260 R. for a combination varmint rifle and deer rig that should take black bear. The 7-08 has the 120 VMax for varmints. If that bullet is not too big for you to sling around richocet wise then that cartridge is a neat one when chambered in a lightweight.

If the 6.5-55 will shoot the 95 gr Vmax what with it's quick 1-8 twist it would be very interesting. But to have to use a long action rifle for one is more compromise than I have to do. Might as well get a 270 then.

s99:

i was talking about the swede's ballistic/accuracy/recoil sweetness and 111 years of history, not sweden's geo-political history.

the 7mm-08 is hard to beat and factory ammo is more available. the 6.5x55 may get the nod for the recoil sensative. have shot deer with both and prefer the 7mm

Unless you are a big fan of the cartridge's history, the 6.5x55 won't do anything the 260 Remington can't, and the 260 fits in a short action.

I looked at a Finnlight the other day and I have to say I was not as impressed as I thought I would be. I did not like the short barrel, the butt-heavy balance, and the tupperware stock. It did look like a well-made gun, though. For me, I'd rather buy the standard stainless/synthetic 75 and put it in a Bansner or McMillan stock. The Tikka T3 was OK, but is not a short action, and I would have to replace the stock on that one, too.

That leaves the Kimber Montana (great stock), the Remington Ti (pretty good stock), and the NULA (cha-ching $$$$$).

If I can find a Kimber that feels like it was made on Wednesday, instead of late Friday afternoon, I'm going to get one. Worst case, I'll have to send it to Pac-Nor for a new tube.