Have a couple of Mexican Mauser actions lying around that I need to start planning projects for my daughters as they grow. I have an FN 7x57, a couple of Sako 222 mags, and a couple of Kimber 84M's in the mean time, but have always wanted a 6.5 for a starter for them.

What are the plusses and minuses of either cartridge (other than off the shelf availability - will be reloading and ordering a 'lifetime' worth of supplies when the gun is built). Feeding, ballistics, etc. Any advantage of one over the other?

Have leaned toward the 57 as it just sounds cool but wanted to find out from those that know if there is really any difference.

Thanks in advance.

I've owned and shot and reloaded for both and I have had VERY bad experiences with the 6.5x57 RWS brass used. The RWS primer pockets were all too shallow and had to be reamed deeper, the RWS flash holes were all too small and had to be reamed larger, and 'the dreaded donut' appeared in the RWS case necks.

Otherwise performance and accuracy were very comparable in the 2 cartridges.

I've also used the 6.5-257 wildcat with perfect satisfaction, it too is very comparable to the others.

But I ain't never gonna use no more RWS brass, cool headstamp or not!
Regards, Joe

I'm just finishing up a 6,5x57 right now. The RWS 6,5x57 brass I have is just fine. So is the 8x68, 6,5x65, 6.5x68, 8x57, etc. Never had an issue with any. That said, unless you live somewhere where RWS brass is easy to find, I'd probably stick with the 6,5x55. Performance is virtually identical and the 6,5x55 is easier to find components for.

Of course if you are buying a lifetime supply up front, why not go with the 6,5x57, you'll have the only one on the block.

Flip a coin.

Hmmmmmmm,
Mexican... Isn't that an "intermediate" length?
How about a 260 AAR? It amounts to a 257 Roberts AI necked up to 6.5. Just a skosh more capacity than a Swede or 6.5X57. I just finished one, and haven't had a chance to do anything with it. I glommed on to 5 boxes of Prvi partisan (sp) 6.5X57 ammo, and have only f-formed 60 cases. Had my reamer set up for 100-120gr bullets. I already had a throater if I want longer. Do some research, you might like it. It is in Ackley's books, and I think Seafire and Bohica can lend you some info,too!

If it were me. I'd go with a 6.5X55 only because ammo is still available off the shelf All be it not at every shop but it can be had. The 6.5-.257 or 6.5X57mm Same round will be a reload only deal unless you can find some at a gun show that is just NOS. A friend has a Arisaka in 6.5X57mm and he don't reload so finding off the self ammo for him would be a plus

Seems ive seen over at Nitro X someone posted pics of a original Oberndorf Model Sporting Rifle in 6.5x57

I have owned and reloaded for both as well. The 6.5X57 will hold a bit more powder, I get about 50 to 75fps more with X57. Not really enough to be of any differance. I have used RWS brass for the 6.5X57 and have no issues at all. Some of the best brass I have used. For 6.5X55 used Norma and Lapua both fine as well. Ammo is easier to find for the Swede, only PVRI and perhaps Sellior& Belliot for the 6.5X57. The X55 Sako, X57 Steyr both are very accurate rifles with loads they like. No real differance between the two, recoil, ballistics, and accuracy.

There's not enough difference between them to justify building a 6.5X57. If you want to build an heirloom that will remain in the family and be used for generations to come, it's much safer to build a 6.5X55. It's not likely your daughters are going to be lifelong reloaders, so make things easy for them after you're gone.

Thanks for the input, kind of what I was figuring the response would be but had to ask.

Looks like I'll go with the Swede, now have to start collecting the parts.

ForrestB - That's a good point and with three daughters, not sure how long that will be!

quote:

Originally posted by ForrestB:
There's not enough difference between them to justify building a 6.5X57. If you want to build an heirloom that will remain in the family and be used for generations to come, it's much safer to build a 6.5X55. It's not likely your daughters are going to be lifelong reloaders, so make things easy for them after you're gone.

I think it would most likely have much better resale value as a 6.5X55 too.

55, all the way ..
fast twist barrel...
NEVER shoot milsurp ammo - its corrosively primed

6.5 X 55 Swedish...