Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters 6.5X55 ? ? Maybe Not.

Guys, you know that I've been thinking about getting a 6.5X55 and particularly a Tikka T 3. I've been giving this serious consideration and I MAY HAVE CHANGED MY MIND.

In all seriousness, I can load 49 grs of IMR 4064 under a 130 gr bullet and get 2900 fps. It has mild recoil & muzzle blast.
Also a little bit more of IMR 4320 will give good results w/140s with the same type of blast.

Yes a 260 Rem can be had in a S A but that is not important to me.

Today I shot an 8 pt, 130 lbs. at 197 yds with my Tikka T 3 Lite SS 270. It surprised me when it went off and I saw the buck CRUMPLE. I didn't even notice the recoil. So if I reduce the powder charge to 49 gr vs 62 or so it's even MILDER. I ALREADY have the Tikka and can load it almost identical to a 6.5 w/o having to experiment.

What suggestions do you 260 & 6.5 boys have?

The 270 is a great round, my son has a Tikka T3 left hand in 270. No issues with deer. The 6.5X55 is a classic, as for America so is the 270. As the Tikka is a long action I see no reason to pick a 260. The 6.5X55 will do anything that a 260 will and much more. Between the 270 and the 6.5X55 that is a much harder choice. Lots of overlap. The long heavy for caliber 264 bullets really do the job. Both the 6.5X55 and the 270 basically to me cover the same ground.

You sound surprised.....

yeah, if you have one you don't need the other.

the 6.5 can do the .243's job, as well as the .25's and other 26's and fill in for a .270.

If your shots are going to be no further than 300 yards, a 6.5mm bullet isn't going to give you much advantage over a .270, and even a .270 loaded to 6.5x55 level velocity (or even less) wouldn't really handicap you any. If you are going to be shooting deer at 350+ yards, and you're interested in mild recoil, you can't beat a .260 Rem or a 6.5x55.

R R - Thankfully recoil doesn't bother me until you get past the 8mm RM. I am impressed w/the 6.5X55 and the KOOL factor but in real need, I can duplicate it w/the 270. That really is my whole point of this thread. I'm looking for anything I've overlooked. THANKS

The advantage of the 6.5X55 is it's capability to take LONG heavy bullets. The Tikka has a long throat and will take those bullets. The 260 is 308 based and does not handle bullets beyond 140g very well. The bullet will intrude into the case and limit powder capacity. It is limited by the short action magazine in the Tikka. The 6.5X55 is proven for several decades on animals up to Moose. The 270 as well has proven it is capable. If you have a 270 then the decesion to me would be easy, keep what you know and what has proven itself to work for you.

If recoil is a problem, just load your 270 with 110 Accubond bullet, then use a slightly faster burning powder. It will come in just like a 6.5x55.

Do I understand you correctly? The 6.5 in the Tikka has a short magazing? I know they are long actions, didn't know they have a short mag.

No, the 260 has a short magazine, same as the 308 family. The 6.5X55 and the 270 are long magazines 30-06 lenght. One can change the bolt stop and use the longer 30-06 magazines. I have done this in my 338 Federal as it as stock was a short magazine.

10/4 thanks, that's what I thot. Then you were talking about the Tikka in 260.

The Tikka in 260 is stock with the short 308 family magazine. The 6.5X55 is the long 30-06 family.

Got It, Thanks

It is the same as the older Winchester push feeds for 260 and other 308 lenght, about a 1/4" block at the end of the mag. 30-06 magazines do not have this. Either will fit and lock just fine. In my 338 Federal I was limited to about 210g due to mag lenght. One can change the bolt stop and use the long mags. The short bolt stop limits the bolt throw to 308 lenght on the shorter 308 family.

Funny that you mention 49 grs. of IMR 4064 w/ 130 gr. bullet. When Jack O'Connor started reloading his .270, he used 49.5 grs. of IMR 4064 for about 3000 fps. with 130 gr. bullet. Slightly less BC but slightly more velocity. Recoil should be the same. E

I have killed animals with the 270 and a couple different 6.5 cartridges. I had a 6.5-06 for a long time and killed everything from antelope, deer, elk, bear and it performed great. It quickly became my favorite hunting rifle. At longer range the higher bc bullets shine over the 270 offerings. My uncle gave my daughter a 6.5x55 a while back and I have fallen in love with that cartridge. I am looking for a modern 6.5x55 for my self to replace my beloved 6.5-06 that was stolen.

Hey E - forgot to check elk forum, Did you get him? I hope so.

If you want to run 140s and 150s which is what I prefer in a 270, a 6.5 w/bullets that are typical for hunting, the bc/sd are very similar, and both do a great job.

Nostalgia is a reason for a Swede. A 270/160PT load will give a 6.5 'long bullet' fan a grin.

In realistic terms, unless you are shooting WAY out yonder, I don't know that you will realize anything different w/one vs. the other, IMO.

Can't recommend trading/selling a 270 to fund a 6.5, but if one has neither, I would look strong at a 6.5 if one handloads.

6.5 - you got that right. My Tikka 270 AIN'T goin nowhere! !

THANKS Jerry

Running a 6.5 just labels one as a Loony