Ernie, I just read your explanation about the difference between the various calibers, but do you or anyone else here on the site have any experience with the 6mm-06 or especially the 6.5-06? It seems to me like it should perform as well or better than the 6.5-284 or is case dimension the whole ball of wax with the 284 case? Lastly, where do you think the 6.5x55 fits in? I have a 243, 6.5JDJ, 7-08, 308 and too me (MOHO!) each is limited either by attainable velocity with high BC bullets to carry velocity and stay sonic for LR shooting (past 5-600yd). Thoughts?

Gerry,
no personal experiences w/either o6 cartridge but the 284 case is basicall a twin to the o6 case. should do as well, but i don't really see better.
The swede is right inbetween the 08 & the 06/284 case.
When you mention LR shooting do mean paper/steel, hunting or PD's?
My little 14 inch 260 does well out to 600 yards. Never tried it past there and I was using 120NBT's
My 6.5x57R shoots 142's out to 600 yards as well.
I guess I would want goals do you want to reach with a 6.5?

The 6.5-06 and 6.5-284 are pretty much ballistic twins....I have the '06 version. Match brass is available in 6.5-284 whereas you have to make 6.5-06 brass from 30-06 match brass.

Gerry...if you are thinking of using an Encore as the platform then either cartridge will work. If a Striker or XP would be used then you would loading port issue...I'm not sure the loading ports on either could be opened enough to allow extraction of a loaded round without withdrawaling the bolt from the receiver.

I beleive RWS makes brass in 270

I'm not sure, but I think the fastest 6.5 for a handgun is made by SSK. I think it is called the 6.5 dreadnot or something like that. I'm not sure but I think it is based on the 220 Swift case.

Gerry,
What action type are you considering?

I shoot the 6.5x55 and am always tickled to death with it's performance. I don't have a chrono, so can't speak to velocity, but I have 3 drop-where-they-were-shot kills on whitetails at ranges from 75 to 130 yds. I read E.A. Browns technical papers and found that I totally agree with this one: Report 3 I think he's on to something with the "hang-time" explanation. He's trying to sell his BRM cartridges, but totally convinced me to go with the 6.5 Swede. With the 140gr bullets, my practical range is at least 200 yds and I, being a Louisiana woods hunter, rarely see things farther away. I've been so please with this round that I'm thinking of taking it black bear hunting if I can round-up the doe for a fall hunt.

Yeah I agree with EA Brown's philosophy. I have two rifles in 6.5x55 and love them-very accurrate and no recoil. I haven't shot either of them on game for quite a while. My handguns and limited tags and money to travel for adventure limit that!
Ernie, I'm leaning toward a chanmbering in the Encore as I like the platform and can do it much less expensively. I know XP's have much more accuracy potential. My main fear (read hesitation) is that I have a 243, 270, 7-08, 308 that really haven't wrung out yet. The 308 gets lots of trigger time and I get motre impressed with it each time I shoot it. Time will tell.

Just looked at the SSK website, " SSK's 6.5 Mini-Dreadnought on the 220 Swift case produces 2900 FPS with a 120 and 2700 FPS with a 140 giving it a 300 yard positive deer killing range with very little recoil."

Well, my 6.5-284 xp-100 has it beat with 142 SMK's doing 2800. I have also made 2 one shot kills at 300+yds. Since I had it built, I have killed 7 hogs, 2 deer, and 1 coyote, all one shot kills from 80yds to 340yds.

For an all arouund hunting gun, I think the 6.5-284 is going to hard to beat.

Hello Chris,

I think your 6.5 x 55 will serve you fine in Louisiana. I hunted the piney woods of NE Louisiana and the swamps of Central La for many years with a Ruger 44 Carbine. When my son got big enough to shoot, we built him a 6.5 x 55 on a 98 Mauser action, and the Whitetails never complained.

The Swede should be fine on black bear if you can pick your shots. Much of the effectiveness of the 6.5 JDJ (most popular 6.5 Hg cartridge) is directly related to the fact that bullets used for the JDJ were originally developed for the Swede, and are soft enough to expand at handgun velocities.

You may have to be a little more selective with your bullet type for bear. I believe Norma loads its Oryx bullet in 6.5 x 55, and it will be plenty tough enough for Black Bear. If you can get your hands on the most recent Nosler reloading manual, read Mark Hampton's comments on the .308 Win. in a handgun. He pretty much endorses it as the most effective hunting round in a handgun. Many will disagree, but few have the depth of experience of Hampton. He has hunted all over the world with a pair of .308 Encores. I certainly like my .308 handguns, but still have a longing for a 6.5/.284. Until I can bring myself to convert my 7mm BR XP, the .308 will serve admirably. Good luck with the Swede.

I remember a couple articles written by Bob Jourdan in PS magazine years ago about his 6.5-55 BJ Improved, and he was loving it. If u go with it let me know, i've got 200 Lapua brass still in the box.