6.6x55 swede or 25/06?

Eagleye said:
I am going to suggest you buy a 6.5x55. While the 25/06 does hit above it's weight level, it is still somewhat hampered by
bullet weight when it comes to larger animals. The 6.5x55 has no such handicap, with heavier bullets from 140-160 grain
showing their effectiveness very well. Either will get the job done, though. Dave.
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I agree. I've always admired the Swede and it's reputation as a Scandinavian moose rifle, but with modern bullet technology the 25-06 really does close the gap. Now, I do have a 25-06 but I'm not sure that it would be on my list for anything bigger than Mule Deer where the Swede, if it will kill moose should also be able to kill elk.

So all that to say that I like both. That being said, if you're just looking to fill the gap between the 243 and 338 I would be tempted to go with a 280. .257" and .264" aren't that close to the middle of the .243"-.338" gap but .284" would move you into a better place spatially. And no one can argue that a 150gr at almost 3000 FPS would lack killing ability for anything from Mulies to Moose.

Damn...I might have just talked myself into that!
 
BigUglyMan said:
I agree. I've always admired the Swede and it's reputation as a Scandinavian moose rifle, but with modern bullet technology the 25-06 really does close the gap. Now, I do have a 25-06 but I'm not sure that it would be on my list for anything bigger than Mule Deer where the Swede, if it will kill moose should also be able to kill elk.

So all that to say that I like both. That being said, if you're just looking to fill the gap between the 243 and 338 I would be tempted to go with a 280. .257" and .264" aren't that close to the middle of the .243"-.338" gap but .284" would move you into a better place spatially. And no one can argue that a 150gr at almost 3000 FPS would lack killing ability for anything from Mulies to Moose.

Damn...I might have just talked myself into that!
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Funny I was thinking the same thing. As much as I love the 6.5mm caliber, the 7mm has equal or better bullet weight options. The 280, and the 280 AI just seem to scream class and killing power all in one cool package.

I currently have a 284 win built on a long action Rem 700 and it is an absolute hammer with 180 Lapua Scenars, yes it is a target bullet, no I don't shoot it at game, but its trajectory and wind bucking on the target line is very impressive.
 
SuperCub said:
^^ This ^^ ..... or a 270Winchester
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I know I'm supposed to resent the 270 Win, but it's in a way a better choice than the 6.5-06, as brass and dies are more readily available. As for bullets, there's a better bullet selection for the 6.5, not quite as much for the quarterbore.
 
Andy said:
I know I'm supposed to resent the 270 Win, but it's in a way a better choice than the 6.5-06, as brass and dies are more readily available. As for bullets, there's a better bullet selection for the 6.5, not quite as much for the quarterbore.
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well, kind of moot point if You can find 270 brass or ever so common 3006 brass then you have 6.5-06 brass, especially if you found Dies already..... but I have to agree, a 270 makes much more sense in this situation... although I like the 6.5x55 in a modern action
 
Andy said:
I know I'm supposed to resent the 270 Win, but it's in a way a better choice than the 6.5-06, as brass and dies are more readily available. As for bullets, there's a better bullet selection for the 6.5, not quite as much for the quarterbore.
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Yup .... The 270 would be a good choice for shooting factory ammo but the 6.5 does have its advantages as mentioned.
 
2 cents more, 6.5x55, it is inherently accurate and will do you right ; the max range most practical marksman can do/need is ~400M maybe 500M particularly in Southern ON (beyond 500M there's a lot of talk) most everything I hunt is within 300M. Lots of good factory ammo, tonnes of reloading data, great ballistic coefficients. Lots of milsurps in it that are MOA rifles, and the cartridge hits sweet spot velocities for several bullet weights. Sure you can ### it up and go semi wildcat 6.5 versions but why?

The 25-06 is a bit flatter but 6.5x55 for ammo, MOA accuracy, effective range, rifle quality & cost and lets be total fanboy flat out coolness 6.5x55 all the way.
 
parksb2 said:
The 25-06 is a bit flatter
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True

but 6.5x55 for ammo
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Doubtful that there are more varieties of sporting ammo for the Swede than the 25-06

MOA accuracy
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Whatever the hell "MOA accuracy" is, Accuracy is more a function of the rifle than the cartridge

effective range
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BS. The 25-06 will arrive at distance with more velocity and more energy when using similar hunting loads. Sure, the Swede with heavy target bullets will outperform the 25-06, but not with hunting ammo. Using an online calculator I punched in the Black Hills 100gr TSX 25-06 and the Norma 120gr Ballistic Tip 6.5x55 (which would be the same as using an Accubond which is a better bullet) and the 25-06 shot 14" flatter, and arrived 300 FPS faster and landed 13% sooner than the Swede. It's hardly fair to compare loads with 400FPS difference in muzzle velocity, but, as they say, dem's da breaks.

rifle quality
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BS since the Swede is hardly offered in any current production rifles

cost
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Doubtful

and lets be total fanboy flat out coolness 6.5x55 all the way.
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This is undeniable, and that's coming from a guy that owns a 25-06 and no Swede!
 
Ruger V/T, 25-06. I can write my name at 100. Semi target rifle, not sure I would want to take it up a mountain. Still though, accuracy is cool.

Only Swede I ever owned was a sporter x military Gustav. Decent beater/loaner/truck gun. What you would expect if a Lee Enfield and a 03 Springfield had a child. Since these are the most common I choose 25-06.

Swede fans will say there are a lot of limited run and custom guns in Swede. True but for the money, if I'm spending that kind of money I would not choose either of these calibers. If I'm spending custom money, 6.5x55 would not even be the choice if I went with a 6.5.
 
Researched both the 6.5 x 55 and the .260 Remington. A short action came available first so went with the 260.
Ammunition availability is lacking for both. That puts the .25-06 as more desirable as the stock of ammunition is greater at most LGS.
The difference between the two is 0.007 and same difference that exists between the 270 Win and the 280 Rem. Again availability of ammunition at LGS favors the 270 by a wide margin and as a 280 owner it would not be recommended to a non-reloader by me.
Similarly my recommendation would be the 25-06. Having owned a 25-06, 260, 270 and 280 the middle two are currently vacant from my stable.
 
I have a 25-06 as a back up for my .243. Always wanted a 6.5x55 or a 6.5/284 maybe someday soon.

I really like the idea of the 6.5-300 Weatherby magnum. Imagine the possibilities. That’s one fast bullet.

A 140gr Swift A frame going 3395fps. :cool:
 
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there is a lot better bullet selection with a 6.5mm. better for big game hunting whether it be .260, 6.5x55 or the king .264 Win. Mag
 
I have found the Swede very easy to load for and get excellent accuracy from.........not so with the 25-06 or any quarter bore for that matter. I have 2 of each and the Swedes will outshoot both 25-06s all day long. I have my Swedes in modern high strength actions (BSA and a CZ) and the 25-06s are a Rem 700 and a Ruger 77, also had a Sako 25-06...........none are good shooters when compared to the 6.5 Swede.
 
I’d go 270/280/30-06 Both cartridges you mentioned are fairly close to the 243, nothing wrong with them but I’d want something more in the middle of the 243/338 you mentioned.

If you really want one of those I would go the 6.5 for the heavier and better selection of bullets.
 
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