6.5 caliber bullets in a hunting rifle? compare them

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Chago

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ok this should start a hell of a war. Try to keep it clean folks. I am honestly debating building a hunting rifle in a McMillan stock in a 6.5 caliber bullet. 260, 6.5x55, 6.5 cree, 6.5x284. What is everyone thoughts on this? I read so much about the "Europeans". Anyone on here taken moose with a 260? What loads were you shooting?

I just love the idea because I know in precision matches the 6.5 bullets are incredible. BC and density are crazy high and it just makes sense that its a great hunting bullet. But how does it perform on a 1000lb moose? As usual I'll say it before I read it 15 times. Shot placement is always key I know. We all know that. Needs to be in the boiler room, anyone aiming at animals a$$ needs a kick in the a$$. I'm asking at lets say up to 300 yards, in the boiler room is a 260 or others like it going to knock him dead? or are a trailing job?

Also how does the 260 compare to some of its long action cousins? I read so much about the 260 and the 6.5x55 being almost identical ballistically, why is that? you would think since the sweede holds more powder you could get more velocity from it? I know guys in precision game get awesome speeds out of there short action 260, but they seat these bullets very shallow. In a hunting round you need to make sure its not going to fall apart on you. So we have to use standard seating depths. Any thoughts?
 
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Chago said:
ok this should start a hell of a war.
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Unlikely. There have been plenty of threads on the subject, some of them relatively recently. One from January 19 here. (Search function may have assisted you). There seems to be broad agreement that the 6.5 is capable of taking moose.

Chago said:
I'm asking at lets say up to 300 yards, in the boiler room is a 260 or others like it going to knock him dead? or are a trailing job?
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Dead moose.
 
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It will kill moose for sure... but you seem to be building a rifle specifically for moose... that being the case, a 6.5 X Anything would not be my choice... personally can't think of any good reasons not to use a performance .30 cal+... cross section, mass and momentum DO count... particularly on very large animals with lots of mass... and before anyone says it; I call "BULL" on the concept that moose are easy to kill... everything is easy to kill on a perfect shot... moose don't move as far as many animals after the shot because of their size and methodical nature, not because they are pussies... on a poor hit, a moose will go an incredibly long way... and they don't have to go very far to put themselves into a position where you will curse yourself for pulling the trigger.

Again... for a "moose specific" rifle, go bigger than 6.5.
 
Yeah, I'm with hoytcanon.

I like 6.5's just fine, but unless I had a lifelong shoulder injury or something, if I was purposely building a moose rifle, I'd go larger.

For a moose-specific rifle, personally, I'd probably go with something in the .35 cal, 9.3mm or .375 cal range. Now I know full well you don't NEED this big to kill moose, but medium velocity, medium bores just work great on moose, and don't have to kick like hell or be crazy noisy. Think .358 win, 9.3 x 57 and .375 Whelen...
 
hoytcanon said:
It will kill moose for sure... but you seem to be building a rifle specifically for moose... that being the case, a 6.5 X Anything would not be my choice... personally can't think of any good reasons not to use a performance .30 cal+... cross section, mass and momentum DO count... particularly on very large animals with lots of mass... and before anyone says it; I call "BULL" on the concept that moose are easy to kill... everything is easy to kill on a perfect shot... moose don't move as far as many animals after the shot because of their size and methodical nature, not because they are pussies... on a poor hit, a moose will go an incredibly long way... and they don't have to go very far to put themselves into a position where you will curse yourself for pulling the trigger.

Again... for a "moose specific" rifle, go bigger than 6.5.
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:agree:
 
LouF said:
:agree:
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Everything around 6.5 (260-284) is precise like a chirurgical knive but...you need some residual energy at your point of impact (+-1800 pounds of energy for a moose) wich your 6.5 and his derivation will achieve at short distance even though they will give you a superb shot, it will not give the Knock out punch of energy you need for moose hunting. At least, consider the 7mm rem mag (284) for all the bullet (versatility from 120 to 175 grains) that you can load on this WILDCAT cartridge with a superb CB, deliver energy and Superior trajectory.

But trying to re-invente the Wheel is difficult when 30 calibers are there for outstanding reasons that you already know
Regards
Frank
 
6.5mm 160gr bullets, loaded in 55 mm cases have been killing moose for decades - you do your bit and the cartridge will do its bit.

Ask any Scandenavian if he agrees - they do love their Norma factory ammo over there.
 
Personally I'd go bigger with heavier bullets but if you must use a 6.5 make sure you take only perfect shots and be prepared for a long track job if you're off at all. I don't buy the you need X amount of energy to kill a moose. The 45/70 knocked down buffalo and 22 shorts have dropped a lot of cattle.
 
Kudu said:
6.5mm 160gr bullets, loaded in 55 mm cases have been killing moose for decades - you do your bit and the cartridge will do its bit. Ask any Scandenavian if he agrees - they do love their Norma factory ammo over there.
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Indeed. If you can't kill moose reliably with a 6.5 cartridge and the premium bullets available today, maybe you ought to shop for your meat from the grocery. Does anyone need reminding the biggest moose in the world was taken with a .303 British, not exactly the poster boy for ballistics/muzzle energy?
 
I am with kudu on this one. I just took my first moose this year and I did it with a 1908 Swedish Mauser in 6.5x55. From 200 yards out did not drop it like a rock but it didn't make it 50 yards either. I shot factory ammo from iron sights. With the precision rifle and load that you are creating, you will have no problem at all.
 
Listen, there are guys out there that all but don't feel recoil. I'm not one of them, but they are out there. I've met them and shot with them. I've taken 3 steps back and covered my ears over my earplugs while they shot.

You've just called them all liars. That's pretty unfriendly. Particularly when all they did to deserve it was try and help you out. Maybe be a bit more diplomatic.

After all, you never asked about an all around gun, you asked about a moose gun.

I just bought a 6.5x55 for an all around gun, not because I need one, I've already got a 270, a couple of 308s, and a 300 mag (semi auto with a muzzle brake and cushy recoil pad). I like buying and accessorizing guns to Satisfy a theoretical use case. It's a hobby.

I use my 300 for moose... I carry around a 300 in wilderness areas reputed to contain moose. I might as well bring a pan flute. I suck at hunting.

Cheers, neighbor.
 
Bartledan said:
Listen, there are guys out there that all but don't feel recoil. I'm not one of them, but they are out there. I've met them and shot with them. I've taken 3 steps back and covered my ears over my earplugs while they shot.

You've just called them all liars. That's pretty unfriendly. Particularly when all they did to deserve it was try and help you out. Maybe be a bit more diplomatic.

After all, you never asked about an all around gun, you asked about a moose gun.

I just bought a 6.5x55 for an all around gun, not because I need one, I've already got a 270, a couple of 308s, and a 300 mag (semi auto with a muzzle brake and cushy recoil pad). I like buying and accessorizing guns to Satisfy a theoretical use case. It's a hobby.

I use my 300 for moose... I carry around a 300 in wilderness areas reputed to contain moose. I might as well bring a pan flute. I suck at hunting.

Cheers, neighbor.
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I don't mean to call anyone a liar. I Just know anyone absolutely anyone will shoot s lesser recoil rifle better then a heavy recoil rifle. No matter who you are. Therefore you feel the recoil. I'll delete the previous post before it starts a arguement because I don't want that.
 
FRANCOIS BOIVIN said:
Everything around 6.5 (260-284) is precise like a chirurgical knive but...you need some residual energy at your point of impact (+-1800 pounds of energy for a moose) wich your 6.5 and his derivation will achieve at short distance even though they will give you a superb shot, it will not give the Knock out punch of energy you need for moose hunting. At least, consider the 7mm rem mag (284) for all the bullet (versatility from 120 to 175 grains) that you can load on this WILDCAT cartridge with a superb CB, deliver energy and Superior trajectory.

But trying to re-invente the Wheel is difficult when 30 calibers are there for outstanding reasons that you already know
Regards
Frank
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:agree:
 
How about the specific bullets you guys use and have had success with? I have been looking with 120gr TTSX'S with my 260 but I understand that they need 2000fps to expand properly which in turn shortens the range you can use the 260 at. What would you guys suggest for a slightly longer range and under 2000fps?
 
Chago said:
I don't mean to call anyone a liar. I Just know anyone absolutely anyone will shoot s lesser recoil rifle better then a heavy recoil rifle. No matter who you are. Therefore you feel the recoil. I'll delete the previous post before it starts a arguement because I don't want that.
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You are incorrect (new shooter?)... recoil does NOT have any impact on performance. The "fear of recoil" has an impact on performance... if you are one of those who fears recoil, by all means shoot a lesser gun, until the demons in your mind stop talking to you as you squeeze the trigger. For many recoil is not an issue, so they do not react to it until the bullet has already departed the muzzle... but I would argue that if you are afraid of the recoil of a .30/06, you will also be afraid of the recoil of a 6.5X55... so you might as well be afraid of a rifle chambered in a more suitable "moose-specific" chambering... you asked for opinions and that is mine.
 
hoytcanon said:
You are incorrect (new shooter?)... recoil does NOT have any impact on performance. The "fear of recoil" has an impact on performance... if you are one of those who fears recoil, by all means shoot a lesser gun, until the demons in your mind stop talking to you as you squeeze the trigger. For many recoil is not an issue, so they do not react to it until the bullet has already departed the muzzle... but I would argue that if you are afraid of the recoil of a .30/06, you will also be afraid of the recoil of a 6.5X55... so you might as well be afraid of a rifle chambered in a more suitable "moose-specific" chambering... you asked for opinions and that is mine.
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I'm not "afraid" of recoil. I just don't care for it, don't care what anyone else thinks, and have nothing on earth to prove. :)

I *do* fear blast and noise, though. Years (long passed) of action pistol competition and RO-Ing have left me with horrible tinnitus, and even quite moderately loud noises hurt like mad, now. That's more of a barrel length thing, though. I also bought some electronic ear plugs for hunting, but they don't kill enough loud sound.
 
Moose hunting is not paper punching, why risk to loose an animal when a 308 will offer more punch at longer range...
Being a military caliber the 6.5 was readily and very abundantly available since the beginning of the 20th century in Scandinavian countries, it could explain the popularity in this part of the world... Just saying. JP.
 
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