Both proven highly effective
Both easy on the shoulder/ears, helping punch vitals
One easier to find full power factory ammo
The other carries the 'Looney' Connotation

Both illustrate that killing game is not as much about Ballistics as much using a 'GOOD BULLET' n 'SHOOT EM GOOD'

Semi custom pre-64 270 WCF with 150 NPT's @2925

Custom '09 DWM 6.5X55MM with 140 NPT's @2751.

Dead heat tie for me, both on coolness and effectiveness.

Gunner

I own both. .270's all right, I guess, but the Swede out-cool-factors it by a mile. Nobody at the range ever says, "Huhhh???" when you tell them you're shooting a .270.

Swede with 130 grain AB's at an even 2700 out of my Sako fits my current style of deer hunting better: just go out and calmly put them to sleep with as little fuss and bother as possible.

People talk about the light recoil of a .270, but every one I've shot has quite a snap to it. We rebarrelled my brother's .270 to .280AI and he was amazed at how "soft" it shoots now. The few 6.5x55s I've shot have had a gentler shove than any .270, and kill critters just as dead.

My 6.5x55s (2 of them) shoot 120 gr bullets at 2900 fps and 130s at 2800 fps. Ballistically, out to 300 yards, the difference between the 270 Win 130 gr Swift Scirocco II at 3060 fps and the 6.5 mm 130 gr Scirocco at 2800 fps is less than 1.5 inches.

Have to say that I'd go with my blued Model 70 that I rebarreled from 270 Win to 6.5x55. My extra Model 70 SS in 270 Win will be a donor rifle for another caliber at some point. If I'm going 270 anything, it will be my WSM. All in left hand.

But that's just my opinion...

Not trying to start an argument here but how is that possible? Unless you are using lighter bullets and less powder with new .280AI I can't see physics would allow the rifle to produce less recoil?

The 6.5 x 55 is a pocket 270, mine will just touch 3000 fps with 120gr Speer SP's While my 270 I use to own would tough a little over 3150 fps with 130 gr Speer SP's You wold be hard pressed to tell the difference either load has on the deer sized game I shot with it. For heavier game just switch to a 120 gr barnes X for the 6.5 and either a Nosler Partition or Barnes X in 130 for the 270. nope 0.013 thousands of an inch dose not make much of a difference, only on paper and in forums like 24 hour Campfire. Both are good hunters cartridges. Thou the 270 has a bit of an edge here in the States due to availability of both rifles so chambered and ammo on the shelf in most Stores. Meaningless for gun looneys!!

[quote=n007)

Not trying to start an argument here but how is that possible? Unless you are using lighter bullets and less powder with new .280AI I can't see physics would allow the rifle to produce less recoil?[/quote]

YEAH - summin ain't right!

I have both. Put me in the Looney camp, I prefer the 6.5x55.

I grew up reading Jack O'Connor's words on the 270 and always wanted one. Somehow that never happened, mostly because circumstances contrived to steer me into the 6.5x55. I am maverick enough that I like the "WTF is a 6.5 Swede??????????" when people see what I shoot. Mine's a Ruger 77 MK II. The older I get the less inclined I become to shoot anything else.

As far as I can see, put a good 140 from a Swede and a good 150 from a 270 in the same place on the same animal at the same range and angle and the results will be the same.

I think it an analogous arguement to the endless 308 vs 30-06 comparisons. Again, same bullet in the same place from the same range on the same animal, and the same result.

Long live both of them.

I have no way to measure recoil, except with my shoulder. And the AI'd rifle feels better than the .270 did. I have a heavier Ruger 77 tang safety .270 that also feels more harsh than the .280AI. Is it a sharper rap that it gives? I don't know. We only know what our shoulders tell us. As always, YMMV.

The "impluse" recoil is different, I suppose. This has been discussed b4.

Gunner, I carried a 270 that was handed down by a gent that had Cancer when he wrote his will. I had used 270s many times before, but wanted to honor him/his life by properly breaking in this rifle so off to Colorado it went...

MY loads safe in that rifle using IMR4350 only yielded 150 NP @2850...using 52.0, vs. IIRC 52.5 Book Max. I know there are better powders - but it's what I had and shot fine.

Mulie, 275 yds, went from Neck to JUST under the hide in the rear ham, 99.9% penetration....

No, a few fps either way won't matter. As to recoil, I noticed cheap 130 CL factory were mild, and I am sure under spec if you clocked them.

BOTH work well, I like both - but partial to the Swede being a 6.5 nut/slut.

Well this topic should start a "looney" feeding frenzy....
As a kid I read all of JOC's articles and books and wanted a 270 WCF more than anything; I got to use my dad's pre-64 "Featherweight" 270 WCF when we went out west and it accounted for deer and elk.
At 16 when it came time to pony up my own hard earned money I bought a 30-06 as my dad said that it was a better all round caliber (you had to muck out lots of stalls and split/stack lots firewood to buy a BDL back then).
I've had 270's come and go in the 35 years since then but none stayed.
I bought a Tikka 6.5x55 (as I couldn't find a Sako) back in 2004/05 added a Swarovski AV 3-9x36mm and haven't looked back.
And while I haven't thumped an elk with my 6.5 yet, they seem to be two peas in a pod for deer, pigs and varmits.
The irony is that last weekend, my local enabler (LGS owner)called me with a pre-64 "Featherweight" in 270 WCF; after looking it over, I've done nothing but think about how to pay/trade for it and what to cull from the herd (no, no I cannot buy another safe).
Looks as if I'll have another 270 after all these years.
The trials and tribulations of a "looney".
Steve

Total recoil energy is related to bullet energy, so the 270 kicks harder than the 6.5x55. But there is more to recoil than just energy. Recoil speed is a factor that is related to bullet speed. The slower the bullet speed, the slower recoil speed, and the slower recoil feels more like a p-u-s-h, whereas faster recoil feels more like a SLAP!, and the p-u-s-h is easier to take than a SLAP! Since the 270 shoots faster than the 6.5x55, it's recoil feels more like a SLAP! I experience a similar difference in recoil sensation between my 375 H&H and my 416 Rigby. The recoil of my 375 with a 270gr bullet at 2700 fips feels more like a SLAP!, while the recoil of my 416 with a 400gr bullet at 2300 fips feels more like a p-u-s-h. I'm sure the total recoil energy of the 416 is greater than that of the 375, but IMO the 416 feels easier to handle. Of course, the difference in weight between the two rifles makes a difference in the feel of the recoil too, the 416 being heavier.

Some confusion here, we were talking about the same rifle converted from a .270 to a .280AI.

The thread title is "270 vs. 6.5x55", not "270 vs. 280AI." Correct me if I'm wrong.

They'll both do the same job, given proper bullets and loads.

EDIT TO ADD: I had about a 325 wt steer calf get between two juvenile bulls cuttin up and vet says he received some internal injuries and would not survive, so I had the vet put him to sleep.

Went and got my tractor w/ loader, a chain and strung the calf up and let him have it with the 6.5X55 Swede and 140 NPT's and my old 270 WCF and 150 NPT's.

I could tell very little difference in penetration between the two rounds, with the 270 making a bit more of a mess.

I just got the 6.5X55MM completed last month and of course have not had the chance to use it in the woods.

Just wanted to post this clarification to the reasoning behind my [meaningless ] opinion of these two fine cartridges.

Gunner

You can get the mild recoil of the 6.5x55 while using the .270 just by switching powders. Here's an example from the online Hodgdon Reloading Manual: in a .270, 43.7gr of Varget with give you 2700+fps with a 140gr bullet.

The 6.5x55 will also do close to 2700fps with a 140gr bullet and 40+gr of powder. The recoil should be too close to tell the difference, and the resulting trajectory (if you use similarly designed bullets) will be within an inch or two to 400-500 yards.

Score: +1 for the .270 because of versatility, +1 to the 6.5x55 because of "coolness". It's a tie!

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I am going to mention the study in Europe of hundreds of moose that showed virtually no difference in how far moose moved after being shot with everything from the 6.5X55 to the 375, with the same shot placement. Doubt if there would be much difference in the field between a 6.5 and a 270, given sensible bullet choice.
Fred

RWS claims about 870 m/s with a 9.2-gram (140-grains) twin-core bullet in 6.5x55mm (29-in barrel). http://rws-munition.de/en/hunting/products/rws-centerfire-rifle-cartridges.html?cHash=8a74df38eb7cb8d28e0d1afcbeb189b9#!0/40/28 .

I think that 870 m/s = about 2854 f/s. I guess that would go about 2700 f/s in a 24-inch barrel.

From my CZ 550 24 inch barrel


RWS 140 GR chrno 2820 FPS on average


Not bad!

Would like to replicate when I reload.

Sounds good Ribka, been thinkin about bumping mine up to an even 2800 fps with the 140 gn NPT's and my 25" barrel, but the accuracy is so good @2750 I havent bothered to try, and I believe I could easily get there with the RL-22.

But really no need for me to lean on the old Mauser, Got plenty of 300 Mags and an old BB 7STW lying about if a man needs to stretch one out a bit.

Gunner

And not to sidetrack, but just because of this discussion, I just got back from bustin' a few rocks with my little 6.5 Swede offa shootin' sticks out in the low field.

And even at a very sedate 2750 fps those 140 gn NPT's were landing with considerable authority this morning.

Show wuz fun.

Gunner

I haven't shot many factory .270 loads in a long time but when I clocked some of them the velocity was about the same as the swede. In fact almost identical to the hot RWS and Norma loads. Not sure what you would get velocity wise now.

Ones is 121 years old and the other about 87 years old both classics. But if you set out to design the perfect deer cartridge I think it would look a lot like the swede. If you wanted the ultimate deer/antelope cartridge it would look like a .270 win.

Hows that for an excuse to own both?

There is probably less difference between them than most people would think, I cronographed some Norma 270 and it ran 2750fps. And it works just fine.

Get some Blue Box Federal 130's....3102 fps from my rifle.

Do people reallyshoot factory stuff? For real?

I believe the 270 certainly wins in the velocity dept, but the Swede feeds smooth as silk, eats less powder, and comes with a ton of great bullet options. You can even shoot the really long bullets without having to turn it into a single shot.

When I worked for Volvo 30 years ago, I visited Sweden at least once a month for sales meetings. I'd frequently visit the test track in Hellared and talk to the old guys over lunch about hunting. The 6.5X55 was about all they used (one guy used an 8X57mm and another used a 30-06, all with equal results). Common fare was "elk" or, moose in our book that weighted up to 1,100 pounds and they regularly scored 1 shot kills.

Selected Volvo employees could hunt on the test track grounds to keep the moose population in check - they do wonders when hit by a car at 120mph! On the way to the track (or a cross country drive to inspect facilities), traffic would be occasionally stopped for clearing a car-moose accident; often the passengers were in the same state as the moose!

dc223: Well I was holding them both at the store the other day and noticed,they both have that intelligent tapered shape for good feeding from a staggered box magazine.....through dozens never seen a 270 bauble in function.

I mean they are really both "Mauser"-type cartridges,coming from roughly the same time frame and meant for the same type rifle action.

I often wish I had picked up a 6.5x55 M70 FW I had a chance at...

Bullets? Yes lots of good 6.5 bullets.

But, me,I try to avoid "lots of bullets"....I just load up a 130 to 3100 and "Let's go hunting"!

You're absolutely right the Swede does eat less powder.If one shot 500 rounds a year thru each one that one would use .72 less of a pound with the Swede than one would in the .270...

Dober

You got too much free time....

Dats 4 sure...grin

Dober

d c 223 -

Just a FYI suggestion- If you'd like see a list of MANY bullets for the .277, simply check in at Midway. I've counted the different weights & makers before but do not remember.

I can promise - there are A LOT more than there used to be.

UP TO 180 gr Woodies.

IF YOU'RE INTERESTED?

Hi djs,
Your right, in Norway the same even if, since 2ndWW and Nato, 30-06 and 308 share the hunting ground with the 6,5x55.

Difference between them 270 and 6,5x55, hunting game up to moose, bullet being same structure is only the preference of one hunter vs the other.

One can argue for 25 years on the fire, both cartridges will kill their game the same if the guy behind the stock is able to put the bullet at the same right place.
Dom

Scratching my head:

The Ultimate trumps Perfect....

Well if it's Perfect....and I'm not disagreeing...Lol.

As interesting as this thread is, I wonder in Europe, how often people grab a 270 vs. Swede given the plethora of rifles/factory ammo? Might be alot different than here in the states for the average Joe.

As sexy as modern short fat sharp shouldered rounds appear, there is little debate as to how slick feeding the old Swede and JOC runs thru mag fed rifles.

Bobin, had many a fine rifles...miss the M70 SS/FWT and K1A Rugers that moved on...both nice wood, both well under Moa, both Swedes that had less snap than a 270, but enough to know it meant business.

Now Winchester has this thing called an 1885 Low Wall....ahh forget it I'm tapped out! Lol.

Bobin, you must be a little further along the pendulum than I am, not QUITE there yet to settle on one rifle/round/load combo...oh, and optic! With Double the posts I have, you have BTDT more times over I am sure.

Good choice. I might get there someday...until then, I am going to have fun playing! Ha. We will both eat well I am sure when we have the opportunity to do our part

BTW, as much as I like #1 Rugers, and in 6.5x55 and 7x57, I do see a nice place for a 1A or AB in 270. Lest I ever get too bored to roll my own ammo. It'd be a good 'compromise' - ya know .277 sandwiched either side a .264 and .284...

Maybe by then Zeiss will make that new 6x42 Conquest to replace the 4x32 I had on my Swede....

Bobin, that might be your tag line w/a minor mod:

I just load up a 130@3100 - and "Let's Eat!"

I hand load mine but a friend that doesn't was over when a buddy and I were running the chronograph. Us loonies all hand load but there are probably more hunting camps with out loonies than there are with. I know a lot of guys that are big hunters that have never used any thing but factory ammo and this is what the reputation of the 6.5x55 and 270 were built on.

65BR,

I hunted in Norway for three days 15 years ago, and each day hunted with a different bunch of average guys on land owned by their employers. As a professional rifle loony, I made it a point to ask as my companions about their rifles. The dominant cartridge was the .308 Winchester, and most of those were a lower-priced Remington 700's much like the discontinued Model 78. I later visited a couple of gun stores in Bergen, and found a bunch of those on sale.

When hunting in the Czech Republic 20 years ago my companions had a 7x64 Mauser and a 7x57--though most were quite aware of the .30-06 I brought. One even said, "Ah, da Schpringfield! An excellent choice!" And he was one of the few wildcatters I've encountered in Europe, who had a lathe and made his own reamers.

All of which means little, since there were piles upon piles of .270 ammunition on the shelves of every sporting goods store. In fact, they resembled the piles of .243, .270, 7mm Remington Magnum, .308 and .30-06 ammo.
seen in every Wal-Mart.

65BR: The playing is always "fun",and I have done plenty of that....but it ends when it is time to go kill animals,and for that you are right....I settled (a long time ago)on a single "concept",not so much a single round or cartridge.

Having tried other stuff myself, and seeing lots work in the hands of others(and fully acknowledging that other things "work"), I generally load a Partition bullet(or a Bitterroot),and go hunting,and it does not matter what caliber.I know what is going to happen every time I shoot an animal properly.It's going to die.

Nothing is perfect;nothing is infallible. But they come as close to being very predictable as anything else I have used or seen used. I think they are the biggest single reason that I think there is little difference between various cartridges and why it is "easy" for me to pick a single cartridge(or 2 or 3),and run with it.

The 270 could as easily be replaced by a 7x57 or 280 with a 140 Partition,a 7 mag with a 160,a 30/06 with a 165,any 300 mag with a 180,etc,etc.I have used all of these and others.The reason for this is that it works every time I try it,and the results are "boring".


If I had a 6.5x55, I would likely load a 125 or 140 gr Partition and go hunting.

I have no interest in a .270-anything. Best use of a 270 is turning it into a 6.5-06.

JB, that is a surprise. No doubt the Norwegians like American products, saw alot of Ford vehicles over there last summer.

I'd imagine the 9.3x62 sees some use as well. I did hear a crazy number of How many $$$ of 700s were sold to Europe a few years ago by a local distributor. It would blow alot of folks minds, if it was true, and I would not be surprised. It was in the multi-millions. That may have been to one country, cannot recall the exact details, but whether it's demand or a 'push strategy' Remington has penetrated the Euro market. Likely the exchange rate favors Rems strictly on price.

Bobin, no doubt sir, rarely hear of any real issues w/Partitions. Perhaps one of the most dependable game getters of bullet choices.

Back to the 308, I never cared for them, but if I ever happen to own one, the 130 TTSX will be tried....knocks on a 270's door

A good 130gr. bullet will get the job done on just about anything. This is a ridiculous conversation. I've used it for 40 years with no lost animals, course I'm a bowhunter so I know where to place it. If you can't get it done with a 270 you'd better practice your shooting skills some more.

Hi John,

You're right about 30-06 and 308 in Europe (except here in France) but the reason is not only effectivness (i know them and use them), it's also an economic choice and politic too.

Cartridges and loadind are numerous and cheaper (US loading) than others, be them euro or magnum.

In Norway the 6,5 stand its ground in front of the american ones (my norvegian gun writer friend made a good study about that) and in target shooting competitions it's always a great contender. Most of 308 shooters there are military using their standard rifle.

Be sure also, that without the NATO existence, the 308 would'nt be so popular in Europe.
In Russia it's becoming a new trend, because it's easier to get flawless feeding in semi auto than their rimmed cartridges and power wise they are equal to 7,62x53/54R and all euro manufacturers chamber it in lots of rifle models.

About 7x57 except in central Europe (Romania, Czech and Slovakia, Hungary also) this cartridge is almost dead, just have look at european catalog. This will confirm my saying. The R version is used by old break open and more frequent.

The 270Winchester is very well known and appreciated here, in France and in Europe.
Hunters who are ballistic minded use it, without question or doubt of its abilityy, on the biggest game up and to mooses and very big turkish wild boars (no feral pigs!)some use it also on very expensive Marco Polo and Ibex hunt because they know it can do it.
They choose heavier tougher bullets (Oryx, Partition, Mega), US or French monometal copper alloy ones if their rifle shoot them well and go hunting. The younger or new hunters more apt to follow the trends and customs often go to magnum (7mm, 30, 338)just to find that it push harder and need a bit more practice to be used efficiently...

The 7x64 does exactly the same as the 270 with 130 to 150grs bullets, with 160 to 177grs it kill like the 30-06 with 165 to 180grs, no more no less. People who say differently never used it long enough to compare. Had real good reputation in Africa with H-mantel or Brenneke Tig (Aagaard Finn...)for antelope (including big ones) and leopards.
We don't use the 6,5x55 but we hunt with 6,5x57 (not too much hunters i must say). The guys who use it are generally experienced hunters, good shooters who knows about hunting (i know one camper wrote it's no science but i think he's wrong)with this small cartridge they kill their share of big red, wild boars or mountain game. Without bashing themselves and others with BC, velocity and energy.

About wildcatting, not being US of A and not being protected by the 2nd, it's always more difficult for us to play with ammo or rifles, but we do have wildcatters and we do have handloaders (some of them handload for very long time and more calibers than most campers use or know) but most of hunters prefer to use factory ammo. And believe me not the cheaper one. For 10 to 15 years even the driven hunt guys go to better quality product.

Again to clarify in France we do use 308, 30-06, 8x87, 5,56x45 or other "military calibers" for shooting and on licence. They are forbidden for hunting. Will change soon.

Sorry if i hijacked a bit the OP thread.

Dom

.....Best use of a 270 is turning it into a 6.5-06. [/quote]

Nonsense.

No JB but french/euro guy:

The Rem 700 in it's fifty's this year, always sold well in Europe, not in millions because Remington made a bit more of 5 millions including military models, but in good quantities.
On the french market they even made some 7x64 models standard or DM but with not so good barrels. For two years they came back with new 7x64 with Rem barrel. They are good shooters, relatively inexpensive (the french distributor likes money!!)but on our market trend is to Blaser, Helix, doubles or single break open and semi auto or pump. The SPS sell well, gunsmith who prepare LR rig keep only the receiver, throw away barrel and stock and transform them for target.
The Titanium as a loyal following but was too expensive.

In Norway Remington sell very well because of quality (too bad it's down grading yet)and prices.

Again about Ilion, most of US shooters/hunters who brag about 35 Whelen don't know that it was maintained in production because of french and greek orders of 7600 and 7400 in this caliber. For years they were not in general Remington catalog, but sold here by thousands for driven hunts. Was not the classic 700 who keep the cartridge so well distributed.

The 750 and 7600 carbines are always used here and sell well because of real good (french wise) price. Not an US hunter would pay the price we do for it...But that's another story.


About the 9,3x62, every where in Europe from Spain to Russia, it's popularity is increasing, mostly because of explosion of wild boars populations, driven hunting and real efficient and reliable hunting semi auto rifles (no military assault rifle clones).

About the 308 and 270, just to throw oil on fire: a good 7-08 with 130grs bullet is not too far from them with same weight...

Dom

Nonsense.

[/quote]

Bob, ever notice all the comparing to the 270....the best gets alot that.
Personally I find it funny.

AS IF the 270, only has ONE

Only the preconceived need no evidence.

As Bob said...."nonsense".

In your own words.

A rule of nature is that no two predators will occupy the same niche in any given ecology... Coyotes kill foxes...

There will be no hey-day for any 6.5 in North America... Forget for a minute that the advent of the .270 took a huge bite out of the .30 share of the market, and simply focus on real practical differences between the Swede and the O'Connor...

there is no denying that the swede is either good or practical on it's own merits, but the simple truth is that it's only real leg to stand on in America was it's collectability as a militaria item...
it simply does not overmatch the .270 in any quantifiable category, and it's "coolness" is both passing and ethereal... loonies travel on...

A better, and more satisfactory discussion would be, and has been, a comparison of the Swede and the 25-06...

With the 25-06 occupying more of a dual-use niche amongst riflemen it has it's own popularity base... The swede will nearly match it in most categories, and has greater versatility for larger game/heavier bullets...

It's still a moot point as the 25-06 is more available and will do anything a rifleman decides to do with it...
still, fuel for the loonie fire....

Burn on....

I guess the 270 is a great cartridge, especially when compared to a 270WSM. Dohhhhh!

Yes, it is and, those cartridges (.270 Winchester and .270 Winchester Short Magnum) pretty much do the same while hunting.

That's been my experience with 'em.

Can you smart fellers re-splain to me how the Swede almost whispers like a fine Woman when it is fired, and gives the same feminine playful shove on recoil?

But when the 140 NPT's arrive on target they wreak PURE HELL on meat, bone, and depth of penetration?

Guess I'm trying to say how in hell can something so gentle on one end be PURE EVIL on the other.

Gunner

All seemingly "sweet" things have that pre-disposed ability.

For deer I used a 100gr Nosler Ballistic Tip in my 6.5x55 this year. At 3050fps it has a MPBR of 297 yds and it only takes 44grs of powder to get that.

I would think it would be a viable option for a light recoiling deer killing combo if the 270 with a 130 is too much. That 100 gr BT killed a nice fat [120pounds dressed] doe this year. the bullet took out the heart and broke the opposite shoulder as it exited. Not too bad for a lightweight round.

Gunner, Don Zutz talked about this 'phenomenon' as other writers...how the Magical High Rotational Velocity of (yes, not forward speed folks) the 7.5-8" twist can wreck havoc on game/animal tissue vs. a 9-10 in other typical rifles.

Of course this is deviating into Looney talk. The whole topic/thread was for entertainment as I know both rounds well and like both, both 2 peas in a pod like the 260 and 708.

Yes, Orion, I never had a 6.5 let me down, mostly used 120 and 130s on game, which is why I chose a 260/130 Accubond as my main go to round.

25-06, yes, it's what was offered since the 6.5-06 never made it past wildcat status. Surely the metric 'aversion' here in the US.

But Gunner, all bullets are engineered w/regards to the velocity window etc. they typically run. There are many modest sized 6.5 rounds and bullets in 6.5 typically perform very well at the speeds most 6.5s run.

I'd say you might want to compare a 6.5/140PT against the 277/160 PT for a closer comparison. Seldom spoke of, but the 160 PT is likely touted as some to be a 'beast' for it's bore size.

The 140 actually has a better bc/sd than a 150 in 277, so you have to jump to the 160 to get as good an SD....

It'd be interesting to see if a 270 w/an 8 twist would do any different on impact w/the 160 PT than a 10 twist....perhaps not, but I'd be curious.

My purpose of the thread was not which one is best, but simply for those who use either or both, to share their success, as both have an enviable track record, b/c they are A) shootable B) they work...and well. You could add both have a decent trajectory, very accurate, and maintain good ballistics downrange.

With a big game bullet, I would say twist isn't going to have much effect. I have a gunsmith buddy who says you can see the difference in explosiveness with .220 type rifles on pairie dogs.

It has been said that a 260 penetrates, and kills like a 300 Win mag, but without the powder and recoil. You could surely substitute the Swede in that statement.

On matters of twist and goo factor a few eons ago a friend and I were spending a day destroying a pd town. He was using same ammo as I, only diff was twist (.223's). The dogs his hit really puree'd and the ones I hit weren't quite as colorful and we all know how the colored ones die all the deader right...grin

Dober

Course then again one could just stick one of several 90-110's in a .270 and do the same thing. The 90 Sierra has been a stone killer for us, accurate and to date we've not kept on inside a deer or lope.

Back in the day when we could get 100 grain Solid Bases they worked very well. I still have a small rainy day stash of that slug.

Dober

Dang good point maverick and OH SO true

6BR, that makes perfect sense also, guess I'm kinda coming to realize and appreciate the majic of the little 6.5 Swede, suposin' a man gets hit with a gently flying Javelin' thrown from an Olympic athlete, it gonna fook you up.

Hell, they should be calling it the 6.5 SWEET.

I find my 270 WCF to be a bit more violent both in recoil, noise, and the edible part destruction, and I'm no expert on a damn thing, but I have never lost or even had anything go much further than just outta eyesight before either seeing or hearing the animal crash.

A solidly hit critter on the receiving end of a 270 WCF with handloaded 150 NPT's @2900 is in deep FERTILIZER.

Cant wait to shoot the Swede through live game this fall.

Gunner

That is prexactly where I am too. I'm moving Aug 1, pan to load develop for my Swede. If all goes well, I have family with farms where I can do a little 'slip' hunting. The 6.5X55 ought to be perfect.

Not that I needed it.

Here is a copy of my previous post that trys to answer your question. Enjoy!

"Total recoil energy is related to bullet energy, so the 270 kicks harder than the 6.5x55. But there is more to recoil than just energy. Recoil speed is a factor that is related to bullet speed. The slower the bullet speed, the slower recoil speed, and the slower recoil feels more like a p-u-s-h, whereas faster recoil feels more like a SLAP!, and the p-u-s-h is easier to take than a SLAP! Since the 270 shoots faster than the 6.5x55, it's recoil feels more like a SLAP! I experience a similar difference in recoil sensation between my 375 H&H and my 416 Rigby. The recoil of my 375 with a 270gr bullet at 2700 fips feels more like a SLAP!, while the recoil of my 416 with a 400gr bullet at 2300 fips feels more like a p-u-s-h. I'm sure the total recoil energy of the 416 is greater than that of the 375, but IMO the 416 feels easier to handle. Of course, the difference in weight between the two rifles makes a difference in the feel of the recoil too, the 416 being heavier."

On July 4th we had our usual get-together of old friends at my house. The festivities always include a bit of shooting, and this year I brought out my 416 Rigby for everyone to try. To my amazement, my 21-year-old daughter volunteered to shoot the big rifle. We all assured her that while the recoil was substantial, it was tolerable and more of a p-u-s-h. She handled the big gun with ease and turned around with a big s..t-eatin' grin on her face that is the universal sign of enjoyment at having shot a cool gun. That's my girl!

SAME,SAME Truth is I could use a 308 and hunt everything in North America with it,but I have this fricken disease that makes me buy different calibers and I am not taking any 12 step program to get rid of it.

Not to throw you a wrench in the thinking Gunner but per Don Zutz, he made a reference to the 6.5x55 using 129 Hornady SPs, would do more radial damage on deer than a 270/130gr.

NOW, that does not by itself prove anything, as BULLET choice matters, and also the variable such as what the bullet hit, impact speed, etc.

I just wanted to point that out as Mr. Zutz in some pages on the 6.5x55 made a point to reference a deer kill w/it vs. a 270.

Again, as most all here know, it's the bullet that hits the deer, headstamps are irrelevant by itself.

SO, that said, I would expect a 130 partition at 3100 from a 270, to do more damage than a 140 PT at 2700 from a Swede, ALL ELSE Equal.

I may be wrong, but on soft tissue that's my thinking. It's not to say the 140 Swede is not going to penetrate as much or more w/higher SD, as often slower speeds enhance penetration due to smaller frontal area resulting from less expansion.

Also, you get secondary shrapnel from bone, etc. when bullets penetrate well, and say straight line penetration thru shoulders and the like.

SO Many variables, but suffice to say in the end, BOTH are great killers, regardless of whatever differences they have - dead is dead and Enough game has dropped DRT or close to it, to prove both rounds highly effective.

Twist?

Bobin, IIRC he stated either 7 1/2" (7.5) or 7.87, seems I have seen both for Military rifles stated, Suffice to say, back when the book 'Handloading for Hunters' was published.

It was LONG ago, and it was mostly military Swedish Mausers and perhaps a few Husqvarna's (not 94/96 mil-surp) and Parker Hale rifles around, but 7.5-8 has often been a typical twist used in 6.5x55s.

One more point - on twist, I have a copy and perhaps the actual Handloaders digest from late 60s or early 70s, author not sure, may be Robert Sherwood, did extensive test on 6.5x55, used newspaper/phone books or something like that for media.

He tested 6.5x55, and also 6.5 Rem Mag, it seemed to show more bullet upset (same bullet in each rifle) at a lower speed in the Swede, his theory, faster twist rate made a difference, not great, but noticeable.

Debates I have concluded on twist rate is that it's perhaps more 'academic' when it comes to killing effect. I Do always choose a faster for cal spin and never the slowish side as some opt for optimal accuracy.

MY thoughts on twist, the faster twist rifles all else equal give a great opportunity for the bullet to maintain nose forward throughout penetration in an animal - perhaps maximizing the opportunity for straight line penetration. Also, there may be some benefit if a bullet hits brush, that if faster spun, having less chance to stray off course. My theories not tested, but I feel there may be some benefit here.

That said, my 270/150 PT kill, the Partition lost the front half core ROTATED base forward the last foot or so of penetration and the jacket after parachuting open had closed back up once it went into base forward mode. No big deal, nearly exited the Mulie from 275 yds, neck to ham. Perhap a 140 PT from an 8 twist Swede would have punched thru, needless to say, that buck only managed to drag itself perhaps 30 yds in the snow, after dropping at the shot.

65BR: Along the same lines I was thinking and the point of my question...at least one bullet designer agrees with a lot of what you say here,and proved it through a lot of experimenting.

The Sewde is quieter, better suited to shorter tubes and recoils less. If you like trivial argument it is cheaper to load simply becuase it uses less powder,h lthough I never got and an answer to the question I wrote once, "What did you buy with the money you saved on powder by using and economical cartridge".

In the field, especially for the usual game most people take, I never saw any difference that could be noted and I loaded for 3 or 4 over about a 10 or 12 year period.

Bobin, I never 'over spun' any bullets, well save PERHAPS one time when a 70TNT may have POOFED on the way to a 330 yd target, SWORE I fired 5 but only 4 holes, 6BR @3400... and yes, 8 twist.

Never had poor accuracy going fast/faster RPMs, but not needed the last 1% of accuracy b/c I am not shooting for score, as hunting is my game, and game is the target. The rest is practice and fun.

Yes, I heard some folks were playing w/the 270 in higher weights using faster twist, preferably - no doubt it will make for ONE Fine LR rifle round!

When folks really want to Stretch w/Reach, little substitute for more BC and momentum...so heavier bullets rule, typically longer, and need some Twist/added.

I can imagine a 270 quick twisted using heavies, in say a 24 or maybe btr yet 25-26" tube, and go ahead and do an AI on it.

That should really shake things up. Alas, 280AI and 180s...Lol.

Aussie, always enjoy your posts, and folks like Dom across the pond. Nothing trumps experience, nice to share info on the fire.

How do we get 2800 fps with a 140gr bullet in the Swede? Can it be done with a 22" barrel?

The fastest load on Hornady's website is 2700 even, and there's only one load at that speed. Everything else is in the 2400s to 2600s. I assume mine are going 25-hundred-something because that is what the book says. All I know is that the deer die, and if I put them in the "special" spots, they die instantly, as in STRAIGHT DOWN. I zero at 200 yards and aim where I want the bullet to land out to 225 or a bit more. What will 2800 fps gain me that I don't already have? Yes, I'm baiting.

There is such a round as a 6.5x55 AI...it gives 100-150 over like a 6.5x284 IIRC. Should be w/in reach. I'd seriously not sweat some fps...just me.

Bear in mind, ALOT of 55 data, was meant for 1894/1896 Mausers...though they were IIRC Proofed to about 67K...but may be CUP. I'd never 'hot rod' a mil-surp, as I had a near mishap about 18 yrs ago...re-formed brass, no neck turning i.e. crimped...blown case...cracked bolt threads around the striker that could have went thru my head.

ONLY load in a Ruger, Rem, Win, Sako, T3, etc. - MODERN loads for Modern rifles IMHO.

But, to answer, a 140 at 2600 is good for 300-350yds if it's a cup/core, a mono, needs more speed/mv for that far.

The potential of a Swede given it's +/- 1.5gr diff in capacity over a 260 Rem, is about identical, maybe 50 fps more w/heavier bullets due to throating also....IMO. SO look at data for the modern 260, and you get the picture.

Few loads here..

http://www.reloadersnest.com/query_bw.asp?CaliberID=120&BulletWeight=140

We are on the same page, 65BR. I don't sweat a few fips. There is no need. The difference in trajectory is NOTHING AT ALL! More than anything, I was more curious just how folks get that speed. To be honest, I already know how - PRESSURE. It's easy to get 15-20 HP from a 10 horse Briggs-n-Stratton, but don't expect it to last 30 years.

My neighbors are dairy farmers and they use John Deere tractors. Their tractors will out-pull any other John Deere in the neighborhood because they adjust the injectors to get more HP than the tractor is rated for. Thing is the rest of the tractor is designed and rated for the original HP as delivered by the factory. Now these people have the sense to hold this extra power in reserve for "special" and "emergency" use and not push their equipment to the max all the time so it will last a long time, but if they continually ran it at 200% of it's rated power it would break down in no time at all. The same thing applies with riffles and every other kind of machinery. I do not push my rifles beyond their design parameters. If I need more power, I use a bigger riffle. Lord knows I have enough of 'em.

Well, short of a 29.1" mauser bbl Lol.

I often find accuracy at top safe pressures, but don't veer much over published data if/when, no need to risk me, rifle, or ruin brass fast.

Every animal I fairly hit w/any round, + game bullet, has died...

I think the extra 200 fps of the 270 trumps ballistically until you get out further than I want to shoot.

Same thing.
if anything will be noticed in the field, it will likely be more penetration from the 6.5.
Nothing can be killed with one that the other cannot emulate.

Really? I doubt that a 6.5x55 will outshine a 270 WFC 150 gr Nosler Partition at 3000fps on big game.

Hmmm, maybe a 130 TSX in 6.5 at 2900?

Both rounds effective if Injun shoot em good

I had a 6.5 Model 70 Featherweight (comes with a thin solid rubber pad) and it really hurt to shoot it! Once I put on a thick pad it was okay. OTOH, I had a standard-weight .270 that came standard with a thick pad and it was a pussy-cat.

I think every guy should have, and load for, a rifle that he likes to shoot.
If it takes a swede for that to happen, so be it...

Seems like the long way around the block, to me, but there are those who enjoy the extended stroll. Been there myself a time or two...

We just had a dunham's store open up locally. It is as close as we'll come to any big box sporting goods store.
They have a [bleep]-ton of ammo on the shelf. They have most of the Weatherby cartridges, the H&H's, the RUM's, even the .220 swift and the .225 win. I was personally impressed that they had a double stack of Remington .222s and another stack of Federals for that cartridge.

Upon careful study, I found 2 lonely boxes of .260 Rem.

I have no doubt that cartridges like the creedmoor and the grendel will continue to draw a percentage of aficionados.
I stand by my 2 1/2 year old prediction above that the 6.5 will never see a hey-day in America.

Loonies will no doubt find it to be desirable and useful. Debates will continue as to it's effectiveness vs other cartridges.
The new year will have 52 weeks, just like the year past...





I still covet Redneck's 6.5 stainless featherweight...

Very befitting for the 6.5 Swede, is a Swedish word, "Lagom" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lagom that basically means "just right". This is how I see the 6.5x55, just right, for most things we shoot.

What I learned on this thread is that a 6.5x55 kicks a bit less than a 270....having shot a 6.5 a few times, I agree. It burns less powder, has a smaller case, and does not push comparable bullets as fast.

I also learned that the 270 kicks more than a 280AI, which has a larger case, burns more powder,and pushes comparable bullets faster.

This is largely due to a suspension of the laws of physics,necromancy and the evils inherent in a .277 bore diameter,60-62 gr of powder,and bullets weighing a whopping 130-160 grains.

I wish moving from a 270 to either a 6.5 or 280 AI would have a measurable effect on my hunting success but I sorta doubt any of that is gonna happen.

Necromancy must be a damn good recoil reducer. You get that from Brownell's?

My brother had a Tikka t3 in 6.5x55 ( fine hunting gun all around) That he threw a load together with H1000(52 grs. I believe) and 140 gr. Nosler Partitions. It gave 2840 and 3/4" groups. He killed a nice cow elk with it and then sold the rifle????? Someone offered him too much for the gun.

Great thread. Just put a little M70 Featherweight 6.5 Swede in the safe a few months ago. Looking forward to setting this little rifle up and shooting it some.

I'd go with the 6.5X55, a proven killer. As we all know here on the 'fire, the 270 Winchester is a gay cartridge that apparently just floats above the ground, wears pink slippers and, carries a pink purse.

Actually, pick a good bullet/load and either will work well.

Well, y'all don't tell anybody but I'm a 270W kinda guy

I hate "versus" threads

6.5x55 Vs Swedish Moose.
6.5 wins. Moose usually loses.

I've had 270s since 1976.

I've had a 6.5X55 since 2011. I've killed a few deer with the Swede and had no problem BUT...

I'll take the 270 3Xs out of 4.

There is just something that Hi Vel does for me. (actually 3 things)

That's what I was told by old guys at Volvo's Hallered Test Center in 1983 and, it's still true today!

How about a Volvo Vs Swedish Moose?

It's interesting to revisit as there are better bullets and powders for both these days.

It's also a matter of what the rifle package looks like. For example, if the 270 win has a 24" barrel and weighs 8.5 pounds and the 6.5x55 has a 22" barrel and weighs 7 pounds; the 6.5 might be handier and lighter and make for a better carry rifle in certain situations and for certain animals; same can be said the other way around too depending what game and how it's hunted.

A 24" 270 scoped and loaded doesn't have to weigh 8.5 lbs. They use the same action length. Build them how you want but I wouldn't be lugging around a 8.5 lbs 270. Pluses and minuses on both sides but catagoricaly they are the same.

Steve ya got any pics...ScottyO...

Yeah who the hell hunts with an 8.5 pound 270?

Gemayel pretty much nailed it with this post. For years my long time hunting buddy has used a 6.5x55 while I used a 257 Roberts or a 270. To be frank on the deer sized game we shot any other 3 were more than adequate. I finally bought a 6.5x55 but sold it relatively quickly to Jwall as I quickly realized it didn't fill a nich I didn't already have covered. I will say in my limited time with it or in talking to my buddy we never quite got the speeds I see mentioned so often on the Internet but I can say the same about most chamberings such as the 7x57 just too conservative with the powder scoop I guess. But in my case since I already had a 270 with some history and i have come to appreciate the convenience of being able to buy a box of federal ammo for around $15 I decided I'm a 270 fan.

You must have one of the limited edition Lilly Pultizer commemoratives 270s . Cool.

Probably me I haven't weighed mine but I have a vanguard w wood stock and a 3-9x40 Leupold which probably is awfully close to that weight. It dawned on me a couple of years ago that in the past 20 years I haven't hunted anything but a series of small farms of 200 acres or less and thus haven't been over probably 3/4 of a mile from the truck or the house at any given time usually less. In those conditions rifle weight isn't really a big issue.

bangeye: Well....there is that.

I just haven't had one that heavy in over 30 years .

Yeah I guess it's just old age but my loonyism is quickly waning. As I have been thinning the herd some I have done some thinking about my actual hunting conditions as I seek to decide what to keep. For example do I really need a featherweight 20 ga upland gun and a target gun for the 2-3 rounds of clays o shoot a year or will my 28" 12 ga o/u do both pretty well. Sure it's a bit heavy but surely I can carry it the length of a silage field and then sit there on my dove bucket waiting for the flight to start. I have to face it I live in the east and really I am a creature of hunting the confines of small parcels.

A. WHY dredge up from 2012? New products improve BOTH cartridges and does NOT reverse the outcome.

B. WHY should a 270 weigh 8.5 lbs??

C. My Swede (Win 70 FTWT) weighs MORE than my 270 -Tikka T 3

You can STACK the deck anyway you want to prove anything you want.

I've already chewed my CUD, I still have a Swede but I'll
ALWAYS have a 270.
130--3100/3200 fps>>Swede can NOT touch.


IF my Swede was NOT a 70 FTWT--it would have LEFT 2 yrs ago. It does NOTHING better than a 270....


Jerry

Hard to beat a 270....

Bangeye, it's refreshing to hear you say that. Here on the campfire there are any number of fads, lightweight rifles being one of them. While no rifle needs any justification, I've always scratched my head at the value of sitting in a treestand on an eastern woodlot with a lightweight rifle designed for mountain hunting.

That's a lightweight in my stable....

Pat, while I view a lightweight as under 7lbs scoped, with sling and rounds, there are a lot of guys here that think a lightweight is as easy to shoot LR as a mid or heavyweight rifle.

I just scratch my head over the group-think on this forum...

It's hard climbing those ladders.

Agreed.....kinda like the midwest whitetail hunter guys driving their badboy buggies to access their tree stands. It can't be that far, or difficult of a walk.

Like said make mine a 270 I'll hunt anything

Agreed. The weight of a hunting rifle has never been a concern of mine, whether I'm hunting at high altitudes in the mountains or in the swamps down home. I've never weighed a rifle yet, but I doubt that I have one over 9 pounds, I'm sure a few of my iron sighted lever guns are under 7...who cares. Yeah, it matters, I guess, to the guy who goes off into the mountains for a week or ten days on foot, carrying everything he needs on his back...you know, the way most of us hunt on an annual basis, right? I would much rather have a rifle with enough mass that it's easy for me to shoot pretty well than some super lightweight that is really finicky about how and where I hold it and how careful I am with trigger pull... group-think here???? Hell, we're all rugged individualists, that's why we think alike so much.

Geez....what's a guy supposed to do? Have a heavy rifle for eastern stands and Alberta cut lines....then go get a light one for Wyoming and the west?


I just use the same one everywhere.....












It works in Maine from stands:










And in Wyoming. It'll kill a mule deer, too.

The 270 is more powerful, 6.5X55 is more pleasant to shoot. Each kills things that are supposed to be too large for the caliber. A late acquaintance of mine shot three bull bison with a 6.5X55 surplus Swedish Mauser (the local reservation wanted the biggest one's head in a meeting hall and the additional two smaller ones for a banquet)in about 2 hours. All were shot between the eye and ear with surplus ball ammunition. All dropped in their tracks.
Long range advantage goes to the 270, accuracy likely to the smaller round, somewhat due to the much lower recoil.

Brad I agree, that's one of the privileges of shooting/hunting/gun ownership in the USA. I'll not mention any rifle brands or cartridges that some people dote on and I personally can't see any use for TODAY. No justification needed.

As to lightweight rifles, regardless of where I am going to hunt---picking up and handling a petite light rifle simply brings a SMILE to my face.

Yrs. ago I was drooling to get a Rem 700 SS Laminate in 7 RM UNTIL.. I picked up ONE. I was so very disappointed in how HEAVY it was and put it down just as quickly as I picked it up.


Also I am hunting ONLY 70 acres so there is NO long walk to any place. BUT on any given day I may spend HOURS still hunting (not stalking but slowly, quietly moving) and I will not, AKA refuse to, carry a heavy rifle while staying inside of 70 acres.

I know that's diff from what you mentioned about stand sitting.

So I suppose this ALL boils down to the FREEDOM we have in the USA (for now) to own/shoot/carry whatever rifle, regardless of weight/length that we choose.

May God extend our right-freedom in the USA! !

Jerry

give the 270 Win any day over the 6.5x55

I have both plus a 6.5/06 for good measure!!

Rifle weigh is like politics, in that everyone has an opinion, largely based on what they want to do,and where.

For me, I might go from Wyoming in October,to Maine or Alberta in November,and (like last year) Kansas in December. Might be sitting cut lines, field edges,still hunting heavy cover anywhere,or stretching 400-500 yards across a canyon, or in a buck brush jungle on foot on the side of a mountain.

Conditions vary,often all in the same day and from hour to hour. The rifle has to work pretty well everywhere for me, no matter the chambering. Reason is I am 500 to 3000 miles from home and never know what I will bump into. I can only take "one".

I have found that something relatively light suits me better, in more circumstances, than something heavy.This has yet not to work.

Good coyote rifles

Elmer?


Is that you?!

'booger' your nose is growing again.



Jerry

Yes rifle weight isn't that critical as long as it in reason. I will say however that I have used a 700 mtn rifle to good effect as well as a stevens 200 that was pretty lightweight in a tree stand. If my vanguard has a drawback it is more in length than weight, but shots are pretty relaxed and maneuvering is pretty deliberate anyway if a deer is close by so it hasn't really been a issue. Actually that stevens 308 was a pretty good tree stand rifle tupperware stock and all. Oh well can't keep em all.

If you live/hunt in a place without any mountains, it can still be many miles across the prairie from where you park to where your stand is located, so an ATV just makes the journey quicker and easier. My favorite deer stand is about 75 yards from the closest county road.

Yep - I never owned a 3 wheeler (pre 4wheelers) till I started hunting S W Miss. It was 1-2 mi from camp and 'down hill' going and UPhill coming back.

I bought a 3 wheeler since I already had rifleS.


Today I haul a 4 wheeler to where I hunt and never unload it until I go to HAUL a deer in.


Jerry

Bob, well yeah.....duh....



grin




For years all I used was a M700 with a 22" 'heavy' sporter-weight barrel. It's about 8.5lbs scoped.


Then I joined the 'Fire and learned about lightweight rifles. Thought, hmmm, those sound like just the ticket for walking all day with a rifle in your hand or on a sling.

The last 4 bolt action rifles I bought are all around 6.5-7lbs scoped. And I don't even hunt the mountains...

The 'heavy' 270 still gets used a lot but I ain't carrying it very far. Scabbard and short hunts close to home.

SamO: You nailed it usual...."close to home".

On hunts, I am NEVER close to home.

So, the luxury of swinging by the house to grab another rig is something I have never been afforded. The fate of where I live dictates I have to travel,and encounter and deal with whatever conditions and circumstances Montana,Wyoming, Canada, Maine or New Mexico, or Kansas dishes out.

Grand compromises as opposed to high specialization. Once you have to get on a plane you are limited in what you can take. After 40+ years of doing this I know what works for me and what to take.

Bob, 'close to home' means sneaking in a short hunt after work. Hell a 9-10lb rifle isn't a big deal if a guy is only sneaking around for an hour or two and covering less 1-2 miles.


Those 'long' drives to places where I might walk from dark 'til dark covering +10 miles makes the lighter weight rifles seem like a good idea!

Most of my bolt actions are 8 to 8.5 lbs. My 270 is a Zastava Mauser in walnut with a 24 inch bbl and 4-12x scope. Right on 8.5lbs.

Even covering 15km in a morning, doesn't seem that heavy to me.

It's what you're used to I guess.


As to the 6.5x55 vs the 270 Win, I see them like brothers where the younger brother just grew a bit stronger and bigger. The 7mm Rem Mag bears the same relationship, a bigger brother again.

Seems the 270 straddles the middle ground nicely.

Very nice analogy. I like it.


Jerry

I have used both, with the 270 being my primary deer rifle for 30 years. I have had only one 270, a Remington 700 Classic. I owned 3 different 6.5X55's, 2 Howas and a customized Swedish Mauser. Shooting reloads only, my 270 outshoot all of them, which is the reason I no longer have a 6.5X55, as I just prefer the 270. Nothing wrong with the Swede, and I've given thought to trying another one some day.

When I was younger and more excitable, I used to buy the fast-twist/extra killing power business, but these days I go back to Old Jack's notion that less kick leads to better shot placement and better results. Unlike a lot of theories, the fast-spin notion should be easy to prove or disprove in ballistic gel.

As for the .277 160 NPs go, I'm a fan. I picked up a couple of boxes on the cheap a while back, and so far they're 2-for-2 bang-flops; one an adult doe and the other an out-sized 8-point. Both were at 50 yards or less. For my puposes, if a rifle will shoot them, they'll be my choice, stubby profile and all. Several powders will push them to 2800, although my choice, 780, has been chopped. I've got enough for me, though.

Yup. Remind me of a bunch of Grandpas sitting around whipping out pictures of their grandbabies. Not much chance of rational discourse!

Believe MD once wrote that the 6.5's chambers/throating vary considerably between makes of rifles. Loaded ammo as well.
Being a bit more "standardized" might be a point in the 270's favor.

Pappy post up those grandkids!!!!

Here is my take on this old thread having owned and shot both.

After messing around with the odd rim size, various throat lengths, differing twists, pressures. I came to my Looney senses and realized I was messing with all the 6.5 oddities when I already had a perfectly good cartridge in my safe.

I can easily load my 270 to achieve the soft recoil of the Swede with matching ballistics.

The only time I can see a benefit to the Swede is when using a true intermediate length action... or for looneyism/nostalgia.

I'm on the threshold of "it ain't worth the effort"....too,
with a 270, I'm already there.

Jerry

Only have one, but he's a corker. I'm waiting on a good pic of him with his Daddy's Boykins and some birds.

He's at the age where if you don't see him for a month, you don't recognize him.

For me, it's about nice rifles, not what they're chambered for. Anyone that thinks there's practical, significant difference between cartridges in the deer woods is delusional. The moose kill study proves that.

Exactly, but we all have our subjective personal favorites and bias.

Pappy IF I only hunted in woods I would completely agree w/you. However having a 6,5 Swede I can tell you from personal experience when you stretch the range past woods yardage the Swede falls on it's face due to a lack of velocity (speed for some).

There are many cartridges capable of 400 yd MPBR, (maximum point blank range). For that reason it's getting harder for me to pick up the Swede when there are 6mm Rem, 2506, 270, 7mm RM, et.al. to choose and NOT be hamstrung.

That as nice as I can put it and don't intend to be offensive.

Jerry

I forgot to say politely,
I don't have MOOSE as targets. Deer are dwarfs (dwarves) compared to Moose.

Jerry

Woods yardage and falls flat on it's face can be interpreted in many ways. MV, BC, and POA all matter. If only to learn what you need to do to converge into vitals.

IDK, seems the 55 has more speed than the 47 which I currently run, and GSSP on here - dumped an elk at a gnat's azz shy of 1,000 yds. I think when you crowd 400 yds or more, one needs to have the optics, skill, and range time to drop one in the vitals. Alan practiced alot...same reason why when my furthest deer kill stepped out at 400 yds, I was like geesh, this is going to be a chip shot. Why? Because I had been popping steel at 415 quite often recently and knew where to hold my mil-dot on my 6BR.

2850 sure does not impress one with paper stats, but what's on the receiving end disagreed. Double lunged, golf-ball sized exit...using an A-max 105 was all it took. Blood trail even though I watched it stumble and fall in 25 yards or less, which is a third the distance a deer I took at 80 yds ran after hit with a 130 Ballistic Tip (.277 diameter) at 3,100+ mv. Most folks would scoff at 28.5 gr of powder behind a mini-max Good thing game can't read.

IDK, for me, I get an itch, learn it, and scratch it, and it's all fun in the name of R&D. Never Not killed when using something I have been spending time with at the range.

Preparation determines Success.

The context was MPBR -
aka - trajectory.


hint


Jerry

Moose are pretty scarce hereabouts as well. Never had a Swede, but based on data from the loading manuals, I'd not hesitate to use it on deer and such at any sane range with the proper bullets. Ditto for its' ballistic twins the CR and .260. Without getting into a bunch of ballistic gack, I can't see where a couple hundred fps would make that much difference at even 3-400 yards, again assuming appropriate bullets.

I fell into the .270 habit as a result of an opportunity on a gray rat pre-64 that was about to get pawned if I didn't bite. The cartridge has been so satisfactory that if, perish the thought, I were limited to only one rifle, it would likely be a .270, although many others would do just fine, including the Swede.

I purchased my first 6.5 Swede about a month ago. Just waiting on 130 accubonds to arrive via mail and I'll work up a load. The 6.5 Swede will get hunted extensively this coming year and I'm sure in years to come. I've always been a fan of the 270 and for the last 3 years hunted the 270 more than any other cartridge. The 270 has become one of my favorites by far.

I'm expecting the 6.5 Swede will impress me and who knows! It might do even more. I intend to find out



Shod

That is exactly where my brain is these days. In these recent years of tough to find components, I have never failed to find 270 everything from rifles to brass to bullets and so on. As I get older I just don't enjoy waiting on gunsmiths and chasing down this and that and cluttering up my head with all the hooha. Just want to go with simplicity and spend more time in the rain and mud and forrests. My best friend from back in grade school hunted the past fifty years with nothing but a 7mm rem mag and actually has very little interest in anything close to rifle looneyism. Just shot that one rifle and stacked up the critters.

Many good rounds that all do the job, 270 was my dream round as a teen, and it's still a good one as many.

MPBR - I know what that is - and also having owned a dozen Swedes, 260s, Creedmoor, and 47 Lapua, know what they do, as well as having run several 270s.

Point being, at ranges where a bullet TRULY falls flat on it's face, well you have to compensate. I've seen enough comparisons between a 270 and a well loaded Swede, and you paint a picture like there is a ton of diff between the two when using good loads and same POA/POI sight in. Nothing wrong with factory 270 or a Creedmoor if one does not like loading.

Swedes are not for all, but do a damn good job for many applications.

Yes, Robert. Life would be much simpler for many rifleman to use just one good one. Like Chuck Connors

65 - Man I've been handloading nearly as long as I've been deer hunting. I have more loading stuff than any normal man has any business having.

I have been dropping down in bullet weights in the Swede to get the vel hi enuff to flatten it out. I'm close but not quite satisfied yet.

<<< OTOH when you reduce the bullet weight you 'lose' the length that gives the 6.5s those great BCs. >>>

I've just been loading, graphing, shooting, & hunting 270s, & 7mm RMs so long--I'm not impressed with most small 6.5 velocities.


Another OTOH - I have NOT been saying nor implying that the Swede is not useful for many applications.

I am NOT satisfied with the Swede -so far- but it's NOT for sale. I LOVE the rifle! I can list many cartridges that I will not own, load, shoot, or hunt. The Swede is far better than some.

Even where I'm hunting now it covers 80 % of my possibilities. But the other 20% is there. I WOULD CHOOSE the Swede for many applications>>>just not all.

I hope these explanations define better where I am with the Swede.


Jerry

For MPBR hunting it's very difficult to beat the 270 IMO. I've hunted mostly with the 270 for a number of years now.


The big question is then why on earth did I even consider purchasing the 6.5 Swede that I just added to my arsenal. Though I consider myself to be a rifle loony I'm not necessarily the kind of rifle loony that aimlessly goes about purchasing rifles just because I can't help it. I have a well thought out plan and intention for each purchase that I make.

These are my specific reasons for my 6.5 Swede purchase.........

I enjoy shooting and reloading and in fact enjoy it so much I find I'm always at the range sending lead toward a target. In all these years of shooting I began to notice two things.

One, my shooting ability had moved far beyond MPBR

Two, some of the open country that I hunt often presented opportunities at well beyond MPBR

While most on this forum have likely shot far more game than I, I have shot enouph to recognize that the velocity in which my bullet hits the target is important to how well I expect the projectile to do its work. With all the practice and shooting I've found in the last few years in hunting with the 270 that when shooting game at 500 ish yds that I really wasn't seeing projectile performance that I was comfortable with though the critters did die. What I was seeing as far as terminal performance was telling me to back off to 400 ish yds or come up with something different. The logical answer to me was a bullet that didn't shed Velocity and a barrel twisted to stabilize such a bullet.

For me this is where the 6.5 Swede came into focus over my favorite the 270. With the right bullet and twist the 6.5 Swede effectively extended my Velocity range 150 yds. For some of the open country hunts I pursue 150 yds would be a big plus and at the same time my comfort level in making 1st round hits at those distances is not an issue. While I do realize it is true there are high BC bullets now available for the 270 the truth is in the factory rifles I like to use there are no 270s twisted to stablize these bullets with certainty. In the 6.5 Swede you get 8 twist barrels all day long.

This coming hunting season I'll be useing both my 270 and 6.5 Swede for two different hunting situations.

The 270 will be used for a Western Montana elk hunt loaded with a 150 partition and will be likely used at 300 yds or less.

My 6.5 Swede is now topped with a SS 6X42 MQ and loaded with a 143 hornady ELD X at 2790 ish fps. For small game such as deer and antilope in the velocity department I expect to see an effective improvement in game I shoot between 500 and 600 ish yds where I intend to use it this year.

It's been a lot of years practicing and learning to get to where I am but I am more than confident in the ability of my chosen cartridge, rifle, bullet, scope, and my ability to get this done.

The 270 wasn't getting this type of hunting done for me in a satisfactory way unless I were willing to go custom and I wasn't. If I did decide to go custom I would still chose the 6.5 based on the much higher bullet selection over the .277 More options is always a good thing


For shooting elk at 300 ish yds or less. My 270 and the 150 partition will go every time!

For my Eastern Montana open country hunting I think the 6.5 Swede will likely stomp a lung outta the 270




Shod

Do yourself a favor. Go with a 280. 😁

Shodd: How do you know the 6.5 will show a substantial improvement in lethal effect over a 270 at (say) 500 or 600 yards?

The numbers?

I'm curious what the velocity differences at 600 yards would be between that 143 ELD X,and a 150 gr ABLR from a 270 started at 2900 fps?

I could look it up but I am lazy....


Rhetorical question: If the 6.5 is anticipated to be so much better why would anyone use the 270 on an elk?

Have both, but the Swede is the more accurate of the two.

fwiw,
Being a plinker at best I will defer to Nathan Foster at www.BallisticStudies.com ...

Please keep in mind I am building my current custom rifle in 6.5mm before hurling stones...

http://www.ballisticstudies.com/Knowledgebase/6.5x55.html

A wee clipping from Nathan's thoughts on the 6.5x55 Norwegian versus the .270 Winchester...

"Performance

The 6.5x55 has generated a huge amount of interest throughout the world since the influx of surplus military rifles became available on international markets. Articles relating to the Swede appear in every gun magazine yet there is still a lot of misinformation over the performance of the 6.5x55 on game. Authorities state that the Swede is useful for all game up to the size of Moose with its long for caliber bullets giving deep penetration. Comments have also been made that beyond 200 yards the Swede ballistically out performs the .270 while giving less recoil. In truth, the Swede is a rather modest performer. With factory ammunition, performance is generally in the same class as the .30-30. Wounding is slightly narrower than the .30-30 but penetration is usually deeper. The trajectory of factory ammunition is poor.
With light 120 grain bullets hand loaded to between 2900 and 3000fps, the Swede is a fast killer on lighter medium game. Most 120 grain bullets produce shallow penetration therefore this bullet weight is not particularly well suited to larger bodied game unless using the 120 grain Barnes TSX or XLC.

The hand loaded 130 grain bullet weight is neither fish nor foul. It has neither the high SD’s and BC’s of the 140 grain bullet weight or high velocity achieved from hand loaded 120 grain bullets. Performance is identical to budget .270 Winchester factory ammunition at 2900fps.

The 140 grain bullet is the most versatile bullet weight in the Swede. Hand loaded to between 2750 and 2800fps, this combination produces the best balance of wounding versus penetration. Nevertheless, regardless of high BC’s and SD’s, the Swede can be a slow killer at ranges beyond 200 yards. Conventional projectiles, regardless of SD, often fail to produce deep penetration. The 6.5x55 is simply not in the same class as the .270 which it is often compared to, regardless of hype."

Regards, Matt.

Mmmm........no comment.


Other than to note, if I wanted "more" in open country than a 270 offers, my move would be to a Big 7 and a 160-ish at 3000-3200 fps.

No issues with a 175 or more at 2900+ either. Hold the 30/06 capacity cases. Give me some powder volume, thank you

You can spell it "7mm Remington Magnum" but it has other names as well.

performance is generally in the same class as the .30-30. Wounding is slightly narrower than the .30-30 but penetration is usually deeper

Performance is identical to budget .270 Winchester factory ammunition at 2900fps.

the bloke who wrote this is a dikhead srsly

anybody who owns a Swede would reload

he basically states in a roundabout way that a 3030 is a 270 lol

Bob,
Have you looked at Nathan's 7mm Practical? Essentially a .300 Winchester Magnum necked down to 7mm...

http://www.ballisticstudies.com/Knowledgebase/7mm+Practical.html

He really is a super nice guy and humble as the day is long. Don't let my [bleep] stirring ruin his work for those who have not had a chance to read through it... Darcy has been impressed enough by his work to include one of his books with every new Legend. Granted it is cheaper to just buy the book outright...

Regards, Matt.

Matt : Yes sir....and I have read several times what Nathan wrote about the Practical.

This was discussed in another thread,but I was making Practical brass using 7RM neck dies back in the 1980's. A friend had a reamer,and another had rifles so chambered back then. We were familiar with the case and it's capabilities but for some reason I never got around to it.

This may have been an ingrained aversion to wildcats at the time.

Today I do indeed have a 7mm Mashburn Super built by Gene Simillion, which is the same as the Practical with a slightly longer neck.

As mentioned....the Swede totally outweighs the gay 270 just in the cool factor...just being 122 yrs old is enough for me...

Bob, Thank you Sir... I apologize for offering information you have already covered...

Best Regards, Matt.

BobinNH,

I've got three 270s and being interested in stretching the distance a little more I tried some higher BC bullets in the two that shoot the best. While I do understand that 2 is a small sample it was enouph to steer me in a different direction.

This is what I encountered.

I loaded both the accubond LR 150 and The berger 150 to try in both rifles both of which have factory 10 twist barrels. Over the years of reloading I have noted that excellent accuracy usually coincided with matching twist rates with BCs and proper propellant's etc. In any rate what I encountered is though my rifles did stabilize both these bullets accuracy suffered in both instances. While I may have been wrong I attributed the lack in accuracy to twist rates that were less than optimum. There are other High BC bullets that I could have chosen I pretty much figured I'd be pissing into the wind as a 10 twist barrel will not stabilize some of the higher BC bullets. My options were at that point to build me a 270 with a 8 twist barrel or go with something all together different.

With so many 8 twist factory 6.5s to choose from and so many choices in projectiles it for me was the logical step to take.

My conclusion in my findings was my best shooting 270 with a 10 twist barrel was averaging around 9" groups at 600 yds while every once in a while for some reason would shoot around 15". Those kind of groups are unacceptable in my book to start poking that far at game.

So I tried a slightly different route. I bought an 8 twist 6.5 swede Tikka T3. My very first load of 48.5 grains of H4831SC pushed the 143 ELD X at 2790 and proved capable of 4.5" groups at 600. My groups have been more vertical than horizontal so I figure I can probably get a touch more out of it with some minor tweaking.

My 270 T3 is a shooter and it will put 150 partitions into 3" at 500 pretty regular. I've not tried it much but I've had more bad experiences than not trying to push a high BC bullet out of marginal twist barrels. At this point I just stick with what I know has been working for me.

I'm not sure if you noticed in my post I'm not real keen on customs. Probably mostly because I've tried it a couple times now and it never worked out for me. It's not easy finding a gunsmith one can count on it seems and it's a lot of money to spend to get back something that a factory Tikka will shoot circles around. JMO






Shod

Shod: Your move makes sense.

Shod, I'm not ignoring you. I wrote a lengthy response to your post on the previous page. For some reason it got lost between my puter and the 'fire.. Please accept this condensed answer.

I've read the remainder of this thread so I'm up to date.


IME 400 yd MPBR is not to hard to better with a 7mm RM & 139 BTSP at 3300 fps OR 300 WM & 165 BTSP at 3300 fps. I'm not adverse to recoil. The 270, 7 RM & 300 WM are among my favs.

Since this thread is somewhat older, I've finished development of my 6.5 Swede with 120 NBT @ 2975 and I'm satisfied.

400 yds is ALL the range I can hunt and I don't have any place to practice farther SO I am pat.

The kick in the butt is this, I've had 400 yd MPBR since I bought my first 270 W in 1975.

Jerry

Shodd;
Good evening to you sir, I trust this finds you well.

I appreciated you sharing your comments and experiences with the new 6.5 you're trying out.

While I had to do a wee bit of digging to recall where I'd read it, I thought we'd talked about you trying out a new 6.5 cartridge at some point in the past - and as it turns out we had.

For those interested, here's more reading on the subject from a couple of years back.

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/9248055/4

Anyway in the interim I've been playing with a fast twist .223 a bit and have had the .270 with the 22" slow twist/slow velocity barrel rebarreled into a 21" 6.5x55.

I'd hoped this year to play with some 120gr GMX in it, having successfully tested a 120gr TTSX on a second rack mulie buck last season, but as it stands at present I'll likely be running the Barnes again as the "to do" list exceeds the "would like to do sometime" list.

Thanks again sir, good luck with your rifles whichever ones come along out of the safe and all the best to you folks this summer.

Dwayne

Jerry, you should know that although trajectory is always a factor, it is much less so now than in the past now that we have LRF, BRFs, and accomadating reticles amd turrets.

Jwall,

I hear ya. I've contemplated so many times I can't count just buying a 7 mag. In fact not that long ago I was standing in Cabelas holding one in my hands and almost went home with it too.

I guess I decided to go the non Magnum route mostly because I'll be hunting deer and antilope. All my elk hunting areas always present close shots. If I ever hunt elk where 500 yds is pretty regular a 7 mag or maybe even a 300 win mag will be on my list.



Shod

Dwayne,

I've also acquired a fast twist 223. Last year I used a 55 gr TTSX to take a medium sized Whitetail buck. It's only a sample of 1 animal but I was more than happy with the results. In my 8 twist 223 Tikka the 55 ttsx is exceptionally accurate.

Thank you for your comments and best of luck to you this year also.




Shod

Morning Mr George

Oh yes I'm aware of these tech advantages. I have my 2nd LRF and use it virtually every hunt. However there are 2 reasons I don't have 'dials & turrets'.

A. With a 400 yd hunting max range----using 400 yd MPBR eliminates the need.

B. It takes MORE time to range & turn turrets before you shoot. In open territory that's not a problem. I'm not hunting 'bean' fields or anything close to prairie land so the vast majority of time I am not afforded the luxury of using those technological advantages.

Observe ---- tech NOlogical --

Thnx for your interest and participation.

Jerry

An Addendum:

I like my LRF very much so I gave my first one to my longest & best friend. He would not have spent the $$ to buy one but he's happy I gave it to him and he uses it more than he thot he would. He is a brother I never had & I'm glad he has it. BTW I upgraded from the first one <grin>

Rarely have I used the LRF before making a shot but I have a very few times. Mostly, I range FROM the spot BACK to where I was. It's very often that I range to diff objects in the vicinity where I'm hunting. It goes w/me on every hunt.

Jerry

I have read a lot of the Nathan Foster website.

I have to say, he makes what seem to be a LOT of assumptions.

Jwall,

I can definitely understand where you are coming from. In fact for most of my hunting and most of my hunting rifles are set up a lot how you described.

The thing with 30 mm scopes and turrets is though they are tech NO logically advanced they are heavy as hell. When hunting steep terrain or hiking back in a ways a 7 lb rifle can be an object of beauty. Hard to stay in the 7 lb range with a bohemith scope. Also when most hunting situations present a 400 yd shot or less it's much easier to be well versed in how to make a light non turret scope get that done than start twisting turrets.Takes less time. In my opinion in most hunting situations being limited to 400 yds is a hunting advantage. It's an advantage because if you see something further you have to stalk in closer. Stalking IS part of hunting and a big part of the skill required to be successful. It makes for a more complete and interesting hunting adventure.

A few years back I started hunting Eastern Montana and much of this hunting is wide open country. Sometimes it can be a real feat to close the distance to 600 ish yds. That's when I decided to put one of them heavy turret scopes on a rifle and try one of them long range bullets that don't slow down. Honestly the rifle IMO is top heavy as hell and handles like SCHIT compared to my sweet set up mountain rifles.

But, in the end I'll take this rifle to the eastern parts and ultimately my reward will be putting some of the best tasting game I've ever had in my freezer. The game where I go thrive on grain from farmers fields and grow up tender and delicious.

One of the biggest aspects I will be pressing for is I want all one shot kills. IMO it's another aspect of hunting skill that can make a hunt memorable. And while some might think getting within 600 yds requires no skill sometimes it requires making every move count to get that close to a herd of antilope.

Best of luck to you in hunting this year and thanks for sharing.



Shod

I owned a Ruger M77 in a 270. It kicked more than the 3 Ruger 7 mags that I owned. I got rid of it and the 7 mags after a few years. I've had 2 different 6.5x55 rifles that I have enjoyed shooting way more than the 270 I owned. The deer I've shot with the 6.5 did't run any further if they ran at all.

11 more grains of powder, 68 for the 270 and 57 for the Swed, is going to change the game a little.

I like the fact that anybody can buy good 270 ammo over the counter nearly anywhere in the U.S., while 6.5x55 can be harder to source if you fail to plan ahead or forget your ammo when hunting away from home. The only time that my 30-06 loaner was ever used was when a guy from Ohio forgot his 6.5x55 ammo when he traveled to Wray, Colorado, for a high plains deer hunt.

Did he forget his boots?

In doing the math it appears the 270 holds about 18% more powder. The Swede produces only 96% of Velocity that the 270 is capable of with the same size bullet. I figured the 270 at 3150 with a 130 gr and the swede at 3000 The Swede bullet however in an apples to apples comparison will have a slightly better BC and SD perhaps giving a slight edge in this regard to the Swede.

Conclusion, the Swede is 96% + 1% for the sectional density advantage = 97% give or take .5%

Not to bad for 10 grains less. Of course anytime one goes much bigger than a 308 sized case the return for the powder charge always goes noticeably down.


This usually pisses folks of when I bring this up except for them 260 and 6.5 creedmore fellas. Even the 6.5X55 Swede is inefficient when compared to the 260 or the Creedmore.





Shod

My solution is to cover the 6.5mm bore field with 24 260s, 11 Sweds, 6 Creeds, 4 6.5-284s, and 2 256 Newtons. I only have 6 270s, but really like the way that the CLR and Remington 760 shoot 130 and 150 grain factory ammo.

Lol, are you a rifle loony?



Shod

nuthin like facts Shod,

Ive had 270's and the blasty things do the Job but the Swede just does it a bit easy both on the ears and the shoulder. Throw in the nice taper on the case n extraction and feeding gives it the edge of the 270.

Even the 6.5X55 Swede is inefficient when compared to the 260 or the Creedmore.





Shod

Please explain. I've owned 260's also but I don't own a Creedmore yet. The 260's I've had wouldn't keep up with the 6.5x55. They were short by 50 fps. The deer didn't know the difference though.

I only have to shoot 'em once, so, for me, the extraction and feeding is not a major factor, HUGE EDGE to the 270 for ease of ownership.

C'mon....seriously?

The 270 tapers nicely and feeds like butter from Mausers and M70's and about anything else and has similar "taper" for extraction purposes. There is no 6.5 "advantage" there.


As to everyone getting weak in the knees over "efficiency" , I always looked back over my shoulder at the "efficiency" mavens and their creations. The flaw was always the more "efficient" I got, the slower I was going,expressed as percentages, like this unto itself was some kind of virtue that I didn't give a hang about in a hunting cartridge.

Followed to its illogical conclusions, "efficiency" saved me powder, which I didn't give a hang about, but cost me velocity,and I cared about that (within reason). Give me the case with the powder capacity to deliver the velocity.

The recoil of a 270 Winchester is trifling. It wasn't designed by some "committee" to be a military round; it was designed to kill animals.

It has wiped the floor with its competitors here and elsewhere....even in Africa.How'd that happen?

My 270 feeds and extracts like perfection. Sounds like stevil needs to buy a different brand of rifle. I'm curious as to what kind of rifle he shoots??????

Yep - FACTS stevil !

I really am sick of the 6.5 SPIN.. might get RID of mine.

I've had more 270s than any other cartridge and ALL fed & extracted like butter. Try one in a Tikka T 3. !!!


Jerry

Lol the 270 camp's temperamental .....

Deeper penetration with the swede and its fwst twist heavy SD bullet selection

The 270s a glorified barrel burner game over !

Jerry

If you seriously want to sell the 6.5X55 send me a PM with info.

I have two. One is a Encore and the other is a Ruger #3, Pac Nor barrel, hand whittled stock and forend plus other goodies. The Rug3 has shot a "few" whitetails and I'm thoroughly impressed.

If you decide to sell a Sweede let me know.
I'm not interested in another 270.

Thanks
Jim

JP,

As an example in comparing load between a 260 and 6.5 Swede.......

The 6.5 Swede will push a 130 bullet around 2700 fps with 43.5 gr of H4350

The 260 will get around 2900 fps on 43.5 gr of H4350

That's a 200 fps difference on the same amount of powder. In any load Manuel the 260 will give more Velocity with an equal amount of powder.

This makes the 260 more efficient

To show a more extreme case we can compare the 308 vs a 300 win mag

The 308 with 40 ish gr of powder will push a 150 gr bullet to 3000 fps

The 300 win mag with 80 gr of powder will push a 150 gr bullet to 3350 fps


Double the powder doesn't give anywhere even close to double the velocity. The bigger the case the worse it gets. It's the law of diminishing returns and it's exactly the reason why a study of over 8000 moose in Europe were shown to have expired just as quickly when shot with a 6.5 Swede as they did when shot with a 300 win mag.

The only difference I can tell is one is full of hot air and the other isn't. Take your pick


Shod

jwall,
In the .270 what is your 400yd MPBR bullet (BC), load, and vel.?

What size "target" (6",7",8"?) do you use in the MPBR calculations?

Also what's your favorite scope on your .270..

All this .270 talk has me thinking about pulling out an NIB Brno 600 that I have had since 93 or so..
Was going to sell it NIB one day, but screw it as it fits me better than all the other bolt action rifles I own..

Thx

[/quote]

...

The 6.5 Swede will push a 130 bullet around 2700 fps with 43.5 gr of H4350

The 260 will get around 2900 fps on 43.5 gr of H4350

...

This makes the 260 more efficient

...

Shod

[quote/]


No, in my opinion it does not. That only makes the 260's a smaller capacity chamber, freebore included.

Your data is not comparable since you have excluded the important variable of pressure. I would agree if both were working at the same pressure, which is unlikely.

Your correct in that they are not loaded to the same pressure. The problem is if they both are loaded to the same pressure it only stands to work further AGAINST your opinion.

If it doesn't go against your opinion please explain why and how it doesn't!

Thanks






Shod

With full house loads I could never tell the difference between the 270 and 6.5x55 with similar bullet weights, regarding recoil and blast. Both will give you a headache if you shoot a lot of rounds.

Think a night of spotlighting and 100+ rounds fired from a vehicle.

In a Mauser or other long action rifle, while I'd not knock back a gift 6.5 I can't think of a reason to take one over a 270 Win.


Both good rounds, the 270 is just the big brother to the 6.5.

BS.

I can build a fast twist 270 tomorrow......8 twist? no problem. Have had 2-3 9 twist barrels. With todays bullets the high BC advantage of the 6.5 is negated.

Besides those big high BC numbers for the 6.5 are only with w few target bullets. Among hunting designs the differences aren't enough to piss on.

As to penetration, ever see what a 160 Partition from a 270 does? To everything from elk and moose, to Alaskan brown bear? A 270 will start them at 2800 fps while the 6.5 will barely make that number with a 140. Don't tell me case capacity doesn't matter. Besides penetration in BG is far more a function of bullet design and far less a function of silly SD numbers.

Get real.....


Stevil ever shoot a 270 OR a 6.5 enough to burn the barrel out? Do tell please.

Where you get confused is mistaking the 270 for a target round...to that I'd say "WGAF"? It was designed as a BG cartridge, not as a military/target cartridge.

270 shooters could care less about "targets", unless they're animals.

I bought a .270 in1972 with calf money. It was my primary hunting rifle until seven years ago when I bought a 6.5x55 - CZ 550 American. The rifles feel to be the same weight but recoil feels less in the Swede. I shoot 130 grain bullets out of both. I prefer the 6.5x55 now but don't have a reason I can think of. Maybe I was tired of the .270.

This WAS my second attempt to drop this thread and after my next answer I will be OUT!




Rug - I haven't decided but I'm fed UP with 'spin'. I have NOT found the velocity "claimed" for the Swede. I'm AT 3000fps with --120-- NOT 130 gr bullets >>BUT, I have a 22" bll not 26, so that may be part of it.

I do know one thing---I have NO interest in another 6.5X55 or 260 Rem.


Jerry

Nrut -
First a definition. MPBR to me w/270 means no hold over on the side of a DEER.

Any reasonable 'hunting' 130 bullet at/@ 3100 fps will give less drop than the depth of an 'adult' WT deer. I use IMR 7828 but other slow burners will give 3100 or more.

I have mostly 4-12 X scopes but I have 1 3-9X. I like Leupold, Nikon, & Swift brands.

My target practice is ONLY for deer hunting and 400 yds is all the distance I have to practice & hunt.

Hope this answers your ???
Good Luck

Jerry

Nrut,

I went through some of my 270 load notes. This is what I had come up with

I loaded a 130 accubond at 3112 fps
With a 200 yd zero I recorded 21" of drop at 400 yds.

In contrast to the 270 the 257 weatherby pushing a 115 gr BT at 3400 fps only has 10" of drop at 400 yds.

While the 270 (Used to be spun) as the ultimate flat shooter the truth is more modern cartridges have much greater capability in true 400 yd MPBR.

I'd use the 270 for a 300 yd MPBR rifle but in no way do I agree with the "spin" or hype that the 270 is a 400 yd MPBR rifle with a 130 gr bullet. JMO

I think you will find there is no special magic or wonder to the 270. It kills game exactly the same as other cartridges that surround it. From a logical standpoint one would do well in choosing a platform that comes with features that fulfill your intended purpose. If you like customs you can Taylor any one of a large number of rounds.

I'd not go to shooting your investment believing it's going to produce some kind of magic over ANY of the others. It's a great cartridge that works very well and so are many others.

Best of luck to you sir whatever you might do


Shod

Cripes.......


I need to tell those pronghorns and mule deer I've killed at 350-400 yards with a top of back hold, how terrible the 270 is when it comes to PBR.

Maybe a coyote or three and a train full of varmints as well.

Without even looking at a ballistics table I bet there is nothing in 6.5x55 that is as good at MPBR as a 270-130-3100. Provided the nut behind the bolt zeroes correctly.

You want to hamstring the thing with a 200 yard zero and tell me it sucks....be my guest. But I zero it 3" high at 100, 3.5"+ at 200, 2.5" low at 300, and 12"-14" low at 400 yards,depending on bullet and actual velocity.

If you know what you are doing with it solid chest hits are easy to 400 yards and to 500 yards where it is down about 30". For those interested that is about at the bottom duplex of a 6X Leupold.

On a mature full grown bull elk I will still be holding on hair at the 400 yard mark. If you know your trajectory and the vital size of your game, this is easy stuff.

I know this because i have killed at those distances with it.I have seen a considerable number of bucks killed with the 130 gr load out around the 400 yard marker.

The 130-270 load does not suck at those distances. The only better hammer I know of is a 7 Rem Mag and cartridges giving similar velocity.

For real world hunting (200 yards or less where most stuff is killed across the USA) there is no practical difference between these two or a 257 Bob, 300 Savage, 260 Rem, 308, 280, 30-06 and so on. Knowing how to get close is far more important than long range drop tables. Took my best gun Elk <20 yards and my last gun Lope <30 yards. Hunt for 5 decades with a bow .... then rifles are easy.

Where were some of these guys in the 80s?

This is NOT new ballistics!

Nrut - Bob saved You & me a PM. We know what we are talking about--we do it!


I know ! I know! Couldn't help myself.

Just a Reminder!

Harrrumph. The deer don't care WHAT you shoot them with.

Ok,ok,ok, let me rephrase it!

The 270 is not capable of what more modern rounds such as the 257 weatherby are capable of

I also do like to handicap the 270 just a little. There's nothing wrong with that however because my 270 was handicapping me wanting to shoot to 700 yds. The 270 started this pissing match with me and happily my 6.5 swede came along and kicked my 270 ass all over the 700 yd line.

Though my 270 has now become my new red headed step child I do plan on keeping it around because red is great at shooting elk at 300 yds or less. Or possibly to 400 since that WAS done in the 80s.

Meanwhile Eastern Montana lope,and Whitetail are scared silly at the thought of the new rockstar (6.5 swede)that'll be hitting a town near you this fall


Stay Tuned





Shod

700 Yards ????? Are you in a wheelchair ?

I used to be when I was GAY!

Not handicapped anymore!

Thanks for asking

The Swede has been doing it since 1895,
the 270s just an overbore pimply powder burning wannabe !

You're a funny guy! LOL!

How many 270's have you shot the barrels out of? 6,5x55's?

I mean....just to show you know what you're talking about. Right?

Bobin,

The 270 is probably still my all time favorite.

In no way however am I regretting the route I'm taking with this new 6.5 swede.

I'll likely be hunting with the both for many years to come. After this fall I'll have a much better idea about my new rifle and how it does when used on game but I have a feeling I'll be pleased.

Today a slight drop in powder charge and some seating depth changes got me a 3.14" 3 shot group at 600 yds. I'll give the rifle a good cleaning and tommarro we'll stretch it out to 700

I am more than confident a 270 set up with the correct twist would certainly get it done and maybe even more.



Shod

Amen buddy! It's gotten it done in any camp I've been in.

This big bruiser took about 13 points to get a tag. The hunter didn't mind his 270 with 130 Partitions at 420 yards.



It's not the arrow in the woods, the danged Indian counts for most.

Amen, Scotty.

Mark Twain said something about the rumors of his demise being premature. If only the .270 could speak for itself---oh, wait...it CAN and it DOES.

Hey bobin ive had 3 x 6.5x55s 2 x 260s and 2 x 270s. Ive shot probably a 500 or 600 critters with em. I know what works and what doesnt

The 6.5 Swede just does it in my books, none of the 270 fuss.

Stevil,

I'm sure you found the same thing anyone who's shot several hundred critters finds.

Any reasonable cartridge will kill em, some just do it with less powder, recoil, and muzzle blast!

I've shot 1000s of rounds through my current 270

I'm almost to 50 with my 6.5 Swede and it's a large enouph sample I can reasonably conclude it is noticeably softer and quieter. In fact it's a damn nice shooting rifle in comparison.

I've not shot any critters with the 6.5 yet but I'll take your word on its effectiveness.







Shod

I'll tell you what !! I am considering REAMING this 6.5x55 into a

6.5-06. My Win 70 is a standard length action w/a standard length magazine. It ought to make a dandy hunting cartridge.

Rug - I promise that if I decide to sell the Swede I'll get in touch.


Right now I'm really in the mood to REAM it out. (that's political correct language). KWIM ?

Jerry

Stevil: Are you telling me the 270 does not work? Doesn't kill/ How is it so different?

2 270's? That's a good start. So lie I guessed you haven't really burnt any out have you?

What does "none of the 270 fuss" mean? Bullets bounce off? Animals shrug off hits and you lose them as they wander off? No wound channels? Don't fall down after a lung hit?

Do you load a 6.5 with something other than powder and bullets? Is that part of the "fuss"?

What is it?

Can you see a visible difference on impact,damage, etc?

The 6.5 breaks heavy bone better while the 270 breaks up with equal hits? 270bullets disintegrate on the way to the target?

Im trying to understand how you see such a dramatic difference between two such closely matched cartridges,when your experience with a 270 flies in the face of so many others who have no problem with it and have killed game on this and other continents.

I mean I know people who have killed a few grizzly/brown bear with the cartridge.
Other people reading this have killed a few hundred head of African game from eland on down with a 270. What do you tell them to explain the mystical differences between a 6.5x55 and a 270 killing animals?


I find this pretty curious. Frankly I think it' s a BOS.

More accurately -- has been BEING done since the 80s.
Do you know who John Wooters was. ?

Do you know who JRS is ?
(Jon R Sundra) I'll help you out there.

There were other Gun Writer hunters that wrote of and hunted with and killed animals w/400 yd MPBR using 270 W & 280 R and. 7 RM rounds.

Before the days of the 'net' we couldn't get philosophies and ideologies from everyday experts like today. We had to read from Professional G Ws and Hunters in magazines. Some of them even showed 'pitchers' of their guns and such.

I guess those are by gone days of vicariously hunting & shooting through Professionals.

Such a loss to this new ballistic calculator generation.

Jerry

Bobin IS right, a BOS !

Well then, it's settled!!! The 270 is magic fairy pixxy dust. Lol

Just to clarify for you, you and your pals
weren't the inventors of shooting flat and to MPBR of 400 yds in the 80s. It's been being done with the 270 since 1923

The 6.5 Swede came with a factory 1000 yd sight in 1895. That was only 30 years BEFORE the 270 figured out how to get to the 400 yd line. Or according to you 90 years before you and Bobin invented it. Lol. Better call the magic fairy pixxy dust lady.


Shod

Gawd, can anyone else feel their IQ points dropping as we all participate in this thread?!

I've killed probably 1500 head of game with the 270 Win; perhaps a couple hundred with the 6.5. The majority of those under a light but many not. Some at close range - many really - some a fair way out.

Mated with the slipperiest bullets available in each, loaded to max speeds... hmmm it's the 270 Win for me.

A .525bc 150g SST at 3000fps carries the mail a loooong way out. Can't see a 140g VLD out of a 6.5 Swede with a similar length bbl staying with it. Sorry, shooting game at 750y doesn't interest me.

And please save me the schidt about SSTs blowing up. The 150g version in the 270 Win is devastating. Ask me how I know.

Bob the the Swede does it with alot less noise thats what I mean by FUSS.

Ive shot horse, donkeys, pigs and goats at long range and broadside penetration is a no brainer. Now I havent reloaded the Swede with modern powders but I had no trouble getting 140gr to 2920fps in a 21 inch 260rem. I got 155gr to 2800 thou I back both off a grain as I hunted in 106 F.

Ive knocked over 1000lb wild cattle at 200yds with a 260rem and a 140gr mono.

Yep the 270 does all the same and a smidge more but its noisy doing it.

and if I load up 130gr Berger VLDs 0.552 BC then I have a flat shooting round that pretty much does what a 270 does.

Ill build another 6.5x55 shortly as its my all time favourite.

Ive also run a 25/308, 250 savage previosuly and I've just built a 6lb Husky 30-06 CRF.

I say it as i see it and the 6.5 Swede is 1 of the all time greats.

So ....it's noise.

Thanks Stevil glad we got to the bottom of that.

I've shot a 6.5 a bit. Nice cartridge but I still needed hearing protection.

Glad you like it. Good for you.

I prefer the 270 myself, it just works so well.

---------------********-------------

Posted by Shod, P 20, Tues. - 12:23 PM

"I'd use the 270 for a 300 yd MPBR rifle but in no way do I agree with the "spin" or hype that the 270 is a 400 yd MPBR rifle with a 130 gr bullet. JMO "


hmmmmmmm, a conundrum ?; more like contradiction.


Shod which is it?



Jerry

Bob,

I was hunting last fall in the local mountains and heard a shot. Man, it was LOUD, so I said to myself: John, that must be a .270 Winchester!

Was the man singing magic pixxy fairy dust songs? Lol



Shod

Larry GFY. Don't you get it? nobody wants your ass here.

Larry GFY. Don't you get it? nobody wants your ass here. Moderators, TWO simultaneous login names...

Just started to work with the 6.5 again after years of not owning one. I keep getting surprised with how well this round doe's. With modern components and pressures it is almost in the same league as the .256 Newton.

When loaded close to the same pressures as the .270 the differences start to melt away to almost nothing.

REALLY!!! I THINK SOMEONE MIGHT BE FULL OF SCHIT Lol

If I sprinkle magic pixxy fairy dust on it will it make it come true?



Shod

Well with posts like those.....

I changed my mind!


Jerry

You don't recognize sarcasm when you see it? A little slow on the uptake?

Sprinkle some magic pixxy fairy dust on it.





Shod

Jeebus, this is like an argument in Special Ed class.

And a damned stupid argument, at that.

You think they waiting for the "short bus"...?

The .270 is usually good for a couple bags of popcorn...

DF

Yeah this place is famous for stupid stuff about 270's...

All it is does is work

Hi Bob17,
3000 fps with a 150 grainer is .270 WSM book vel.
What are you using for powder, and what is your barrel length?
What kind of groups do you get at that vel. and how do the SST perform on animals larger than N. Amer. deer?
Just checked my .277 bullet stash but see no 150 gr. SST's..
That may change depending on your experience using them on animals larger than deer..
TIA

I get 3000 fps with RL-26 and a 150 gr Nosler Partition from my .270 Winchester. Barrel length is 22".

Gday N,

In the 24" bbl a compressed H4831sc charge got me good accuracy at 2990fps.

R22 got me more. I like using the local stuff most of the time though.

Wild cattle and horses hate the 150 SST, though I prefer the 160g NPT where they're the intended game. 2840fps there with 4831.

The 130 SST is a different beast. I don't use them any more.

That's "smokin" out of a 22" barrel and using NPT to boot!
I have heard good things about RL-26 from a local fella that uses it in other calibers..
But the bugger is sold out now and RL powders are hard to come by where I live..
How is your accuracy at that vel. using the NPT?

IIRC it's getting an inch or so at 100 yds.

Also use it in my .300 Wby and .25/06.

In the .300 Wby using a 180 gr NP. I'm getting 3200 fps and about .75" group at 100 yds. That's from a 26" barrel.

In the .25/06 with a 100 gr NBT. I'm getting 3340 fps and just under a inch groups at 100 yds. That's from a 24" barrel.

Here is the info for the RL-26 150 gr Nosler Partition .270 Winchester load data. My load is one grain under Alliance maximum load.

http://www.alliantpowder.com/reload...ight=150&shellid=63&bulletid=367

I thought everyone knew the magic of the 6.5x55. I've killed thousands of animals with one and none of them moved out of their tracks. I have burned out four 270 barrels vs one 6.5x55 barrel. Does one have to burn out a barrel before they can comment on a subject?

Thanks, Bob17,
I have 8 lbs. + of H4831sc so I'll try that first..
Have more 150 gr. bullets Hornady, Nosler and Speer than any other weight and they shot best in my Rem. Ti anyway so will stay them..

You obviously have, several of them...

Barrels are like tyres..... Just fry em !! something only a 270 owner knows too well

Of the two, I'll take the Swede. Had a 270, and it was OK. I still have my two Swedes.

If Quickload can be believed ( it can't ) the difference between the two has shrunk even more. With the new wonder powders like R26 a 130 Berger can come close to 3,000+ fps and the heavies like a 160 Hornaday can come close to 2700 fps. in the 1894 Cartridge.

So we have the equivalent of a race between a 122 year old and a spry 91 year old. Who can get their walker across the finish line first? Odds are the 91 year old youngster hands down. But that Old Swede has staying power so is not entirely out of the race by any means.

This will need verification but at the same pressures the 6.5 is within 100-150 fps of the .270 and maybe less in some cases.

OK back on the Short Bus.

Hope there's enough room...

DF

Would like to try RL-16 and 130 gr Nosler Partitions in one of my .270's.

http://www.alliantpowder.com/downloads/RL16_Initial_Loads.pdf

No but if you're going to start flapping your jaws about barrel life,you'd expect the jaw flapper would have some personal experience to back it up.

But that's maybe too much to expect.

How many rounds you figure it took to cook your 270 barrels?

Not that I give a crap about barrel life. That's for pussies. Just go buy another one.

John yeah I have been terrified by those loud 270's....just scared the shidt outta me. Touch one off and every animal within the drainage goes underground.

They must be pretty high strung nervous types Down Under.

Course, anyone with a brain, who hand loads, knows you can drop the slow burners in the 270,use 4064 instead,and get a reduction in muzzle blast....and maybe save some barrel life,too. It will resemble a 6.5x55 loaded top end....LOL.

Provided you are anal enough to worry about this silly crap.

I was thinking about the same relationship w/6.5 Swede speeds.

I've used 4064 yrs ago w/130s and got between 2900-3000 fps. Sounds familiar, what just developing my Swede w/120s. smirk


In ALL my yrs of reading gun/loading/shooting/hunting rags.....the 270 W was not rated among the barrel burners.
OTOH , 220 Swift, 22-250, & 264 Win Mag rated top honors.

WAIT - 264 ?.......6.5 huh !


Seems strange that all of a sudden the 270 is a bll eater, strange !

Jerry

Jerry like a lot of stuff posted here, it's a bunch of BS...

Of course you know about 4064 loads....I'm not surprised!

Ive decided to send my 270s down the road



Shod

Good! Some of you guys will fall for anything....LOL!

I got that load out of my First manual, Lyman something @ 1975. Later I found it as a 'moderate' load from JOC.

It actually killed deer but the trajectory was lacking. huh ?

Jerry

Well......


Trade me 2 sorry 270s for 1 good Swede ?

Jerry

I've got a T3 Blued 270 ID trade

I decided to hold onto my Sako Finnbear.

Whats your Swede?




Shod

BOB

Honestly I never have shot out a barrel. I've never kept one long enough to shoot it out. I am not silly enough to think a 6.5x55 can shoot faster than a 270. I just enjoy shooting the 6.5 more. Have fun and burn some powder.

JP

Why not both. We have a 260 Rem, 6.5x55, 264 Win mag and a 270 Win in the house and like all of them especially the 3 standard rounds. They all work well.

My hunting bud isn't a Fire contributor, doesn't know anything about a "gay" .270, shoots a well used Sendero with a tired barrel. Thru the Hawkeye, it's pretty bad, shoots a solid 1 1/2" at a hundred with factory 130's. He loves Partitions.

I asked him why he packed such a heavy rifle. His reply, "I know what it'll do when I get it there".

And he kills stuff with that old gun, he's deadly with it, bunches of WT's, hogs, 'yotes, etc. over the years. I watched him kill a speed goat at a measured 435 yds. No turret, no ranging reticle. He knew how much it dropped at that distance, held accordingly. Boom, plop. Meat in the ice chest.

I told him we could swap out the barrel for a better one. He said when it quit shooting, he'd do it.

I guess ignorance is bliss...

DF

Hey whoah Big Bob!

We're mostly steady types... though I suspect we like to stir up an argument as much as anyone!

Truth is I reckon, the average Aussie hunter that lives in the bush shoots many many animals over a lifetime, but in nearly every case we don't use a wide variety of cartridges.

So in one sense we have very deep levels of experience, but also quite narrow. By the time I was 18 I'd probably shot 5000 head of game, and 4000 of those would have been with the 308 Win. Probably 800 of the remaining would have been with the 222.

Certainly I've diversified a bit since then, especially the last 15 years.


So go easy on us down here in the Nanny State mate... We don't know everything, but we do know some stuff.

Heheh you're welcome at my place and campfire any time old mate!

Mornin bobbie!

I'm certainly envious of the 'enormity' of opportunities to hunt/shoot/kill that VOLUME of critters in such a short time.

I DO understand population control & culling---I'm NOT being critical-- I just can't imagine having so many wild horses.

Man, I could get INTO retirement "down under"(grin)


Jerry

ALLLLright, My Swede is a Win 70 in the 80's model FTWT stock...........














I love 'editorial' license! !


I really didn't expect any reply from you.

I'm not quite there yet and I promised 'Rug' I'd give him a shot at it. I'll chew on it a bit longer.


Jerry

For the 6.5x55 fans:

I have a M96, like the cartridge.

For my 50th Bday I'd like to buy a new rifle in 6.5x55, but here is the drawback with the cartridge compared to the .270 - lack of rifles.

Can anyone suggest current production rifle chambered in 6.5x55 that have a box magazine?

I didn't read the whole thread but a guy with a .270 can reduce load it easily and accurately and probably putting it in the 6.5x 55 's range.On game it is not the chambering of the rifle as much as bullet choice imo.

Tikka T3x in the synthetic stocked Lite or wood stocked Hunter models and a few variations of those two in blued and SS, and the Montana 1999 is also available in several models both wood and synthetic, blued and SS, if you prefer a more traditional CRF action.

There might be others but those two came to mind right away.


Added: Oops, you said box magazine so that lets out the Tikka, but it's still a good rifle if you don't mind the detachable mag.

Lots of targets, unfortunately a really backwards attitude among the bulk of the populace towards firearms ownership.

Ideally, the well heeled retiree would buy a place in the NT and spend a couple of months there every dry season (your summer) to "test" all his handloads on the variety of targets there, and spend the rest of the year back home enjoying family etc.

Be sure to load your ammo with powder that doesn't overheat in hot temps!!!

CZ 550 FS/CZ 557 models and Howa 1500 as well. It's also been produced in the past in Ruger M77 Mk II, Winchester Featherweight and I believe special runs of Remington 700, if you want to watch Gun Broker and troll local pawn shops.

^ Add the Montana 1999 to the list of a non detachable magazine. I had a Ruger 77 Mk II I wish I had never sold but but got my wife a Tikka T3 she loves. Great round as is the 270 Win

The swede will never be anything but a casual chambering if an American manufacturer, all the Euros offer it as standard.

Yeah, I had a Ruger 77 Mark II 6.5x55 that was one of the most accurate big game rifles I've ever owned. Regret selling it too!

Heading away Monday for a week on the pigs and goats. Will be taking the 270 Win and the little 250 Sav AI... looks like I have the 6.5 Swede performance level bracketed, and I doubt the game will notice both rifles "only" have 1-10 twists and bullets under .500 BC...

Perhaps I really SHOULD split the difference and just take a single 6.5?

Nah, where would the fun be there?

Stunt shooter.

Actually, a detachable Mag is what I meant! Thanks,
I will check into the Tikka

John,

My new Swede is the most accurate big game rifle I have. It's a sample of just one but it seems I've heard this same sentiment resignated a few times.

Perhaps it's due to inherent design. I would also think low production would certainly enhance the quality of the tooling in an American chambered rifle. Maybe not so much in a Tikka which is what I've got.




Shod

There are a couple I wished I would have kept but that one is near the top of the list (along with my first left hand Rem 700 BDL 30-06). It was accurate with almost any bullet except the 140 gr Barnes XLC which it keyholed. But those were some weird bullets anyway........

Shodd, my wife's Tikka 6.5x55 is very accurate as well, those Finn's know how to build them right. Almost any load will go 1"or less and it's favourite loads are better than that.

Howa 1500s are typically deep throated, but for $330 from Whittaker's, they are a great buy if you're in the 6.5x55 market. The Howa 1500 stock aren't my cup of tea, so I put an older schnabled forearm style of B&C on mine. My rifle shoots bullets in the 129 thru 140 grain range better than the shorter/lighter bullets that I've tried.

Okay Rug -

I've given this a lot of consideration and reached a decision.

For NOW, I'm going to keep my Win 70 FTWT in 6.5X55 for 2 reasons.

A. I've put a lot into research, Xperiments, & load development and I'm content with what I've accomplished. I may try 2-3 diff powders and ? 1 more bullet ? Time will tell.

B. I have never MET or KNOWN one other hunter/shooter 'personally' who owns or ever owned a Swede. Nearly everyone said something like ..6.5 What ? OR .. WHY ?
It is between my 6mm Rem and 270s so I have filled a niche. May have not needed to fill it but it is done.

Also I'd take the Swede over any 30-30 etc. and I love the rifle itself.


Thnx
Jerry

Best to you jwal.

I like my Swede and have never felt under gunned with it.

Ruger #3, PacNor 24in 8 twist duplicating the 1A barrel, hand whittled Ruger #1 style stock and narrow schnobler forend. Made it to fit me and it's by far my favorite. Thus the Rug3 handle.
Maybe a 6.5X55 PacNor barreled Kimber 84 next? I'm not anxious but my eves are open.

The Swede just does what I like and what I want.

Jim