Still haven't had the chance to field a 6.5mm

[Aqeous]

I have not had the chance to post here in quite sometime, been into other things. Equally, I have still not had the opportunity to take a 6.5mm on a hunt as of yet. I recall when they were the latest thing, but they are not really so new anymore. I was just wondering if there is a greater knowledge base surrounding these 6.5 cartridges yet?

Specifically, I guess I am asking if its pros really make it equal to (or closely Equal to) the good old fashion, tried and true .308? Have we seen people take down deer in an efficient manner (in the actual field) with these highly accurate and lightly recoiling cartridges? Or are we still not quite sure if its better meant for scoring on paper? Perhaps a less painful hunting rifle for the wife


Last time I asked this the answer was kind of a comparison to other cartridges similar to the new 6.5's. Which was a wise comparison I imagine. I only ask now if we know more yet?

 

[zoomie]

Grendel? Swede?

Assuming you're talking Grendel, I don't think it will rival the .308 for the larger game or longer distances, but it's certainly capable of taking much of the game historically hunted with .308, namely whitetail or smaller at medium or less distances. The top thread I linked is even a nice mule deer.

http://www.65grendel.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2960
http://www.65grendel.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1475
http://www.65grendel.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3421
http://www.65grendel.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3356
http://www.65grendel.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3199

Good luck. I'm building a whitetail/hog/coyote/whatever Grendel right now.

 

[fisherman66]

I see question marks, but no questions.

Are you asking if the 6.5 caliber is a better field tool than the .308?

Different tools for different jobs, or different tastes where the tools' abilities overlap.

 

[azsixshooter]

I recall when they were the latest thing, but they are not really so new anymore. I was just wondering if there is a greater knowledge base surrounding these 6.5 cartridges yet?

You must be reeeeaaaally old.

The 6.5x55SE has been killing Alg and Polar Bear for over 100 years.

 

[Scorch]

I recall when they were the latest thing, but they are not really so new anymore. I was just wondering if there is a greater knowledge base surrounding these 6.5 cartridges yet?

Well, the "new" 6.5mm cartridges have been thoroughly tested by now. You may have heard of the extended test session a few years a go in Europe (WWI), and a few years later (WWII) where the 6.5mm cartridges were given a pretty solid workout. They tested many of these extensively on a variety of targets, and are trying to work out the bugs. Still, maybe another century or so of testing will prove adequate.

Sorry, but that struck me as funny, 6.5mm cartridges being new! Besides the 6.5X55 mentioned, there are the very well-respected 6.5X57mm, the 6.5X54mm, the 6.5X53mm, 6.5X52mm, 6.5X50mm, which have all been around over 100 years, and the "newer" 6.5X64mm, 6.5X72mm, 6.5-06, 264 WinMag, and 6.5 Rem Mag, which have been around about 50 years, and a relatively new crop of 6.5 wildcats that supposedly are better than anything since buttered bread.

 

[publius]

As a .308 fan, I think the 6.5x55 is the finest whitetail round ever. It's also very good for just about everything else that won't eat you, although it's been used with great success on those too.