Recoil diff btw 6.5x55 and .308?

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Just wondering if there is much recoil difference between a .308 and 6.5x55? I'm assuming there isn't much difference, but just thought I'd ask to see what you may have experienced.
 
Less recoil with the 6.5x55mm. Usually shooting a 120- 140 grain pill outta the 6.5x55mm and a 150-168 grain bullet outta the .308 Win. Velocity [muzzle] with the 6.5x55mm will be in the 2400-2600 fps area whereas the .308 will be around 2800-2900 fps. Lighter bullet at less velocity will = less felt recoil.

And yes, I shoot/load for both ctgs. ;)
 
I've got a sore shoulder so I was considering that as I ponder what calibre I should get for the Tikka. Thanks.
 
although the gap between them isnt too big, the 6.5x55 (or 260 Rem) would recoil less.

both are excellent rounds for recoil shy shooters
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Personally, I've found a noticeable difference between the .308 and 6.5x55. The 6.5 is just a pussycat. It's got a loud report (especially if you're loading H4831, N560 or Reloder 22), but its bark is definitely worse than its bite.

The .308 is not bad, but it has quite a snap.
 
If you're getting sore from a .308 a 6.5x55 is a good move.
Ballistic coefficient difference between bullets are significantly impressive.
The .30 cal 150gn SBT Sierra GameKing has a BC of about .370 whereas the 6.5mm 140gn SBT has a BC of about .490.
This isn't an immediate fix but if you can reload you can still load about 200fps slower than you would for the .308 150gn and end up with a fairly long range load with significantly less recoil.
Further you'll be pleasantly surprised by the difference and the real world capability of the 6.5x55.
I shot a mate's M96 sporter which doesn't even a have a recoil pad, just a plastic buttplate, and it was super gentle.
I also saw another friend send a very big male roo to a violent end with a 140gn factory load to the heart.
The roo just stood straight up and keeled over.
It's a ######## on the shoulder and king hit on game.
Furthermore they are quite able to shoot the heavy bullets made for this cal.
Mind you a 7x57 is just as effective and has a little more oomph on the upper end as the heaviest bullets available are 175gn.
I believe CZ still chamber the 7mm in the 550.
 
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If you own a modern rifle chambered in 6.5x55 such as a Rem 700 or a Win Mod 70 or a Tikka T3 etc, and you hand load to equal pressures wth equal bullet weights, say 160grn 6.5 at 55,000 psi and 165grn 308 at 55,000 psi, there should be little or no difference in felt recoil, assumeing that rifle weights and barrel lengths are equal. The 6.5x55 is noted as a light kicker just as the 7x57 also has the same reputation and for the same reason, lots of military surplus as well as weak actions around from the turn of the century that won't take a steady diet of the higher pressures generated by the 308win round. Factory ammunition is loaded in deference to the weaker actions of yesteryear for the 6.5x55 and for the 308win is loaded to the much higher pressures allowed by the stronger actions of today. The laws of physics dictate this, e=mc2, for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. bearhunter
 
6&1/2 x 308

Your going to feel the 308, the 6.5 is actually negligable. Amazing cartridge. Handloading is the way to go.
 
Used my handy dandy (mathmatical) recoil calculator. Perhaps not perfectly definitive, but does give a fair idea so one can compare "apples to apples" with common gun weights and popular bullet weights at representative muzzle velocities. For what it may be worth:

6.5 x 55 ... recoil in ft lbs, from 140 gr. bullet @ 2650
7lb. gun = 15 8lb. = 13 9lb. = 12

260 Rem ... 140 gr @ 2725
7lb. gun = 16 8lb. = 14 9lb. = 12

308 .... 180 gr @ 2600
7lb. gun = 20 8lb. = 17 9lb. = 15

IMHO, having shot all of them, the 6.5 x 55, and 260 are both
great calibers having relatively recoil. Handloading, as it often does, gets the most out of both. I prefer the 260, slightly more efficient and brass should never be an issue. It can also be "loaded down" to duplicate 6.5 x 55 performance.
 
bearhunter said:
The laws of physics dictate this, e=mc2, for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. bearhunter
Click to expand...

I think you're confusing Newton's law's of motion and Einstein's theory of Relativity. E = 1/2MV^2 actually, (Kinetic Energy). Of course I guess in theory at some time in the future there could be a rifle that propelled a bullet my Nuclear Fission or Fusion, in which case E = mc^2 could be used as translating mass energy to kinetic energy;)
 
ryanb said:
I think you're confusing Newton's law's of motion and Einstein's theory of Relativity. E = 1/2MV^2 actually, (Kinetic Energy). Of course I guess in theory at some time in the future there could be a rifle that propelled a bullet my Nuclear Fission or Fusion, in which case E = mc^2 could be used as translating mass energy to kinetic energy;)
Click to expand...

This man is too smart-------- kick him ;) ;)
 
All good info guys - especially the physics refresher :) and the info numbers on recoil energy. I was looking for something in the 8-9lb range for a rifle to help tame things down abit. Kinda leaning to the 6.5x55 at the moment. Hmmm.....wonder how well that muzzle brake works on the Tikka Tactical....probably alittle over my budget though (since I have to by this without 'her' knowing).
 
yuu're absolutely right ryanb, thanks for clearing that up so nicely. bearhunter

I really do appreciate eloquent clarifications, thanks ryanb. bearhunter:)


ryanb said:
I think you're confusing Newton's law's of motion and Einstein's theory of Relativity. E = 1/2MV^2 actually, (Kinetic Energy). Of course I guess in theory at some time in the future there could be a rifle that propelled a bullet my Nuclear Fission or Fusion, in which case E = mc^2 could be used as translating mass energy to kinetic energy;)
Click to expand...
 
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