6.5x55 the little overachiever.

It all depends on where you want to max out between bullet weight/velocity/BC.
I wouldn't even bother loading the ultra high BC 150gr+ bullets in the CM, but they will work well in the PRC.
Jump up to the 180-190gr class in 7mm and it trumps all the 6.5 bullets by a decent margin, still need a "magnum" to push them properly but if BC is your thing, it gets better in 7mm.
Since this is a hunting thread, high BC match bullets are getting off topic.
So is cartridge capacity when we are comparing 80-100fps velocity, or .5 moa vs .4moa etc.
For shoulder angle, if it really makes that much difference, Weatherby's venturi shoulder is probably the sharpest most efficient design out there, and they don't show up in any target shooting competitions. That, and other sharper then the CM shoulder cartridges is why I'm not a big believer in the whole CM design is better then everything else out there.
Sharper shoulders can increase case capacity (Ackley) and increase case life, but that's all it does.
 
Hitzy said:
It all depends on where you want to max out between bullet weight/velocity/BC.
I wouldn't even bother loading the ultra high BC 150gr+ bullets in the CM, but they will work well in the PRC.
Jump up to the 180-190gr class in 7mm and it trumps all the 6.5 bullets by a decent margin, still need a "magnum" to push them properly but if BC is your thing, it gets better in 7mm.
Since this is a hunting thread, high BC match bullets are getting off topic.
So is cartridge capacity when we are comparing 80-100fps velocity, or .5 moa vs .4moa etc.
For shoulder angle, if it really makes that much difference, Weatherby's venturi shoulder is probably the sharpest most efficient design out there, and they don't show up in any target shooting competitions. That, and other sharper then the CM shoulder cartridges is why I'm not a big believer in the whole CM design is better then everything else out there.
Sharper shoulders can increase case capacity (Ackley) and increase case life, but that's all it does.
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All fair points, especially about max bullet weight! The cm does pretty much top out in the 140’s, the higher capacity cartridges (including 6.5x55) do perform much better with the heavies, since this is a hunting discussion, we could say the 160 round nose class of 6.5’s. To be fair, the 160 class in 6.5 is more of a close range design based on the poor bc of those bullets. And yes, 7mm does trump 6.5 with its heavies. Also good point on shoulder angle, again, it was a guess, I do like your counter point.

Excellent discussion, though just a bit off topic, haha.

To get back on topic: yes, 6.5x55 is a great and versatile cartridge! I’ve read 7x57 is another good oldie....
 
It's hard to get excited because high bc bullets are optimized for my magazine length but come out the barrel at 2700 fps. If the creedmoor was ideal for hunting they wouldn't have needed the 6.5PRC.
 
So all the experts who keep telling people they are stupid, bought by marketing, wear a man bun, and the list goes on, have no clue what they are hating on?

I say the CM does A, B, C, D and E well and sure as shooting someone comes along and says “it’s all marketing. Cartridge 13 does A better, Cartridge 5 does B better, Cartridge 44 does C better, Cartridge 27 does D better, and Cartridge 99 is faster.

Choose any cartridge you like. I do it all the time. But people choose the 7X57 over the 7mm-08 all the time. I’ve done it. So these decisions are clearly irrational.
 
odsixer said:
Makes me wonder why we needed a 6.5 Creedmoor, marketing? Or is the Creedmoor that much more accurate?
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Because the Swede has garbage factory ammo due to common weak actions and it doesn't fit into a short action worth a worth a pinch. There was lots of reason for the 6.5x47L, Creed more and .260.
 
rem338win said:
Because the Swede has garbage factory ammo due to common weak actions and it doesn't fit into a short action worth a worth a pinch. There was lots of reason for the 6.5x47L, Creed more and .260.
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So....Lapua, Norma, RWS make garbage ammo now? What's your definition of good ammo then?
 
rem338win said:
Because the Swede has garbage factory ammo due to common weak actions and it doesn't fit into a short action worth a worth a pinch. There was lots of reason for the 6.5x47L, Creed more and .260.
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I've read some nonsense on this site is but this post is special.
 
I have been a fan of the ol' Swede for over 25 years and am now on my 4th rifle in this grand old cartridge!
I have more trigger time with this centerfire cartridge than any other, with both handloads and factory ammo. Used to shoot over 700 rounds a year with it from the bench just on target practice, as it is such an enjoyable cartridge to shoot. That Rem 700 Classic's action became so smooth over time, I could cycle the action with my thumb while maintaining my grip on the wrist of the rifle. It's favourite handloads would put 5 rounds of 140gr Xbullets or Partitions into an inch or less at 200 yards consistently. While others may be more accurate, I was happy with this performance and it would always put the bullets where I wanted them, when I was doing my part, regardless of range. Experience bred confidence, and confidence equalled performance in the field and tons of fun shooting a rifle with mild recoil!
The range was limited to 400 yards, so that is what I practiced to, while the longest shots taken on game in the field were out to 370 yards on a cow elk. Stone's sheep, whitetail deer and moose were harvested at 100 yards or less over the years.
My new LH Sako 85 Hunter is proving to be capable of 1/2 MOA or better with the few loads I have tried to date, and it has harvested a caribou so far. And since it was a gift from my wife, it shall always have a home in hunting arsenal!

I have a 6.5 CM and like it too. Is it better than the Swede? I am not sure, as I do not yet have the same experience with it, but it is fun to shoot, accurate and has taken a moose so far. And I really like the rifle; a rebarreled Browning X-Bolt All Weather.

I have also owned a Sako 85 VLS in 260 Rem, and it too shot 1/2" groups at 100 yards,but wasn't left handed, so it was sold to buy another LH Sako (9.3x62).
I had a LH Savage in 6.5x284 too. It wouuld shoot 1 MOA with the factory 130gr AB ammunition, but I just couldn't fall in love with the rifle and its plastic stock, so it was sold.
I would not turn down a nice left handed rifle in either of these cartridges, as they are both fine performers and would do as good a job on game in the field as the two I do have.

All of these 6.5 cartridges are great performers, accurate and are fun to shoot and hunt with, and there isn't enough difference between them to make an appreciable difference to me or to their performance on game in the field, at the ranges at which I hunt and harvest game.

Some may have merits that are more important to some than others, and if that is what works for them, then great! I am happy that you have found what works for you and am glad that you are enjoying this sport and pasttime! May all your shots be true! And may you continue to create new memories and enjoy your adventures afield with the cartridge and rifle of your choice!

I will continue to use and champion the 6.5x55, and enjoy my 6.5 CM too!
 
BlackRam said:
may you continue to create new memories and enjoy your adventures afield with the cartridge and rifle of your choice!

I will continue to use and champion the 6.5x55, and enjoy my 6.5 CM too!
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That is the perfect perspective. A non-hater, they all work fine and just because someone else chose different than you, doesnt make anyone better than the other. This is like arguing if green is better than blue.
 
While rem338 is a tad trollish...he's right about the ammo...15 years out of date mind you...
The Swede has been in my clan for 20 or 25 years..the factory offerings were like 8 x 57...North american companies loaded it for the weakest action. Milquetoast at best.
The 8 x 57 is still languishing in obscurity...but the 6.5 x 55 has had a resurgence and with the new factory offerings, the ammo companies have had to remove the handicap to some degree.
As far as the 6.5 CM vs 6.5 x 55? Maybe get away and take some deep breaths in the real world...mountain out of a molehill IMO.
Flame on though.
 
I like the 6.5x55. I thought a case could be made for the .260 for the short action, if such things matter to you. A little reduction in weight, slightly shorter OAL and maybe some action speed and stiffness. I suppose that the CM might be slightly more conducive to slightly longer case life. As mentioned there are a couple advantages to the 6.5x55; mainly the long neck doesn't infringe on case capacity with heavy bullets (probably negligible), lower report at standard pressure and a few fps faster at modern pressure.

The supposed advantages don't hold much sway over me, or most regular shooters who pay little attention to marketing. Someone anal enough to worry about match dies, expensive brass, and having the most accurate new production rifle, will spend large, get a fantastic scope on it, and make anything shoot. And the brass life advantage (if any when you can just neck size) likely won't matter to the extremely meticulous as they'll toss the brass at some predefined shot count anyway.

No such thing as inherently accurate. A brass case and chamber is just a pressure vessel. Sure, you can make a case for a short action and more square powder column, but that's dealing in esoterics. Maybe someone can theorize that it should be good for a couple hundredths MOA; and maybe it is. What's more likely is that a far larger difference is made by a particularly good, or mediocre custom barrel and the shooter.
 
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