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

I'm still impressed by the KOOL factor; 6.5X55 SWEEDE

SWWEET !

Yep, the 6.5X55 is a loony cartridge that does work most anyday most anywhere. You do your part then it will provide meat in the freezer.

Jwall, regret selling my K1A....and it was well under MOA...good looking and like all others, did DRT kills on deer.

Having 2 6.5s built now, but SA bolts....on '08 brass

If T3s came into the US in that round, they'd sell a few...and might have saved me mucho.

Order one from across your northern border and pay the import fee.

Hey Bob...you diggin me?

All I meant was, I wasn't EXPECTING the bang at that second.

I was NOT surprised to kill the buck.

Man, I dish it out..... I HAVE to take it.

Having TWO 6.5s built ? Surely WE don't NEED two or more of the SAME caliber guns !

Come to think of it, I have multiple 270s & 30 cals...hummm

I also have an 8 mm Rem Mag... Need ? ?

Maybe I don't NEED a 6.5X55 TIKKA (specifically)

Maybe I just WANT one.

Can a loony just want a cal/gun he doesn't NEED?

Maybe that's what makes us loonies! !

Well....1/2 yr before Rem came out w/the 260, I fathomed a 6.5/308 would be the cats meow and had to have one so commissioned Pac-Nor to chamber one up. I keep coming back, used many other rounds inc. it's rivals the Swede and 7/08. No 277-08..yet

SO, since my older boy has a rifle, figured my younger son needs hit own also....and why not have another even if duplicate of mine....just a different stock...pics will be up in about 2 weeks....

Someone up there in Arkansas bought my K1A Swede....probably never should have sold that rifle....it might liked to have had a Kepplinger trigger, but OEM was not bad, and it showed me a 1.1" 200 yd group......6.5s can be addicting. Be forewarned!

FWIW, alot of guys here shoot 7/08s running 120s. They work well. But when you look at the 260/120, it holds up better w/higher BCs. I shoot 130ABs alot and will try some 120 Barnes and 130 Bergers...just for fun.

But yeah you are right, if a man has ONE 6.5, no NEED for another....of anything Lol.

I'm a fortunate guy in that I own a .25-06, a .257 Roberts, a 6.5X55, a .260 Remington, a .264 Magnum, a .270 Win a .280 Rem.....and of these the 6.5 X 55 is the top of the list....at least for deer size targets. I'm a believer in the 120 grain bullets but heavier is fine as well....

I consider the 6.5 x 55 and the .257 Roberts to be near identical performers and that says a lot for both of them.....

IMO there just isn't a better round for deer size game no matter what one drags out of the woodwork...

Yeah, the 7mm 120s aren't nearly as AERO as the 6.5 120s

NOW.. I would NOT go so far as to say you don't NEED anything else beside a 6.5! !

I haven't YET compared the BC or SD of the 6.5 - 140/150 to the 270 - 150-160. Seriously I 'think' the 270 bests it. Will look in near future.

YES, MANY of us are BLESSED to have much more than we need. I'm one of the US.

I want my boys to have a few of my guns each. But EVERY gun I own is worth more today than when I bought them. Maybe NOT the best investment but they have NOT lost value.

There are many ways to LOOSE you rear end in investments, I don't think firearms is one of them. Others mileage may vary.

Jwall, not sure, but what I do know is, I would never bet any animal fairly hit w/a 150/160 partition from a 270 will last long

Vapo- to your point, before the advent of the latest bullets in 6mm, I always said to others, a 25-28 bore spitting a 120 on the low end at 2700 on the low side MV is a good floor for deer.

Nowadays, I have just as much confidence in a 243 w/95 BTs or Barnes 80-85s.

Jwall no doubt firearms don't 'capitulate' as much as stocks, etc. in value

I have narrowed my # of rifles down so low it's pathetic and MANY a fine rifles/accurate and good looking to boot, have been sold and traded over the years. YET, for financial reasons it was often out of necessity to sell them for either re-investing to my next 'want' to try another flavor.....or simply to pay some bills.

Good guns and scopes are never a bad place to park $$$ as it's not fiat currency. Now if guns/hunting someday gets outlawed, or the transfer...or any big taxes on that...then things change.

Thankfully, so far the above has not been an issue.

My favorite Deer rifle is a M-70 PF 6.5x55. It is very accurate and I like those long Lapua Mega bullets. Actually I shoot 140gr Sierra's and they kill Deer right now. The long heavy round nose bullets create a lot of curiosity. I'd like to shoot an Elk with one some day. Ken

Yeah, 6,5 BUT if they're outlawed...the price might skyrocket? If you catch my drift.

I can't recall all those I traded/sold to get something else.

Everyone I traded/sold brought me to something else I wanted or like better...EXCEPT I sold a Win 70 Featherweight (81 model) to get a 'weatherloss'. I have regretted that ever since.

jwall I think you are right. I bought a model 70 in 6.5x55 in the last year and have been shooting it a little bit to work up some good loads etc. It is a pretty rifle and shoots fine but to date I am somewhat underwhelmed and don't see it doing anything my 270 mt rifle can't do. I don't even see the big to do about the BC. Using my hornady handbook using a 140 gr 6.5 vs a 150gr .277 both started at 2600 fps and there is less than 1" difference at 500 yrds using a 200yd zero. Wow! Like I said it is a pretty rifle and I had the urge but now I am feeling pretty redundant with a pet 257 , the 6.5 and a 270. Not sure what I was thinking/ expecting

And now Braretta does not import the Tika in the 6.5

bangeye - pm me details of the M70. bll length, rot, WEIGHT, etc. I might be interested.

I do NOT think the 6.5 is BETTER than a 270. I think anything a 6.5X55 can do the 270 can do FASTER, therefore hit harder.

I have 243, 6mm, the 6.5 is a niche, I don't NEED to fill. I just WANT one.

Thanks

edited to finish, fat fingers submitted prematurely.

AND I know the 270 can start a 150 at 2900 +, SOOO who wins then.


Now Guys, I AM NOT trying to start a PIZZING contest, so I'm not issuing any challenge.

I want a 6.5X55 just cause. I would really like it in a Tikka T 3 Lite SS, but if Bangeye's Win 70 isn't TOO HEAVY, I could live with it. I will not have a SHORT MAGAZING in any manuf.

Try and find a Sako or Tikka, you will not be disappointed. On the odd chanch a Steyr. Classic and old Swedish 96, if in good shape they will be accurate, look at the disk on the stock butt. If a 1 or 2 good to go.

Thanks for the info.. Any rifle must NOT be heavy.

Got a question for you, J. Wall.

Did that bullet hit anywhere close the the spine of that deer?

Jim - yes. I expected it to & it did. It centered the lower half of the neck. He was facing me uphill, so it destroyed the spinal col. in the neck.

When I butchered him I didn't pursue the path past the neck.

My reference was ONLY to point out that the recoil was not noticeable.
No Comparison was implied w/ reference to a 6.5.

Gone to bed / hunting in A.M. Later

OK..

When an animal "crumples", drops in it's tracks, DRT etc) usually the spine or brain is hit..

6.5X55 SE is certainly my favorite deer caliber. That said, truth be known, there are probably twenty or more calibers from 6mm to 30 that could be selected as someone's one and only rifle for deer-sized game and the selection of caliber would never have a measurable effect on success. Churn on, rifle loonies, churn on.

One thing to remember when comparing BC across calibers/cartridges - drop isn't the MOST important thing. IMO - more elevation can always be dialed via turret or hold over via dotz if that's your thing - what interests me is wind drift. Usually doping wind is a guess - mebbe a rather informed one but any bullet that has a BC advantage and thus help my margin of error on doping wind is a real advantage IMO.

jwall,

You absolutely need the Tikka 6.5x55! It fills that wide chasm between the 270 and 257 Roberts calibers. You just cannot survive with such a big hole in your rifle battery. What would your fellow rifle looney buddies think? What would everybody here at the campfire think with such a gaping hole in your personal battery? You might even be banned for such a thing. You don't want to be banned from posting on the campfire, do you?

You owe me one.

Yeah, RED. My chasm is even wider than that! I HAD a 257 but no longer.

My gap is from 6mm - 270 EVEN. I almost didn't sleep last night thinking about it Now the thot of being black balled here at the LOONY BIN is more than a body can bear.

I'm posting from my phone. Taking a break from 30 mph wind in my deer stand. Been here since 6:00 am. Seen NADA. Later Jerry

I don't get mad; I get AHEAD

Those 95's are deadly little bullets. Wacked a deer and antelope with them, and it was bang flop.

I've got 4 6.5X55mm�s - two Kimber converted M96's, one Husqvarna M-96 with target sights and the fourth is a Mauser that has a very heavy 28 inch barrel and Lyman 48 sights. All are accurate.

Does this qualify as a Loony? Or do I need to buy some more?

teal has the answer

I say you are 'certifiable' ! ! L O L

Loony PHD...I had 3 Mausers and a 700 Classic at one time....am I in rehabilitated?

JW- 270s yes do 2900 w/150s, and Swedes do 2700..and then some...downrange is where I look also btw..those numbers mean more to me. No doubt, they both work and well.

A Non-Loony can just grab a good 270 and a box of ammo, sight in, kill chit, be happy and not know the difference...very little, in recoil, blast, trajectory. Yet the Loony never will have that 'feeling' that comes when using a sweet Swede!

Ask JB and other 7x57 fans how much better they feel using Rigby's vs. it's lil bro the 708, or big bro the 280

Funny thing is, whenever guys at camp, etc. ask what I shoot, they see the gun, cartridge, and then look like they are puzzled, but in the end, I think their take away is:

"This guy knows some chit, and probably knows how to use it....but oh well, I will jest keep on using my 7 em em, ought six, or two seventy."

And regardless of which side of the fence you are on, when bullets hit vitals, it's typically skinning time

BTW, the M70 Fwt is a sweet rig, had a SS/Walnut 'claw' model, and of course my Ruger K1A. All shot great.

6.5 - yeah, I don't know anyone personally who knows what a 6.5X55 IS. Also I don't know anyone personally in Ark. that has a chrono.

I've already had 2-3 guys in the lease be surprised that I shot a deer in the neck at 197 yds. Sat.

They may be hunters but ARE NOT shooters.

THX for the recommend on the Featherweight 6.5.

You must have wanted something BAD to let loose of the K1A! !

Nice shot, deer can move their head quick so unless you graze over the top of the head, you will either get the spine or Jugular, or clean miss.

I hate to say I lost a great buck at 100 yds on a motionless buck broadside in Tx....learned a tough lesson - forgot the POI at 100 was about 2" high, when I sighted on the center of the neck w/a 260. Hair flew...but the buck left the scene, no blood, but I remember seeing a large PUFF of hair on impact.

Yeah, I hated to sell it and as many before it, will 2nd guess why as below you will see it was better than plain grained walnut, and it shot like crazy. I do know where one is NIB by a member here, seen it in person, and you'd swear the stocks were sawn from the same tree limb!

6.5 - So Very Nice ! !

I never had a K 1 but I like the same features your rifle had.

Bll lenght, fore end, & nice butt.

I think if you want a 6.5, get one. You certainly don't need one. Especially if you are trying to follow a purely rational thought process.

This thread has been playing the loonyism card, but let's not forget, frog's hair, fairy dust, & ballistic minutia.

Yeah, had a 6x42 Leupy German #4 that went well on a Euro round rifle, SMOKED a deer shot thru chest about 250 yds, the 130 Accubond did a DRT...like every single deer I ever hit with a 6.5x55.

Must be a lucky coincidence

I absolutely LOVE my Sako .260! About all I might consider changing is the composite stock, but the darn thing shoots Nosler factory load 130gr accubonds with such great groups why mess with success?

Had one, one of the best rifles going IMHO, for a production rifle.

I have a T3 in 6.5x55, and it is the most accurate gun I own. Still tempted to sell it, just because I don't actually hunt with it.

Bless him father for he has sinned LOL.

No good 6.5 should gather dust, rather rugs.

Too many guns, too little hunts.

Yep, why I weeded out many....prob will have a 6.5...till the day I die.

I could use at least one less varmint gun, and one less big game rifle for sure. I've got 4 guns set up for varminting, and 4 set up for big game. With a 243, 6.5x55, 280AI and a 338, the 6.5 is kind of in no man's land.

Well,well, 6.5BR you keep pulling them out of the woodwork and I'll keep listening. I might find me a SWEDE afterall. Don't get the IDEA of any kick back

Great thing about the 6.5s, it's good for Mice to Moose, 85-160 grain pills, so it's more than in no man's land, IMHO

Granted a 243 makes a great varmint round thru deer/hogs and Can be pressed for larger game if needed esp. w/prmium bullets. The 280 has a little more reach than the Swede, and a 338 is a proven large game and dangerous game round.

DC223 you have a nice armamentarium, but...I see a 6.5 as a very versatile proven caliber, whereas perhaps you see it more in a niche/specialty round.

The truth is, we are both right

6.5 - well I have 2 nibbles on 6.5X55s.

Both are still up for discussion but at least it's a start.

Have you noticed an obvious absence of some in this discussion?
Not a problem but curious.
Jerry

Jerry, had my finances/cash flow been different, I'd have alot more rifles, inc. probably a few Swedes and won't rule another out, though I just re-applied dollars from all those that went down the road into a couple of customs....

Good luck, I will pm an option for you, one I'd look hard at.

Well it's funny how some things turn out. I had rationalized myself OUT of a 6.5X55.

I started this thread Sat(?) and by Wednesday I'm full throttle looking for one. How about that?

I know I don't NEED a 6.5X55 but it is a cartridge I've never owned. I like it's background. In 40 yrs of hunting and messing w/guns I've NEVER run across ANYBODY who had one.

Actually, until the last few years the ONLY 6.5 (264) calibers I was familiar with were the 264WM and the 260 Rem. I know there are others now but the 6.5X55 is the only one that has pricked my curiosity and SEVERE interest.

IMO it is the rarity, novelty (to me),& scarcity of it that intrigues me.

IF I've ever seen any 6.5 ammo on a shelf anywhere, I didn't pay attention to it. Being a HANDLOADING proposition doesn't botter me in the least.

Knowing the NUMBER of calibers & rifles that I've had and have now and now to enter an unkown realm (for me) QUALIFIES me as a bonifide LOONY.

I don't know WHO ALL to thank or BLAME

I'm sure Mule Deer is at the top of the list and then 6.5BR, 260RemGuy,& JeffO, are on the list. I'm sure there are others to BLAME, I just can't think of them at the moment. So if I haven't mentioned your 'handle' don't be offended. I'm sure it'll come to me and I'll blame you later.

Don't do it Jerry! If you go against my recommendation now, it's on you! Lol.

Stay away from 6.5s, it'll only take you to Loony Land

6.5 - I'm AFRAID it's too late. I think I'm going down for the THIRD time.

We, you & I, and a couple of others aren't thru w/this subject. I don't know exactly where or when I'll land but UNLESS something terrible happens, I know where I'm going.

Jerry

Why settle for a single .270 when you can own a .260 and a 6.5x55?

O O -

I'm feeling left out, I don't have a 6.5X55 in the safe these days but I do have 2-.260 and a 6.5 Creedmoor.
So that kinda counts I guess.

Colodog - Close but NO cigar. LOL

Not as KOOL as 6.5X55.

You got to wick it up! !

I have always lusted for a CZ 550 FS in 6.5x55. You might give them a check.

http://www.cz-usa.com/products/view/cz-550-fs/

Croldfort- I'm not familiar w/all the models of CZs.

The few I've handled are HEAVY. Otherwise they have good reputations.

Regardless of BRAND I only want a light-medium weight.

THNX - will check em out.

Jerry

I've got two Ruger M77R MkIIs in 6.5x55. I'd sell one for $7,000,000. Also have a #1A I'd sell for $8,000,000.

. [u][/u]

:)Hey Red:

1. I'll buy BOTH of your rifles. One Ruger is just not enough.

2. In MY LAST post, I don't know what those two last symbols mean
I posted from my PHONE and don't even know how it happened.

That one is on me.

The first symbol means start underline text and the second means stop underline text. Click to quote this post to see the useage.

.
Ive got 1 6.5 x55 Id probly take $6,000,000 for mine. LOL

Hey it's not ethical to undercut me (in front of me). You don't need $6,000,000. Everybody knows "collectors" are flush with cash.

Guys - I'm LISTENING and LOOKING for the LOWEST bidder!

Y'all keep it coming down.

Big Red Head I wish i were flush with cash. Ill tell you If we could get any where in the neiborhood of that much of JPros cash. We will split it.

How about $800?

Big Redhead - Is $800. your price for a Ruger # 1 - 6.5X55?

You have my attention.



Jerry

Having owned a 270 and currently owning a 6.5 x 55, I prefer the 6.5 just because it's cool. Will a .270 outpreform it? Sure, I guess, but who cares?

Hey B Redhead - Sorry, you took too long and missed a sale.

If MULE DEER is scanning I have a question. IF a fellow has a Win M70 in 6.5X55 does WW brand brass work dependably?

I ASSUME it does, but this is water I've not waded in before. It wouldn't make sense for WW to make BOTH the rifle & brass and then to have problems.

Anyone with personal experience w/both gun & brass is welcome to chime in.

THNX

Jerry

No prob. That price was for the M77. The #1 is not for sale.

Wonder Why?

Have a Great Thanksgiving

Jerry

I had a Model 70 Classic Featherweight in 6.5x55 for a little while. Winchester brass worked fine. I doubt you'll find a modern mass-produced 6.5x55 that will have trouble with any brand of brass.

I also shot a pretty good whitetail buck on Sunday afternoon with my 6.5x55. The bullet was a 140-grain Nosler Partition at about 2700 fps, and the range was 30 yards, so I cranked in a bunch of elevation. The bullet went though the middle of both lungs and he went the normal 35-40 yards before keeling over.

Astonishingly, I used a 2-7x Leupold Compact turned all the way up, and the field of view wasn't "full of hair." In fact most of the buck could be seen in the field of view!

Mule Deer - THNX for a rapid fire response.

You mean a 6.5X55 killed a deer at ALL of 30 yds?

CONGRATS to you and Ms Eileen.

Jerry

Astonishing, ain't it? The 140 even EXITED.

Probably a MIRACLE, not to be depended on.

John, NOW are you convinced a 6x is enough....FOV for close deer - LOL.

My 2nd deer used a partition btw...a hundred grain 243 and I had a proper M8 6x36 - (original duplex of course) - shot about 30 yds, made it about that far.

My guess is that scope will get traded out....but not your partitions. I think you sprinkle them on your morning bowl of Wheaties or Oatmeal

WHICH partition do you use in your Rigby btw? 140/150/160 or 175?