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6.5mm? #6370445 07/15/16 08:35 PM
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chital_shikari Offline OP
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Again, someone will take this the wrong way. I apologize in advance.

I have no idea what 6.5mm calibers are, their purpose, or their parent case/history. I would like to know about them, because I've been seeing them on here a lot.
I'm assuming they are flat shooting cartridges? Are they related to the 7mm's? What animals are hunted with them? I read somewhere about big game hunting with 6.5x55mm Swedish Mauser--what the heck is that? Is that like a sibling of 7x57mm?

I've seen/read the words creedmoor, grendel, and 6.8 SPC (I think this is different though). Is the 6.5 class related to 6mm Remington?

I'm assuming 6.5 is smaller than 7 (sorry, basic math here), so is 6.5 like a .25 caliber in performance/trajectory/use?

Sorry if this offends you and thank you for any info.

Re: 6.5mm? [Re: chital_shikari] #6370461 07/15/16 08:47 PM
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popcorn...too many honey doo's is making me too tired to help this young man with ALL the info he seeks...from the "In the beginning..."
Come on ya'll help a feller out willya? He's asking for a bookfull of knowledge when he really needs to get a library full to completely cover his ??'s
Ron


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Re: 6.5mm? [Re: chital_shikari] #6370472 07/15/16 08:57 PM
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A 6.5mm you might know is the .260rem. The bullet diameter is actually .264 I believe.
Parent case of the 6.5x55? Believe it or not, it is an original cartridge developed by the Swedes.

The advantages to the 6.5mm bullet (let's forget the casing for a minute), is the great ballistic coefficient the projectile has, lending itself well to long range competition shooting.

A .264lbc/6.5 Grendel is typically chambered in an AR platform of standard size. The case diameter is the same width as a 7.62x39 and the same relative length of a 5.55/.223. Because of this, it can utilize a grendel/lbc bolt or a 7.62x39 bolt in an at platform.

6.5 Creedmoor is a true short-action cartridge
And based on an oddball. The old .30 TC that was kind of a failure, but spawned some decent offspring.

.260 rem has a .308 parent... I think.

Then there is big boy.
.264 win mag. I don't know of any other factory load with a lower barrel life, off the top of my head. Known to erode the throat of a barrel extremely fast. Based on the .375h&h.

Re: 6.5mm? [Re: chital_shikari] #6370481 07/15/16 09:05 PM
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It's complicated. I'd just say that 6.5 is one of the best calibers going for medium
range on medium game. 7mm is also very good.

6.5 Grendel is a good medium game cartridge that fits in an AR-15.
But 6.8 is about as good and fits the AR-15 as well.

.260, 6.5 Creedmoor and 6.5 Lapua are all approximately .308 WIN sized
cartridges which is the powder efficiency sweet spot for this caliber (6.5)
IMO.

6.5x55 is a 30-06 sized variant which gets a little more speed if you handload
and have a modern rifle, no real increase on store bought ammo vs the .308 sized rounds.

Bigger than 30-06 sized 6.5 based are more for fun IMO and for someone who has money to burn and
just has the 6.5 bug. Again, just my opinion.


Upon us all, upon us all, a little rain must fall
Re: 6.5mm? [Re: chital_shikari] #6370488 07/15/16 09:12 PM
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6.8mm...
You should know one 6.8 mm cartridge off the top of your head. .270
The 6.8 spc/spc2 has a .30rem parent case and I really love the round out of an ar. Spc stands for special purpose cartridge (I think). It performs well out if an sbr, and was developed initially for special operations use, but never to really took off in the military arena.

.277 wolverine is the newer kid on the blow. Blowing the neck of 5.56/.223 brass out to .277 and shoving it in an ar platform. I have zero experience with this one, but I know I want one. It fills the gap between 5.56 and .300blackout.

Re: 6.5mm? [Re: chital_shikari] #6370514 07/15/16 09:33 PM
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Relatively speaking, I refer to my 260 as a '270 Lite'. My 270 shoots a 130 gr bullet right at 3000 fps. My 260 shoots a 120 gr bullet at about 2900. But, a fellow can buy heavier .264 bullets with much higher BC's, and that's great for long range shooting.


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Re: 6.5mm? [Re: chital_shikari] #6370519 07/15/16 09:37 PM
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6.5mm is a bullet diameter, also called a caliber.

It is bigger around than some, and smaller around than others. The only thing 'special' about it is that it is trendy right now, it is currently popular.

Self-appointed experts of this era are all in love with the 6.5mm bullet diameter, and will barf up reams of technical stuff all allegedly proving that it is the best thing since sliced bread. - They will get their panties all in a twist if you don't go along with the current fad for some reason or another, and if you profess to like another bullet diameter, even if the actual difference between the two is less than that of a human hair.

In real life, the 6.5 bullet diameter is great for hunting medium game, just like a number of others that are not the current object of uncritical and slavish popularity.

There is certainly nothing wrong with the 6.5mm bullet diameter, but a decade or so down the road it will be considered to be old hat. Something else that is marginally larger or smaller will be the new fad, and owners of 6.5 caliber rifles will be looked down upon, or patronized as doofy old-timers stuck on the latest thing from the good old days.

It is a story as long as the shooting and hunting sports themselves, a story that repeats itself over and over.

That is what is so special about the 6.5mm caliber, and that is why you hear so much about it.

My advice: - Go out and get yourself a 6.5mm something or another. - It really doesn't matter which one, from the most powerful blaster to the most limp-wristed pip-squeak - you just can't go wrong.

As long as it is a 6.5mm, that's the main thing.



I'm planning on buying a 6.5 Grendel soon - but just last month I went beyond the pale by purchasing a 30-06... Last year, I had a 270WSM. - That's how shamelessly antisocial I am capable of being.

It's a terrible thing, but there you go.

Last edited by charlesb; 07/15/16 09:49 PM.

Kind regards, charlesb


Re: 6.5mm? [Re: chital_shikari] #6370521 07/15/16 09:38 PM
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So, 6.5 is halfway between a 243 and a 270, and 6.8 SPC is basically an AR-platform 270-sized bullet?

How do the Creedmoor, Lapua, Swede compare to 270?

Re: 6.5mm? [Re: chital_shikari] #6370533 07/15/16 09:52 PM
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Originally Posted By: chital_shikari
So, 6.5 is halfway between a 243 and a 270, and 6.8 SPC is basically an AR-platform 270-sized bullet?

How do the Creedmoor, Lapua, Swede compare to 270?


A good reloading manual is good to have, even if you do not reload. It will have all of that information. A good bathroom book about cartridges is "Cartridges of the World". - Look it up on Amazon, it's a good book on all of the cartridges, both old and new, foreign and domestic.

Last edited by charlesb; 07/15/16 09:53 PM.

Kind regards, charlesb


Re: 6.5mm? [Re: chital_shikari] #6370597 07/15/16 10:58 PM
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Sometimes you just need to buy the gun and try it for yourself to see what it's about


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Re: 6.5mm? [Re: chital_shikari] #6370607 07/15/16 11:08 PM
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Originally Posted By: chital_shikari
So, 6.5 is halfway between a 243 and a 270, and 6.8 SPC is basically an AR-platform 270-sized bullet?

How do the Creedmoor, Lapua, Swede compare to 270?


They are slower but have a higher BC. Forgot to add .3 mm or .01 in.

Last edited by bo323; 07/15/16 11:22 PM.
Re: 6.5mm? [Re: charlesb] #6370644 07/15/16 11:40 PM
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Originally Posted By: charlesb
6.5mm is a bullet diameter, also called a caliber.

It is bigger around than some, and smaller around than others. The only thing 'special' about it is that it is trendy right now, it is currently popular.

Self-appointed experts of this era are all in love with the 6.5mm bullet diameter, and will barf up reams of technical stuff all allegedly proving that it is the best thing since sliced bread. - They will get their panties all in a twist if you don't go along with the current fad for some reason or another, and if you profess to like another bullet diameter, even if the actual difference between the two is less than that of a human hair.

In real life, the 6.5 bullet diameter is great for hunting medium game, just like a number of others that are not the current object of uncritical and slavish popularity.

There is certainly nothing wrong with the 6.5mm bullet diameter, but a decade or so down the road it will be considered to be old hat. Something else that is marginally larger or smaller will be the new fad, and owners of 6.5 caliber rifles will be looked down upon, or patronized as doofy old-timers stuck on the latest thing from the good old days.

It is a story as long as the shooting and hunting sports themselves, a story that repeats itself over and over.

That is what is so special about the 6.5mm caliber, and that is why you hear so much about it.

My advice: - Go out and get yourself a 6.5mm something or another. - It really doesn't matter which one, from the most powerful blaster to the most limp-wristed pip-squeak - you just can't go wrong.

As long as it is a 6.5mm, that's the main thing.

I'm planning on buying a 6.5 Grendel soon - but just last month I went beyond the pale by purchasing a 30-06... Last year, I had a 270WSM. - That's how shamelessly antisocial I am capable of being.

It's a terrible thing, but there you go.


I have always believed it's better to ignore the instigators but this was riduclous.

Re: 6.5mm? [Re: chital_shikari] #6370687 07/16/16 12:22 AM
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OK had a little time out of the honeydoo poopoo doghouse to read all about the 6.5 that Chital asked about..but noticed no mention of...gawd I hate having company coming for the weekend....'cause it's allus mo fun to talk gun gack...

As to the OP's ?? about the 6.5 or 264 as a factory cartridge, and it's origins, advantages and benefits... I saw no mention of the outstanding 6.x284 in any of the responses...

or the old timey wild cat 6.5 x 30'06 that almost became the original cartridge that Colonel Whelen used and Jack O'Connor loved but got blowback from the gun industry over using a metric diameter bullet since we had just fought the Great War aka The War to End All Wars aka WW One aka WWI, only he used the older 30'03's longer case instead....but the ammo mfg'ers of the day wanted to use a .277 ALL American diameter bullet, instead of some Euro kinda bullet.

6.5x55 was a bullet design that was adopted by the Scandinavian based Army Commission for use by the Norwegian and Swedeish Army's in 1894 when the Mauser /Company was bidding on a new smokeless round to replace the Scandahoovians black powder Aremy rifles , and to have something different than the German Army was going to use in a 7x57, since the Germans were changing from a 7.65 x whatever it was to get more performance.

an doant forget the newest screamer from Weatherby in a 6.5x300Wby case.

6.5WSM, one of the 3 Short Fat Magnums from Winchester and not to be confused with the slightly smaller powder capacity RSAUM beltless Short Fat Wannabe Magnum cases from Big Green has also been accepted by SAAMI last I heard, which is a 6.5 out of a 300WSM case ...

and is a little faster than the ill fated 6.5Rem Mag ( and 350 RemMag family ) that was put in a poorly designed short carbine length barreled rifle that did not take advantage of the Belted Magnum case's powder capacity by the Remington designers, and an even more viable case for that design using todays powders & 24" barrels....but then Winchester has had many more successful cartridge designs than Remington has and almost always had more marketing success.

Only the 7RMg was a runaway best seller, when Winchester opted for the 264WMG design instead of using the .007 larger diameter 284 bullet, Seems funny to me that you can make 264WMG ammo out of simply resizing 7RMG brass, the designs are that close. Remmy won that round...but Winny won the 300WMg, 338Wmg & 458Wmg bidnizz out that series.

Gotta ?? for the young man OP though...wonder where did he get the idea that there was a 6.5 Lapua cartridge?? I assume he confused Lapua's extensive list of excellent brass in dozens of calibers for a cartridge design...

and I can see how, given the long list of Euro centric 6.5's that were never made or became popular in the US, as I understand it. The pre WWII very popular in Europe EX: 6.5 Mannlicher Schonnaur aka 6.5MS aka 6.5x54 comes to mind here.

As was suggested earlier I'd go find and buy the foundation book for your Gun Library in the Cartridges of the World tome, and leave it in your porcelin Library for your private time study.
Ron

Last edited by WileyCoyote; 07/16/16 12:36 AM. Reason: spelling and clarity

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Re: 6.5mm? [Re: chital_shikari] #6370691 07/16/16 12:31 AM
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I've killed lots of things with a 6.5mm, and hit tons of steel with it very far away.

An hour ago, I checked 100 yard zero then hit 1000, 1100, and 1350 yards. I will ALWAYS have one!

That's the short version of my opinion of them.


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Re: 6.5mm? [Re: chital_shikari] #6370811 07/16/16 03:18 AM
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I bought a 6.5x55 in a modern action a number of years ago for two reasons. Number one, I have a bad shoulder and the cartridge is not a heavy kicker. Two, they have a reputation for accuracy. I haven't been disappointed. I strictly hunt. I now have the urge for a higher velocity 6.5 but no rational reason for it.

Someone mentioned the 6.5x55 being based on a 30-06. Not true.


Don’t roll those bloodshot eyes at me.
Re: 6.5mm? [Re: booradley] #6370829 07/16/16 03:41 AM
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Originally Posted By: booradley
I bought a 6.5x55 in a modern action a number of years ago for two reasons. Number one, I have a bad shoulder and the cartridge is not a heavy kicker. Two, they have a reputation for accuracy. I haven't been disappointed. I strictly hunt. I now have the urge for a higher velocity 6.5 but no rational reason for it.

Someone mentioned the 6.5x55 being based on a 30-06. Not true.


I called it 30-06 sized as in similar capacity and dimensions, not based on 30-06.


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Re: 6.5mm? [Re: chital_shikari] #6370849 07/16/16 04:02 AM
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Great info. Thanks y'all.

Re: 6.5mm? [Re: Gravytrain] #6370879 07/16/16 07:23 AM
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Originally Posted By: Gravytrain
Originally Posted By: booradley
I bought a 6.5x55 in a modern action a number of years ago for two reasons. Number one, I have a bad shoulder and the cartridge is not a heavy kicker. Two, they have a reputation for accuracy. I haven't been disappointed. I strictly hunt. I now have the urge for a higher velocity 6.5 but no rational reason for it.

Someone mentioned the 6.5x55 being based on a 30-06. Not true.


I called it 30-06 sized as in similar capacity and dimensions, not based on 30-06.


My mistake.


Don’t roll those bloodshot eyes at me.
Re: 6.5mm? [Re: Gravytrain] #6370898 07/16/16 10:42 AM
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Originally Posted By: Gravytrain


I called it 30-06 sized as in similar capacity and dimensions, not based on 30-06.


That would be OK if the 6.5x55 were similar in capacity and dimensions to the 30-06.

There are a number of cartridges of about the same length and capacity as the 30-06. - The 6.5x55 is not one of them.

That is why we have a 6.5-06 wildcat cartridge - which actually is similar to the 30-06 in capacity and dimensions.

"There is a discernible difference between 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 Siera 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."


Last edited by charlesb; 07/16/16 10:56 AM.

Kind regards, charlesb


Re: 6.5mm? [Re: chital_shikari] #6370918 07/16/16 12:01 PM
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CB makes a good case for why Colonel Townsend Whelen was supposed to be considering that 6.5x'06 for his blessings about the same time what became the veneralbe 270 WCF was being developed, according to my "Mr Rifleman" Whelen book that was authored by him & Bradford Angier, Library of Congress card #65=16552.
Ron


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Re: 6.5mm? [Re: chital_shikari] #6370952 07/16/16 01:07 PM
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I have a Remington Titanimun in .260 and love it.

Re: 6.5mm? [Re: chital_shikari] #6371212 07/16/16 05:09 PM
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Originally Posted By: chital_shikari
So, 6.5 is halfway between a 243 and a 270, and 6.8 SPC is basically an AR-platform 270-sized bullet?

How do the Creedmoor, Lapua, Swede compare to 270?


6.5 is half way between 6mm (.243") and 7mm (.284") in terms of diameter. 270 win shoots a .277" bullet.

Re: 6.5mm? [Re: chital_shikari] #6371646 07/17/16 12:37 AM
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Charles is correct. The 6.5x55(and I think the 7x57) are neither long or short action. That is why Sako used to at least, I don't about now, chambered the Swede in an intermediate action.


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Re: 6.5mm? [Re: chital_shikari] #6371778 07/17/16 03:23 AM
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OMG it's Chuck Hawk , again

http://www.chuckhawks.com/6-5mm_rifle_cartridges.htm


Since you don't retain knowledge you read 6.5 creedmoor is the winner of all 6.5's. It takes the place of the 260 but it is equivalent almost exact. Everything else wants to be a or should have been a 6.5 creedmoor, especially if you don't reload.

Re: 6.5mm? [Re: chital_shikari] #6372086 07/17/16 05:03 PM
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Thanks everyone. Clears things up.

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