243 or 6.5x55

K

kd7sgm

New member
I am planning on purchasing a new rifle to be used for informal target fun, deer and antelope hunting. I do reload currently for 243, but which one would you choose. The rifle will either be a tikka t3 or a savage weather warrior if it is available in 6.5.
 
I have a Tikka T3SS in 6.5x55 and could not be happier!!! I see another 6.5x55 in my future as well. I took a 7-pointer with it this year, and took it coyote hunting yesterday. A very versitale round indeed.
 
Seems to me that if you're already loading for the .243, the change to 6.5 isn't much of an improvement in performance. You may want to try the 7mm-08 or .270 Win.

The T-3 seems like a fine rifle, but the T-3 Light seems a bit too light for shooting at the range.
 
6.5x55 pummels the .243. The 6.5 is a cartridge suitable for all critters and is inherntely accurate.

WildijustwokeupandhavedanglingthoughtsAlaska ™©2002-2011
 
Another vote for the 6.5x55. Been hunting with a sporterized Swedish Mauser for years, never had a whitetail run more than 40 yards after being hit with it. The only draw back is if you don't reload, ammo may be hard to find locally. If you reload however, it's a great round for whitetails.

Stu
 
Both the .243 and the 6.5 x 55 are great mild and accurate cartridges. I'd suggest the .243 if you don't reload, 6.5 if you do reload.
A deer or pronghorn won't be able to tell the difference between the two at reasonable hunting ranges.
 
.243 is a pretty darn good deer/antelope cartridge. Depending on demographics, you'll usually find .243 ammo more readily available regarding selection compared to 6.5x55Swede. Not that stores don't have any 6.5x55, just .243 usually has more variety. Reloading for .243 isn't difficult and there's recipes abound. It will be a little bit cheaper to reload than the 6.5 if you're cost conscious.

HOWEVER, if you're looking into hunting anything larger or want to get semi-serious on target shooting, my choice is the Swede. At longer ranges, accuracy is the Swede's forte as well as being capable to take down any North American game and still have mild recoil. Reloading recipes are quite adequate and the cartridge is very forgiving.
 
I have both. 243 for varmits and the 6.5x55 for everything else. I really like the Tikka 6.5x55. Also have a CZ the same way. Both are fub to shoot, but the Tikka is more accurate. The 243 is an older Winchester that loves 55 grain Noslers to 100 grain corelokts.
 
I've got the jones for a 6.5X55 (or .260--same same) but never felt attracted to the .243. The 6.5 can go a lot "bigger" than the .243.
 
I would go with the .243, Its basically designed for deer. And its Like a Mini .308, So its powerful.
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Designed for deer? Yes. "Powerful"? Not so much...

I've got the jones for a 6.5X55 (or .260--same same)...
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Agreed. The .260 is basically the sister cartridge of the 6.5 and I'd be happy with it as well...
 
6.5 X 55 is generally more accurate in most rifles chambered for it and can be loaded to much more useful variety of rounds. Yes, the .243 is a fine cartridge, but not known for great accuracy in a general context. My Remington 700 chambered for .243 is better than any of my Mosins, but not as accurate as any of my leverguns for some reason. Whereas even my 1917 Gustav M96 is the most accurate, consistant shooter of all 103 of my rifles. 'Course it was a military target model.
 
For me it would be win-win with either but I am a long-time fan of the .243 due to its low recoil and the fact that it is an efficient killer. There are few animals on the earth that can stand-up to a 100 grain Nosler Partition out of a .243 - Many disparage it but the .243 is popular for a reason.
 
I'm pretty sure it's a M96 although It's got a different cocking piece than most of the one's I've seen. I can tell you it's a Gustaf but model I don't remember and the Redfield mount covers the receiver ring. Anyway, it's a Fajen black walnut manlicher style stock, canjar set trigger, jeweled bolt, numbers matching rifle built sometime in the late 60's by a local smith for my father. Really need to pull the scope mount and get a pic of the receiver. Lousy pic below

Stu

6_5x55_swede.jpg
 
You can buy 243 cartridges in any corner gas station....try that with the 6.5 x 55. Also, resale is much, much easier with the .243.
Just saying, it isn't always just about ballistics.
 
I think the .243 and the 6.5x55 are both great calibers. For what the OP is looking for the .243 would be a great caliber. He should already know that becouse he reloads for it. I dont think the .243 and the 6.5 can be compared side by side. Of course the 6.5 is more powerful. The .243 is effective on deer and antelope and anything smaller. Seems everybody is getting on the 6.5 or .260 bandwagon these days. The .243 has killed alot of deer. It has good range and my little handi-rifle with a 3x9 Burris scope is capable of sub-moa groups.
 
As you can tell the 243 is my favorite. But if you are looking for another caliber just skip the 6.5 and get the Savage in 270. A more avaible caliber for both loaded ammo and components for hand loading. The 270 is not going to go away and I think packs more punch as well as choices in bullets.

Just my 2 cents.
Jim
 
I already have a couple of 270's, 30-06, and a 300 win mag which IMHO all fills the same need. I have two 243's as well but my kids have kind of claimed them and hunted with them the last two years. I really like the 243 and since I have lost mine I would like to replace them but was thinking of something different and the 6.5 seems like it might be fun but the 243 is tried and true, at least in my household. decisions, decisions....
 
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