Author Topic: 6.5x55,270,270wsm ?s (Read 3091 times)

valvesinmyhead · « **on:** April 18, 2010, 11:44:19 AM »

Can't decide which cal for western mule deer and antelope. Give me your thoughts. Oh and there is the new 6.5 creedmoor. 200 fps faster then the Swede.
Thanks Todd

shot1 · « **Reply #1 on:** April 18, 2010, 12:22:57 PM »

If you don't handload get the 270 Win. You can find ammo most anyplace for that standard caliber out west. In all practicality there is not any real game killing ability difference between the 270 Win and the 270 WSM. True you can get around 100 fps more velocity with the 270 WSM an animal hit with either will not know the difference. I really like my 6.5X55 Swede. It does have a 29" barrel though. That long barrel will get you much more velocity than the standard 22 to 24". Mine is right up there with the 6.5-06 from a 24" barrel, 120's at 3000 fps and 140's at 2850 fps. And these are under 46000 CUP loads because the rifle is a sported 96 Swede. Super accurate and with 120 Nosler BT's it kills deer like the hammer of Thor.

valvesinmyhead · « **Reply #2 on:** April 18, 2010, 12:28:52 PM »

No I don't reload. Looks like Norma makes some great (FAST) ammo for the 6.5x55. Hornady's new SF 270 win ammo is right there with the wsm.

roper · « **Reply #3 on:** April 18, 2010, 01:15:25 PM »

I own custom 270 and 270WSM both are good calibers and I handload. I really like the 270WSM with 140gr bullets I used that rifle last year for antelope,deer and elk.

I have nothing against 6.5 cal don't own one so cann't comment.

Sweetwater · « **Reply #4 on:** April 18, 2010, 03:21:46 PM »

Just sold my last 6.5Swede - loved it, but didn't use it and wanted to add to my Marlin collection, so it went to a fine home. It was a Ruger MkII Model 77 with 22" barrel. It sent 158gr FMJ's at 2800fps without even breathing hard. Never did chrono anything else. Without handloading for it, Norma ammo is the only way to go for superior performance, but a couple of my friends who don't handload swear by Federal's for their daughters' Swedes on Wyoming game. The Swede would be my vote as I've had them since 1959. Nothing the others can do that it can't - it's easier on the shoulder - it's cool - it's different - dead is dead - any extra range the others afford is pretty much beyond the ability of the average hunter and mostly on paper.

Another buddy is a total 270 fan. Had them for over 50 years. A year ago, his son-in-law gave him a 270wsm and he shot a buck with it - @ 20yards!! I tease him and ask how his 'long range rifle' is working!

If you don't have anything, the 270wsm might be the way to go. It is the 'new boy' and stock up on ammo like every time you see it marked down or at a reasonable price. Invest in dies and get a pal to show you the ropes of handloading. It's a great rainy day hobby. Have fun and stay safe!

41 mag · « **Reply #5 on:** April 19, 2010, 12:34:30 AM »

Since your not reloading, right now anyway, if cost is not an option, any will work as well as the other. As mentioned the added FPS will only make a difference in extended ranges where practice and ammo cost will be the deciding factor.

If your not looking at getting into rolling your own, then the .270 would be the one I would pick. There are a full range of different loads available in several bullet weights, and even the cheap ammo will work very well 98% of the time on anything you mentioned. Remington CL's in both 130 or 150grs have been dropping game since they hit the market, and about the only thing that has changed is the cost.

With the 6.5 or the WSM, the cost per box of ammo is going to be higher, as well as availability being limited. When I got my daughter a 6.5, I didn't research it much and found the factory ammo slim and expensive. It only took purchasing two boxes at thirty something each to put me into dies and powder. Since then however and many handloads later, I have found that the PRVI 139gr ammo shoots better than any of my handloads, and for the cost, when available, it's hard to beat for a general hunting round.

The WSM's are something I have shyed away from for the most part. Nothing personally against them, I just have more invested in other things that will work just as well and are already on hand.

Good luck with your decision, and I hope you are successful on your hunts.

bilmac · « **Reply #6 on:** April 19, 2010, 12:52:56 AM »

I too would go for the 270. It was my first big game rifle that I bought myself, probably in 1966. Been using them ever since. As far as I know the critters in this part of the world haven't gotten a bit tougher. My only reservation is that as a meat hunter sometimes my 270 makes a bit too much splash when it hits.

Since you don't plan to reload, that would make the plain old standard cartridge that much more desirable, you can find a much wider choice of ammo in many more places for a lot less $. You will have to go to a well stocked sporting goods store to find the other two you are looking at.

valvesinmyhead · « **Reply #7 on:** April 19, 2010, 02:11:48 AM »

Leaning towards the 270 win. I shoot its little brother the 6.8 spc. I have a barrel for my Encore and use it on my uncles property since all shots are under 100yds. That may help if I do decide to reload.

Harry Snippe · « **Reply #8 on:** April 19, 2010, 11:37:02 AM »

Guess on the open shots on mule's can be long and factor the wind , so the Creedmore in 264 might be something to look at as the 6.5 do- buck the wind .
But then are you looking for something in a Encore barrel? A 300 WSM comes to mind.It throws a bigger rock in case you want to some day -tag a little elk .

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #9 on:** April 19, 2010, 01:10:20 PM »

I would say get set up to reload and get a 6.5 X55 Swede.
For a while when I my shop carried them I was using the 131 Grain Soft points by Seller & Bellot. Great flat round and better about 1/3 the price of the Norma stuff. Winchester loads a 140 grain Soft point that works well and that really long pencil bullet flys nice.
Load a 120 grain Nosler Part or swift A frame and you are done.
Or any of the 140 grain Soft points.
I have never been a fan of 270 Win. My two uncles both use it and for a while both were using the 130 grain bullets and they just make a mess of the deer. huge sections of Jelly meat. I guess if you are head hunting it will not matter but if you like the meat....
The 120 grian bullet in .264 is well built can be driven to good speeds and will have a flat trajectory for longer antelope or deer shots.

Justin10mm · « **Reply #10 on:** April 22, 2010, 02:54:32 PM »

You can't go rong with a 270 win., I have two. One is a winchester 70 stainless feather weight,one of the last to leave the old factory back in '06, it is siting in the back of the gun safe unfired until I can aford the scope I want for it. The other is a remington 700 ADL that I used to take my first mule deer at 355 yards, this past season in colorado. I always shoot winchester 130gr power points in it.

If you lean more away from plain vanila cartriges, then the 6.5x55 or 260 rem are both good choices. You only are loseing about 50 yards to the 270win.

mauser98us · « **Reply #11 on:** April 22, 2010, 03:00:29 PM »

Like the others, the 270 is hard to beat. Lots of choices with rifle,cheap ammo and on and on. The 270 WSM and the 6.5 are great rounds,but the price of factory ammo,being you don't handload,would lead me to the good old .270 Win.

Sweetwater · « **Reply #12 on:** April 22, 2010, 05:16:44 PM »

As far as losing 50yards, where are you losing them? The 6.5x55 had taken 1000yd honors before a lot of these wizbang cartridges were on the drawing board. Now to hunting, where can you place the bullet where it needs to go? I doubt you'll see any "killing ability" difference between the 6.5 and the 270. Given you don't handload, and I love the Swede, your best bet is probably the 270Win for the economics and availability of ammo - all other differences are too minor to be a consideration - JMHO...

2ndtimer · « **Reply #13 on:** April 22, 2010, 07:42:41 PM »

I have owned and handloaded for all three. Still have the .270WSM (Model70) and 6.5x55 (Howa). The other posters are pretty much on the money. If you are shooting deer at reasonable ranges, any of them will work fine. For bigger game, the 270 WSM has a slight edge, but not so much over the standard 270 as to make it more appropriate. (Anything you are comfortable going after with the WSM, could be equally gone after with the standard 270) You could probably go after the same game with the 6.5x55, you probably would be more confident getting 100 yards or so closer.
The 6.5x55 is the most pleasant to shoot, recoil and muzzle blast wise and is notedly lighter recoiling than either of the 270s' (IMO)
But the bottom line is: If you handload, pick any of them. If you don't, find the .270 Win of your dreams and be happy. The standard 270 can also be improved thru carefully tailored loads tuned to the rifle, so it's not like you gave anything up if you later decide to get into handloading. The 270WSM is my favorite medium game cartridge, but I have been handloading for about 30 years. I really like the 6.5x55, but wouldn't buy one unless I handloaded for it.
And as for a previous poster suggesting to stock up when you find reasonably priced ammo for the 270WSM or the 6.5x55, don't hold your breath. I can recall seeing ammo on sale for the .223, .243, .270 Win, 7mm Rem Mag, .30-30, .308 Win, and 30-06. I don't ever recall seeing ammo on sale for the 6.5x55 or the .270WSM. (Other than the online closeout I scored on some 6.5x55 Federal Premium 140 gr Trophy Bonded Bear Claw ammo I got years ago for like $12 a box. Yes I bought the last 5 boxes they had. Still have 4 of them. If I ever go after elk with the 6.5x55, that will be my ammo)
Good luck with your new .270 Win. It is pretty common, but for good reason. Wait until you are handloading before you add your 6.5x55 and .270WSM.
Chuck

Justin10mm · « **Reply #14 on:** April 22, 2010, 08:05:08 PM »

Shooting paper at 1000 yards and shooting a living animal at 1000 yards are two different things. I know the new craze is to spend thousands of dollers on scopes and rifles so the shooter thinks he can shoot and kill enything out to 6, 7, 8 hundred yards or further. But the fact is even with all that fancy equipment, only about one in 100 have the skill to be trying thet sort of thing. I feel a more practical yardage limit should be used when it comes to use regular hunters. I feel about 400 yards is a better limit for a cartrige such as the 270., 350 yards would be all the better. The 6.5x55 is mostly loaded with 140gr bullets that have a very good ballistic coeficent but do to a relativly low muzzle velocity, they do not shoot as flat as a 270win. or its magnum sisters.

I would be very happy with both, as they both are very usful on deer size animals.

Sweetwater · « **Reply #15 on:** April 22, 2010, 08:21:05 PM »

I believe you'll find Norma factory 6.5's not loaded to a relatively low muzzle velocity - as good as US 270W factory fodder, and handloaded, a 6.5 will run with any 270 - any difference being on paper. I know the 6.5 will take deer at the 400 yard mark - been there, done that - and the 270W is legendary. However, I've known hunters to blow 200yd shots because they weren't practiced up. When carrying my Swede, I never felt undergunned in the presence of any 270W while deer hunting. Didn't use the Swede on elk, but know a bunch of guys who have, with great success. They were practiced up....

Justin10mm · « **Reply #16 on:** April 22, 2010, 08:58:48 PM »

We should all know our limits in the feild. To me 300 yards is a long shot with enything. I would never have taken that 350 yard shot at home, but 900 miles away on the last afternoon of a expensive do it your self mule deer hunt, I wasen't about to let that opertunity slip away. I knew the cartride was up to the task if I could do the rest.

Sweetwater · « **Reply #17 on:** April 23, 2010, 11:48:48 AM »

Quote from: Justin Holder on April 22, 2010, 08:58:48 PM

We should all know our limits in the feild. To me 300 yards is a long shot with enything. I would never have taken that 350 yard shot at home, but 900 miles away on the last afternoon of a expensive do it your self mule deer hunt, I wasen't about to let that opertunity slip away. I knew the cartride was up to the task if I could do the rest.

Totally agree on all counts, 'if you can do the rest' is a big statement, and I realize you don't take it lightly! Good for you! The last day syndrome puts all that practice into play in a lot of cases. Being practiced up makes a lot of difference; having confidence in yourself with what you are shooting is a biggy! Being confident in that occasional long shot is a big plus. I'd have to say you were up to the task! I have also taken the occasional long shot with complete success, but personally, I get my jollies sneeking in to well under 100yards in the High Desert country of SW Wyoming - last elk I guided my Dad into was 65yards of sagebrush - that was a thrill - Dad was 73 years old then. Lots of antelope and most of our deer were taken under 100 yards.

We like to HUNT, up to the last day. Only then do we use our years of practice and make that long shot count.

WyoStillhunter · « **Reply #18 on:** April 25, 2010, 05:14:14 PM »

I am fairly new to the Swede having gotten mine in 2008. In 2008 I took a large mule deer buck and antelope doe with the Federal 140 gr. ammo.

Last fall I filled all three of my tags with the 6.5X55 (Rem. 700 Classic, Leupold FX II 4X, accurized by Hill Country Rifles). The mule deer buck was basically a forkhorn with a couple extra bumps. Range was near 200 yds. One shot did it using Federal factory ammo (140 gr. SP). The antelope buck was somewhat over 200 yds with the same ammo -- one shot. For elk I loaded up some Hornady 160 gr. RN Interlocks at a moderate velocity. Late the first day I hunted a spike came walking along. The shot was under 40yds. but the bullet blew up on the upper front leg bone. A second shot through the lungs sealed the deal. I am still flabbergasted that the Hornady bullet failed but I don't blame the cartridge.

(failed to take a pic of the antelope)

I am pleased with the Swede. It is a hunter's cartridge. Sure you can hot-rod it a little with a modern rifle but it isn't necessary to get good performance on deer-sized game. With less muzzle blast and recoil than an '06 or 270 it does what I need to get done.

Sweetwater · « **Reply #19 on:** April 25, 2010, 07:07:56 PM »

It really can deliver the goods! I also am surprised at the Hornady's response to heavy bone; In my 8x57mm, I had a Speer 150gr blow up, actually several of them, on the same Whitetail. If it had run the other way, I may have lost it, but it ran right towards me. The first shot was 77yards - the fourth shot was 10ft. Blew up on the shoulder at 77 yards, just a flesh wound. Blew one up on the ribs at 40 yards as it turned to go around me, another flesh wound - didn't even penetrate the rib cage. Third shot I blew at 10 yards and hit the back leg - almost a desperation attempt as I couldn't imagine what was happening. It was on the ground and pawing to get up. Fourth shot to the head - lights out. I don't use Speer anymore except for plinking, though I know a lot of guys have had great luck with them.

Those are great pics and I never tire of reviewing them - great job!

valvesinmyhead · « **Reply #20 on:** May 11, 2010, 04:24:34 PM »

Well I ended up buying a new Weatherby Vanguard. Blued syn model in .270wsm. Have a Shepherd scope that works for this cal. already. I handeled a few different bolt actions and the Wby felt better. The test target has all three bullets touching.

Sweetwater · « **Reply #21 on:** May 11, 2010, 05:20:05 PM »

Sounds like you are happy with the choice - that is a highly important consideration. Good for you!!

One of my pals was given a 270WSM model 70 Winchester last year. He shot a whitetail buck at 50ft in his front yard. I tease him about it being his "short-range" weapon.

RWK · « **Reply #22 on:** May 11, 2010, 06:36:03 PM »

270wsm can be used on almost all north american game, one gun will do it all with the right bullet.

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #23 on:** May 11, 2010, 07:40:02 PM »

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

My recommendation for a non-handloader would be the .270 Win by a wide margin. If you want more, get a 7mm Rem Mag.

valvesinmyhead · « **Reply #24 on:** May 12, 2010, 03:32:10 AM »

Heck the Vanguards are cheap enough. If I like the Wby I can always buy different calibers.

poncaguy · « **Reply #25 on:** May 12, 2010, 04:38:52 PM »

270 is great, but my 270 WSM is just more accurate and really reaches out there, have made several deer kills close to 400 yards with it. But you can't go wrong with either of the 270's.............Weatherby too expensive...........

valvesinmyhead · « **Reply #26 on:** June 11, 2010, 03:03:26 AM »

Changed my mind and got the 270win instead. The Hornady SF ammo is close to the wsm.

Cheesehead · « **Reply #27 on:** June 11, 2010, 03:17:27 AM »

That is a great choice since you have its little brother, the 6.8 SPC.

Cheese

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #28 on:** June 12, 2010, 05:04:07 AM »

Quote from: valvesinmyhead on June 11, 2010, 03:03:26 AM

Changed my mind and got the 270win instead. The Hornady SF ammo is close to the wsm.

I think as time progresses you'll realize more and more that you made the right decision, particularly since you don't handload. If you do start making your own, the .270 Win is a good place to start.

kudzu · « **Reply #29 on:** June 12, 2010, 08:20:26 AM »

I really like the 270wsm ( most neg. comments come from those that dont have one, and if they did their views would surely change). In the 6.5 family I like the 6.5 rem mag and then the 6.5-284. Never figured out why the 6.5 rem mag didn't do better. Thought about one for my encore pro hunter being as a 270wsm is out for that platform.