I do not have a 6.5, but from what I have read it should be just as effective on a white tail as a 30-06. I do know that folks like to use them for longer range shots. I can't image that the 6.5 would not leave a good blood trail.

 

Don't have a 6.5cm, but do have 4 Tikka's and a Sako, 3 T3's first class rifles both Sako and Tikka are now owned by Berretta and they were very good before that say no more. Gar.

 

I have a Tikka T3 in 6.5X55 Swede. I have shot mule deer, antelope and one cow elk (hit her in the neck! Didn't want to chase one of those). All I have ever shot in it is the 120 Nosler Ballstic tips on top of RL 19. It shoots bug holes at a hundred yards and I shoot steel out to 500 yards without issue. Best part NO KICK!

I can speak nothing but good about that walnut stocked Tikka. I can't speak for the Creedmoore though. The wood stock is free floated the entire length of the barrel. They flat out shoot, smooth action and great trigger. As for blood trails, the deer usually don't go far after hit. I've never trailed one with the mighty Swede. They fell in sight. Antelope usually hit the dirt.

 

I worked with a fella that bought his young son a rifle chambered in 6.5 Crede. Young lad shot his first deer with it and it fell where it was standing. That's the only knowledge I have of it. He said it is extremely accurate.

 

Thanks art. If you don’t mind me asking, why the Swede over the Creedmoor. I’m trying to learn more about the differences between the two.

 

My wife told me I could pick out a rifle when I came home from the Iraq war. That was 2005 so I don't think the Creed was out then. I really liked how the tikka looked and as they say.....the rest is history. I would definitely buy one in a creed or a 260. Matter of fact I just bought one a month ago in 243 in the wood stock version. I'm about to start working loads for it now. I love the Tikka and Browning X Bolts.

 

Head over to Rokslide. These guys love tikkas.

 

I also have Tikka T3X (wood and blued BBL) in a 6.5X55. I decided on the "Swede" vice the Creedmore in the Tikka because all their actions from .243 Win. up are based on 30/06 length actions, ie. there is no advantage to the shorter round in this rifle. The Tikka's (I have two) have sweet triggers, accurate barrels, strong two lug actions, and are fairly light weight whether they are stocked in wood or fiber. I shot two deer this season using the 143 ELD-X bullet at about 2700fps. The Creed gets all the publicity these days, but the old Swede will keep up with the "youngster" with less pressure. I've been using Norma and Lapua brass, which seems to be really good quality and long lasting. As far as performance, there is not a lot to choose between the 6.5 Creedmore, .260 Rem, or the Swede; however, choosing a particular rifle (short, medium, or long action) may determine your choice of brands.
I do believe the 120gr. bullet is a bit faster "killing" bullet than the heavier weights; however, my deer did not go very far. One of my shots was "head on" where the bullet entered the brisket and out the left hind quarter breaking the leg bone on the way out (not a shot I will be taking with this gun/cartridge combination again, since it blew bone throughout the cavity - what a mess!).

 

Ditto; I also have the Tikka T3 Hunter 243. As much as I like it, I guess my son likes it better. as it seems it stays with him more than me. Looks good shoots great.

 

Not to hijack,

What load are you putting through that 243. Since these are 1:10 barrels I'm going to start off with 85 grain Sierra BTHP.

 

My T3x is in the original 6.5... the 6.5x55 Swede and it is sweeeeeet. It’s blue and a Forest model with the Monte Carlo like stock. Have a Vortex Diamondback 4-12x50 on it and I would hunt any non-dangerous game in N. America with it.

There’s nothing wrong with the 6.5CM but the case volume is actually less than the Swede.

 

I can't help on the T3 or the 6.5cm or Swede, I have neither, but for years I have had a Tikka 595, 7mm-08, synthetic/blue and a Tikka 695, 338WM, Deluxe wood/ blue.
Each has it's specific uses. The quality of both is amazing. I can't imagine how anything could be done to improve the triggers or the actions out of the box. I can only assume that the T3's are of the same quality. I have never owned any other rifle in it's price range that could compare, but I do have some that are more costly and I can't tell the difference when I shoot them.

 

I think the 6.5 CM is a short action. I stand to be corrected, but I believe T3x comes in 2 basic flavors, LA and SA. Many, maybe most, SA mags won't accommodate the longer, heavier bullets like Lapua 155, Norma 156, and Woodleigh and Hornady 160 gr.

6.5x55 is a LA and will definitely handle those very long COAL. I shoot Woodleigh 160s out of my T3X.

Apart from that, there is no practical difference in either of those 2 cartridges. They're as near to being the same performance as 7x57 Mauser and 7mm-08 are to each other.

T3X trigger is very good, and I can stack bullets all day long with my 6.5 Swede.

With 140 gr bullets out of either 6.5, expect velocities at 2500-2700 if you reload, a bit slower with factory ammo for the Swede.

The only advantage to the CM is all of the tactical and precision rifles chambered for it.

They've been killing moose in Sweden and Norway for the last century with 6.5x55, probably more moose killed over there with it than all other cartridges combined. Their moose aren't like Alaska-Yukon moose, more the size of very large elk, 800-1200 lbs

 

I was 90% positive that Tikkas only have a long action. As in a short action and a long action cartridge is cycled in a long action

 

Well, I’m thinking I’m going to get this gun, but now can’t decide in which chambering. I don’t reload and 6.5cm ammo seems to be more available and cheaper. But supposedly the 6.5 Swede has a longer barrel life. Oh decisions decisions... Thank you all for your advice so far.

 

Barrel life is a function of the amount of heat generated from shooting. Both 6.5s shoot the exact same bullers at identical velocities. There will be no difference in barrel life.

 

The only advantage I believe with the 6.5x 55mm is with heavier bullets due to its greater case capacity with the slower powders I believe. Gar.

 

I bought a Tikka T3X in 6,5 Creed for my son, during barrel break in he shot 13 shots into 1.1 inches using the Hornady 129 gr interlock ammo....enough said.

 

Tika is a FINE rifle, you will love it.

I doubt the 6.5CM is more available than 30-06, ammo wise.

The 6.5CM was designed as a long range TARGET ROUND. The 30-06 was designed to kill with. The only cartridge I have used that rivaled the 30-06 for blood trails and sheer killing is the 7mm Magnum. Either of those will lead you to your game in a river of red.

My last buck with my Weatherby 30-06 was throwing blood so hard and spinning in a circle he had blood on the tips of his antlers, and I had not touched him yet. That should tell you something.

DR

 

Nice, I am by no means retiring the old ‘67 30-06 BAR. I’m just looking for a possible second option when hunting pipelines or other possible long distance stands/plots. The rut is full on here in MS. I’m heading to my climber in the hardwoods in the morning with my 336SS. It’s the best time of the year here in MS. Can’t wait to hear the woods wake up in the morning.

 

I have two Tikka t3 one in 270 wsm that prints 3/4 3 shot group's at 200yds and the other in 338 federal that shoots pretty well. Super nice rifles for the $$$ I did put a bell and Carlson stock on the 270 wsm

 

i also have a Tikka in 338 Federal. synthetic/stainless model.
i shot a spike buck this past saturday evening with it. DRT. Federal fusion 200gr ammo.

 

Sorry to join this one so late! The Tikka T3x in 6.5 Swede is what my wife shoots for deer. There have been many very good points in this thread. Yes, the CM has the availability for ammunition that is at the top of it's game. Both the CM and Swede have a 1:8 twist for rifling in the T3X. If you handload, to me, it's a no-brainer for the Swede. I load the 120 Sierra Prohunter? with IMR 4064 and it is plumb deadly for deer. And a tackdriver. The availability for ammo in Swede can be a search. PPU and Hornady Superformance will get closer to what the caliber is capable of, but won't make up what a handloader who knows their rifle's top end.

With that- excellent choice in a brand and caliber choice. If you handload or have been looking for the excuse to start- this is your opportunity knocking. It is a very worthwhile venture. If you wish to buy a box of ammunition and go hunting once a year, the Creedmoor will fill that void at a lower price point.

 

I don’t own a Creedmoor but I’ve killed deer with a 260 Rem for over 20yrs. The Creedmoor/260/Swede are excellent chamberings with no real difference between them. A quick look at midway shows 22 factory loads for the 260, 18 loads for the Swede and 69 for the Creedmoor, so if you’re not a reloader the Creedmoor has more appeal.

Im a 30-06 fan, I think it’s a great round, and I’ve killed quite a few deer with one. After killing several deer with the 260 if there is a difference in what they accomplish I’ve not seen it.


If you get a Creedmoor and want a good cheap factory round the 129 hornady American whitetail is excellent. I shoot that bullet in my 260 and 4-5 friends use that factory load in their Creedmoor. The 140 Fusion is also excellent, another friend uses it in his a Creedmoor.

My friends all shot 270’s, 30-06’s and 300 win mags before switching to the Creedmoor. They all worried about “knockdown power” from such a little round. So far no one has went back to their other chamberings, sone have even sold off old guns to buy more 243/6.5/708 chamberings.


In the end, especially on deer, cartridges are more alike than different so it’s all in what somebody wants to shoot, recoil tolerances, and confidence.

 

Well I bought one and really like it. Hunting with it now. Shot sub MOA today with Hornady American Whitetail at 100 yds. I mounted a Leupold VX III 4.5-14X50 on it.

my paper bag target picture is rotated to the left.

 

Looks GREAT!!

What caliber did you choose?

DR

 

I got the 6.5 Creedmoor, and the Tikka is batting 1.000. One hunt and one buck. Shot him at about 30 yds and he ran about 20 and fell over. First buck of the year for me. First mature one I’ve seen. Passed on several smaller ones earlier in the season. Looks like the 6.5 will do the job!

 

Heck yeah!!! Congratulations! NICE BUCK! ....great gun too ....you are living the dream! :smokin:

DR

 

I have a T3 in 6.5 x 55 Swede and my son has the same gun in 260 Rem. Both are very accurate. I also have a 6.5 Creedmoor in an 1885 Winchester. I reload for all. The 260 & CM will achieve slightly higher velocity than the 6.5 Swede, but not much. All three are in the same ball park.

I shoot the Berger 135 gr classic hunter over 47.0 gr of IMR 7828 SSC for velocity of about 2650 FPS. I actually haven’t taken a deer with this gun, but the son of a friend saw a deer from our camp in fall 2018 and my gun was handy, so I handed it to him and he stalked out of camp about 75 yards and took a 120 yard shot at a doe. The kill was impressively quick. The 135 gr Berger did it’s part. It’s one of the nicest guns I own and I have a few. It’s basic, but high quality. I don’t see why a T3x in 6.5 CM wouldn’t be a an excellent gun for almost any purpose.

 

The owner, obviously, is as gracious as the gun. :top:

DR