I happen to think the 6.5s are excellent. I've hunted for years with the 6.5x55 and 6.5-06 and have taken quite a few deer with them. They're easy to load for and are very good rounds for accuracy. The sectional density of 6.5 bullets is excellent and there is a large bullet selection. They have great penetration and seem to have a way of unloading energy in an animal that is uncanny. Our more scientific brethren on here will have other ways of describing it, but the 6.5s have some kind of juju working. At moderate velocities they are stone killers. I think i've only recovered one bullet from all the deer i've shot. It penetrated the full length of a good sized deer and lodged in the back of the front shoulder. With bullet weights up to 160 grains, about the only thing I wouldn't choose a good 6.5 for is big bears. I have used 140s for hunting. A lot of members here have had equally good results with 129s, etc. I prefer an 8 twist barrel for stabilizing the larger bullets.
