6.5x55 or 6.5 PRC

[oregoner]

Trying to decide between 6.5 x 55 and 6.5 PRC for my one and done, only rifle I need. Would love thoughts if my particular quandary is interesting to ya, but I know this topic is super beat so no worries if this is a hard pass.

I’ve been hunting with an inherited (Grandpa) 6.5x55 sporterized Mauser. It’s more of a saddle gun with a short 17” (?) barrel, 2x7 old school Leupold. While it’s fun to carry, it’s not super accurate. Like 1.5 MOA for me. Fine for hunting at 100 yards, but annoying at 300. Haven’t shot past that.

I approach guns as tools, so while I like shooting I don’t really collect them, or have any redundancy (ie. My safe has a 10/22, a Benelli M1 Super 90, and a Glock 43x in addition to the Swede). I’m looking for a do everything rifle in that same mentality.

I feel nostalgic about the Mauser but I’m getting more into hunting and I’d like a modern rifle, with modern glass on it.

In addition to deer, I want to hunt elk, and maybe antelope. I want to feel comfortable out to 400 yards - 500 max in ideal conditions.

Seems like that extra 100 yards is where things start tapering off for the 6.5x55 cartridge, so I’ve found myself reading up on the PRC as a natural step up. Do I really need it though?

I’m looking at getting a Tikka t3x superlite, but I’m trying to decide which chambering.

If I stay with the Swede, I can interchange ammo with the Mauser as a backup gun. I’m keeping it for sentimental sake either way.

But the 6.5 PRC seems like it sure keeps on truckin at 400+, and I don’t want to buy another rifle two years from now just because I went too small the first time. Still, I wonder if I’ll resent the extra recoil and noise for the very few times that power actually makes any difference at all? I’ve never shot with a suppressor so maybe that’s the key?

I don’t reload.

I think I’m looking for someone with experience to either explain why the 6.5 x55 in the new gun is enough for my stated needs, or tell me why I probably should step up to the PRC. What would you do in my shoes etc.

Thanks in advance for any insight.

I’ll see if I can post a picture of this Mauser.

 

[khuber84]

PRC holds 10gr more powder. Will have roughly 120-150fps advantage at same psi levels in modern day rifles. The magnum case head will hold primers longer running elevated pressures. Both these cases are at home on intermediate length actions, especially running the long heavy bullets seated out above neck shoulder junction. They can be ran in a short action however. Bat and Falkor now are machining most/some their short actions to run extended mag boxes allowing 3.1" or longer coal.

The 65prc has several varieties of on the shelf ammo, swede? Not so much. The 65prc isn't going anywhere, it's a great cartridge, very accurate, as is the swede.

 

[Robobiss]

The PRC is “better” but really only because you don’t reload.

The selection for high/decent BC modern hunting ammo in the 6.5x55 is almost nonexistent, especially when compared to the PRC. It’s super easy to find very good, high BC, high quality 6.5 PRC ammo just about anywhere on the internet you can buy ammo, and any bass pro/cabelas. It’s not the same with the swede because for the most part, in factory form, it doesn’t exist.

This gap will get larger every year I imagine with there being more and more support for the PRC and potentially less for the swede. Not that the 6.5x55 is going anywhere as it’s survived 100 years, but it’s most definitely a “less relevant” 6.5 than it was 20 years ago.

The lack of quality factory ammo (for the medium ranges you are describing that is, anything will work fine at 100-200) with the swede isn’t a big deal if you reload and can roll your own with all of the high performing modern projectiles you don’t typically find loaded in factory ammo.

For you, I think the PRC definitely makes the most sense.

 

[Nicaburns]

The 6.5 PRC is the best choice for a non reloader especially. Selection and availability is great and the ballistics are excellent. I’ve just found it to be a very shootable round with great terminal performance.

 

[robtattoo]

I HATE agreeing with these guys (I'm totally gay for the 6.5x55) but unless you reload, the PRC is the way forward.
Ballistics wise, the x55 bridges the gap between the CM & PRC & is more than enough for 4-500yds & has a cool factor that neither of the others will ever achieve. The fact that Tikka make the T3x in the ol' Swede would make it a no brainer...... if you reloaded. But you don't. So you're really only left with the PRC.






Or a Creedmore, which is still plenty for 500yds.

 

[orangeblu]

Ammo is a bit harder to come by. I don’t reload, so I wouldn’t buy a 6.5 PRC just because of how hard it is to find ammo.

 

[LeftyWilbury]

as noted above, if you dont reload, 6.5 PRC is the obvious choice. i love the 6.5x55. i set one up for my father. but i reload (and it's a tikka and nicely accurate). but also, 6.5 CM. because it has even more available ammo than a PRC (and less expensive to shoot)

 

[Nicaburns]

Ammo is a bit harder to come by. I don’t reload, so I wouldn’t buy a 6.5 PRC just because of how hard it is to find ammo.

Never seen that response about 6.5 PRC… even Academy carries it and a quick search on ammoseek will yield hundreds of sites carrying dozens of options with some under $30 a box.

 

[Nine Banger]

6.5x55 Swede: designed in 1891

6.5 PRC: designed in 2018

Get the PRC and pick up at least 200 but if you can go ahead and get 1000 Hornady factory loaded 147 ELD and you'll be good to go for the life of the barrel.

With 18" barrel you're lethal to around 800-825 yards.

If you want to avoid the extra recoil but still be effective to your MER you stated get 6.5 Creedmoor and order a bunch of match ammo. I just made this jump from Creedmoor to PRC for a moose trip and the recoil from the PRC throws me off my Point of Aim even with a suppressor and a built prone shooting position.

 

[The Guide]

Ammo is a bit harder to come by. I don’t reload, so I wouldn’t buy a 6.5 PRC just because of how hard it is to find ammo.

I've literally been able to find 6.5 PRC ammo since before they had rifles on the shelf. It is available at every major sporting goods provider and in bulk for cheap online. Cases of 200 of Hornady 147 ELDM for sub $400 shipped.

Jay

 

[Runwilderness]

I’ve owned a 6.5x55 Tikka T3 for a number of years but I got the bug to have something shooting faster with less wind drift and bought a PRC barrel and magnum bolt.

But if I’m honest my problem at 1000yds isn’t wind drift, it’s that I never shoot at 1000yds and really need to refine my fundamentals for consistent first round hits at 500. I’m actually working up a lower BC load right now with a cheap 120gr PPU bullet so I can shoot a bit more for the same $$.

That said, I haven’t sold the PRC barrel or magnum bolt because I’d also like to get a suppressor. I’m currently waiting to see where my 147gr ELD-M Swede load ends up after I cut down the Tikka. If that is fine to 600yds on game then the PRC will pop up in the classifieds or gather dust until I do learn to shoot long range.

But for you, it should come down to ammo, and more importantly, loaded bullet availability. Off the shelf Swede ammo is anemic and your bullet selection maybe limited. If you don’t go PRC, or switch to the CM, you might want to consider buying the rifle from UM or another boutique custom loader and have them work up hunting loads for the Tikka before delivery.

 

[TaperPin]

I love it when a cartridge over 100 years older still does anything Hornady’s Profit Reaping Cartridge can, and the choice only comes down to factory ammo availability.

The 264 win mag spanks them both with an old fashioned belted case - old grandpa cartridge. Lol

 

[oregoner]

Got it. Thanks all. That’s real helpful.

Pretty clear choice.

I’m not opposed to rolling my own, it’s more an economy of time thing. I have a lot of other interests and hobbies, and being able to grab a box of ammo off the shelf that works is a big factor.

Appreciate the thoughts.

I had kind of hoped to keep that x55 feather in my cap, but I’m not ready to sign up for the reloading thing right now so I’ve got my answer.

 

[TaperPin]

Got it. Thanks all. That’s real helpful.

Pretty clear choice.

I’m not opposed to rolling my own, it’s more an economy of time thing. I have a lot of other interests and hobbies, and being able to grab a box of ammo off the shelf that works is a big factor.

Appreciate the thoughts.

I had kind of hoped to keep that x55 feather in my cap, but I’m not ready to sign up for the reloading thing right now so I’ve got my answer.

How many different types of ammo will you be hunting with? Just a quick Look at Midway and there are all sorts of options for the 6.5x55. I’d hunt with Federal loaded with Accubonds and never want for a better combination. Foreign ammo is in short supply because of the war, but the Swede is very popular over seas and there are some great options when things get a little closer to normal. Online ordering of ammo is pretty easy.

 

[oregoner]

I’ve bought most my ammo off Midway. I’m pretty sure even that Federal round is loaded pretty low pressure. Limited to 51000 psi I read somewhere, to sell here in the USA.

Something something exploding the older Mausers, etc.

And at those pressures, I think it does fall off a bit at 350+. Which is kinda what started this whole thing.

Re: CM… I think I’ve had this feeling that if I move off the x55 I want it to be a step up and not over. Also, I’m a car person and have a motto that it doesn’t matter what you drive as long as after you park it, you can’t help but turn around and take one last look. Same here - there’s gotta be some X factor, or else it’s just down to which bullet makes the best spreadsheet at the lowest cost and recoil. Which definitely seems to be the CM. Pretty irrational on my part, I know.

 

[ElPollo]

I’ve bought most my ammo off Midway. I’m pretty sure even that Federal round is loaded pretty low pressure. Limited to 51000 psi I read somewhere, to sell here in the USA.

Something something exploding the older Mausers, etc.

And at those pressures, I think it does fall off a bit at 350+. Which is kinda what started this whole thing.

Re: CM… I think I’ve had this feeling that if I move off the x55 I want it to be a step up and not over. Also, I’m a car person and have a motto that it doesn’t matter what you drive as long as after you park it, you can’t help but turn around and take one last look. Same here - there’s gotta be some X factor, or else it’s just down to which bullet makes the best spreadsheet at the lowest cost and recoil. Which definitely seems to be the CM. Pretty irrational on my part, I know.

Have you ever considered stepping down? A 6 CM or 6 ARC will easily do what you are asking with less recoil and lower ammo costs.

 

[Choupique]

The issue is older Krag rifles chambered in 6.5x55. Those might pop with European spec ammo (6.5x55 SE) which is designed for modern rifles.

6.5x55 ammo availability is pretty good. Immensely popular caliber outside of the US. I've never had an issue with it at all, even in the ammo shortage crisis times.

Objectively the PRC is a better cartridge and will be easier to find both rifles and ammo for. It'd be pretty foolish to get the swede, even though that's probably what I'd do because it so much cooler.

 

[dapesche]

I just sold my 6.5x55 because I didn't get into reloading.

I need/want extra velocity for sheep/goat


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