What is your preferred 6.5/.264?

[Albert GRANT]

I have been thinking about adding a classic 6.5mm in the not too distant future. We have a modern (synthetic stock, fluted and threaded barrel) rifle in 6.5CM which shoots great, but I want a classic looking rifle in a classic chambering to go with my .300 and .375 H&H's. I had originally planned to do the 6.5x55 but I know I want to shoot the 156gr bullets, so I'm thinking something I can push a little faster for better trajectory. My next thought was the 6.5x284 but I see the brass is both expensive and hard to get, which leaves me with the .264WM- easier to get, reasonably priced brass, and I can push the 156gr bullet to 2850FPS. Would like to hear peoples thoughts on this as well as other possible options I might be omitting.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Albert, I recently bought a CZ-550 FS in 6.5x55. Since you reload, you can actually squeeze out a bit more performance from the Swede than the Creed. But the CM is a marketing sensation in the US and ammo is now available everywhere.

Chuck Hawks has a few articles on the 6.5mm.

https://www.chuckhawks.com/case_capacity_matters.html

https://www.chuckhawks.com/6-5_long_range_hunting.html

https://www.chuckhawks.com/6-5mm_overnight_success.html

 

[bassasdaindia]

I own a CZ550 in 6.5x55 , excellent rifles and extremely accurate, my rifle shoots MOA all day long .
IMHO the CZ550 is the best value for money rifle available and they are becoming more difficult to find .

Edit : 6,5x55 Swede

 

[Hogpatrol]

Some options, each with their own vagaries, .260 Remington. My favorite is the 6.5x47 Lapua. It's easy on barrels and super accurate.

 

[James Adamson]

For a classic chambering, the Swede gets my vote. It is such a sweet shooting caliber and very easy to reload for in my experience. I wouldn't want to be without mine.

 

[Albert GRANT]

Albert, I recently bought a CZ-550 FS in 6.5x55. Since you reload, you can actually squeeze out a bit more performance from the Swede than the Creed. But the CM is a marketing sensation in the US and ammo is now available everywhere.

Chuck Hawks has a few articles on the 6.5mm.

https://www.chuckhawks.com/case_capacity_matters.html

https://www.chuckhawks.com/6-5_long_range_hunting.html

https://www.chuckhawks.com/6-5mm_overnight_success.html

Dave,
As always I appreciate your input. I know the creedmoor would be easier to get factory ammo, but I have no plans to shoot factory ammo in it since I'll be using the heavy bullets. That being said, from what I have been able to find, you can only push the 156gr in 6.5x55 to about 2500fps. As far as purely classic cartridges go, I'd rather have the 6.5x55 but I worry I'll be losing a lot of the effective longer range that 6.5's are famous for. If I'm wrong, I'd certainly like to know, as the 6.5x55 is my personal favorite

 

[Albert GRANT]

I own a CZ550 in 6.5x55 , excellent rifles and extremely accurate, my rifle shoots MOA all day long .
IMHO the CZ550 is the best value for money rifle available and they are becoming more difficult to find .

Edit : 6,5x55 Swede

The 550 would be nice, but being left handed, that's out for me. I have a rifle in mind, just need to come to a decision on the cartridge.

 

[bassasdaindia]

The 550 would be nice, but being left handed, that's out for me. I have a rifle in mind, just need to come to a decision on the cartridge.

Left hand does complicate things , good luck with your search.

 

[ActionBob]

I want a classic looking rifle in a classic chambering

Why not just buy one of the 250 Ruger M77 Hawkeye Africans in 6.5x55. Relatively cheap yet and for only 250 made they are pretty available. Decent wood, nice blueing, barrel band, sights, ebony forend tip.

 

[ActionBob]

Ahh just saw the left hand thing.....

 

[Albert GRANT]

Why not just buy one of the 250 Ruger M77 Hawkeye Africans in 6.5x55. Relatively cheap yet and for only 250 made they are pretty available. Decent wood, nice blueing, barrel band, sights, ebony forend tip.

Well.....2 letters for ya- LH, it's a bummer as far as most of the available rifle selection goes

 

[Albert GRANT]

Ahh just saw the left hand thing.....

You were quicker than me, LOL

 

[ActionBob]

I do love the Creedmoor and my Ruger Predator in it is my go too truck/farm gun. The caliber is probably nothing special compared to the Sweed but it just works for everything it is claimed to do extremely well.

However if I was going after the criteria you mentioned, I'd likely limit my choices to the 6.5x55, the 6.5x284, or the 6.5 WM.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Get a Ruger No. 1! Problem solved, lefty.

 

[Hogpatrol]

If you want LOOOONG range, consider the 26 Nosler. The only caveat is get your load developed in as few as rounds as possible.

 

[Albert GRANT]

If you want LOOOONG range, consider the 26 Nosler. The only caveat is get your load developed in as few as rounds as possible.

No, dont want a barrel burner, and that's about as modern as it gets, lol. Just want to be able to zero at 200yds and shoot to 400 if needed without messing with the scope using the 156gr. bullets

 

[Albert GRANT]

Get a Ruger No. 1! Problem solved, lefty.

Like I said the rifle isn't the issue, I have that covered. They may not be CRF, but I'm loving these Shaw rifles for a solid LH bolt option!

 

[Trogon]

Any thoughts of the 6.5 PRC, anyone? I'm not in the market for another 6.5mm cartridge (own two 6.5x55mm rifles), but would look into this cartridge further if I was, I guess. Is it not a short-action case based on the Ruger 300 RCM cartridge?

 

[Albert GRANT]

Any thoughts of the 6.5 PRC, anyone? I'm not in the market for another 6.5mm cartridge (own two 6.5x55mm rifles), but would look into this cartridge further if I was, I guess. Is it not a short-action case based on the Ruger 300 RCM cartridge?

Similar to the .264WM as far as ballistics go, but yes it is based on the .300RCM. It does look to be a great cartridge, but again, for what I'm looking to do, far too modern for that. I will say it is likely my sons 6.5CM may get upgraded to a 6.5PRC at some point

 

[Bushpig4Ever]

My left Krieghoff Hubertus in 6.5x57R