6.5 X55 vs. 6.5-06

[270Handiman]

What kind of comparisions are there between these 2 rounds ballistically?  I own a Swedish mauser, so know whaqt it can do, but what about the 6.5-06 version.  Is it at all better than the 6.5x55?  I'm aware of the case length issues and the bolt face issues, I'm just wondering about the overall performance.  And, how does the 6.5x284 tie into all this, other than just being a short action?

Thanks,

270

[TNrifleman]

The 6.5-06 and the 6.5mm-284 will give you approximately 100 to 150 FPS more velocity than your 6.5x55 with the same bullet weights. Both are great cartridges, but I have found little that the Swede won't do that I need done. For my money, the 6.5x55 is about as close to perfection that I need. When I want more horse power, I reach for a bigger bore, not just a slightly larger case.

[smokepolehall]

Yup maybe 150 fps faster, not worth paying for custom rifle. The little Swed will do it all, it will take any big game in North America! Yes even the big nasty bear! put some 160's on him!

[Don Fischer]

I have both. The 6.5x55 is a Win mod70 and the 6.5x06 is a mod700 with shilen barrel. There is nothing the 6.5x06 can do that the 6.5x55 can't do in modern actions. Have run both thru cronograph and the difference with good loads isn't worth talking about. I've shot several deer and a couple elk with the 6.5x06 but now it's being turned into a long range target rifle. It killed no better than the 6.5x55, this is my third!

I miss-spoke about the difference's. My 6.5x55 is a featherweight with wood stock w/ 1-4x Redfield and weight's 6 1/2 lbs. The 6.5x06 is a BDL with wood stock and 4.5-14x Nikon and weights 9 1/2 lbs. The Winchester is lots easier to carry and handles lot's better in most hunting situtations. The 6.5x06 could have been made to handle much better and made much lighter. I love them both!

[Mr. Joe]

The 6.5x55 is one cool round!  I want one so bad, and the first good deal i get...its mine!!!  I want the mauser tri-fecta so bad i can taste it!

[jmckinley]

  I have a full custom rig on a 98 action and it's the rifle I reach for. Frankly if it won't fall to my Swede then I don't need to shoot it. I can place 3 rounds into  1/2" with factory loads all day. I have been using the Privi Partizian 140 gr soft point with outstanding results. The most accurate shot to shot ammo in my gun is the Federal and Remington 140's. It will be the rifle i'll take on my Elk hunt this fall and carry my 06 just in case. This round kills better than paper would suggest. If the folks in the north can take a Moose then this round will work on Elk. It's not what round u use it's where you put it that counts.   
Jess 

[Larry Gibson]

Guess I'm the odd guy out here, I've had both and used both extensively for over 30 years.  I thoroughly enjoy the Swede and have two that I hunt with; a M38 that is sporterized and a SR Mexican M98 action with a (when put on) new M38 barrel. Both are sub MOA shooters. My big game load for both i the 140 Hornady over H4831SC at 2740 fps. The varmint load for both is the Sierra 100 HP over Varget at 3225 fps. The Nosler 120 BT over H4831SC at 2870 fps or the Sierra 120 SP over Varget at 2926 fps are also a good performers on deer and varmints. A fine cartridge indeed and one that I enjoy and use a lot.

However, there is a discernable difference btween the Swede and the 6.5-06 in performance. With the 6.5-06 (24.5" barrel) I push 140 gr bullets to over 3000 fps (that's a 250+ fps difference), I push 129 gr Hornadys at 3225 fps and 120 gr bullets at 3250 fps (300+ fps difference) and with the Sieera 100 HPs they run 3590 fps (325 fps difference).  With the 6.5-06 you get all the attendant flatter trajectory, more ft lbs energy etc. You also get a much shorter barrel life. The 6.5-06 has the bigger boiler room and in many cases bigger is better.

Is there a difference in the field? Of course, but a 140 gr bullet from either put in the heart/lung area of a deer, antelope, bear or elk will result in a kill. To me it boils down to what I feel like at the time considering the terrain I will hunt in. If longer shots are expected (antelope for instance) the 6.5-06 gets the nod. I must admit to using the 6.5x55 for deer though.

Larry Gibson

[Slamfire]

I've used a lot of 6.5s and have found that the case capacity of the 6.5x55 or the 6.5x57 is just about optimum. You can stuff more powder in rounds like the .256 Newton, which is based on a shortened '06 case, but you really can't do a whole lot more in the velocity department. If you need a significant improvement the 6.5 Rem Mag is about 25 yards better in point blank range, and the .264 Win Mag not quite 50 yards better. All this from close to 75% more powder. The .260 Rem is capable of equalling the 6.5x55 becasue you can load it a bit hotter. A 129 grain Hornady at 2800 fps is my rifle's favorite load.

[nomosendero]

My Wife has a 6.5X55 and it is a fine rifle. I am looking at taking the barrel off my M700VS in 22-250
& installing a 260 tube on it in the near future.

Looking at the original post: 6.5X55 vs 6.5-06, well it depends on how you use the rifle. If you use it in the woods with an occassional 300+ yd shot, & you wanted a 24" or shorter tube & a fairly light rifle, I would use the 6.5X55 & it would do well.

If you don't care if it weighs a little more & you may want to stretch the barrel a little on Elk & such with 300-400 yd. shots a little more often on bigger animals, & you wanted a 24"-26" med. taper barrel for this, I would go with the 6.5-06.

Keep in mind that either cartridge can do both roles.  I am merely stateing which I would go with
with said priorities/conditions. In regard to the 6.5X284, it has a small edge over the 6.5-06 for
volume target shooting in accuracy & barrel life, but you need a long action with it too unless you single load & offers nothing over the 6.5-06 for a hunting rifle & gives up a wee bit of vel.

Yes, there is a big diff. in the field, esp. when the 264WM is mentioned. Point blank range numbers
are good for people who don't shoot at a distance enough to learn how, or perhaps they don't much with that rifle. With Range Finders & Mil Dot scopes & or Tar. Turrents, you can "step out of the box" or in this case the 6-8" tube thing & utilize the 6.5-06 or 264 Mag. & still shoot at reasonable, practical, but somewhat longer ranges, if you do the trigger time with a good rig. Point Blank Range #'s don't tell you the real Vel & energy differences down range, which is substantial.
For example, a 264 with a mv of 3,100 with a 140gr.(conservative) will have the same vel. & energy @ 450yds. as the 6.5X55 shooting the same bullet with a mv of 2,800 will have at 300 yards. The traj. diff. can be allowed for(though your margin of error for the 6.5X55 is less), but the difference in killing power & bullet performance cannot be. And the wind drift difference is there also.
 

[kombi1976]

6.5-06 is almost identical to a 270 Win in most respects apart, of course, from calibre.
What it affords someone is a slightly larger choice of bullets, IMO that is, and a little more ballistic capability due to the superior ballistic qualities of 6.5 cal.
But in comparison to 6.5x55 and the excellent choice of sporting and military rifles chambered for the Swede 6.5-06 is simply a wilcat for those who feel really inclined.
If you buy a nice Ruger or CZ or have a M98 chambered to 6.5x55 you can wind up the pressure & won't be far behind the pace of the 6.5-06 and even in a M96 it is a formidable package.
In fact that's been the secret behind the 6.5x55......it's a giant killer both because of its penetration and because its light recoil which allows greater accuracy from the shooter.
The truth is that unless you want an outright custom job the 6.5x55 is perfect for the job.

[crawdaddyjim]

Thanks for posting this topic Handiman. I had just posted the same question in T/C encores and then found this thread even tho the search function didn't find it    Now I just have to find a T/C frame and get the barrel in 6.5 swede