The 6.5mm and .264 Caliber Cartridges

[@nifty1940]

Have had a Swedish 1927, 6.5x55 since 1957. For game up to 300 yards it has always been accurate and never let me down. I've had many other cals, but always went back to the 6.5. Your vids are very interesting and thank you for your sharing.

[@DeeMoback]

nifty1940 I have buddy who loves to shoot at 400-600 yards .... shoots 2 rifles almost exclusively..... 6.5 swede and a .303 brit..... consistently drills good holes..... he still shoots open sights( his passion☺)

[@normanmallory2055]

Excellent ctg and very accurate , i do not hunt every year with a fellow who owns three rifles all chambered in 6.5mmX55mm but do off and on.. With the high bullet BC the 6.5 never was welcomed with open arms in this country .. That is sad but true , i still meet hunters off and on who ask what i shoot and i say 6.5mmx55mm and after some thought he says, that's a military ctg isn't it? One of my favorite ctgs for 50 years is a custom bolt rifle in 7mmx57mm it has never failed to take a big game animal for me ..

[@tallen4520]

@@DeeMoback Good holes in what.....the clouds or the ground?

[@tallen4520]

@@normanmallory2055 I had an Oviedo 1916 Spanish Mauser in 7x57mm. A rabbit took it away from me and beat me up with it.

[@DeeMoback]

@@tallen4520 get a life ..... you have no clue

[@PhilHewkin]

6.5x55 swede, mild recoil, respectable ballistics, good penetration/expansion. the model 96 mauser is. a thing of beauty.

[@jeffdurden398]

I love me 96 Swede, I think a lot of the noise and light load data is the undeserved bashing of the Mauser 96 action. Remember all the uproar over the .308 Spanish Mausers that Samco used to import? I looked hard but could not find a single first hand problem. It was all "my friend's cousin" sort of stuff. I did run into some old load data for the 6.5x55 using Accurate 8700 [an out of production magnum powder}, and it basically called for stuffing the case full. That I would be a little leery of, but might give it a try with a 160 grain bullet. I think it would be dirty as heck though.

[@PhilHewkin]

most data I have seen presents anemic loads. I have an older hodgson load bible that lists impressive velocity, but that data is related to a 29 inch barrel. the 23 1/2 inch husq/gustav barrel turns 45 gr imr 4350 into 2550 fps from the longer barrel list of 2850 with 140 gr. I tried hotter than listed loads, I could safely achieve 2650 avg. with no sign of excess. accuracy remained excellent. I get nervous hot loading, and the lower velocity is very pleasant, and effective out to 200 yd. you can push it further.( I get 2900 with 120 not exceeding max.) a very good deer/varmint load. I will try 129 loads yet, should safely be 2700 fps appx, the 130 gr in th 270 win is popular with some, so I figure it may just be a good recipe in 6.5 swede.

[@8d4o0c4]

It is definitely worth checking the European loads, which tend to be much more inclined to extract the actual potential of the 6.5x55 SE. Enjoy that rifle!

[@pete1342]

PhilHewkin I agree. I have a 6.5x55, and also a Creedmoor. To me anyway, the only real reason for the Creedmoor is that it'll fit into an AR10 length magazine. It's a decent cartridge, but really doesn't do anything the Swede won't do with about 10,000 psi less chamber pressure according to my loading manuals.

[@ashman0071]

Word

[@davebonthetube]

I'm 53 and bought a 6.5 Creedmor this spring for these three reasons: 1) Low recoil. I hunted with a 30-06 for 35 years and just can't take the recoil anymore. Or rather, I don't want to take the recoil anymore. After sighting in my 6.5 I shot 2 more boxes at steel targets just for fun, and that's something I never did and never would do with the 30-06. The 6.5 is like a .22 in that regard, except that ammo costs 20x more! I shot last weekend with two friends and wrapped it up because their shoulders hurt. 2) I like the way the gun looks. 3) Marketing. It's a trendy caliber. Yep, I admit it, marketing worked on me and I'm too old to pretend it didn't. So what do reasons 2 and 3 have to do with hunting? Absolutely nothing, though you could rightly say they have quite a bit to do with the 10th commandment! Now the question I sit here and ask myself is, "would I have bought the 6.5 if I watched your video first?," and the answer is ... probably. Regarding the cost of ammo, sure, it's expensive but that is not a bother. I shot $100 last weekend and was ready to keep going, and that is a better bargain than shooting $10 of 30-06 and wanting to quit. Thank you for producing this excellent video!

[@Hawaii_Hunter]

I’ve hunted with a 300 Winchester Magnum in Hawaii for 25 years. The recoil and noise of the 300 Winchester Magnum is not as cool as it used to be. In 2021, I transitioned to the 6.5 Creedmoor and absolutely love it! The only regret I have is that I should’ve switched a long time ago. My 300 Winchester Magnum is now relegated to the back of my gun safe. All hail the 6.5 CM! 🙌🏼

[@strat1080]

I love your videos. Its so refreshing to listen to somebody that actually knows what hes talking about and is very objective and pragmatic about rifle cartridges.

[@rmteflonpenguin]

I am so thankful to be giving the expert wisdom of a lifetime in a few short minutes. Thank you sir!

[@olhippie1]

Gunblue490 you sir are the 'salt in the soup' ! That is to say, your savy commonsense practical analysis lends the truthful flavor to a complex combination of elements that renders the balance that satisfies best overall !

[@stephenhair5501]

6.5 Grendel in AR platform, because it fits and it has .246 SD in 120 grain bullet. It's been great on deer and will put Hogs down with the Federal Fusion bullet. Easily reloaded and has small rifle primer ignition. Low recoil too. Really like this round.

[@dapsapsrp]

I have three Swedish Mauser and love shooting the 6.5 Swede which in addition to being a fine military cartridge is an excellent hunting cartridge with appropriate bullets. You mentioned the 6.5 Arisaka. I used to have a Type 38 chambered in 6.5 Japanese and found to be very mild with respect to recoil.

[@BigRedPower59]

dapsapsrp I also own a 6.5 Arisaka. I really enjoy shooting it. It’s just sad that ammunition is so difficult to find and so expensive.

[@b01tact10n]

I know the 6.5 Swedish👍👍 I've loaded 140 Partitions for friend who hunts Moose with it. He doesn't like wasting meat same as me and waits for the perfect headshot. That rifle is extremely accurate @182m with perfect overlapping hits using a leadsled👍👍

[@thetechfella1]

At the time this video was made, I was similarly concerned about 6.5 Grendel. I'm really happy with the following it's received since then in the AR community. In terms of cartridges that an AR-15 can be chambered for, it really takes the cake at range.

[@frankmarshall1519]

Very interesting discussion. I was especially interested in the elk guides comments on the bore diameter relation to quicker kills.

[@ianstuart7395]

6.5 creedmoor has been going through the roof with popularity lately. It works so good for so many purposes. Definitely a sweet spot between .243 and 7mm. The bullet selection from factory ammo is what really makes it so attractive.

[@jacobbcox1985]

270 Win is and still in my favorite hunting round. 7mm-08 Rem is other round I prefer over 308. However 6.5mm and 260 caliber are great flat shooting rounds with accuracy. 30-06 and 25-06 are both great. I like 25-06 for dear hunting at longer range but overall I say take the 30-06. 300 Win Mag is more or less a too much for what I hunt will work but not needed.

[@brianc9374]

I love stock K98s. The 8mm is a wonderful round.

[@prevost8686]

I’ve only owned one 6.5 and that’s a Grendel. I wanted something that was going to be effective on whitetail out to about 150yds with low recoil and muzzle blast. The Grendel has fit the bill very well with surprising accuracy. It would make an excellent round for getting youngsters involved in hunting.

[@etiennescarbinski7890]

CZ has come out with a bolt rifle for the Grendel that looks interesting

[@prevost8686]

Etienne Scarbinski It’s been out for since the Grendel chambering has. It’s not a perfect rifle out of the box but it does have great potential,

[@stenmoeller]

Again, highly interesting. It's always a bit amusing with our proprietary calibers. As you say, here in Scandinavia the 6.5x55 is and remains very popular, so brass should always be available for import to the US, not least because in addition to moose hunting, there is also a lot of competition shooting going on with the ol' Swede. One thing that I am missing very much is some sort of a chart or list where various calibers' suitability for various game or size of game is clarified. Bigger bore & slower speed for forest hunting is quite understandable, but, for instance, I couldn't well use a .358 Winchester for fox hunting, just to take an exaggerated example. I am sure you see what I mean. One also has to take into account, although it's impossible to compare in numbers, the shooter's ability to handle a 300 Winchester Magnum as compared to a 7mm-08 for instance. A poorly placed shot would be worse than a smaller caliber bullet spot on.

[@PistolPeteSTL]

6.5 Grendel is probably more popular now than when this video was made, it may be one of the ones that sticks around, especially since you can get cheap steel case plinking ammo for it.

[@GunBlue490]

That may be true in your area, but it's entirely a special order in my neck of the woods. By the way, I do NOT recommend cheap steel cases. They have a history of scouring chambers. Steel is used by governments of poor countries that cannot afford quality brass.

[@jinjaturtle8406]

Hey there sir. I’m wondering if you could revisit this topic these years later. Particularly in reference to the 6.5 Creedmoor. It seems to have become a lot more popular since this video has been made. Maybe you have some experience now with it. Thanks again for all your great knowledge in your videos. God Bless.

[@MW-bi1pi]

This is a very rare time that GunBlue 490 has made a miscalculation. The 6.5 Creedmore has exploded in popularity since this video was recorded. They are now offered in Ruger Americans for $399 for example. Other Co's are offering them in inexpensive bolt rifles now that are more accurate than they have any right to be for their costs. The ballistic coefficient and sectional density of the 6.5 is exceptional. I think that cartridge will become entrenched. The reputation for accuracy is deserved and ammo prices have reached the lower point needed to truly become popular. It kind of hit that price vs. accuracy and usability point that the little .17 HMR hit in it's category 20 yrs ago. GunBlue 490 is a true sage for our times. The man is an absolute font of knowledge and good judgement. Kudos GunBlue.

[@str3tchr]

M W yeah they are everywhere now. I would like an update from him from this same site/distrusted now. Almost every rifle on Cabelas site that has a .308 option has a 6.5CM option

[@HarrisonCountyStudio]

It’s all marketing. . . and I wouldn’t consider the .17 HMR to be “popular”. I’m not opposed to the cartridge, it’s just that some of these new cartridges are designed to answer needs that frankly, no one was looking for. It really is marketing.

[@danbruce1899]

@Lewis Sparks There are a lot of people killing game with a 6.5 creedmoor for it to be such a narrow, niche cartridge meant only for target shooting.

[@danbruce1899]

@Lewis Sparks The same could be said of any cartridge, lots of people don't take the time to learn the skills or to learn proper shot placement that is necessary. That's not the fault of the cartridge. I am a big fan of the swede also, that doesn't mean the cm doesn't have merits.

[@danbruce1899]

@Lewis Sparks I couldn't care any less what you or anyone else shoots. What you have said though is simply erroneous. For instance, Ruger has sold a pile of their American model in 6.5 Creedmoor, by and large, those are going to be hunters instead of target shooters. Whether you like or don't like something or whether something else is better or worse has nothing to do with those facts.

[@caseymelick8023]

What a fabulous video. from A. to Z. The alpha the omega the beginning the end. refreshing, refreshing video. Humbling yes, but totally refreshing. Makes one feel flushed but yet renewed.

[@billmccullough777]

Nice analysis of the 6.5 field, but since I have a 257 Roberts and a bunch of ammo for it, I am going to pick up a pretty little 6.5 creedmore, too. There is some joy in shooting well built cartridges.

[@HarrisonCountyStudio]

I have used (3) .20 caliber rifles with great success. The .243, a .25-.06, and a .270. There is nothing the 6.5 could do for me that one of those rifles are already doing.

[@nathantaylor3576]

Love my Remington 700 Classic in 257 Roberts. In Utah, It has quickly killed every deer I have used it on.

[@rickmansberger4136]

Dear Sir, I want to take a moment to wish you a joyous holiday season and a Merry Christmas to you and your family. Thank you for continuing to share your knowledge of all things guns with your viewer community. Sectional density is tops on the list and that concept has connected the dots for a lot of hanging questions. I continue to review all of your videos to gleen further information for each and every one. When each new one is released, it is a Christmas present wrapped and delivered each and every time. Thank you for addressing metric numbers, they are still confusing and I believe President Reagan was right. May you and your family be safe and together, enjoy good health, and be looking forward to a prosperous New Year for 2017. God Bless. Cordially yours, Rick Mansberger PS. Merry Christmas to Benny

[@GunBlue490]

Rick Mansberger Merry Christmas to you and yours. I truly appreciate your inspirational comments that keep me going on this project! God Bless you.

[@TheOsfania]

If you are confused by the metric system, there may be no hope for you.

[@BG-qo8ol]

Best gun channel! No hype, all wipe. True mans man!

[@froggydoes7092]

Judging by the variety of ammo that I found in a major sporting goods store I will have to favor the 7mm 08 over the 6.5 Creedmor and 260 Remington. They may have an edge at extended ranges but those ranges don't exist where I live.

[@johnnash5118]

The 260 Rem. and 7mm-08 share the same 308 case and thus, will never be rendered extinct; unlike the currently popular 6.5 creed may become, unless it can maintain its sales momentum indefinitely. I chose the 260 Rem. over the 7mm-08 for long range shooting and western Oregon clear cut deer/elk hunting due to its superior exterior ballistics and charge/bore ratio. Incidentally, reloading the 260 Remmy from necked down 308, 7mm-08, or necked up 243 is also thriftier than with the creedmore. I can easily get free brass from any range for my 260, try that with the creed, and you'll be there for hours sorting through thousands of 260 compatible cases.

[@hotramen5952]

@@johnnash5118 the 6.5 creedemore is now the second most chambered round in the country. its now more popular than the .260 and 7mm08 have ever been, combined.

[@brianlee6849]

Great video 👍 as usual. You can cover so many issues revolving around all the parameters it's amazing. I've actually been thinking about the 260 Remington the 7 mm 08 and even the 243 Winchester the entire family of the 308. I know you're a big fan of the 7 mm o8 I've watched that video. I've been looking for a versatile rifle for hunting target shooting and fun that doesn't have that much recoil. Because my 11 year old son and my wife are wanting to get into shooting and hunting. The 308 I know has too much recoil for them. 7 mm 08 it's probably borderline depending on the bullet used. I think recoil wise 260 Remington and the 243 would be perfect for them. I'm kind of leaning towards the 260 Remington because it offers a little bigger bullet. I know the 140 partition Nosler is an excellent choice in the 260. The main reason I'm looking at this family of cartridges is the accuracy. Seems like you talk to anybody that owns any of these they really rave about the accuracy. Whatever they designed into the 308 has pasted down. I was reading 1 guys blog and how much he loved the 260 Remington and he was saying that he was a reloader and he could get plenty of brass cheap 308 milsurp. And neck it down himself. My question to you is how difficult is it to do that? and is that a safe thing to do because I've heard that there's issues with reloading milsurp ammo something to do with case thickness and pressures? Also would I be able to do the same thing with this with 7mm 08? Cost of the ammo is a big concern of mine. My wife is Chinese and she's very practical! If it cost a lot to shoot she's not going to want to do it. Thanks as always.

[@ChitFromChinola]

Love the 6.5 Swede. The Swedish Creedmoor before the Creedmoor was the Creedmoor. Good video. Thanks for posting.

[@jacoerasmus2525]

Sir, I am Jaco, I have been watching your videos for the last 3 years. I have been an avid firearm and huntinh enthusiast, growing up on a farm. With us, all our fathers and grandfathers owned the "trinity" 303 british, .22lr and 12ga shotgun. That was what most fatmers owned in South Africs. However my grandfather was a mauser fan, he owned a 6.5 portugeuse mauser (google it, can not find ammo for it) and a classic 7 x 57mm. I learned to shoor with these rifles when I was about 9 or 10 years old. Today, I own a 243 and 308, but as an enthusiast, I want to purchase a proper long range target rifle, and the 6.5's are undoubtely the business these days.

[@emnhw1comcastnet]

Talking about the 6.5 Grendel and the sales. Complete rifles in this caliber and platform are a thing of the past. I bought 5.56 upper receivers for my AR15, so I can switch between them. When I was looking to get a 6.5 grendel, I was only looking at getting the upper receiver. So that will also screw up the reading. Upper receivers are now the issue with the AR platform. Not complete rifles. Very nice talk on the 6.5!

[@OutdoorEDventures]

Ed J bolt & Grendel mag not standard

[@kurtmccauley9486]

There are multiple new complete Grendels on the market. Even more uppers.

[@johnm8891]

Now PSA is selling complete uppers at a great price that shoot sub moa in my experience. Wolf sells cheap plinking ammo too. Grendel is here to stay in my opinion.

[@firemanfostercfd]

John M Agreed. The grendel cartridge is here to stay due to the AR platform. Ballistically it is the best cartridge for the AR when you compare energy, BC, trajectory and velocity out past 200 yards. Yes the 6.8 SPC is comparable within hunting distances but why invest in the cartridge that is inferior past that?

[@puffdragon26]

I just wanted to say thank you . Thanks for sharing your incredible wealth of knowledge .

[@davidorpwoodnz]

I hope you tube is paying you well for this video as they have stacked it with adds //

[@pauldeahl3980]

I like the 6.5 Grendel because it is a good intermediate cartridge between the 223/5.56 NATO and the 308/7.62 NATO, has a good BC, and fits the AR15 platform. I think it makes a decent varmint, hog, and even deer round. As long as the round is understood and used within its capabilities it makes for a versatile cartridge with good potential.

[@robertfree1908]

I concur that understanding and using cartridges within their limitations. But after decades of hunting game in areas where they might be lost I lean towards GunBlue’s philosophy of ample power for anchoring game. Smaller bullets just need more speed and relatively heavy construction to offer assurance of reliable kills. To me this starts with 243 with favorites being 6.5 Swede, 270 Win, 280 Ackley and even the 325 WSM(I won’t avoid the accusation of being an odd duck)

[@boogerdog5247]

@@robertfree1908 The 6.5 Grendel with the correct bullet will do the job very well. Imo, if I had to pick one rifle, to do all, from target shooting, varmint, deer, hog, or shtf, I'd take the 6.5 Grendel in an AR15. Mine are Les Baer Custom's, 20" target crowned. I've always been a .270 150gr. Fed. Premium with a Nosler Partition. ( Eastern hunter ) but I've recently discovered Barnes TTSX in 6.5 Grendel that opened my eyes. I can also confess to being somewhat well vested in lineology. My first hunt was for rabbits in 1958.

[@robertfree1908]

@@boogerdog5247 I can’t reasonably argue with success. If the accuracy(and I haven’t seen an inaccurate 6.5 Grendel[or 6 ARC!] yet!) there along with enough bullet upset to ensure quick expansion then why not? Not that I’ve used either. But with friends and family building ARs so often I’ve seen what they can do. I myself just haven’t got that bug. I’ve just always like the classic stuff

[@boogerdog5247]

@@robertfree1908 For deer, my go to since the 80's has always been the Remington 700 BDL in .270, using only Federal Premium with 150gr. Nosler Partition bullets. I'm in the same traditional camp. No AR ever made feels like the bolt action in hand.

[@robertfree1908]

@@boogerdog5247 so true. My fave is 270 but I’ve used mostly 140s some 130s but never a 150. Nothing against them. Just here in Texas haven’t felt a need for them. Stout 130 will kill our biggest hogs

[@johannesvanhoek9080]

In my opinion, anyone that has or has experienced the use of a 6.5 x 55 Swedish Mauser realizes that they have or have had the best !👍

[@robertloban3809]

In discussing 308 family you forgot one of my favorite, the 358 win.

[@b01tact10n]

Great video, im glad you talk about ethical hunting, bullet construction also, shot placement. Ive witnessed what a 264 WinMag can do to Alaskan Bull Moose with a well placed headshot @110+ paces. I loaded 140 Nosler Partition bullets to accuracy specs for my best friends Winchester M70.👍👍

[@jcolem5576]

Like to know how many manufacturers are making bolt guns chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor now as we are at year's end 2018. I just got one for Christmas myself this year, a Thompson Center Compass. Many more like the Compass in it's price range and also many more at higher price points as well now chambered in the 6.5. And I mean bolt guns, too. What a difference a couple of years has made as far as that cartridge's popularity is concerned, and the firearms now made available in that caliber. And at all price points from mild to wild as well. I personally think the cartridge came into it's own this past year and predict more growth for it in the year to come.

[@writerharrison]

6.5 Creedmoor is an amazing round! It's only 10 years or so old..but it's out performing 300 win Mags with better drag and BC's. After 700 yards the 6.5 (.264) has retained more energy than the 300 Win..incredibly efficient cartridges. Haha in Canada we seem to utilize both metric and Imperial..I always convert metric into Imperial in my head because as a kid I knew Imp. first. Thanks for this great bit of info!

[@MrJtin69]

I ha e a 264 win mag an a 26 nosler as well as to many to list but the 264 win mag with modern barrels and powders is so good

[@leifhoklin2681]

Hmmmm...I'd be interested to find out how you came to the conclusion that a bullet fired from the 6.5 Creedmoor retains more enery than a bullet fired from the .300 Winchester Magnum at 700 yards. Surely you are not comparing bullets with similar BCs or SDs. Let me shine some light on this. Federal's Terminal Ascent 200gr bullet in the .300 Win Mag is conservatively rated at a MV of 2810 fps. We'll use this number. The Federal T/A 200 grain bullet has a BC of .608. At 700 yards, it retains a velocity of 1856 fps and is carrying 1530 ft-lbs of energy. Hornady's Precision Hunter 6.5 Creedmoor load with the 143 grain ELD-X bullet has a BC of .620 and is rated at a muzzle velocity of 2700 fps. At 700 yards, it retains a velocity of 1786 fps and is carrying 1013 ft-lbs of energy. In fact, at 1000 yards, the .300 Win Mag is still carrying over 340 ft-lbs more energy than the 6.5 Creedmoor. The 6.5 Creedmoor is a fantastic and efficient cartridge. It's an excellent target cartridge and a great close to medium range deer cartridge. Don't make the mistake of confusing its target range qualities with its capabilities as a hunting cartridge. It's not anywhere near the same league as the .300 Winchester Magnum. Hell, it's not even in the same sport.

[@garagegunguy5089]

I grew up a 30 cal shooter 30/06 for large mountain game and 308 for tactical shooting, the 25/06 has been my west Texas deer cartridge for years. I had taken up with the 6.5 creedmoor about 9 months ago purely as a 1200 yard steel silhouette rifle. I load and shoot the 140 burger and the 143 hornady eldx projectiles, and in my estimation if this wasn't such a heavy long tactical rifle I could lock all my other rifles away for good. I don't know how one would actually perform with a shorter lightweight sporter barrel but if the ftp of energy loss would be minimal in a 20-22" barrel in my own opinion this could be the rifle that fits most of my current hunting needs I rarely shoot deer at our ranch in west Texas out past 200yds, I've taken them out to 400 yds but I don't believe it's a ethical shot for most rifles and shooters myself included

[@GunBlue490]

Garage Gunguy Any 6.5 cartridge loaded with 120 grain bullets with a muzzle velocity of 2700 fps or more is absolutely sufficient, with more than enough energy for any whitetail to 350 plus yards. Comparatively speaking, it has somewhat greater frontal area than the 257 bore and far more than the 243, with considerably greater energy at equivalent velocities, and both of those bores are quite well established as very capable deer cartridges. The only reason 30 caliber rounds are popular is because they are popular, not because they are necessary for deer, which are certainly not heavy creatures. I would not go higher than 120 grain on deer in that chambering, which is fully equivalent to the sectional densities of 130 grain 270 diameter, 140 grain 7mm, or 165 grain 30 caliber, all perfectly suited for deer.

[@TsiRoadkill]

I have my bergara hmr 6.5 creedmoor shooting the 143s at 2900ish with a 22" barrel. 47.4g of reloader 26.

[@GeorgiaBoy1961]

Garage, if you own a modern bolt-action rifle chambered in 6.5x55 Swedish, you can then load the cartridge to pressures equivalent to or even exceeding those possible in the 6.5 Creedmoor. You wouldn't even have to push it that hard - depending on what particular bullet style and use you intend. You can also find very nice hunting rifles chambered in 6.5 CM, as Savage, Winchester, and a number of other companies now make them. These are normal profile barrels, not heavy tactical/target ones, so suitable for extended carry and use in the field.

[@markhansen3111]

I have a rifle in 260 Rem and love it. Super accurate and mild recoil. Don't have to worry about brass either since it is a necked down 308 brass. BC is fantastic too. To me it is a winner. I use it for whitetails and hogs in SE USA.

[@DeeMoback]

thank you for making clear there is a huuuuge difference between target shooting and taking game

[@DeeMoback]

I sight my 30-06 in at 325 yards and to make minimal adjustment out to 400 yards..... and little adjustment out to 500 .....I am very comfortable with that

[@chriskendziora5424]

I bought a 6.5 creedmore last year and shot 2 deer in 45 minutes win it.. it’s very accurate and easy too shoot well.

[@keithmartin7831]

That's an awful long reload time. Black powder on a raining cats and dogs in a small tornado. I hate it when that happens. Before you get your goat milked. I'm teasing , No harm intended. Go in Peace.

[@brucedavidson5400]

But it's a 6.5mm bullet, the deer must not have been as dead as a deer hit by a non metric designated bullet!

[@marcuschauvin7039]

I love the 6.5x55! I built a rifle using that caliber and an old German Mauser k98 action. Fast, accurate, and light woods gun. 7mm-08 Rem 140 grain will take an elk; I shot one at 409 yards with a fast kill in the mountains around Santa Fe, NM. No tracking.

[@dowdawg]

I own a cz in 6.5 swede it is a joy to shoot to say the least. Low recoil and noise are something you grow to appreciate over the years!!!

[@RC-bl2pm]

My partner had a .300 WSM. I can enjoy shooting my swede all day but I wanted out of the shooting house when that thing bellowed. He eventually went to a 7mm-08.

[@J_Un1t]

I’d love to see a 2023 update on that list, the creed is chambered in almost everything now.

[@ronaaserude8225]

I really enjoy your matter of fact videos and the fact that you have no agenda other than presenting the facts and suggesting suitable options for various situations. It also doesn't hurt that you have some experience and insight into certain cartridges that have long piqued my interest, ie. 7mm.08 and .257 Roberts. My first rifle was an 8X57 K98 Mauser and I found it a real brute to fire but it seemed to me the case itself has great potential with the right bullets in it.

[@echosreloadingchamber7306]

The 6.8 SPC also was too large of a piece of brass to correctly fit in the bolt of an AR-15 M16 Eugene Stoner platform rifle. It tended to blow the inner diameter of the bolt face apart it would blow a crack right along the rim of the bolt face and usually blow a locking lug off of the bolt as well when it popped this is why the military decided not to pick it up too much bullet 4 the amount of acreage they had on the face of the bolt to contain the cartridge pressure. Love your videos man I'm glad you're back been missing your videos. What kind of cigars do you smoke sir?

[@veriest1]

I wonder how the numbers stack up now almost 4 years later. The Grendel is interesting almost 4 years later because it's brass can be made from 7.62x39 brass. It's easy to have a second upper for it. I don't understand this videos obsession with sporter vs. military grade rifles. Both styles put meat on the table just fine and I think AR numbers might skew the popularity of the odd smaller cartridges some since uppers and barrels won't be listed at distributers as a rifle. There's more to the 260 Rem and 6.5 cm than just case capacity. As I recall the 260 can't use long 6.5 or overly heavy 6.5 bullets without eating into that case capacity. The 6.5 Creedmoor can use long bullets thanks to its case design.

[@pitts3219]

This is one man’s opinion and if you’re willing to believe it you will be missing out on a great opportunity to enjoy a wonderful cartridge with low recoil and extreme accuracy.

[@mikemagnum7987]

Back when I was young and starting out as a big game hunter, I was given a book written by the late Jack O'Connor. The one piece of advice that he proffered up in that book, that has stuck in mind was shooting big game using a "high lung shot"! I've practiced that shot placement for 50+ years with rifle and handgun and have never lost a single big game animal and have never wasted an ounce of meat... I bring this up because, I have used many different calibers in rifles over the years, including 6.5 and have never observed a difference between ANY of them in killing big game using the high lung bullet placement. 99.9% of the great cartridge debate is pure B.S. brought about by personal bias and/or the misleading kinetic energy figures. My 25-06 doesn't kill a big white tail here in the mountains of Washington and faster or deader than my .300 Win. Mag. or 7mm. Rem. Mag. or 7mm08 for that matter! When my son was 8, he took his first deer with a .243 Win. and it went down with a high lung shot like it had been shot with a .300 magnum... I've used a .270, 30-06, .308, 6.5x55, .243, .444 Marlin, 45-70, 300 Weatherby Magnum, .300 Win. Mag., .375 H&H Mag., 7mm Rem. Mag., .44 Rem. Mag., .41 Rem. Mag., .357 Mag., .454 Casull and probably a few that I can't recall right now... The point being, they each killed large mule deer or white tails and black bear with equal effect using the high lung shot. Use common sense when choosing a hunting cartridge and don't ignore history and the old school words of wisdom that brought us to where we are now! There are no "magic" bullets and sub 1moa rifles don't kill big game at hunting ranges any deader than 1.5moa rifles do... The 6.5 hype is for marketing and sales only! A 6.5 will do what any .243 or .308 will do!

[@tallen4520]

For lung/heart shots, the .300 H&H Mag , with a 215 Gr roundnose Core Lokt can't fail.

[@robertmintz63]

Sir ! Your final comment ( I understand) but possibly some don’t , it would have been better stated . A 6.5 will NOT DO ANYTHING that a 243 or 308 will NOT do !!

[@tallen4520]

@@robertmintz63 Absolutely correct; Not even better shot placement.

[@johnwayne7476]

The 6.5 caliber is definitely good on paper. Actual hunting performance is negligible at best. 22long rifle has dropped many a deer. Saying that the 6.5 does offer a very good selection of bullets . It’s a great caliber, as are all . 270 is my personal preference. I know one fellow who built a 30/06- 6.5 mm wildcat on a k98 action with a costume 28” stepped section taking it from a Bull barrel to a sporting contour. Just after the end of forearm. It’s a very nice rifle. He carved the stock himself. And the trigger is < 3 lbs . Hair actually. He uses magnum powder and primers . It’s ultra accurate. Cuts a ragged hole at 100 yards. 20 shots. Whilst at the range one day a buzzard was spotted . NEW TARGET! Everyone gave up after a few minutes. The bird never moved . Range finders out and others like me watching in s scope . Watched as he blew it into feathers with one of his varmint loads, free handed at that. He knew his rifle that he built and knew his loads well enough to only shoot once. Sounds like a belted Mag when fired . 10lbs as well.

[@randyschaff8939]

Mike Magnum Absolutely right. A high lung shot works even with a .22 lr from up close even on the biggest deer. Shoot it through the ribs leave it alone. It will go about 100 yds lie down and die.🇨🇦🤠

[@johncox7563]

I know it's not practical but at 300 yards last year having a fast follow up shoot with my ar308 bagged me an 18 in wide 8point witch is a awesome buck for north Carolina were I hunt and to add to the grendel its awesome for kids its ability to smoke deer is incredible

[@MrKen-longrangegrdhogeliminato]

A 6.5x55 Swedish carbine, scope Weaver 4x, 51 years ago was my first deer rifle. The 6.5 Swede is still my favorite cartridge. It drops deer like a stack of rocks!

[@Thirsty_Fox]

May I ask what ammo you prefer for deer hunting? The 6.5x55 Swede is such a pleasant round.

[@MrKen-longrangegrdhogeliminato]

@@Thirsty_Fox Sierra bullets 140 gr soft point flat base, for in my reloads for Deer (6.5x55 Swedish)

[@michaelcarpenter8591]

Great piece, as always! With regard to the popularity stats, it would be interesting to know if something is growing or shrinking, because new things tend to start small. It seems like the 6.5 Creedmoor is growing in popularity, as I see it taking up more and more shelf space at the store. I have a 6.5 Grendel just because I didn't like the 5.56 for which my AR15 was originally chambered ('ex-Marine, BTW, and having an AR after all these years is like renewing a friendship; 'loved your two pieces about the AR). The 6.5G is fine for target shooting, but I've taken a couple of hogs with it too, and I might try it for deer this year. I guess I'd better use it while I can still get ammo!

[@GunBlue490]

Michael Carpenter Yes, the Creedmoor is gaining a following, largely because of very aggressive support and marketing by Hornady and others. Though not significantly different ballistically to either the old and venerable 6.5 Swede or the struggling 260 Remington, and having a non standard case design, it seems to have hit the timing curve at just the right moment in history, when metric names have a military sounding acceptance that was rejected by Americans not long ago. The .264 (6.5mm) bore has a combination of light weight, efficient ballistic coefficient, and high sectional density that can maintain its rather modest initial velocity for good results on game. It's an excellent long range target round; no better, I would say than the 260 Remington that uses exactly the same bullet selection, driven at virtually identical velocities from the extremely efficient and highly accurate .308 Winchester/7.62 NATO case. Strangely, metric cartridge names sounded too "foreign" to Americans, and were often the demise of an otherwise great round. This generation is fascinated by metrics that their dads rejected, so the Creedmoor is catching on, while the 260 Remington is fading at the same rate. Europeans must be laughing hysterically, because their 6.5 Swede has been doing the same thing on game and targets for nearly 125 years (and its bigger case has more loading potential.). I must say this.... It's a great cartridge, but it's not magic, nor does it possess any special ballistic gift. It loses velocity at a lesser rate than other bores, but it does no "retain" velocity, nor does it carry downrange velocity that is magically greater than cartridges that have significantly greater velocity to begin with, nor is its 6.5mm bore larger than .264", which has significantly smaller frontal area than 7mm, 30 caliber, or larger bores. It should not be hyped to mythical proportions, and viewed soberly for its actual ballistics, for its applied purpose. Its best hunting bullet for deer sized game is the 120 grain, which exits the bore at around 3000 feet per second on a good day. The 270 Winchester with the 130 grain bullet has virtually identical ballistic coefficient and sectional density and leaves the bore 100 feet per second faster with ease, and has greater frontal area. The 7mm-08 has similar ballistics, with yet greater frontal area. The bullets with extremely high ballistic figures are strictly long range target bullets with no field application. The heavier 6.5 hunting bullets have deep penetration, but lack the frontal area often needed to ventilate and collapse an elks lungs as swiftly as their larger bore counterparts. The 6.5 bore's greatest asset is reduced recoil, but keep an eye on ammo price and availability, which is a practical consideration often overlooked. I would not discourage you from buying a Creedmoor, but would suggest you assess your needs and projected uses with a clear head, and not be drawn by fad.

[@michaelcarpenter8591]

Thanks, I haven't drunk the 6.5 mm Kool-Aid, but I like the little 6.5 Grendel round better than the 5.56 NATO on an AR15. This is more likely linked to the better quality 6.5 barrel I used (compared to the one that it came with) than to any 6.5 magic. It certainly isn't as cheap to shoot round-per-round as the 5.56, but bull's-eyes are cheaper. The only reason I might use the Grendel hunting this year has to do with the restoration project for my battered, 30 year old tang safety Ruger .270, which is taking too long. The old Ruger takes 2 deer every year, but maybe not this year. I bedded the action to the stock after watching your video on that subject, which was truly helpful. Thanks again, 'Love your videos!

[@GunBlue490]

Michael Carpenter I would say the Grendel advantage you see is in fact the barrel. The 223 Remington is an exceptionally accurate round that takes a back seat to very few, and enjoys many powder and bullet combinations. The greatest difficulty wringing accuracy with the 223 is the current trend toward aggressive twists, which are tough on the many varmint bullets that have thin jackets, long ago designed for comparatively slow twists. Twists such as 7 and 8 inch require jackets that were not really ever designed for such rotational RPMs. No, they are not over stabilized, but they do suffer deformation and jacket tearing. Those twists were designed for particularly slow velocities, using long bullets with thick jackets that were specifically engineered to stand up to the aggressive rifling forces. There is a reason that benchrest shooters stick to lazy twists, and why bolt guns are still commonly made with 12s for up to 55 grain pills. And they stay cleaner.

[@BuddyNutcracker]

Back in late-March, Had a friend drop a running near 400lb hog in Texas at 275-300 yards with a single hit of 6.5 Grendel 123gr Hornady SST. Broke a rib on the way in, liquified the organs and smashed the shoulder on the way out. It is nasty. We cleaned it and the wound channel was reediculous. I dont think you can go wrong with the 6.5G out of an AR-15 length action, period. I wouldnt fear elk or even brown bear with that round in my semi-auto rifle. Quick shooting and reloads in that platform. Went out and bought an upper of the same within the month. It is a nail driver too, btw.

[@Wen-ve8nx]

Very interesting discussion several years after the fact. The stand out nowadays is the 6.5 Creedmoor. A few years back, enthusiasm for the Creedmore also puzzled me, but now it seems to be the new thing with wide acceptance in both military and civilian circles. In civilian circles, I'm running into a lot of former .308 Winchester riflemen who are now letting the Creedmoor take the place of their 308 on the rack. Increasingly, hunters in places like Alaska consider themselves ill-equipped with out one. Their justification usually has something to do with superior long-range performance (over 650 yards) with substantially more manageable recoil; they also see the shorter range performance as at least comparable to .308 for most purposes. Also, the rifles themselves don't tend to get very heavy. I'm less familiar with the US military thinking with regard to the Creedmoor, but I suspect there are circumstances where the 6.5 Creedmoor is perceived as a happy-medium between .223 and .308. I have always felt that .308 was a merely suitable (but certainly not perfect) replacement for the .30-06, but given the military's criteria for the change, they didn't go far enough. In recent years, I have heard a lot a talk coming out of the military about increasing the average rifleman's range, something that Creedmoor could well do. I'd love to hear your explanation for the 6.5 Creedmoor phenomenon.

[@leifhoklin2681]

I know you want to hear Gunblue’s explanation, but I’ll give you mine…clever marketing and a lot of people who don’t know any better. 6.5 creedmoor is very efficient, fabulously accurate, and is capable of accepting high B.C. bullets that enables the 6.5 creedmoor to compare favorably against the .308 Winchester at longer range. That’s why the military likes it. However, as a hunting cartridge, it’s really a 400 yard medium game proposition. It starts at relatively modest velocity and throws a small caliber, relatively light bullet. Ballistic coefficient doesn’t make up for this. It doesn’t start with 3000 fps+ velocity and it doesn’t start with 2900 ft-lbs+ of energy. However, because of the marketing, people seem to believe it’s a magic long range hunting cartridge. It is not. It’s a fine target cartridge that happens to be adequate for deer out to 400 yards. If anyone tells you otherwise, they’re full of horse apples.

[@normanmallory2055]

All my hunting life of over 55 years , i have seen lever guns , pump guns , semi autos , and my favorite the bolt guns.. When i was 16 years old my first year hunting big game (deer) i carried a Win. 94 in 30-30 .. In camp and the camp half a mile from us every hunter used either a 30-30 , or 30-06 or .270 Win. I remember those hunters used cannons to hunt with compared to my 30-30 .. funny to this day when i think back .. It''s wasn't until the late 1960's that i hunted with a fellow that used the .264 Win mag .. Not only did that ctg shoot very flat it was very powerful and hunting with him he had no problem taking an Elk down ..I always felt after shooting his a few times at the range and in the field that it was way more ctg than i would ever need to hunt deer , black bear or elk..Not really very popular ctg here in the pacific northwest, i seen very few of them over the years ..

[@ashmerch2558]

I gotta say i fell in love... I feel in love at first sight, with the Winchester model 70 super grade maple. I really like the .264 Win Mag. I also like the 7mm Rem Mag and 300 Win Mag.... I handload as well so I have some flexibility. I'm just torn on caliber. I'm leaning towards the 6.5mm because of ballistic coefficient and lower recoil, also the 26" barrel will help maximize my hand loads

[@philvandemoortel1816]

Ash Merch I feel your pain, I love the maple stocked model 70 super grade as well. Winchester also has the featherweight with a maple stock. Would love to see them offered in 7mm 08 or 6.5 x 55.

[@ashmerch2558]

Phil vandemoortel a featherweight maple model 70 would be fantastic, especially in the affor mentioned 6.5x55

[@subzero18851]

6.5 bullet selection is awesome. Just make sure the rifle has a 1:8 twist.

[@greatlakespowerstrokefx4]

What’s your game? Deer, mule deer, sheep only? 264 is right up your ally. Add in elk, and 7mag might be your best bet. Take out the long range hunting on sheep and keep the deer and elk and mule deer and 300 mag might be your ticket. Add in alaska bear/ moose and 300 mag or 338 mag will be your way to go. Personally id say, buy both. Buy the light and a heavy. Best of both worlds. A load out of 264 and 300 or 7mag and 338 is hard to beat or any combination there. All three are just fantastic hunting calibers. If you want to hunt white tail deer only, might want to consider a lighter cartridge like 308 30-06 270 280/280ai or 260 rem/ 6.5 creed or a straight up 6.5 x55. I thought winchester made at least one rifle in the old sweed

[@randyschaff8939]

Yup exactly right War trophies that all my forebearers brought home. Carcano Arisakas Mauser 98’s. Lugers Walthers etc etc. Ha Ha. Thousands still around. When it comes to harvesting game it’s . 30 06 baby! When l was a kid it was .303 Brit. Great vids bud and greets from Canada🇨🇦🤠

[@uralbob1]

I really enjoy reading everyone's commets. I agree that we are blessed with abundant calibre choices, which is a fun and woderful thing, but I tend to believe as Gunblue490 does. I love all those classic cartidges from long ago, the vast manority of which, perform just as well as their new siblings. If new cartridge development had stopped 40 or more years ago, we'd still have sufficient cartridges choices for every purpose (with the exception of the military, of course).

[@montyherren26]

My advice if you want to learn about the 6.5 bullets is to get an old Swedish model 96 mauser and let the fun begin. I'd bet you'd fall in love with it.

[@Master...deBater]

I took your advice 10 years ago!!!

[@ultrahighgain412]

I find the 6.5 Creed to be immensely popular with the under 40 crowd. I’m a Gen Xer and I still go with the 30-30, 7mm-08, and 30-06 depending on what I’m hunting and the distance I might expect to encounter the game. I live in the northeast where 250 yards is a very long and very rare shot.

[@HondoTrailside]

The magic of certainly calibers like the 6.5 comes down in large measure to the fact that we categorize bullets by weights. Rather than having certain caliber to length ratios for every caliber, whatever grain weight those came out to. If we then have two dissimilar calibers, that have bullets of the same weight, those bullets will have different drag factors. In addition we have certain calibers like the 6.5 where the historically preferred bullets are longer, and the barrels are set up to have more extension from the case, and more setback on the lands. The result is a platform that has much better long range performance and penetration. This is because in the case of the battle rifle period, the countries that fielded the 6.5 had to make up the lower weight projectile with rather extraordinary length in the bullet.

[@kitbruttig1995]

Hi John, I appreciate your common sense with regards to buying odd or limited available cartridges. I also appreciate your fondness of the 257 Roberts. I wish you would do a special video on the 257 Roberts on how one would go about building a reasonably priced rifle. Maybe using a used model 70, Howa, or Ruger CRF Hawkeye. What barrel twist , suggested action - short or long? Necessary bolt face size etc. Availability of brass etc? Thank you so much, I know the 257 Roberts is functionally obsolete, but it is such an iconic American cartridge.

[@roderickmalkinshakespearec9908]

Hey Gunblue490! We need an update on this topic! The 6.5 Creedmoor has taken off here in British Columbia to some extent, for deer hunting. ... Lots of sporter rifles being sold anyway. And, re popularity, while this is no means a conclusive note, I just checked Midway USA... and the 6.5 Creedmoor has more different ammo options available for sale than any other medium game hunting caliber, until you get up into the 30 cals - see below: 243 Winchester - 69 25 06 Remington - 33 6.5 Creemoor - 83 260 Remington - 25 270 Winchester - 80 7mm 08 - 34 7mm Rem Mag 75 30 30 Winchester - 37 308 Winchester - 158 30 06 Winchester - 116 300wm - 100 Lots of factors of course. Love to hear your analysis! God's Love, Mountain River Valleys!

[@GunBlue490]

Thanks. Actually, I was planning on a revisit of the 6.5 Creedmoor and other 6.5s.

[@roderickmalkinshakespearec9908]

Yay!

[@DougA333]

Got a Browning Xbolt in 6.5x55 swede sighted in, can't wait for deer season👍

[@tacman2893]

Very interesting video. It took me awhile to view this because I simply had no interest in the 6.5 craze .... until I discovered the 6.5 x 55 Swede. It was by total fluke having done a bit of a restoration on a Model 96 Mauser my nephew acquired. What a great cartridge! The more I look at it the more I liked it .... and the more I wondered why the 6.5 Creedmore was even necessary. Now in my neck of the woods (western prairies Canada) the 30-06/308 Win and 7mm RM Mag and 300 Win Mag rule. Also lots of 270 Wins in the mix. For the record I am a Weatherby nut so among my 243, 308, 7mm RM and 223 are 300 and 257 Bees. All that said, What is very intriguing is that I have seen a sudden increase in the attention the 6.5 Swede seems to be getting here in God's Country. Maybe the popularity of the Sako and Tikka rifles out here has something to do with it? Is it possible because of the Creedmore the Swede round will make a big comeback. But the marketing types hope not. Interesting times indeed.

[@GunBlue490]

Yes, timing and strong marketing came together along with a slick name with the Creedmoor, and nothing more. Interestingly, it has virtually identical ballistics and accuracy of the 20 year old 260 Remington, and considerably less potential than the 19th Century 6.5 Swede. But Hornady understood how folks react to the names of cartridges, and seized on three realities: the 6.5/264 bore is highly efficient, the Swede was virtually unknown or irrelevant here, and the 260 Remington was received with little notice, sounding like an impotent 270 Winchester. I don't have a 6.5, but if I did, it would be the Swede, hands down.

[@seeratlasdtyria4584]

@@GunBlue490 GB, I have a pristine 6.5mm swede with a registration number of '666'. I mean "pristine" :) I think they may have been afraid to shoot it , and left it alone in storage. I can get just a bit over .5 moa with it with the original iron sights from the bench. :)Seer As for the Swede 6.5 killing game, I believe just two guys between them, killed about a combined 1,000 men with them in only a few months of warfare.Seer

[@johnnyv.223]

I have a few boxes(50 rds. per box) of Norma 6.5X55 SE. They're 130gr. (Diamond Line Fält) and moly coated rounds. Norma website and speed listed on the box was/is 2953 feet/sec., out of a 29" bbl. I have an exceptional condition(it's quite common to have an "exceptional" condition Swede) 1903 manufacture Carl Gustafs 29" rifle. It's said that the steel that they used was quite good, and this is one reason for their value. My dad's old Springfield .30-06 was made in about the same time frame. Also supposed to be strong steel. I called Norma about a dozen years ago, and asked about the concern of using this specific high-velocity ammunition in my vintage rifle. The gentleman immediately said that it would "be just fine." I think that they might actually be using these surplus rifles to test-fire them. I believe that I read somewhere that Vihtavuori has a powder that can generate this high velocity safely (in perhaps stronger brass?) For use in these surplus rifles. Would the steel be equally strong as the steel of the Springfield? Thanks for any help. I don't want to blow up my beautiful Swede, but it's like to shoot this load of it really is safe. By the way - Lapua is now making a similar or identical round, and it has the high velocity, and it's also being tested in a 29" bbl.

[@randyschaff8939]

The skinny seven(270 win) covers every application lol.🇨🇦🤠

[@thesheepman220]

I had a cz in 6.5x55 swed sold to by a 270 win ,the swed is low recoil effective and efficient caliber I used 140 to 156 Grn a very long OAL its very popular here in the uk ,I may rebarrel my Remington BDL custom deluxe 243 win to a 260 R.E.M. After the new year just that little more punch than the 243 win thanks for the video I enjoyed it atvb Steve

[@craigshealy4671]

Omg I had a 6.5 Remington. My father gave it to me. He never even shot it he just told me it was an experimental round. And I freaking sold it. I want to cry now

[@keithmartin7831]

You should. Got any other guns your father gave you. We can experiment how they look in my safe. I'm just joking feller. But I'm always looking for deals 🙀🥃🗜

[@strat1080]

I have a Tikka T3 stainless in 6.5x55 which is my go to rifle for deer sized game. I have another Tikka in 300 WM that is my elk gun. Public land elk hunting is tough and its very hard to even see an elk on public land let alone get close. I like the 300WM for those 300+ yard shots on elk not only for trajectory but increaded terminal ballistics. A 300 WM at 200 yards is the same as a 308 at the muzzle. The 6.5s are great deer cartridges but are effective for elk for a recoil shy shooter. I think most people are overgunned for deer. You dont need a 308 or 30-06 for deer. A 30-06 is hard to beat as an all around rifle. I consider it a 400 yard elk rifle and it puts deer down hard. Ive never been a big 308 fan. It just doesnt do anything for me.

[@randyschaff8939]

strat1080 You want a good blue trail on Elk. They are extremely tough. They don’t give up just because they have been shot. A round that goes through both shoulders and drops that Big Guy is only fair so .300 or .338 win.🇨🇦🤠

[@falba1492]

Several months ago, I rightly took your advice on picking a cartridge that would be available at Walmart, even though I do reload. The idea of traveling somewhere for a hunt and not easily finding ammunition was worrisome. Well, last month the 6.5 Creedmoor made it to the shelves of my local Walmart. It is my least favorite of the three rounds you discussed, but the availability of ammunition, and evermore popularity of the caliber in long range shooting seems very promising. I wonder how many more manufacturers are offering the 6.5 Creedmore since you published this video two years ago? Many thanks for your words of wisdom.

[@GunBlue490]

The Creedmoor has certainly surged in popularity since then, owing entirely to Hornady's savvy marketing and to the very slick name they gave it that has its roots deep in American shooting heritage. That's all there is to its difference between the equally capable 260 Remington, released over 20 years ago with a name that sounded like a castrated 270 Winchester with nobody paying attention in the least to its qualifications. Grendell and Creedmoor sound more exciting than (yawn) Remington. Even now, after the 6.5 bore size has taken off, and even with the slightly better (not much) velocity potential of the 260 Remington and its far more readily available 308 brass that can be reformed from 243, 7mm-08, and 308 with one pass through a sizing die, the 260 Remington seems destined to go the way of the 6mm Remington. Both superb, but colossal marketing flops. It's all in the advertising. Americans are only now discovering what the 6.5 Swede has been about for over a century, which has even more potential and versatility.

[@slightenigma]

Why is there such a disparity between powder manufacture load data and projectile manufacture loading books? I have found perfect loads from Nosler load books that exceed Hornady load books when using new ELD Hornady projectiles?

[@GeorgiaBoy1961]

Most publishers of reloading manuals down-rate their reloading data by 30% or so for the 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser, due to the fact that many of the rifles in that caliber here in the U.S. are military surplus Swedish Mausers which may be as-old as 120 years since the date of manufacture. Since the quality of the steel may vary in those older rifles, the prudent choice from their point of view would be to opt for less-potent loads. Loaded to its full-potential, the 6.5x55 is capable of performance equivalent to -perhaps even surpassing - the .260 Remington and 6.5 Creedmoor. Speer, if memory serves, has two sections in their reloading manual, one for mil-surplus, one for modern rifles.

[@reedpond6867]

I own and shoot the 6 MM Rem, 6.5-06, 280 Rem and the 280 AI for Deer, Black Bear and Elk hunting.

[@airbornesoldieramerica7125]

One of these Japanese rifles from 1 of my great uncles that he brought back to America from WW2 was handed down to me some years back. Think GunBlue490 is probably right, most of these Japanese rifles probably never been shot since WW2.

[@alanlabar7722]

Your Videos are so instructive and so enjoyable. Thank you again.

[@jaredthibodaux6796]

I love my 6.5x55, it has the light recoil of a 243 and the ballistic efficiency of a 7mm Rem Mag. I never used it on moose and feel that there are more ideal calibers for game of that size but I consider it a perfect rifle for deer class game. The new 6.5 Creedmoor is no doubt just as effective but truth be told my old 6.5x55 can match it's ballistics at 10,000 psi less pressure so I don't see the need to switch.

[@seeratlasdtyria4584]

GB, just so you know, 47gr of H4831 in a good clean 6.5 swede case gets me excellent sub moa accuracy and between 3000 and 3100fps with the NOsler 140 accubond, out of my original mil 29" barrel, AND with a BC around .650, it will literally knock the chit out of nearly anything in North America, 'waaaay out there' :) And with a fraction of the recoil of the 7m mag, 270, or 308/30'06 stuff. Though not exactly a lightweight 'mtn' or deep woods 'jump shooting' rifle you'd choose to chase high mountain sheep / goats, or deep woods trophy Elk, with if you had to do any significant high altitude climbing, If you pack in with a horse, or vehicle, it's truly a ridge to ridge/open plains, game getter. That case with the longer barrel LOVES slow burning powders:) and the 47gr of H4831 is just a smidge below case capacity, so the shot to shot velocity deviation is indeed negligible,, cross wind effect minimalized at range, and its trajectory simply makes it deadly to anything you can spot before it spots you. As one guide once remarked to me, "That mauser guy really knew what the hell he was doing" . Seer

[@graynotescartridgebox]

Your BC is inflated.

[@kmcmichael]

If I went back to the 1970s, I would get a factory shorter 96 Mauser in 6.5x55, a CZ-75 handgun, and a bespoke 20 ga SXS to do anything I wanted other than competition...that is probably a lie. I would still buy too much stuff. I mainly shoot steel informally at longer ranges. I still would not shoot any game at anywhere near long range as I am colorblind and cannot follow blood trails. I have a rangefinder and a ballistics program on my phone. Wind is the big deciding factor on longer range. I like the Creedmoor as the longer neck works well with longer projectiles over the .260. I think he is wrong about the Grendel due to its popularity with the AR platform.

[@UnckieBub]

Value cal's for me. 270 Win I can get for $12-$15 a box of Green & Yellow these days works for me!!!. I do not reload, not interested but I like to shoot. The 4 other cal's I can buy ammo at that price for big game are 30-30, 243. 308 or 30-06. Your not going to find 6.5 anything or 7mm anything anywhere for those prices anytime you look in North America. @GUNBLUE490 You Rock Man!!! Keep the videos coming!!!

[@ricashbringer9866]

When I lived in RI the only non .30 cal rifle I heard used for hunting was sporterized Karabiner 98k. Guys who had them loved them.

[@jate2014]

I really think the grendel will be here for a little bit. Simply because it's an ar caliber that has a longer range than 5.56. I have a savage 6.5 creedmoor savage model 12fv. Its very heavy but accurate. Not necessarily more accurate than a sporter barrel, just seems easier from a rest to shoot. I like the 140 grain bullets going 2800 fps. Plenty of velocity, and expansion on elk size game. But my question is what range will a 6.5 effectively kill a elk? When does it become unethical to shoot? Got over .600 bc on these bullutes going 2800. Its an eld which expands immediately up to 1800 fps. Thanks for input

[@jimparker7778]

I found some great Swedes back when you could buy the Carl Gustov military rifles for under 100 bucks. Most had great bores and were sweet shooters.

[@donnymac575]

I really enjoy your videos and the information you provide. I only wish I had more time to watch them.

[@sammylacks4937]

Thank you for sharing your experience. I certainly understand that everyone picks a caliber or several calibers on their needs and likes. I have two chambered in 6.5 Ceedmoor but who can say they are the best for everyone. I like all of em. I wish I could afford more in various calibers. The 220 Swift , 22-250 , 204 Ruger. Notice I like the ez on ya shoulder ones. I got tired of getting my hat knocked off. Lol

[@PaskKingFisher001]

Comparing the 6.5 Creedmoor to the 260 Remington is similar to comparing the 222 Remington to the 223 Remington. In determining which chambering I was going to go for, between the 6.5 CM and the 260 Rem, I found this: The 260 has a 20 degree shoulder and the 6.5 has a 30 degree shoulder. The neck on the 6.5 is longer, while having an overall length shorter than the 260. This allows for similar powder charge, but the 6.5 allows more freedom to play with the seating depth. Since they use the same bullets, it looks like you can get 50 to 100 feet more with the 6.5 using the 140gr bullets. All other things being equal, the 6.5 can be faster, which might offer a slight edge for the target shooter. Also, given the case dimension of the 6.5, I would suggest it would perform better than the 260 in a gas gun from an ejection perspective. Since not all is equal, in Canada (Ottawa anyway) the 6.5 is much more popular that the 260, making the rifles and the ammo that much more available for the 6.5. Funny enough, these are mostly all bolt actions, where case length is irrelevant in a short action. Based on the availability alone, I'm going with a 6.5. I would argue that if you already have a 260 Remington, there is no point in have a second rifle in 6.5 Creedmoor.I don't have information on the 260 Ackley Improved, but that might make things even harder to compare.

[@GunBlue490]

Your assessment about availability is the correct approach. Keep in mind that a full 100 feet per second yields only 20 yards of ballistic difference, and only small fractions of an inch in trajectory, and it's more like 50 fps with the two. Three shooters competing with the same bullets in a 6.5 Swede, 6.5 Creedmoor and 260 Remington are setting their scopes to their zero for the range they are shooting, and have no advantage over the other. An Ackley shooter at the same line will do the same with a thinner wallet. In terms of hunting, none are marginal within ethical ranges, and strike on flat trajectories, and therefore, such differences are entirely irrelevant.

[@charlesludwig9173]

My results with 6.5/284 in NRA LR competition made wind reading moot, in prevailing winds. It's like shooting a laser. Shooting at 600 yards sling supported prone with irons, match #531, in the National Long Range Championships back in 2003, I shot a 200 x 14 with no wind adjustment. The barrel did get real hot however requiring 2 MOA of elevation adjustment in my first 6 rounds for record, thus just 14 X's and only a 4th place finish.

[@TsiRoadkill]

2 years later 6.5 creedmoor has practically taken over the long gun industry.

[@GunBlue490]

Trevor Roth Its popularity has certainly grown, but it has not taken over yet by any stretch. As with many long range rounds, its popularity is regional, where its long range potential can be realized. It hasn't even hit the ground in my neck of the woods. One can get a distorted impression from print articles and web chatter. Firearm chambering presents a clearer view. Winchester released it this year as a 2018 Shot Show special edition for their Model 70 Featherweight, which is a distinction they normally reserve for classic old, faded, rounds such as the 7x57 Mauser and 257 Roberts, but it has not been included yet in their regular lineup. I will say that there has been some significant interest, but to borrow an old gun phrase, only time will tell if it's a flash in the pan, or here to stay. I could list at least 20 rounds that have been briefly popular in my life which have since been given the cold shoulder, or did a disappearing act.

[@danielbarker3459]

Zero legitimate hunting application with 6.5cm in the southeast U.S..... here in Florida there's no need for a scope either.

[@tallen4520]

Not where I live.

[@randyschaff8939]

Trevor Roth flavour of the month for boosting sales🇨🇦🤠

[@randyschaff8939]

GunBlue490 l agree🇨🇦🤠

[@raynelson5827]

I wanted something different so I bought a Tikka 6.5 Swede a few days ago. There's not much choice in 6.55x55 SE ammunition on the shelf where I live so I bought what they had, a box of 140's to sight in. Meanwhile brass and dies ought to show up in the mail today or tomorrow. I've always gone with 180's for deer and elk with my 30.06 and .308Win. Similarly, I'm thinking 140's for the 6.5 and my books say I ought to get say 2600+ mv through the Tikka's 22.5" barrel with 140's and RL-22. Your video seems to favor the 120's with a 6.5 but my experience with 30 caliber leads me to want the 140's. I have better guns for elk but if I'm hunting with the Swede it's going to be mighty tempting to bust a bull when the opportunity arises and it just seems to me I'd be better armed with 140's. I rarely shoot out beyond say 250 or so. Might you have any advice on bullet weight or type?

[@raynelson5827]

I've been loading for the 6.5 x 55 for the past several weeks. I tried the Hornady ELD-X 140 grain bullets with Hornady Superperformance powder as suggested by my local sporting goods store. I really couldn't get this combination to fire consistent and accurate groups at 100 yards. Gave up for the time being and began loading Hornady Interlock SP 140's pushed by IMR4895 with better success. I'm getting reliable 1 to 1 1/2 inch groups with bullets seated and crimped into the cannelure. I switched to Hodgdon H-4350 and saw a considerable improvement with groups reliably to an inch and under. Most recently I've been trying to coax this rifle to shoot Nozler Partitions. I tried to seat bullets close to the rifling lands, then work up a load series to find the best groups. Although I did fire several good groups I couldn't get the loads to group consistently. After burning up a box of bullets I went back to the Nozler and Lee manuals and began seating to their recommended 3.025 to 3.030 OAL. I worked up a series which produced a couple good groups then loaded a dozen rounds to compare them. Finally, what I was looking for. 42.6 grains of H-4350 pushed the Nozler Partitions into 5/8" and 3/4". A bit pricey getting there, but it's a hunting load I think. Also, of interest. I get sooting cases, at times clear down into the extraction groove when using both the Superperformance and H-4350 particularly with lighter loads. I had a conversation with a local gunsmith who explained in painstaking detail the difference in medium and slow powders and their pressure curves. Actually, it was very interesting particularly after he looked over the fired cases and advised me not to be concerned. As it turns out my better firing loads are a grain or two below Lee's "do not exceed" loads and with those charges the sooting is mostly in the case neck.

[@scottsozmtns7534]

The Remington 6.5 Magnum was an amazing round but too hot! Also the 6.8 SPC Rem, is also known as the “Baby .270”. If you switch barrels, bolt carrier group & use 6.8 Magazines you can switch an AR-15 to the 6.5 Grendel rather easily. I think another good little round is the 6.5x47 Lapua. Personally I’m a .260 Remington & a 6.5x55 Swede. Those 2 calibers are the stuff in my book.

[@blackpowder4016]

Unfortunately, Remington put the 6.5 Remington Magnum in a terrible short-barreled carbine the 600/660 series with 18.5" and 20" barrels. Ruined any long-range potential the cartridge might have had. Both the 6.5 and .350 Remington Magnum had terrible muzzle blast in the short-barreled guns. In standard length guns the 6.5 Remington magnum came up short against the .264 Winchester magnum, itself an underappreciated cartridge. The 6.5mm Remington Magnum case has the same capacity as a 30-06 which gives it a lot of potential as a long-range target cartridge. I was always surprised the case didn't father a family of wildcats with 30-06 powder capacity in a 55mm case that could fit in short actions.

[@carllovendale6259]

i would like to take a moment to thank u for you'r reply, after watching your video on the 35 whelen. every night when things settle down i watch one of your videos.Some times i play it over again " to comprehend all of it" I took note of your comment on the 308 150 grain bullet being short on sd but heavy on weight and could plow through, and i had this thought. A few years ago i inherited a Ruger 44 mag carbine, semi auto I mounted a picatenay base with a leupold vary x 2 1-4 scope on it. I know in the hand gun with cast bullets it is a bear stopper, however a jacketed bullet out of a rifle is a different matter. Your thaughts on this rig as a short range deer rifle. I have never shot a deer with a 44 and do not know anyone who has. will look foward to your reply.

[@GunBlue490]

Carl Lovendale The 44 Magnum is an acceptable deer rifle, when kept to typical whitetail deer ranges under 50 yards or so. Its velocity simply drops beyond that range, and should not be pushed. It's a powerful revolver round, but in terms of rifles, it's small in stature, even compared to the 30-30, which has considerably greater sectional density and range for deer out to over 150 yards or more.

[@nathanlambshead4778]

Having grown up in South Africa, when I moved here in 1984 I had to learn what a '350' engine was. I had to hear the cubic centimeters to understand it. (5.7 liter) But pretty soon I was well assimilated into the country of my birth, and love the inch/mile designations. But my background has no problem with the 'psychology' of measurements at least. However, I am also a student of human nature and understand it. Again, thank you for your great videos. You say people email you questions? I have a couple here and there but see no email.

[@GunBlue490]

I misspoke. I respond to comments, not email.

[@nathanlambshead4778]

@@GunBlue490 Thank you

[@njc110381]

I was interested to hear from a friend a while ago who did some testing of various cartridges at long range. It turns out the 6.5x55 retains more energy at 1000 yards than the .300 Win Mag using the ammunition he tested. I was shocked by that, and rather impressed. I use a 6.5x55 for deer myself - it's my favourite calibre. It's a shame you guys over in the states don't like it so much. It has a lot to offer. Here in the UK it's quite popular.

[@GunBlue490]

Retained energy is one of the factors involved with effectiveness, but it's not always the most important, especially on such game as elk and moose, which has traditionally been the game where the 300 Winchester Magnum shines. Having hunted such game, and having spoken at length with those who have experience with large, heavy game at extended ranges, the greater frontal area of larger bores is what makes the biggest difference in getting an animal down in a hurry. And, I could never endorse shooting game at 1,000 yards, regardless of the paper ballistics. The last New Mexico guide I sojourned with had very high regard for the 300 Winchester Magnum, and considered the 270 Winchester the minimum for opening a sufficiently wide killing wound that would bring a large elk down before lost. As for deer, or game up to twice its size, the 6.5 is certainly a perfect cartridge at any range, with almost any bullet weight. The reasons we use few 6.5x55 rifles in the US is simply because we have so many others, and manufacturers don't offer either the rifles or ammo here. The 6.5 Creedmoor is certainly gaining a following, which is ballistically identical to the Swede.

[@johnnash5118]

With all due respect sir, I will also add to your reply for your audience that the 55mm case length of the Swede, loaded with the higher sd/ bc bullets that is optimal for it, tends to be a bit too long for the 51mm optimized short action chamber. That 4mm additional case length of the Swede reduces the seating space of the optimal bullet, which forces the use of an accommodating (-4mm) but less than optimal bullet with significantly less sd/ bc., or the other choice of seating the optimal bullet 4mm deeper and into the powder capacity area of the case, thus reducing the charge capacity and negating any potential advantages of the Swede over the 260 Rem. or 6.5 Creed. Conversely, the Swede chambered in a long action slips it into the company of the optimally chambered 25-06 and 270, so what would be the point of selecting a Swede outside of a medium Mauser action? As superior a cartridge that it is, it's just not designed for American spec. actions, it's a Mauser.

[@davidorpwoodnz]

I have some projectile I have retrieved from game over the 50 years, 150 grn 30.06 & they have expanded to .650 of a inch out to .750. that is out of wild boars & red stags from 20 yards to 400 yards .on the other side against the skin .

[@davidwarren719]

3 and a half years later, the future status of the 6.5cm remains a bit dubious, however one thing has happened that may distinguish it from other “flash-in-the-pan” chamberings-the US now has significant military contracts involving the 6.5cm. This is sure to have profound effects on the longevity, no? Your comments, sir?

[@oldArmyVet]

6.5 rifles everywhere now easy to find

[@paulbrown6338]

The 6.5cm has been great for the industry, and deserving so. That does not mean the 308 or 7M08 takes that much of a back seat as a short action round. Proud to say I shot all three and really don't notice any difference for a hunting rifle. Yes the 6.5cm can punch paper at a greater distance but I for one don't really think you should shoot deer past 300 yards. All good. Just glad we still have the freedom to shoot what we want.

[@oddmunddale806]

Where do we get this "sweed" thing from. The caliber was developed in Norway for use in Krag rifles. Some years after the wanted a rimed variant in a Mauser rifle. Mr Mauser did not like that and made the normal 6,5x55.

[@tomjoseph1444]

LOL. Love shooting my 6.5 x 55. I have been shooting it and experimenting with it for over 30 years. It is my "new" cartridge.

[@marcogram1216]

Thanks for taking the time to put out this information by the way. Subscribed.

[@daltonv5206]

While the 6.5's are all ballistically similar I think the reason the creedmoor is winning is because of the factory ammo options and cost. For whatever reason 260rem has always been expensive here in NY. 30-40$ for 20rds and only a few brands/bullet types were available. I can get match grade 6.5cm from several brands for 20-30$. That matters for a lot of people. Especially hunters.

[@suurikarhu]

on animals not exceeding some 500 lbs ( preferably much less) and within some 400 yards these cartridges are not bad at all.......and thanks for Your opinions.....

[@George1mac]

It will be interesting to see just how the 6.8 the military has decided on is set up in configuration. Friend of mine just bought a 6.8 in AR platform for hog hunting, and he made several good harvests using a mounted thermal scope. I had been considering the 6..5 grendel in AR as the ballistics are very close, but now I think I will wait to see what the military comes out with....I would think whatever platform they use will make the availability of ammo and or other components plentiful

[@GunBlue490]

6.8mm is .277", which is the diameter of a 270 Winchester bullet, and a full caliber larger than 6.5, the .264" bullet. I owned a 6.8 SPC which was limited to 115 grain bullets in an AR length magazine. Such bullets have pretty poor sectional density of only .214. Traditional deer hunting bullets are typically .260 SD. Those bullets also have a pretty low ballistic coefficient of just .375, so they are not ballistically efficient at longer range. I'm skeptical that any decisions have been made by the military to choose a 270 bullet, which was rejected way back in the 60s because it was too heavy. The US looked at the 6.5 Grendel and the 6.8 SPC and rejected them over 10 years ago. Between reduced magazine capacity, weight, low ballistic effectiveness, and departure from the NATO standard of ammunition, I don't see that likelihood.

[@George1mac]

@@GunBlue490 I have wondered about what the military command is thinking, and from several of the articles I have read, they are choosing a 6.8 as the new rifle caliber and have three or more companies bidding for the contract. The companies are supposed to have a working prototype in the near future along with several hundred thousand rounds for testing. Criteria in one article was to defeat the body armor which is being used by other countries. A quick Google or other search engine check brings up many articles.....it may be media hype, but from what I have read they are going ahead. Your points about the sectional density etc sure seem logical, but like I said, I wonder just what the military command is thinking.....thanks

[@mizaru5413]

I had a 6.5 x 55 sporterized Swedish Mauser with an old 6 power Weaver scope! It was accurate so long as I used 110 grain and up, bullets? Lighter bullets wandered. Never missed and never failed to kill my deer with one shot.

[@johncox7563]

I had a 6.8spc I could not get it to group sold it went to 6.5 grendel and I love it now ar15 platform

[@TheOsfania]

The 6.5 x 55mm Swede rules.

[@BigSmartArmed]

Sure does.

[@randyschaff8939]

Absolutely agree so does the old 7x57 Mauser🇨🇦🤠