6.5 X 55 vs .308

[WayneO]

I started out doing long range shooting (600 - 1000m) with a .308 custom rifle on a K98 action with a heavy 24 inch barrel. That worked very well for me for many years. Then I took a look down the rabbit hole and ended up falling in. In no time at all I had a custom build rifle in 6.5 x 55 that i was pushing out to 1200m. That was replaced in under 2 years by a 6.5 Creedmore. This rifle is amazing and I have won many competitions with it. But at the end of the day, out to 800m, I am hard pressed to tell the difference between all 3. Out at 1000m, both the 6.5's outshine the .308, and I have proven this to myself many times over. At 1000 to 1200m the day depends on which of the 6.5's performs better. I for one would not bet 5c on the one being better than the other.
Or just say stuff it all and get a 7mm rem mag. That at least cuts holes in 10mm mild steel hanging plates at 800m, which is very impressive in anyone's books.

[Wes]

But at the end of the day, out to 800m, I am hard pressed to tell the difference between all 3. Out at 1000m, both the 6.5's outshine the .308, and I have proven this to myself many times over.

What do you put it down too that the .308 falls short over those extra 200m?

[WayneO]

Wes, to be completely honest, its a discussion I have had many times and I honestly dont have an answer for you. On paper they are so close as to make no difference what so ever. The charts could just as well be a copy of one another. But in practice, the Sweed for me and for any of my friends who have shot them, always seems to group better at 1000 than the .308 rifles. We have speculated that the longer projectile stays more stable out past 800m, but that's all its ever been; speculation.

[Wes]

Must be gremlins then

[WayneO]

Would love to get my hands on some cameras that can film the bullets out past 800 and up to 1200, so that I can see what they are doing.

[Berper]

What difference in groups are we talking about here when you say "the 6.5's outshine the .308" at 1000m?

[WayneO]

In groups at 1000m we are looking at around 30mm difference, but the biggest difference is seen on the steel gongs.

[bluerob]

I've recently got myself into F-Class shooting.

I was lucky to be given a rifle that I used 33 years ago in fullbore by my best mate.

An Interarms Mark X with Black Mountain Barrel which I had dropped into a GRS F-Class stock. I went cheap on the glass (Bushnell Elite compared to a March is light years -quality is too, but, I'm not chasing trophies. Just want to shoot long range target). This is chambered in .308.

All up, it cost me around $1200 for the rifle setup (stock and fitting costs) and about $900 for rings and scope. Some top quality actions can cost what my rifle cost.

Whilst this isn't a custom rifle, it shoots very well out to 1000m.

Getting yourself a .22 and practicing alot as has been mentioned is excellent advice also.