The caliber debate .270 vs 6.5

T

tg07lq

Regular
Rating - 100%
4   0   0
Location
southern ontario
Long story short the more I research this the muddier it gets! :bangHead:

Im looking at bolt action or maaaybe a semi if I find something I like. Initially this started out as deciding between .243 and .270 but has now become a matter of choosing between .270 and 6.5 sweede on the advice of a friend.

Living and primarily hunting in SW Bantario, mostly the Niagara area. Im looking for something that I can use to coyote hunt as well as hunt deer when season permits, however that may be done in more northern Ontario. I'll be using it at the range as well. Looking for versatility, do a little distance shooting as well as be able to predator hunt and take medium game like deer. I know that there is no one gun to do it all but with a couple large purchases in my near future I need to keep control of my gun budget and do my best to adhere to it haha

Looking to hear what people have to say about both the ammunition, its availability, its ballistics and the rifles in the available caliber.
Ive been looking at some older Rem 700's , a weatherby vanguard s2 and a Swedish mauser as well as a couple savages. Looking to spend $500-600, ideally on a used gun, get more gun for the same buck as I see it. As it stands I don't reload so that also factors in. I may down the line but for the time being I would be relying on factory ammunition.

Any and all input is appreciated, as well as anything ive overlooked or not considered.

Cheers!
 
Neither are recoil giants, but the 6.5x55 is the friendlier. 270 Win if you don't reload, 6.5x55 if you do. Both benefit from some quality time at the reloaders bench. It's really a matter of which rifle shoulders and shoots well (as the cartridges are so close).
 
If you don't reload .270 has much wider choice of factory ammo and better availability. 6.5 sweede factory selection is very limited. On top of that most US made 6.5 factory ammo is underloaded (so it wont blow up in a vintage old one lug mausers and no one sues). Euro made ammo is stronger, but still to make 6.5 up to the full potential you need to hand load.

.270 is slightly more power, flatter trajectory, slightly more recoil. 6.5 shoots softer, easy on barrel (not that you will ever notice, but still) and still very potent on moose.

If you really want 6.5 performance you can look at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.260_Remington Practically, it is the virtually identical to 6.5 sweede, but its short action and factory ammo has more choice. But it will have to be new production rifle though.

To be honest, in your case with all your requirements, I would rather look for .270 or .308. With such a limited budget it all comes down to a deal on a used rifle, there is no point to limit yourself to one caliber, if you can score a good deal on a rifle - 308 30-06 270 6.5 7x57 will do just fine.
 
270 has the best options. 110 gr vmax for groundhogs and coyotes and deer bullets from all major suppliers from 130-160 gr. The sst from Hornady is a great bullet for deer. Heavier partition for moose and bear

The swede is nice but the 270 is a better choice for your needs. If money is an issue look at savage 110 and axis. Both can be had in a package deal. I suggest re torque the base and buy better rings. The scopes are usable
 
Since you don't reload I would definitely choose the 270. Ammo is abundant at any place that sells it and much better selection. It'll do you for coyotes here and deer and moose up north. Remember that deer hunting in your area is just shotgun only, even though the 270 is under the calibre restriction for hunting, the deer hunts are only shotgun or bow. So you'll have to plan your deer hunts up north to use the gun.
Now since you've mentioned that moose is not really any priority for you then for mainly coyote, target and deer you don't even need anything as big as the 270. Although it is not exactly high in recoil something like the 243, 25-06 or 260 would be a little easier on the shoulder at the range and just as potent on coyote and deer. Just some food for thought.
 
I own rifles in both 6.5x55 and .270.

Since you're talking about paper targets, and game from coyotes to deer, both cartridges will to the job fine.

The 6.5 x 55 really needs reloading to shine, but you are not pushing it hard (at all) to shoot deer and such with it, so you would actually be fine with factory ammo. The .270's better off with pure factory ammo. For hunting purposes, they both fill exactly the same role in the real world.

I think your major factor would likely be the rifle itself. Only if you find a rifle that is available in both chamberings and at the same price, would you have to really think this one out.

And then, if I were you, I'd lean towards 6.5x55, just because it's that little bit more comfortable to shoot, that little bit easier on barrels and that little bit quieter on the eardrums.
 
Easy answer 270 savage axis and tradex 6.5 for 600 bucks. But if you looking for one choice I would go with 270 since you do not reload. But still like option 1.
 
Six of one, half dozen of the other... they both do the same thing on the same sorts of game... you can't really go wrong with either. Make it about the platform... find a gun that fits you and just looks right and feels right, and then see which caliber you can get it in... ammo is not a problem for either, big deal if you have to order it because the local CT doesn't carry it... you would do that months in advance of any hunting trip. I have a preference for the 6.5's but that is just me... I will concede that the .270 is equally as good in similar situations.
 
There is plenty of hunting factory loads for 6.5X55, ranging from cheap S&B and Core-lokt, all the way to premium Nosler and Norma. Premium ones are a bit harder to find but there are here. I think if you get your hands on few boxes of Norma Oryx, you will be a very happy man. Epps used to carry Normas. I don't know if they still do.

...and 270 and 6.5X55 are not even close when it comes to recoil.
 
Last edited:
I've shot gophers to deer with a 375H&H. Not very many people will taylor loads for their hunting rifle for shooting gophers or coyotes. If you want to shoot gophers or coyotes with your 270 or 6.5, you will do it with your deer load.
buy the rifle that suits you, cartridge be damned, and enjoy it. You will start to specialize your gun collection as the need arises, this one for varmints, that one for deer, etcetera.
 
Either will do the job. I have a 6.5x55 and I love it. But you don't reload which does make a difference. I recommend that you check your local gun shops and see if they carry 6.5x55 ammo. If not then it simplifies your choice as you'd need a .270. If ammo is available then go with whatever rifle suits you best and choose based on the rifle not the cartridge.
 
the budget isnt really set in stone (then again when it comes to guns can we really say theres any budget at all?) That said it looks as though Ive chosen two very very similar cartridges and the advice to find a rifle first is where I should head.
.270 is as big as I would go for the foreseeable future, I would love to get into larger calibers but that wont be until I build a precision rig.

I'm a sucker for a nice wood stock, that said I know the versatility of SS and synthetic goes a long way. no thought to scratches or dings. So that in itself is an entire mental debate haha

wouldnt it just be easier if I could win the lottery and buy them all??? how do I set about enacting THAT plan haha
 
Home3 said:
Not!
Click to expand...

6.5X55;

129 GR. HDY SP IMR IMR 4831 .264" 2.935" 43.0 2549 37,200 CUP 47.0C 2792 45,100 CUP
129 GR. HDY SP IMR IMR 4350 .264" 2.935" 42.0 2584 40,000 CUP 46.0 2793 45,800 CUP

.270 Win;

130 GR. HDY SP IMR IMR 4831 .277" 3.180" 51.0 2759 42,900 CUP 55.8 3002 50,300 CUP
130 GR. HDY SP IMR IMR 4350 .277" 3.180" 50.2 2806 43,700 CUP 55.0 3028 49,900 CUP

The game ain't gonna notice the difference...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom