6.5 / or 30.06 ?

[Fishin-Technician]

I have been working on this purchase for almost a year now,... a 550 lux variation, i  know it is a 550 fs, and i do not like detatchable magazines.....so between the 06 and the 6.5..as a GENERAL all around rifle, what are your preferences/ i live in the north east so we are talking whitetails..........my main concern  is finding 6.5 ammo just in case we have a world collapse situation.....just kidding on that.........your opinions most welcome
            thx
                       Dan

[Fred Flinstone]

The 6.5 X 55mm is one of my favorite rounds for whitetail deer. Low recoil, plenty accurate, a pleasure to shoot. I've got an M-96 which has been greatly customised, and a shorther version the M-38. Both are highly accurate.

Now the sledge-hammer on the head: the 6.5 has recently been harder to get in normal mfgr. form(I know not for  reloaders there's no problem) with hunting tip(not the f.m.j. variation). If ever you want to sell this little devil you'll have a jolly time trying to get rid of it. Thus the bread & patato cartridge gets my vote for this boxing match: .30-06 Springfield is the winner in my book. Cartridge availability anywhere in the world & even more so in the U.S., this round has downed a hell of a lot of deer in its lifetime. Your father or grand-father probably shot this round should'nt you ?

[n-300RN]

Get the 6.5x55.

Buy a few hundred empty cases and dies and you will soon forget about factory ammo and the .30'06.

The 6.5x55 is a superb deer cartridge and if you have any opportunities for bigger game you will not be undergunned.

And also, that FMJ ammo is cheap and the Prvi Partizan stuff I've bought makes for fine reloadable cases in my Ruger 6.5x55, too.

Get the 6.5x55!

[betterluckytg]

Go with the 6.5x55, and 300RN's suggestion on reloading for it. It's all you need for deer and then some. More pleasant to shoot, so you'll want to shoot it more. Great w/ cast bullets if you're into that sort of thing. What the heck; go with whichever feels good to you. Doesn't matter what we think, you're the one laying out the cash.

[Paulinus]

At the ranges you will shooting whitetail the 6.5x55 may be the best available caliber.