6.5 Creed popularity is because of marketing for sure and good job they've done.
I shot my first moose with a 260Rem simply because I was hunting with my 80yr old dad and he cant shoot a hard kicking gun anymore. With that said my dad has shot all his moose over the years with a 6.5x55. Also worth mentioning he's never had a shot over 150 yards.
I would rather some use a small 6.5 they can shoot well over using a canon they can't shoot straight.
Not everyone can afford multiple rifles for different applications.....keep the shots close and the 6.5 will do the job.
PS Helped a friend recover an elk he shot with a 243 last fall.....it went 30 yards and piled up....shot was 90 yards.
