Interesting thread. I took the time to read most of it.
There is no question that the 6.5X55 will kill very large bears, but for that matter it is on record that a number of folks have killed 10+ foot bear with a 22LR.
I've killed two interior grizzly and two AK brown bear and several dozen black bear.
A lot of things simply happen to go wrong when hunting big bears and your rifle of choice needs to be able to allow for the margin of oooops/oh shhhiit. For interior grizzly, I like at least an 06 loaded right, but prefer a 338 Win. Mag.
For the bigger coastal grizzlies, I like at least a 338 Win. Mag. with a 250gr. NP or a 225gr. TSX at full speed and any rifle more powerful than this is welcome.
IF everything goes right, using the 6.5 will seem like a good choice, but if you are going to pay for an expensive hunt and if you want to be prudent, use a 338 Win. Mag. with good 225gr. to 250gr. bullets.
