Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters 7 wsm / 7mm-08 vs 6.5's...............???

I've never had any 6.5's , but I am intrigued by them. What will the 6.5 do that the 7/08 or 7 wsm won't.Looking for another gun, was considering the 7 wsm or a 6.5 of some sort. Current rifle battery consists of .270 , .300WM , and 7/08(favorite). What do you suggest and why???

You might PM Smokepole. He just built a 6.5 WSM.

have a swede but if i were doing it all from scratch i might go creedmoor

there is nothing you can do with a 6.5 or a 7 WSM that you can't do with your current battery.....except maybe a bit of lessened recoil.

If a new gun is in order look to something in .224 or .243 caliber.....or over .323 diameter

Buy either a 270 wsm or 264 mag.

The thing the 6.5's have over the competion is the very high BC bullets that the 7's and .308 rounds don't have. That and their lighter recoil.
This is very nice to have if you like to shoot at really long distances, especailly in the typically windy country of the west.
I wouldn't call this a big advantage by any means, but there is a difference. E

I'd modify that and say that the 6.5's have .600 BC bullets at 140 grains whereas you need to go up to 162 in the 7 mm. and over 200 in the .308 to get there. And you can launch the 6.5's at around 2950 with an '06 cartridge and moderate recoil (or 3050 with the Ackley version) which will be about the same (3050) that you'll launch a 162-grain .600 BC bullet with the 7 WSM. I know some guys get better velocities in the 7 WSM with the 162 but I couldn't without high pressures.

One day soon I'm gonna get a .260 in a lightweight package. All I need for deer-sized game, and tailor-made for a slick 130-grain bullet.

Don't have my 6.5 WSM back yet, but it'll be in a lightweight package too, a Kimber Montana.

Im not familar with 6.5 bullets but 7mm has several bullets over .600, I took a quick glance at some 6.5mm and didnt see any over .550.



I

Berger 140's and Lapua 144's are over .600, and 140 Amax's are listed at .585.

ALmost forgot the 142 SMKs, over .600 too.

Of the more recent rifles I have got the lightweight SS/SYN Kimber Montanas stand out. All I had before that was blue/walnut.

I don't want another 6.5. I have an old 264. To each his own. Besides .30's I like 7mm and before that the .358's.


The cartridges don't matter all that much but at least use enough gun.

Sure I have a 7mm WSM, a current darling on the net.

I have had old M70's since the 50's in the popular chamberings.

Of my late rifles the 243 Montana is used the most as the pest season is the longest.

6.5's are GREAT.

Whatever you do DO NOT get a 7x57. Theres stories of 7x57's turning men gay. Next thing you know you'll be wearing a leopard print thong and dancing around with other guys...

It'll get you a bit less recoil. That is all.

I was able to get 2950fps with the 162gr A-Max from my .280 with long brass life and no pressure signs. And that's a .625 BC.

I can get over 3100fps with the same bullet from my 7WSM.

If low recoil is a major priority, then go 6.5. If pure performance (within reason!) is the priority, then go 7mm.

Take the grand or so that you'd stick into the rifle and put it in the hunt fund and go hunt somethat that you've not hunted as of yet.

Dober

Well frankly you have all of the N American game from deer to grizzly covered with your current battery I would either go with a .223 as someone mentioned or a nice big bore fun rifle like a sharps etc. I will share I had a nice 6.5 x55 swede model 70 and it was a very nice rifle. However I already had a 270 and a 257 that I had some history with and just didn't see a use for essentially a duplicate chambering so I sold the 6.5 .

260 running 120TSX is the same as a 7-08 running 120 TSX. This one likes 95 Vmax....

My 7-08 is pretty much a designated 162 Amax slinger and will be trying the 145 LRX later. I'm wishing it was a 280AI now...

Like em all for what they are.
7-08/260/6.5 Creedmoor are same /same for what matters.
7WSM has a bigger gas tank and all that goes with it.
Necking it down to 6.5 won't gain anything meaningful,IMO, other than the different/cool factor.
Sounds like you are maybe looking for a better blue print of a rifle than a cartridge that has something more to offer.

Considering the arsenal you have, Dober's giving you great adivce. Aside from puter GACK, you'll gain nothing except another rifle. + more tools, dies, brass, bullets, etc to spend more money.

+1 to FVA and Dober's advice

Thanks to all that have replied. Just wondering if I have missed something with all the "6.5" gossip going around. You guys just made my 7/08 breathe a little easier....lol....love that little 7/08, pushes 120ttsx into .33 inch groups @100 and .5 @ 300yds. Would be nice to have another gun though.....decisions,decisions...thanks again

Man, you guys said it like there's something wrong with that.