6.5x55 Swede or the 7mm-08

[turner]

Originally Posted by Brother Bob

I wouldn't hesitate to use any of the three at reasonable distances, but since there are some that believe all elk must be taken at at least 400+ yds., then I'd leave all three at home and opt for my .300 Winmag. If the elk was closer than 300 yards, I'd back up until I was 427 yds. away so I could be included in the same exclusive group as some on this site. Better yet, I'll raise the bar! I'll just get a .416 Barrett and take out an elk at 1,500 yds. That that is real elk hunting! LOL!

Come on Bob....just do it and buy a 6.5 Rem Mag. I promise that you'll love it. My 6.5x55 has it's scope mounted and is ready to join the 6.5RM at the range sometime real soon. Finished moving?

[Brother Bob]

Originally Posted by turner

Come on Bob....just do it and buy a 6.5 Rem Mag. I promise that you'll love it. My 6.5x55 has it's scope mounted and is ready to join the 6.5RM at the range sometime real soon. Finished moving?

Tell me what you think about that 6.5 x 55 Swede. The ultimate CPX2 caliber???????? .........As far as moving goes, we could stand some better weather to finish up. We are 80% moved. We are now living in the new house, but have stuff still at the old house including the Japanese Koi. I need to build a new pond and get them over here, too. Ed, when things slow down I'm going to make a trip up to see you and your scope museum! LOL!

[AKHunter]

I don't own any of those calibers. If I had to make a choice faced with only those 3 options it would be the 7mm-08 . More rifles to choose from, availability of ammo and components. Once again, larger bullet diameter when all else for the most part, is equal.

[SwedeSteve]

LOL Bob!

[turner]

Originally Posted by Rattle'em up

I like both the 7mm-08 and 6.5x55 and need some opinions from you guys. Which one will out do the other for all around hunting...up to elk size game? Both of these bullets have excellent characteristics and would be very close in comparison...... sectional density, light recoil and good ballistics for all around hunting just to name a few. I'm looking at a CZ in 6.5x55swede that has caught my attention and feels like it was made for me,but the 7mm-08 might be better for the occasional elk hunt..just not sure. Mainly looking for some good and bad points on both.

There is NO DOUBT that the 7/08 is a finer cartridge than the 6.5x55! It's in a S/A (vs a L/A) and can duplicate .280 Rem ballistics (140gr @ 3,000FPS) in LM loads, which the .6.5 can't even do in it's wildest dreams! Some people are 6.5x55 fans, but even the most diehard fans need only look as far as the ballistics charts.

[Brother Bob]

Originally Posted by turner

There is NO DOUBT that the 7/08 is a finer cartridge than the 6.5x55! It's in a S/A (vs a L/A) and can duplicate .280 Rem ballistics (140gr @ 3,000FPS) in LM loads, which the .6.5 can't even do in it's wildest dreams! Some people are 6.5x55 fans, but even the most diehard fans need only look as far as the ballistics charts.

What are you yelling for, Ed? LOL! According to the charts I look at, it's a toss-up between the two.

[wirehunt]

Then how come my gunsmith has chronied his 260 pushing a 130grain pill at 3200fps turner? I'm sure it could get a 140 doing better than 3000, and with a berger bullet and a BC of well over 6 the world is your oyster...

[turner]

Originally Posted by wirehunt

Then how come my gunsmith has chronied his 260 pushing a 130grain pill at 3200fps turner? I'm sure it could get a 140 doing better than 3000, and with a berger bullet and a BC of well over 6 the world is your oyster...

I wouldn't argue your gunsmith's velocity with a 130gr, but do feel there's no way you're gonna see 3000FPS with a 140grainer when both a 6.5/.284 and 6.5Rem mag would have a tough time achieving it. The 6.5x55 is a fine round (I own 2), but if you want high performance rather than the moderate recoil everyone raves about, the two big S/A 6.5s or the big daddy .264Win mag are the way to go. Simply my opinion.

[vikingpreacher]

6,5x55 use good heavy bullets and there isn't a thing short of moose it won't handle.

[Magnumsrule]

According to Nosler a 6.5X55 gets about 3000fps with 120s, and 2800fps with 140s. The 7mm-08 gets 3200fps with 120s and 2900-3000fps with 140s. But with the 7mm-08 youc can also load 160's which will also go about 2800fps. I know you can get 160 6.5 bullets but Nolser does not show them. So its a toss up whether you want the better selection of bullets and a slightly greater velocity, or the reduced velocity but greater penetration power of the 6.5 bullets.

[turner]

Originally Posted by Rattle'em up

I like both the 7mm-08 and 6.5x55 and need some opinions from you guys. Which one will out do the other for all around hunting...up to elk size game? Both of these bullets have excellent characteristics and would be very close in comparison...... sectional density, light recoil and good ballistics for all around hunting just to name a few. I'm looking at a CZ in 6.5x55swede that has caught my attention and feels like it was made for me,but the 7mm-08 might be better for the occasional elk hunt..just not sure. Mainly looking for some good and bad points on both.

The 7/08 shoots harder and flatter than any 6.5x55 round, period. The difference is not SIGNIFICANT, but real! If you love the feel of a 6.5x55 then, by all means, buy it. people saying a bullet from a 6.5x55 will have better penetration than a 7/08 because of S.D. need to read up further about the HUGE difference modern bullets make in penetration today. Not all bullets are constructed the same anymore, and if you don't think a 7/08 Nosler Partition doesn't penetrate further than a like weight SP 6.5 bullet, flatly you're wrong, period. Here's some numbers taken from the 99th edition of the "Shooter's Bible":

6.5x55 139gr Vulcan @ 2854 FPS.... 2515 FPE and with a 200yd zero: 1.8" high @ 100yds.

7/08 140gr TBBC @2950 FPS.... 2705 FPE and with a 200yd zero: 1.7" high @ 100yds.

7/08 139gr SPBT @ 3000 FPS.... 2777 FPE and with a 200yd zero: 1.5" high @ 100yds.

Go ahead and check as these are the BEST loadings in either caliber! The 140 gr TBBC loading will outperform ANY 6.5x55 loading loaded by any major loader. If this shooter was a handloader wanting to push the envelope, I doubt they would have asked this question!
Again, I do say that if you like that 6.5x55, buy it, as no game animal will likely notice the difference at ranges up to 350yds. BUT, there is a difference, period!

[vikingpreacher]

Originally Posted by Ron AKA

Of the two choices the 7mm-08 is clearly better. However, I think I would split the caliber difference and go with a 270. Probably slightly better than the 7mm-08, which is slightly better than the 6.5x57 Swede.

Ron

Your right is clearly is better than the 6.5x57, but not the 6.5x55.

[wirehunt]

Turner, I've owned both and put both over the chrony, both with 120's 3000fps even. I for one would NOT like to have a 140 out of the 708 doing 3000, a mate I load for runs a hot 708 and it's not comfortable to shoot and I have no problem with 7mm mag etc.

[turner]

Originally Posted by wirehunt

Turner, I've owned both and put both over the chrony, both with 120's 3000fps even. I for one would NOT like to have a 140 out of the 708 doing 3000, a mate I load for runs a hot 708 and it's not comfortable to shoot and I have no problem with 7mm mag etc.

I've no doubt you're correct with reloads and info in reloading manuals. The load I mentioned was a LM one from Hornady and I understand it is next to impossible to duplicate these loads, without their proprietary powders. I did read an interesting article just the other night in a magazine that said a new powder was about to be released that would and COULD facilitate handloaders in matching LM and SM rounds loaded by maunfacturers. I'm interested in reading a bit more about it. BTW, the load I use in my 7/08 is the Hornady LM one and it pretty much duplicates a good comercial .280 load. Nope, I've never chronied it.

[Pumpkinheaver]

Both are great!!! Flip a coin!

[Muddog]

I don't see any 7/08 chamberings on the CZ website, my vote is for the 110+ year old mauser round.

[wirehunt]

Interesting you say about bullet development turner cause I only use one and that is the BT which should put them on the same playing field, I've tired it in calibres around this size and found it the best for the job SO FAR.
Now after using the 708 for several years of late it surprised me to go back to the 6.5 and see what it could do when it came to killing. Does it beat the 7mm? In my opinion, YES resoundly, but it is an opinion and we know what their worth. LOL

I look forward to my 6.5/06 when it arrives, already got the bullets ordered and am hoping they will go better than 3000+. Not a 260 or a 6.5X55, but the bullet is the same

[turner]

Wirehunt, Congrats on your new 6.5/06! I ended up going in the opposite direction and got a S/A screamer, the 6.5Rem mag. I had been contemplating building (having it built) a 6.5/.284 and saw the ballistics (actually of all three) are pretty much identical and I got a KILLER deal on a NIB 673 in 6.5RM. I've shot it a bit and really like it, and am hoping to try it out on our deer herd here in Tn and Ky next season.

[lefty o]

frankly, if you use the 6.5x55 in a modern rifle, it can be loaded hotter. all comercial loads you'll find are safe for any gun (old mausers).

[turner]

Originally Posted by lefty o

frankly, if you use the 6.5x55 in a modern rifle, it can be loaded hotter. all comercial loads you'll find are safe for any gun (old mausers).

I'll not agree that ALL loadings are made for the oldest rifle in the bunch, merely the American ones! Apparently the European courts feel that warnings about gun condition mean more that what our company's think our courts will. Not Norma nor Wolf or Sellier & Bellot load anything (hot as it might be) in a 6.5x55 to compete with the top 7/08 loads, period. A shooter today, building or buying a rifle knows there are other selections, other than a 6.5x55 in a L/A (or short action, for that matter) that outperform a Swede, to try them. As good as it is (I own two) it is not, oops, NOT, the best selection in today's market. My short action 6.5RM will shoot like weight bullets about 300-400FPS faster than my 6.5x55. And you all can take that to the bank.