Sprags Posted September 20, 2011 Report Share Posted September 20, 2011 I'm after a bit of advice here, which calibre would you opt for out of the 6.5x55 or the .308? It's purely for stalking the larger deer species. Regards Sprags Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
12borejimbo Posted September 20, 2011 Report Share Posted September 20, 2011 308, although I've never shot a 6.5,I use a 308 regularly and it is a very nice round. To be fair you don't hear a lot of bad things about either bullet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chockmoose Posted September 20, 2011 Report Share Posted September 20, 2011 6.5 the current fad, 308 work horse. Personally use the '06. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince Green Posted September 20, 2011 Report Share Posted September 20, 2011 I would say .308 purely on the basis of ammo availablity. You will find 6.5x55 harder to source. Since most gunshops seem to keep only a bare minimum these days they drive shooters towards the most popular calibres irrespective of personal choice or preferences. The 6.5 would be just as good in every other way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coyotemaster Posted September 21, 2011 Report Share Posted September 21, 2011 I very much agree with Vince, unless you reload I think the 6.5 may be harder to find ammo for in the country. I shoot the 308 and with 155gr. Sierras over Varget it will shoot well under.3 @100yds. The 308 is very easy to find a variety of loads for, I prefer the 155-165 gr. bullets to keep the speed up. Either would do the job with ease. The 308 is pleasant to shoot as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry d Posted September 21, 2011 Report Share Posted September 21, 2011 Disagree with the above, 6.5x55 ammo is available at my local, even though I reload, in 120/140 & 160gn. I like the 6.5 it drops roe, fallow and reds well and with the mod on it is a wee pussycat. Never used a 308, but it will also do the business also, however some don`t like the felt recoil from them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garyb Posted September 21, 2011 Report Share Posted September 21, 2011 308 all day long. More ammo on the shelf, easier to reload and a good selection of 2nd hand rifles that haven't seen much work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harnser Posted September 21, 2011 Report Share Posted September 21, 2011 Here we go again ,its got to be the .308 for the all round calibre and for the one gun stalker . Harnser . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Browning Posted September 21, 2011 Report Share Posted September 21, 2011 I'm surprised you dare ask that question Gray! I have owned and shot both and definitely favour the 6.5x55. No problem with sourcing ammo, and as you already reload there is a mahoosive choice of bullets available, and I certainly found the load dev to be very easy compared to all the other calibers I've loaded for. 95gn VMax for varmints and 140gn Gamekings for deer.....I reckon your .243Ackley will soon be redundant...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njc110381 Posted September 22, 2011 Report Share Posted September 22, 2011 I like the 6.5 myself. All the .308 will do is kick harder - the 6.5 will kill anything we have in this country and some! My advice, shoot both. The .308 is a great round so either way you'll not be making a mistake. I just think the 6.5 is better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sprags Posted September 23, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 23, 2011 I'm surprised you dare ask that question Gray! I have owned and shot both and definitely favour the 6.5x55. No problem with sourcing ammo, and as you already reload there is a mahoosive choice of bullets available, and I certainly found the load dev to be very easy compared to all the other calibers I've loaded for. 95gn VMax for varmints and 140gn Gamekings for deer.....I reckon your .243Ackley will soon be redundant...... Good evening Browning, hope you are well mate. I am now swaying toward the 6.5, I spoke to Chris yesterday via the power of text messaging and he was of the same opinion as yourself. As for the ackley, I could never make that redundant, sweet rifle and sweet calibre. Regards,Sprags Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beardo Posted September 23, 2011 Report Share Posted September 23, 2011 Go shoot them both (and i bet i know which you choose). I've never had a problem getting hold of 6.5x55 factory ammo either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddy Galore! Posted September 23, 2011 Report Share Posted September 23, 2011 6.5 for me, i had to educate the local rfd's to the caliber, then had to buy 200 at a time, it's a bit expensive, but unless you plan on plinking with it or go out and get half a dozen fox/deer every night then the cost doesn't make that much diference, .308 is just as good tho imo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark g Posted September 23, 2011 Report Share Posted September 23, 2011 6.8x65 used to be popular with stalkers keepers and the forestry deer bods a few years ago, it was one of them or a 308, i had one of them, although a 308 would have done the job just the same Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ackley Posted September 24, 2011 Report Share Posted September 24, 2011 I'm after a bit of advice here, which calibre would you opt for out of the 6.5x55 or the .308? It's purely for stalking the larger deer species. Regards Sprags I woundnt have either,you reload so it matters not what you buy,look at the 7mm 08 far better ballistics Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njc110381 Posted September 24, 2011 Report Share Posted September 24, 2011 At the usual Deer ranges I don't suppose it matters. I've just got a 7-08 myself but I can't see it being better than the 6.5? It feels nicer to shoot than a .308 which is a good thing, but 7-08 rifles are rare. I only bought a 7-08 because I found a good deal on the model of rifle I wanted! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derek.snr Posted September 27, 2011 Report Share Posted September 27, 2011 30-06 most versitile Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Browning Posted September 28, 2011 Report Share Posted September 28, 2011 Good evening Browning, hope you are well mate. I am now swaying toward the 6.5, I spoke to Chris yesterday via the power of text messaging and he was of the same opinion as yourself. As for the ackley, I could never make that redundant, sweet rifle and sweet calibre. Regards,Sprags You're very welcome to come down and have a play with my 6.5x55AI Sprags, we could also try and get the French bloke out with his .308 so you could compare? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sprags Posted September 28, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 28, 2011 (edited) You're very welcome to come down and have a play with my 6.5x55AI Sprags, we could also try and get the French bloke out with his .308 so you could compare? That sounds like a cracking idea Browning, thank you Edited September 28, 2011 by Sprags Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
northernchris Posted September 29, 2011 Report Share Posted September 29, 2011 Dont forget your wallet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Browning Posted September 30, 2011 Report Share Posted September 30, 2011 Dont forget your wallet :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sprags Posted September 30, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 30, 2011 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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