6.5x55 vs 8mm Mauser
- Thread starter David L
- Start date
I agree.
Between 6.5mm and 8mm, the 7mm has most of the advantages of both and, with the possible exception of VERY large game, is pretty much the ideal bullet.
I'll go one step further - put the 7mm bullet, with its fantastic BC, in a short .308-based cartridge (7mm-08), and you have something close to perfection for (I expect) 90% of hunting in Canada.
But I have joined in a thread hijack .. my apologies.
I had venison steaks last night taken with a 100+ year old 7x57 last winter. Accurate, lethal, low recoil - what's not to like?
But realistically, once you take off the sales glitter and spin and the (dubious) thrill of having the newest-and-latest, there are remarkably few bad cartridges out there for deer, moose, etc. It's not like you're trying to stop a charging rhino or something. The 6.5s are all good for the purpose. The 8mm never really caught on here, but has a long and honourable history among European hunters, so it's not going to let you down, either.
Pick the one which is chambered in a rifle that feels right to your shoulder.
I just had venison stew, the main ingredient was taken with a ten year old Ruger No.1-RSI in 7X57... and I agree, it is a dandy cartridge... I went the other way, as compared to member "Savage"... I sold off all of my 7mm-08's in favour of my 7X57's... but I agree that there is really no need to do both.
I got a light weight 8mm sporter built on a '96 action by Vapen Depoten Falun. It's really light, and they did some nice work shortening the lock time by regrinding the sear, decent irons. Kicks like mule though... But I'll keep it for bear defense or zombies or some####.
Loves these ridiculous S&B bullets lol
Loves these ridiculous S&B bullets lol
*nods* .. Hoyt and I agree on a lot of things. Like a number of gentlemen on this site, he knows his stuff.
I got a light weight 8mm sporter built on a '96 action by Vapen Depoten Falun. It's really light, and they did some nice work shortening the lock time by regrinding the sear, decent irons. Kicks like mule though... But I'll keep it for bear defense or zombies or some####.
Loves these ridiculous S&B bullets lol
Those S+B 196 gr bullets are why it kicks like a mule. I have a couple boxes of that stuff as well. HOT!!!! Compared to garden variety Remington (170 gr RN), the S+B really delivers a stout punch to the shoulder. Also have a box or 2 of 220 grain Norma(Alaskan). Again, the Remington is like a "managed recoil" loading in comparison.
Like I mentioned previously, the 8x57 will drop pretty much anything you point it at. The 6.5 is also an excellent caliber and is easier on the shoulder if recoil is a consideration for the OP. Pick your poison, go hunting and have fun.
Interesting thread. I have a 6.5 x 55 M38 and a 96 on the way as I type, . I have long liked the 6.5 for it's low recoil , and reputation as more than adequate for reasonable range hunting.
I recently picked up a sweet old Mauser 9.3 x 62 that will certainly take anything that walks, creeps fly's or slinks. For many years I have wanted a 7x57 , and now for some strange reason I find myself trying to justify getting a Tradex cracked stock 8x57 and putting a Boyds stock on it .
I am sold on Nosler partitions and with partitions in any of these calibers we can cleanly take anything Alberta has to offer us.
I really don't need any of the metrics, as I have a 243, 270, 30-06 , 30-30, 32 spl. as well as many Muzzle loaders from 45 to 58 cal. and a sweet little 57snider.
Wanting a European metric really comes down to just wanting another rifle to tinker with. If you don't reload ammo availability and choices can be frustrating .
If I had to chose between a 6.5 x 55 and an 8mm Mauser , the 6.5 with a 140 partition wins. It delivers more than the 243/ 100 gr partition, for moose or elk, and is similar to the 270 with a 130 partition and much less recoil than the 30-06 with 165 Partitions.
350 yards is a long shot, so any of these are more than adequate.
The next metric I get will be either a 7x57 or 8x57 , and it will come down to finding either one at the right price.
I was looking at an 8mm-o6 but it realy is less rifle than the 8mm Mauser, like the 338-06 is less than the 9.3x62.The 8mm Mauser and 9.3 are not bank breakers to purchase .
There are so many calibers out there that in reality just don't give any practical advantage when it comes to practical ballistics and use from one to another .
for the man that is wanting a rifle dedicated to 1 species the choices are easier than the man wanting a do all caliber.
Common sense says buy a 30-06 and live with the 1 caliber from Antelope to Moose with a 165 partition. Wants and desires say get a 9.3x62 , 243. and one of everything in between.
For this thread the 6.5 x 55 with a good bullet like the 140 partition seems more versatile from Antelope to moose and will be easier on the shoulders. Both will do quite well , so the choice becomes what one to buy first.
I don't need the 7x57 or a 7mm-08 , but these are on the want list and the one I get first will be the one with the best price.
I recently picked up a sweet old Mauser 9.3 x 62 that will certainly take anything that walks, creeps fly's or slinks. For many years I have wanted a 7x57 , and now for some strange reason I find myself trying to justify getting a Tradex cracked stock 8x57 and putting a Boyds stock on it .
I am sold on Nosler partitions and with partitions in any of these calibers we can cleanly take anything Alberta has to offer us.
I really don't need any of the metrics, as I have a 243, 270, 30-06 , 30-30, 32 spl. as well as many Muzzle loaders from 45 to 58 cal. and a sweet little 57snider.
Wanting a European metric really comes down to just wanting another rifle to tinker with. If you don't reload ammo availability and choices can be frustrating .
If I had to chose between a 6.5 x 55 and an 8mm Mauser , the 6.5 with a 140 partition wins. It delivers more than the 243/ 100 gr partition, for moose or elk, and is similar to the 270 with a 130 partition and much less recoil than the 30-06 with 165 Partitions.
350 yards is a long shot, so any of these are more than adequate.
The next metric I get will be either a 7x57 or 8x57 , and it will come down to finding either one at the right price.
I was looking at an 8mm-o6 but it realy is less rifle than the 8mm Mauser, like the 338-06 is less than the 9.3x62.The 8mm Mauser and 9.3 are not bank breakers to purchase .
There are so many calibers out there that in reality just don't give any practical advantage when it comes to practical ballistics and use from one to another .
for the man that is wanting a rifle dedicated to 1 species the choices are easier than the man wanting a do all caliber.
Common sense says buy a 30-06 and live with the 1 caliber from Antelope to Moose with a 165 partition. Wants and desires say get a 9.3x62 , 243. and one of everything in between.
For this thread the 6.5 x 55 with a good bullet like the 140 partition seems more versatile from Antelope to moose and will be easier on the shoulders. Both will do quite well , so the choice becomes what one to buy first.
I don't need the 7x57 or a 7mm-08 , but these are on the want list and the one I get first will be the one with the best price.
