Actual difference between 6.5 creedmoor and 6.5x55 with RELOADS??

I shoot 140gr Berger vld's out of my Swede at 2800 fps. That is where I had the best accuracy, but I ran it up to 2925' before I found pressure all with H4831SC and Lapua brass. Gun is built on a pre-64 model 70, 24" benchmark barrel, McMillan hunter stock.
If it was me I would go for the Swede so you can run the same velocity as the Creed at a lower pressure.
 
IMG_4586.jpg
a Tikka T3 Lite looks a lot better with a Manners stock and 5 round mags
was in 6.5x55 Swede (still have the new take off barrel) rebarreled with a 26" 8tw Bartlein chambered in the 6.5 Wolf Killer (6.5x55 Imp)

140 Amax then and now 140 Bergers at an easy 3120 fps with N560 and RL26, Magnum & Magpro at 3100 fps
 
IMG_4600.jpg
That wolf killer looks very efficient. What's the capacity that case? A 140 at 3150 is bad medicine. Exploring options to run a 140-150 class at around 3150-3200

basically a 6.5/284 mimic on a maxed out 6.5 Swede case with a long throat to seat bullets out allowing for full use of available capacity with 140 gr bullets, by using slow powders that offer 100% case fill, 3150 fps is easy in a 26" bbl, a 28" or 30" will most likely show better velocities I'd bet
 
I have been running creeds since 2010. I have ran mostly 22 inch tubes as I like to walk and hunt. I have used mostly H4350 as I have a lot of it. I have gotten 2775 with accuracy with 140 berger. My Kimber hunter is getting 2645 trued with 143 x. About 700yds max for expansion but that's ok at 7.5lbs loaded out. There is a thread where a guy cut down a 6.5 creed and only lost about 150 fps with 140's down to 16 inches and about 230fps with 120's.
As far as 6.5x55 I am running an old Mauser and shooting 155 mega through it to half minute with 100v. It is a lot of fun but I haven't shot anything with it yet. I think either one will do just fine and go with the 22 inch tube.
 
I think you guys should do some more research on RL26 in the 6.5 Creedmoor. The above mentioned velocities by Creedmoor Shooter are not bullcrap. My brother has a Creedmoor and I'm getting 2860 in it with a load that has ZERO pressure signs, and that's in heavy Peterson brass. The Hornady has more capacity and I could see gaining another 50+ FPS without pressure. If you've never tried RL26 with a 6.5 Creedmoor and hit top pressure, then don't comment saying it's BS. Sorry your H4350 can't get you over 2850. Creedmoor shooter is not the only guy getting over 2900 with 140s in the 6.5 Creedmoor using RL26. Do your research before calling people out. Throw RL26 in your 6.5x55 or 6.5x284 and you'll gain another 50-100fps over H1000, Retumbo, or H4831.
I went from 2879 fps with Retumbo(with slight pressure signs)to 2974 fps with RL26(no pressure signs) in my 6.5x284 Cooper Backcountry and groups shrunk from .5" to sub .25" with 140 VLDs......very impressed so far with RL26.
 
Last edited:
As someone who owns 2 6.5 CM's....and just helped a young friend pick out a Tikka T3X in 6.5CM.....
I have learned a lot from this thread. Even when some got a bit irritated, and I understand the concerns - it is still a good start for those of us wanting to discover all we can about the 6.5 variants.

In other words...THANKS guys....now I will feel compelled to go buy a 6.5 x 55 - to see for myself....:D:D:D
 
I have owned a Tikka T3 6.5x55 since before the Creedmoor was in existence. Ive never tried to push it for speed but it shoots EVERYTHING and I mean EVERYTHING I feed it at 1\2moa or better!

I plan to max it out with some 147eldM and H1000 soon and see where it gets. If anyone has tried that bullet in a swede please let me know.

If you shoot factory ammo get a CM but If you plan to reload, do yourself a favor and get the Swede.

James
 
Last edited:
I see a lot of guys say they are not seeing pressure signs at higher velocity with the creed. Problem is most brass will not show pressure signs until you are above saami. The factory data is pressure tested data. That is why the velocities are slower. You certainly can run any cartridge hot. People do it all the time. I just think some folks want to turn a creed into a 6.5 284.
 
All else being equal...more pressure = more velocity. Therefore velocity is the most reliable and easily measured of all the observable pressure signs to the common loader.

Whether or not your rifle or brass will fail, or show signs of impending failure, is an altogether different issue.

The laws of physics are notoriously rigid.
 
To the op: on paper there's a difference, when you're in the field that 100 fps of difference really doesn't amount the much "practical" difference.

Depending on what range you're shooting - that 100fps could mean the difference between a shot you can effectively take (with practice) and one you cannot because of impact velocities.
 
Warning! This thread is more than 5 years ago old.
It's likely that no further discussion is required, in which case we recommend starting a new thread. If however you feel your response is required you can still do so.
Top