6.5x55,270,270wsm ?s

[Win 1917]

All good cartridges, although I don't know if the .270WSM will stick around.

I think it's here for good. Lots of companies are chambering for it and just about every place around here that sells ammo stocks it. Even the little hook and bullet gas stations. During hunting season last year I found brass at the range all the time.

[smong2000]

I vote for .270 Win all the way.  I load mine very similarly to 6.5 Swede specs with 150 gr bullets and it shoots as accurate as I imagine any light sporter will shoot (Tikka .5 MOA or better).  Recoil and blast are easy with 150's at 2600-2700 fps and I can bump it up to over 3025 in my rifle with no problem.  Factory loads can be had at similar velocities.  So it easily covers both ends and the price of ammo is always much lower.
Nothing wrong with either other choice really IMO. I had a WSM, it seemed harsher in recoil and blast, ammo was harder to find, magazine held one less round - it just didn't do it for me so I went back to the old .270 Win.  If someone gave me a WSM, I'd gladly take it of their hands -then trade it for an old standby like a .308, .270. 30-06 or 35 Whelen.

[shot1]

I think you made the right choice in the 270 Win.

The reason that the 6.5 Rem mag did not fly was the M-600 rifle they brought it out in. That little 18 to 20" barrel did nothing for velocity. If they would brought it out in the 700 with a 24" barrel it might have done OK. Then again people in the USA have never cottoned to the 6.5 for some reason.

[smong2000]

Couldn't resist... Can't believe that all of these calibers have a specific application that can't be duplicated closely enough by picking a nice middle one with a good case capacity,
now what would that be?    6.8 mm  - .277 (.270) -jack of all trades
5.56mm -.223
6 mm     -.243
6.17 mm -.250
6.5 mm  -.260
6.8 mm  -.277
7 mm     -.284
7.6 mm  -.308
8 mm     -.324
8.8 mm  -.358

[mjbgalt]

the creedmoor is NOT faster than the swede. the creedmoor velocity is measured from a 28 inch barrel.

[valvesinmyhead]

I got my FPS #s from Hornady. They used a 29" barrel for the Swede. Not a big deal but the Creedmoor beats the the Swede by 200fps in factory loads.

[shot1]

The loads for the 6.5X55 Swede from the Hornady 7th edition are VERY LOW pressure loads for even the model 96 Swede rifles which they used as their rifle. These loads are well below 46,000 C.U.P. The Accurate Powder manual says "Norma factory ammunition produced 51,000 P.S.I in our test barrel. These loads were developed in P.S.I and do not exceed the pressures of factory ammunition. The C.I.P Standard is 55, 100 P.S.I." In the Hornady 7th manual they list with 140 gr bullets for the 6.5 Swede only one Accurate powder load AA 3100. Hornady max load is 44.7 gr but the Accurate manual list 47.0 as max and it is only 41,400 P.S.I. . In a modern action the 6.5 Swede can be loaded even hotter.

[ratherbefishin]

I have several 6.5x55's,killed alot of game with them and ballistically the 6.5x55 and the 270 are virtually identical after 100 yards, but the 6.5x55 has the edge over the 270 in sectional density and that makes it a more efficient killer.

[roper]

I've only own and shot one 6.5x55 was win model 70FWT and it shot OK.  I now own a custom 270 and 270WSM and I'm sure I could have a very accurate 6.5x55 build but I'm happy with the 270's I have and I'm getting ready to have another one build.  My gunsmith shoot a 6x55AI has it set up as a LR antelope rifle and he keeps trying to get me to build one just cann't get exicted about that project.

[Sweetwater]

When you are happy with a rifle/cartridge that you have, there is no need to be getting a different cartridge, especially when it is only .012 different. It simply becomes a "want-to" at that point. Neither game nor paper will ever know the difference.

[dukkillr]

I have the 6.5x55, the 270, and the 270 wsm.  I like them all for different reasons.  The 6.5 is a light kicking deer gun.  I have not particularly loved the results I have had but it has never failed to kill what I hit.  I shot 2 does with it last fall, both 1 shot.  It makes a sound I find funny... almost like it's a kids gun or something... more "ping" than "pow".  It's a mauser 96 action and kimber barrel.  Nice gun.

I use the 270 for most of my deer hunting.  I killed 2 good bucks and doe with it last  year.  One buck was a neck shot and DRT, the other ran 50 yards or so.  The doe ran down hill, in the snow, at dark, away from the truck, maybe 100 yards.  Each was a heart/lung shot.  It's a mauser 98 action, can't remember who did the work... beautiful fajen stock.

The 270 WSM is new and hasn't found much action yet...

I used to use a 30-06 for all my deer hunting, and frankly, I think I got faster kills with it.  I think the .270 is better than the 6.5x55, and I wouldn't be surprised if the .270 WSM is the best of the bunch... we'll see...