Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Long Range Hunting Need clarification on 6.5...

I have a 6.5x55 and it has done some nice hunting with 120 TSX barnes. If I wanted a meaningful increase in performance, ie velocity and range, I would think I would need to strp up to a .264 Win. Mag in a 26" barrel? I want a standard caliber. Doing an A.I to my extremely accurate 6.5x55 seems to be not much gain and a potential of ruining a great firearm. It seems that all the other varients are non-standard calibers or require a 26" barrel anyway to perform. The Tikka T3 I have has a long action so maybe I could do a 6.5x.284 Norma but is it really worth it in the hunting field? I may well be missing something but for now I think I will leave good enough alone. Comments, you guys have a vast amount more knowledge than I do about this subject. Thanks Buckfever1

sounds like you need to leave your 6.5x55 as is and just buy another chambering to fit your needs/wants...though adding a scope with turrets or holdover reticle should get you plenty of range with your current chambering.

Brett

I agree, any of those changes would just be stepping sideways without much gain in the real world. The 6.5x55 has good capacity for the bore size and can benefit from handloading with full pressure loads.

The TSX is a great bullet, and a very good all around choice for normal hunting ranges. Beyond that, you can gain a meaningful increase in performance, velocity and range by using bullets with a higher BC like the Berger 140 VLD.

TC

IF I were you I would spend your money on a custom scope with a ballistically matched drop turret or reticle pending your likes and or dislikes then go shoot

If it's worth gaining another 200 to 250 fps mv then go 284

It is for me.

Gday,I have both a 6.5*55 sweed and a Win Mod70 in 264win mag. I think that they are both outstanding and very high performing calibers. I really dont mind the long actions. If you really want to crank it up abit,go the 264 mag,it will never let you down. Its good to reload,and the performance will really surprise you,from a ballistics point of veiw the 6,5/284 really hasnt any advantages over the mag.

Ballistically, just ain't no BAD choice in 6.5mm in my book

Anything from Grendel or TCU up through WSMs, 264 WM, and Wildcats, DO get the job done when the operator does their's!

I would keep what you have and get a 264 and you will have a smile after you have played with the 264 and descovered the wide range of hand loads and what can be done with them. The Remington 700 CDL with 26" barrel would be a good choice in 264.

No experience with the 6.5x55 but I've been shooting a 6.5-284 out to 1100yds. for about a year. If you step up to the 264wm I would shoot the 140grn. Bergers if I wanted to extend my range. If I wanted to really increase my performance I would look at going up to a 7mm and shoot 168 or 180 grn. Bergers.
Since you're posting this in the long range forum, I assume you're looking to shoot out past 500 yds. In the long range game, speed isn't the answer. It's all about pushing high B.C. bullets. Lighter bullets will fly flatter but wind will eat them up. It's easy to dial up a few more clicks, but doping wind is a frustrating endeavor.

264, been thinking about it, just think about bbl life, but on a pure hunting rifle, its likely going to be fine on the Mag.

One day I will have to try one. Thanks.

I have this same gun. You may want to pick a good 120-140gr bullet and put some RL17 or RL19 behind it and see what happens. I have yet to shoot mine so I am interested myself.

65BR
Barrel life is not a problem, I have had mine sinse 1963 and finally rebarreled it last year. The key is not to over heat it and keep it clean. My new 30" Shilen barrel does not heat up like a stock barrel. My original barrel after 5 rounds would burn your hand but the new barrel after 8 rounds can still be grabbed and not be uncomfortable. Get a 264 and enjoy.

Never a bad idea to have more than one in .264 caliber.

You reload?

If you do, look into either building a 6.5-06 or finding a 6.5 Rem Mag. Screw on a nice 22" tube, toss on some turrets, load up some 120 TTSX's or 130 AB's and enjoy the shooting!

CLB

I don't know what kind of critters you are hunting, but a 6.5X55 loaded with 130 Accubonds, Sciroccos or Bergers loaded to modern pressures will reach a lot further then you might expect. If you jump up to 140 VLD's from Berger and some slow burning powder like Magnum or RL22 you'll see a significant jump in long range capability compared to the 120 Barnes.