What are the ballistic differences between these two? I talking about handloaded ammo in new modern guns. (ie CZ etc). I do not care about factory loads at all. I have a feeling that the Swede can do better but all the handload data I have seen on it maxed out at 44K cup (for the older military stuff I guess).

Also if anyone has a CZ in the 6.5 Swede...How do you like it? How does it shoot?

I feel they`re both the same as far as performance. The Swede holds a couple of grains more powder but it only gets about 50-75fps more vel with 140s and lighter in my rifle. The extreem spreads have the velocities overlapping on some loads/powders. This is with loads I feel are max in my rifles. I don`t have pressure measuring equipment so how they stand as far as equal pressure loadings I`m not sure. I am sure though that what one will do the other will copy on game.

Personal opinion . . .
The 260 has an edge just because of the case head diameter which it shares with 30-06, 7X57, 308 and a bunch more.
Swede is a Fine cartridge though!

LouisB

The 6.5 x 55 Swedish Mauser cartridge is 108 years old and counting--yes, already a vetran when the 30-06 was still "wet behind the ears."

Savage has discontinued the production of rifles in .260, an indication of slow sales.

I agree the two cartridges you ask about are pretty equal in handloads. With the heavier bullets (160's) you may find that the 6.5 x 55 has a more notable edge, much like the 30-06 has over the .308 with 180's and up.

I'd go with the Swede...

Dan Newberry
green 788

Nothing wrong with the .260 Remington(6.5-08)but I don't think it can perform quite as well as a 6.5x55, although for some uses the shorter action length might be preferable.

Pop,

I am with Dan N. on this one: for hunting go with the 6.5X55 over the .260 Rem.

I started my 6.5 career with a Swedish M94 6.5X55, and shot my first deer with it. Now a days my Western deer rifle is a 6.5-'06.

The standard twist for the 6.5X55 is one turn in 7.87" (200 mm), while the .260 Rem is one turn in 9" (as my 6.5-'06 is also). You can indeed use heavier bullets in the 6.5. The .260 Rem made its reputation as the wildcat 6.5-08 as a target cartridge where the slower twist was fine.

jim dodd

about the same thing as trying to tell the diff in a 300 savage and a 308 winchester...

it's whatever you want, they are twins.... one might be redheaded and the other blonde, but a good pick either way....

(i'll be taking the redhead, of course)
jeffe

They are close to equal in load books and factory ammo, but the Swede has surperior potential for handloaders.