6.5 Cartridge Comparison - Apples to Oranges 

My grandfather gave me a 6.5 x 55 for my 16th birthday a while ago. It was from 1917. Still shoots amazingly

6.5x55 Swedish the original and does the job...

How can you talk about 6.5’s without mentioning the 264 win mag

6.5x55 simply because it's everywhere here in Scandinavia.

Of the two you compared, for me, the hands down winner is the .260Rem. I can make cases from .308, 7mm-08 or .243Win all day long if I can’t find .260 brass. Performance is on par with the Creedmoor and is a sweet shooter. Of course I do love my 6.5x55SE as well. Been doing the job for a LONG time.

6.5x55mm (6.5 Swedish) The 6.5 is a very old cartridge that has always been extremely popular in Europe, and for good reason. It has been an excellent long range competition cartridge with excellent 6.5 bullets available. There have also been companies such as Lapua and Norma that have always loaded superb match grade ammo for it. Over the years I have become a fan of this cartridge based off of its history, pleasant shooting qualities, and great long range accuracy. Unfortunately, the 6.5x55 has never really been considered for much long range shooting in the USA, although to serious long range shooters and European shooters its no real surprise at how well this cartridge does. In the USA there was a brief bit of interest in this cartridge a few years ago but the thing that has hurt it recently is the introduction of the short action 6.5 cartridges such as the 260 Remington, 6.5x47 Lapua and 6.5 creedmore. These all produce performance on par with the USA loaded 6.5x55 ammo, but in a short action. But, you see, the 6.5x55 actually has more case capacity than the others but because there are so many very old rifles built and chambered for this cartridge, most of the USA manufacturers are not willing to load this cartridge to its potential. Instead of labeling the ammo "modern firearm use only" they have decided to handicap everyone using the 6.5x55. In Europe, this is not a problem so Lapua, Norma and others load it to much higher velocities. HSM here in the USA is also working on a hot version of the 6.5x55 with the sierra 142 SMK as well and that should be out very soon and readily available for the USA shooters. The 6.5 has long been known for its excellent accuracy and absurdly high ballistic coefficients. With some of the European loads available and with HSM introducing a full capacity load, the 6.5 can be seriously considered for sniping. Additionally, I can really see the benefits for Law Enforcement applications, as it generally shoots a lighter bullet then the .308, but heavier then the .243, falling nicely right in between. The 6.5 deserves consideration for military application also, and has been chambered in some older military sniper rifles (WWII vintage). The round actually outperforms the .308 match loads in both the 168gr and 175gr, and its less susceptible to wind and arrives on target with as much energy at ranges over 600 yards. The penetration should be good as well with the superior sectional density of the 6.5 bullets. The only other problem I can see is the lack of sniper grade weapons chambered for the 6.5. But most of the custom sniper rifle manufacturers will chamber their rifles in any caliber the purchaser wants (Sometimes for a small additional fee). Hopefully rifle manufacturers will realize the great potential of the 6.5 and start to produce their sniper rifles in 6.5x55, though with the popularity of the other 6.5 short action cartridges, I doubt this will happen. Recommendation: The 6.5x55m makes a very good Law Enforcement round as well as a very capable military sniping cartridge. When using the heavier bullets the round is excellent at ranges up to and potentially beyond 1000 meters far out performing the 308 rounds. www.snipercentral.com/6-5x55mm-6-5-swedish/

The best cartridge is the one you can find ammo for, and shoots straight enough to make hits inside your ability envelope. Too many people want a cartridge/rifle that shoots 0.5 minute, but struggle to hit a milk jug at 100yds.

Still going to keep my 6.5 x 55! Got a Sako that shoots under dimes, and I bought it 30 years ago.

I still love my 264 Winchester Magnum

Still not convinced anything in this range can beat the tried and proven 6,5 x55 Swede.

People can own more than one rifle with different cartridge's. Not sure why people say things like "I'll just keep my "x" rifle because its just fine". People get butt hurt over facts it seems.

Another thing with the 6.5x55, most load data (hornady for instance) has relatively low pressure, they figure americans load for the m96 and kraag. but modern rifles shoud look at SKAN load data, a bit higher pressures but still safe. Its basicly 308 pressure for modern rifles, you gain alot more velocity and then it outshines the creedmoor while still beeing safe, as the x55 has more powder capacity.

That's crap . Leaving out the 6.5x55 is defeating the purpose . All the 6.5 s should have been tested against each other . The 6.5 x 55 will out do most of them American loads and has been for a hundred year's . For hunting the creadmore is useless compared to the sweed

The 6.5 Swede is the OG. Had one in a Tikka and wish I never sold it. Will get me another in 6.5 lapua eventually but the Swede started it!

I wish you would have at least introduced the old persimmon, the .264 Win Mag. Together with the 6,5x55 SE these have been my go to 6.5s for all of my adult life (I'm almost 71 yo now). I do not mean to appear to complain. I appreciate all of your articles. Keep up the good work.

I'm old school! I like the .264 Win mag I do wish factories will start making 1:8" twist barrels for it. You can load it hotter than the PRC. The win mag had a reputation for burning up barrels. I think with modern powders that burn cooler that would be a non issue.

Right on! I've had a hard time understanding the furor over the 6.5 Creedmoor. Almost exact ballistics as the 260 rem and 6.5 Swede-Swede can actually beat it in modern rifles. Throw in a few others like 6.5x54 and 6.5x57. All essentially the same. If you insist on a short action I don't see the Creedmoor doing anything the 260 rem won't do. Marketing is a powerful tool I guess.

Im a 6.5x55 fan, but im glad for the 6.5 creedmoor as that has made the 6.5mm bullets more common again, after years of fewer and fewer options. Now the market has exploded. And the gun makers are also seeing this, so before you often got a 6.5x55 with 1:8.66 or 1:9 twist, but now most new 6.5x55 use the 1:8 twist, guess to cut down on the number of barrel blanks they have. This has given even factory made 6.5x55 rifles new life, with long VLD projectiles. Before people usualy had custom barrels made with that twist, and thats not feasible for hunters as a new barrel (in sweden) often cost as much as a new rifle if you consider the cost of a competent gunsmith. but now someone can buy a sauer 100, tikka t3x and many other really nice rifles that can shoot quarter moa of of the box, and also work great at 500+ meters. Here the STR200 is the template for what a 6.5x55 rifle is, but mainly used for competetive shooting. PRS and ELR shooters still run custom systems, but unless you need a magnum (338 etc) the 6.5x55 is the way to go.

I have always been a 6.5 nut. I bought a .264 Win Mag when I was 17 in a pre 64 model 70. I just handed that rifle over to my grandson. If you could see it, you could put it on the table with that rifle. My collection of 6.5’s are all good shooters, but my current 6.5-06 A-Square is my favorite. I am a gunsmith and have built 4 260 Remington guns. I will likely never own the Creedmoor as I know the differences are so insignificant over a 260 Remington it is not worth the cost of a reamer. I shoot bench rest, but I have always been a hunter first. So I have taken game with most of my military surplus rifles in various calibers and the same for my gun builds and commercial rifles/handguns. It goes back to the old sayings of shot placement, know your limits and don’t over load you mouth... any cartridge/rifle is good if you have confidence and know how to run it. Great video as always and keep it up.

Please ignore the complainers Ron. Most of us enjoy your excellent well detailed cartridge comparisons. Most of us are mature enough to revise old favourites or except the adequate performance we are used to. Technology moves on.

I like my 6.5x55 swedish.

It seems that the Remington 6.5 magnum was way ahead of it's time. I had never until recently even heard of it. They or someone should reintroduce it with 1:8 twist barrels.

I have always loved the 6.5 rem mag. I have never seen it on a shelf. I wish they would come back out with it. I understand that the 6.5 prc is close but I still love the rem mag and always will. I have taken most of my big game with 6.5 rem mag.

I will always be willing to listen to new cartridges and load data, but of all of my 6.5s the 264 win man will always be my first go to cartridge. As a gun nut I would like that to change eventually, but for now nothing I own is as impressive

264 Win Mag did not get an honorable mention??? C'mon Spomer

You missed my favorite 6.5 round, the 6.5x54MS. And I have the rifle to go with it, Model 1903 Mannlicher Schoenauer with the double set trigger. It may not be as flashy as the Creedmore but it has a certain type of style and class the Creedmore will never equal.

Love my 260 Rem for hunting and feel really good about having brass in 308/7mm-08/243 family.

Guys with 6.5 x 55 Swede are putting a hurting on the guy shooting the 6.5 Creedmoor, I’d rather have a 6.5 x 55 Swede any day of the week

What about the 6.5x47 Lapua apple, and the 264 Win Mag orange?

Great video mate, you forgot one caliber, the 6.5 x 47 Lapua

I have a 6.5-284. Works just fine. Edit: it’s my favorite, maybe tied with the 9.3x62

I love what you did there! Eliminating everything that might compete with the 6.5 CM to appease sensitive feelings! Love it Ron ! 👍👍

Too bad you didn’t include the 264 Win Mag

I’m having a 6.5x55 swede built, and it’s renowned as a great cartridge but it’s not allowed for wild Boar in Germany or France but I believe is allowed everywhere else in Europe. I’ll be using it mostly here in England anyway for Muntjac deer and Fallow.

Something I took into account was brass. The 260 can easily be shaped from 308 brass. In today's world having that option is important to me. I am a 260 rem shooter. Very good round. Great video as usual. Thank you.

Can't believe I just recently found this channel. Great content👍

What? No 264 win mag?

I have no need for short bolt action in a big game rifle. If person cannot run a standard length bolt action with speed... maybe their is a skill issue. 6.6 x 55 Swede in a M77 Ruger action is my choice.

Ron, I would love to see a video on what the absolute flatest shooting caliber is? 7mm, .264 mag, .243, ? Thanks!

Mr. SPOMER..great video. I've been hunting with my Tikka t3 260 Rem. 1st and best short action rifle I've ever bought. I use to shoot 300 win mag and 270 win. That 260 rem is phenomenal. But... is there any way you can do a video on just the .260 Remington? I would really appreciate it. In 3 yrs it's taken down 5 deer in my local woods. 5 shots, 5 deer. The info I know about this great caliber is only what I read on forums. But I'd like a more detailed review on it from a hunters stand point as to what's the biggest game you think it would be good for.. etc. Etc.. etc.. Thank you.

Optimum performance for the .260 Rem is obtained with 120 gr bullets It's crazy of the commercial cartridge loaders to load 140 gr bullets. The .260 Rem loaded with 120 gr bullets and 4831 powder offers performance virtually identical to the .270 Win loaded with the traditional 130 gr bullets, in a short action rifle. Unbeatable for deer and elk hunting.

Ron, why doesn't anyone talk about the 6.5x47 Lapua? That was the first long-range cartridge I began reading about in the mid to 2000's. Where did it go?

Great stuff Ron. Can you work in a straight walled hunting comparison for us Eastern woods folk?

Thanks for the quality content, Ron. I really enjoy your channel. I loved this particular episode and it’s format. As a fan of the 7mm-08, it would be awesome to see a similar episode with 7mm cartridges. Heck, 30 caliber would be interesting as well! Greetings from central Kentucky.

Nice presentation! I think some .264 WinMag aficionados are going to feel left out.

I surveyed a deer and pig which 6mm was the best cartridge, since they are in the position to give the best feedback. They all said the same thing.

About 15 years ago I got lucky enough to find and purchase a rare 6.5 Rem Mag in a model 700 BDL with a 24 inch factory barrel. The factory wood is absolutely beautiful. Bought up ever piece of brass I could find and love touching off every hand loaded pill sent down range. Drops deer and pronhorns like they've been hit by mack truck, their lights are out before they touch the ground.

One more thing I have used weatherby mags all my life with them belts never had trouble with feeding ejecting or accuracy I've always had excellent accuracy with my weatherby belted magnums and I love them

I still like my 264 Winchester Magnum best!

I will keep my 6.5 grendal and if I bought anything in bolt action would much rather have 6.5 swede over the worthless creedmore.

264 win a mag

I have a 30-06, it works for me. I can get ammo everywhere, all kinds of variations.

Hey, good stuff!! Love the attention that the 6.5 calibers are getting. Moderate recoil, good hunting cartridges in this space. The 6.5 Swede and 260 Rem never got enough love in the US, but the Creedmoor spotlighted this category - and has us all talking about 6.5 cal. Dig it . . .

Half the guys I see on the range zero at whatever the "box" suggest and simply accept the manufacturer's trajectory info as golden. With that in mind, I'd say virtually all center fire rifles from 243Win up to 300Wby are all equally lethal out to 300yds if the shooter knows his/her stuff. So, if I can choose between almost any caliber, why not pick an easy recoiling round? My 7x57 is easy on the shoulder, great at ethical ranges, and can bring down anything on the planet! This was a fantastic comparison of the 6.5 family but, as to which is best? My answer would have to be whichever I have loaded at the time. Same for the ongoing 308 dilemma!

What in the heck is this?? Why not compare all 6.5 cartridges?? Not sure how the short, fat, and long matter? Also, where is the 6.5 RPM, 26 Nos and the .264 Win?? While, I usually like your stories, this one is just dumb! It says 6.5 Cartridge comparison, not pick and chose 6.5!!

6.5x284 is a short action cartridge just like it's parent the 284 winchester is a short action only the Norma version of 6.5x284 is for longer actions so you have missed out on a great Cartridge the 6.5x284 winchester.

6.5 Creedmoor craze is weird, they proclaim it will kill a deer/ elk at 1000 yards, thats not hunting but target shooting on live game that can get away and die later. My wife uses a Creedmoor with 130 gr Nosler Accubonds with IMR powder at 2880 fps. Not a bad deer load she has taken 4 deer at 200-300 yards with it in Montana, I still prefer my Remington 7x57.

The creedmoor can push a bullet faster and be safe, it just needs to be 130 gr or less. Hornady loads a 129 gr that goes 2,950 fps with 2,493 ft/lb at the muzzle. www.hornady.com/ammunition/rifle/6-5-creedmoor-129-gr-sst-superformance#!/

260 rem is better in my book I just ain't much on the needmoore

In a modern action, the 6.5x55 outclasses .260 Remington and the 6.5 CM given is larger case capacity. Factory ammo is inexpensive and accurate, and the brass plentiful. Loaded to a maximum of 46,000 cup, it is still plenty good, and I prefer a softer recoil. And the brass and barrel last longer than modern high pressure loads. The length of the action is a distant consideration. All of my sub MOA rifles are over 100 years old. The cost to produce one of these fine rifles today would now be well over $1,000 each, and I admire the excellent materials craftsmanship far more than modern renditions. There is not much improvement in cartridges after 1891. One of the best of those after 1891 would be the .30-06.

I like the 6,5x57 R. It's my intermediate calibre between the 7x57 R and the 5,6x50 R Magnum. As I see it, it's a calibre for break-open single-barrel rifles.

As some people stated here 6,5χ55 Swedish is the king,in 6,5mm.

6.5 x55 and load it . you will never hurt that bolt

I'd love to see a resurgence of the 6.5 Remington Magnum! The only experience that I've had with it was when the 673 Remington came out. I just had to have one. The first three shots at the range no kidding covered up with a dime and that recoil ( 21 fp ) did not exist. I'll bet it's closer to 13 in that firearm shooting the factory Remington Corelock 120 grain load. Sweet rifle

My wife has a 6.5 Norma that’s an unbelievable tack driver. It’s the most unpicky round I ever loaded for. Her father gave it to her. I’ve always wanted a 6.5 swede. But I really love my 270 wby

I've had 2 6.5x55s one was a full stock military rifle and the other was a Husqvarna. The 6.5 I have now is the 6.5-06 in a custom 1903 Springfield action.

I've got a 6.5 Grendel in a Howa 1500 mini-action. No barn burner. But, if you want a fun, easy shooting, accurate rifle and cartridge that will take deer out to 200yds with no problem. This is a hard combo to beat.

Not too long after the 264 win mag came out my grandfather built one. I remember my dad telling me how he used to borrow it because he could ethically take longer shots when hunting down in the mountains of West Virginia. My father now owns the rifle since my grandfather has passed and he figures its on its 3rd or 4th barrel. They never cared about replacing barrels on the 264 because that particular rifle was built to run max loads.

Sir 264 Win Mag would like to know why it was left out of this conversation.

Thank you, that was an articulate, not so subtle lesson on how many shooters live in the minutia of the cartridge world. By insisting on fair comparisons, these shooters end in a place with no real comparison at all. Another YTber did an expansion comparison of same caliber bullets but different construction; one bonded lead core and one monolith. Holy cow! Commentors had a complete meltdown because that wasn't a fair comparison. Apple's to oranges, they said. Then mob hysteria kicked in, and soon no one was happy with the chosen caliber, the methods and so on. I, for one, learn more from comparing not so similar cartridges, bullets, gauges, or whatever. Thank you again!

I think something that's not talked about very much is that rifle manufacturers need to 'create' new cartridges in order to stay relevant because they are in the business of selling rifles. Most of these 'new' calibers are nearly identical in ballistic performance as the older tried and true cartridges readily available. .243 or 6mm, same thing, .270 or 6.5 .264 nearly the same ballistic performance excluding magnums. Probably some of what justifies the attraction of these newer cartridges like 7mm 08 and 6.5 creedmor is the felt recoil for younger shooters and hunters. As a reloader myself I just can't justify the cost of re-tooling of new dies, brass, bullets, ect. I can always adjust the charge to 'tame down' the recoil for a younger shooter. VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV BTW - Ron while flipping through some of my manuals I ran across an article featured by you in my Nosler Manual 5th Edition 2002 on the .280 Remington, it was from an article you wrote for Sporting Classic Magazine. There's a picture of you posing with a really nice 10pt whitetail buck. **Had no idea Ron Spomer was a celebrity and thought it appropriate to give you a mention here** Kinda cool to run acros that article.

I have a 1899 made 6.5x55 mauser rifle that still shoots moa..

should of threw in the Grendel in the chart just for fun. for a small rifle round its nuts.

Great to have u back on youtube

I am old with guns, ammo, and scopes, but new to great advice. Thank you for the great videos. Keep up the good work.

I watched this video at least 10x never gets old Love my 6.5 creedmoor I finally acquired bunch of ammos this afternoon 👍👍👍

How does the 264 Winchester mag. compare

Haha I really enjoyed the tongue in cheek vibe of this video. Good job Ron. Sadly some people just have to complain about something. I don't mind the different caliber or action cartridge comparisons. Really nice overview of the hottest caliber family going right now. I actually almost went with a .260 Rem that my neighbor had as my first centerfire bolt action cartridge rifle. I am not sure why I didn't go with that one 22 years ago. I decided on a Savage M110 in .270 Win instead, that my Dad bought me when I was 15 at a local gun shop. Which looking back and also checking the shelves (prior to the pandemic buy up craze) the .270 was the better choice for ammo availability and is a rather solid performer. I do reload now so I would be fine with a .260 Rem or any of the 6.5s. Part of me would be interested in a 6.5x284 Norma or the 6.5 PRC, but it is difficult to put down my .270 that shoots similar weight class of bullets. (Enjoyed your .270 Win vs. 6.5 CM video and article) Thanks for sharing.

I have taken about 2 dozen caribou with the same amount of cartridges with my 6.5 Rem Mag in a Rem 660. Amazing cartridge, amazing little carbine. Re-barrelled with a 23' Pacnor Super-match and 3100 fps with 130 Accu-bonds. What is not to love?

Anybody who uses the apples to oranges statement will learn more one day. I decided a long time ago cartridge selection means next to nothing. You need to choose your rifle by the bullet you want to shoot. Then decide on rifle weight you want to carry, where you want to carry it, and how much recoil you want. 99% of game is killed under 300 yards, and with a 200 yard zero, almost any modern cartridge will give you 3 to 6 inches of drop at 300 yards. And 99% of all hunters will never know the difference between cartridge choice looking at it that way when making shots on big game. It's basically point and click. As for bullet diameter, if your wanting a 180 grain .308, a 160 .284, or 150 in .277 etc. will essentially all do the same job. Now when I hear arguments against that talking about longer range hunting, I've seen plenty of people shoot who don't have any business shooting at game at extended ranges. There are too many variables. Also, people tend to over estimate range, thinking that 300 yard deer is really 500. Hence the saying hold on hair.

My new philosophy is "use what you got" No need blow your cash on the new cartridges.

The model 600 Remington was my first rifle in 6.5 Remington mag , took everything there is for game here in Saskatchewan with authority , unfortunately my ears are still ringing today after 50 year's ! The 260 is also way better than it looks on paper !

How come the .264 win mag was left out!!!! I know plenty of people along with myself that still reaload and shoot .264 win mag today. I think it would give almost everything except the 26 nosler a run for it money.

Very informative. Thank you for sharing. Love my 6.5 creedmoor. And my 6.5x284

All of the 6.5's should have been compared except the 6.5 Grendel and the 26 Nosler, the Swede and the Norma should have been included.

Throwing out a cartridge based on it being able to run through a short action that cannot really be defined is pure folly. If you cannot run a standard-length action you are an armchair hunter who thinks they know it all.. Buy a rifle based on the length of the action might make a difference in competitive bench shooting. If you chose a short action because of weight you need to get more physically active.

Ron really is a Gentleman. I think he must originally be from the south. I was once told, a southerner can tell you to go to hell in such a way that your excited to go on that journey! I enjoy his story telling and ability to make his point! Keep up the good work.

That's pretty interesting I always wondered why they rate the BC's of the 65 so High every time people shoot them they never do as good as they're supposed to

Very educational , beautiful dog. It’s hard to beat the availability of the 6.5 creedmore factory ammo. If you hand load there is no issue but if you don’t or would rather not the Creedmoor makes sense. I love my .260 but I do wish there were more factory ammo options cause I don’t enjoy handloading like i used to luckily .260 factory ammo is coming around obviously to compete witch is wise that all said I am considering acquiring a 6.5 creed more. Thanks fer the vid

Good video but how about just doing a straight 6.5 comparison? Not everyone cares about having a short action

Don't believe it kids, that old swede your dad has works basically perfectly. I have a Tikka in 6.5 x55 swedish. Its everything youve ever hoped for in a deer cartridge.

Awww what a good pup. Who wants a belly rub.

The 6.5 Rem Mag never took off. Remington only loaded their ammo with 120gr bullets, never offered a 140gr bullet.

Can’t go wrong with self pressed 6.5x55. Because of all the under pressure commercial Swede cartridges available It gets a bad rep here North America. To harvest meat is not to destroy it, clean ethical kills every time, the perfect hunting cartridge. Especially loaded with 160grn bullets with S.D of .331 and B.C of .508. Awesome content.

23 racks on my barn, vote for my 264 Win mag

Hey where's the watermelon? The 6.5-300 Weatherby magnum?? I tell ya no one can do anything right nowadays.

I always here you guys say that the Creedmoor can shoot higher BC bullets compared to the 260 Remington BUT i never here you say which ones. Makes me think its a BS sales pitch.

How come you left up the 264 Winchester magnum

It in the LA but the 264 win mag os still a good choice

But for AR15 platform, 6.5 grendel is very nice. Slowly getting rid of 556 for 6.5 grendel. Love the round