7mm-08 ro 6.5x55 dies

hound2013

hound2013

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im looking at both of these guns as per forum reviews from you guys are the dies and bullets easy to find , getting either gun will depend on all of this . can you guys fill me in on how you deal with it ... thanks hound13
 
Without a doubt, components will be much easier to find for the 7mm than they will for the 6.5.
The 7x57 Mauser has been around almost forever and the same 7mm (.284) bullets are used in many variations of case size in many rifles of 7mm barrel diameter. The 7mm-08 has been around for about fifty years and gaining in popularity. Brass cases will never be scarce in the foreseeable future, because of the great popularity of the parent, 308W case.
While the 6.5 has been around almost as long as the 7mm, it has never had a huge following.
I would choose the 7mm-08.
 
thanks for the info h4851 you have be a lot of help on this ... im loading 308 right now so it will work for me can you buy the 7mm-08 brass or not thanks hound 13
 
6.5mm (.264) and 7mm (.284) bullets are about the same in terms of availability most places I've looked (local retail; I don't shop online much for components). Since 6.5x55 uses the same bullets as 6.5 Grendel, 6.5-284, 260 Rem, and others they aren't exactly a rarity.
Dies are available everywhere.

The hardest part to find for 6.5x55 is the brass. There isn't anything easier to find you can reform into it. It's not impossible to find but much less common than 308. You can make 7mm-08 from 308 in a pinch if you have to; just run 308 brass through a 7mm-08 die and trim if you have to. You can also just buy 7mm-08 brass if want to go that route (I have mountains of once fired 308 so would probably just convert some).

In terms of retail ammo availability there is no comparison; 7mm-08 is far more common. That gives it more utility as a hunting cartridge as you can find ammo at Canadian Tire or Walmart in a pinch.

If I was looking at a specific rifle and had the choice between 6.5x55 and 7mm-08 I would probably go with 7mm-08 as brass and loaded ammo is more common.
 
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LUTNIT said:
6.5mm (.264) and 7mm (.284) bullets are about the same in terms of availability most places I've looked (local retail; I don't shop online much for components). Since 6.5x55 uses the same bullets as 6.5 Grendel, 6.5-284, 260 Rem, and others they aren't exactly a rarity.
Dies are available everywhere.

The hardest part to find for 6.5x55 is the brass. There isn't anything easier to find you can reform into it. It's not impossible to find but much less common than 308. You can make 7mm-08 from 308 in a pinch if you have to; just run 308 brass through a 7mm-08 die and trim if you have to. You can also just buy 7mm-08 brass if want to go that route (I have mountains of once fired 308 so would probably just convert some).

In terms of retail ammo availability there is no comparison; 7mm-08 is far more common. That gives it more utility as a hunting cartridge as you can find ammo at Canadian Tire or Walmart in a pinch.

If I was looking at a specific rifle and had the choice between 6.5x55 and 7mm-08 I would probably go with 7mm-08 as brass and loaded ammo is more common.
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>>>>> thanks for that info real helpful hound13
 
I see that you're from Barrys Bay and knowing the area (my cottage and hunt camp is close to you) Finding rounds for either is probably going to be limited to online. What I did for brass for my 6.5 was just bought a few boxes of remington core lokt and made a trip to the range to learn my gun. Some people will say the north american 6.5 brass is junk, i've never had any issues with it *shrug*

die's can be had on the EE no problem.

I don't know much about 7mm-08 but I will say that 6.5x55 has VERY quickly become my favorite round for just about everything, really amazing how accurate an action from the early 1900's can be!
 
It's not at all difficult to find 6.5x55 brass. In fact, it is available from Lapua, which is about as good as brass gets. Prophet River, and Hirsch Precision have always had Lapua 6.5x55 brass in stock, when I needed any. As far as bullets go, the 6.5 bullets have become quite popular, and I find that the selection and availability are quite good. As for dies, dies for both cartridges are fairly easy to find.

I just checked the Prophet River site, and they are listing both Lapua brass, and Redding dies for the 6.5x55 in stock.
 
I don't see reloading components being an issue - once you've got them, it's easy to stay ahead of your needs for more. Brass lasts a long time, only powder seems to be a problem right now, and it doesn't matter your caliber. I really like my 6.5x55, it does everything I need it to. I had a very similar rifle in 7x57 that was very good too, but not as accurate. That's probably coincidence, they're both good choices.
Grouch
 
Lately 7-08 brass has been very hard to find. I picked up a 7-08 earlier this year and could only find 50 brass in Winnipeg. Other then that all other components are easy.
 
i agree with everything being said. I own both the 6.5x55 and 7mm-08. Both are a dream to shoot and for reloading I see no difference.. 7mm-08 brass is very scarce I find, but necking down 308 brass is always an option.. or bring 260 up.. As for the powder.. Everything is hard to find but getting better. My 6.5x55 and alot of other tend to like IMR or Hodgdon 4831. Seems everywhere I go I see one or the other on shelf. Either way you go it wont be a mistake. Both are excellent killers and equally as accurate and a dream to shoot.

Good Luck and have fun
Josh
 
The one thing not mentioned is whether you can get the rifle you want in either caliber. The action size is another factor. Both are good. So is the 260 over the 6.5x55. Sometimes getting a particular rifle with a slightly longer action than necessary for the caliber has its advantages in mag length.
 
If you reload it doesn't make much difference. I have both, never had issues finding components for either. Wider variety of bullets available in 7mm, but you won't use most of them anyway.
If you look for factory ammo then 7-08 might be a bit easier to find, but Cantire and Wally mart don't carry either one in my area.
 
grouch said:
I don't see reloading components being an issue - once you've got them, it's easy to stay ahead of your needs for more. Brass lasts a long time, only powder seems to be a problem right now, and it doesn't matter your caliber. I really like my 6.5x55, it does everything I need it to. I had a very similar rifle in 7x57 that was very good too, but not as accurate. That's probably coincidence, they're both good choices.
Grouch
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Exactly my thoughts! I love my 6.5 x 55 and have no problem getting components from a local gun shop. (Kenogami Gun Shop, Kenogami Ontario)
 
My 1901 Carl Gustaf m96 in original military configuration out shoots pretty much anything else I own. Components to load for the 6.5x55mm are easy to find. As others have said, failing your local gun shop, there's always CGN! My vote is for the 6.5x55mm. It has fallen off the popularity bandwagon, but if you're stuck on a 308 case and short action, go with the 260 Remington.
 
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