I'm looking for a new rifle for my wife and I personally like both of these calibers. They are both known to be accurate in a good firearm and both have mild recoil. She can and has shot larger calibers but I think she looses some enjoyment somewhere around the 270 when we are shooting several boxes from the bench. She's only 5'2" and loves to shoot. I want to put her in a tack driver. Input please!!

Im looking at the CZ in 6.5x55 and the little ruger bolt action in 260. I've also seen some Kimber 84s in 260 but having trouble finding one.

6.5 ammo is cheaper by 3-4 dollars per box.

Which way do I go?

I am thinking about a Tikka in 6.5. You can get heavier bullets in 6.5 and it is a classy round.
260 just never grabbed me. Currently use a Tikka in 243, but would look at the CZ line also.

I was just reading a Tikka review. They speak highly of it but I also hear great things about the CZ 550 american.

I have a Remington 700 Classic in 6.5x55 that I hunt with often. It is my favorite caliber and every major ammo manufacturer makes ammo for it now. For a Texas Deer hunting round, you can't go wrong with that one.

The CZ is great, however it is rather heavy. As much as I hate to, I would recommend the Tikka for a smaller person. You might also look at the Remington Classic or Winchester Featherweight if you can find one. Another option might be a Twede (model '98 Mauser with a model '96 barrel) Mine is in a Ramline stock and is handy with a 21" barrel.

Lots of good info here. Anyone here familiar with the 260 or the Ruger compact rifle they come in?

The .260 factory loads are quite a bit hotter than most 6.5x55 factory loads due to concers about early Krag Jorgensen rifles chambere in 6.5. If you don't reload, the .260 is a better bet. Don't know much about the Ruger, although it should be good in that chambering. barrel length is 18"? Should handle well for a small person. If you are well heeled, you might look at the Ruger RSI, or a Cooper, NULA, or some other short/light rifle. Probably the Remington model 7 or the Ruger would be the best reasonably priced choices.

Price wise the Kimber is about my outer limits. I've looked at the Coopers but cant touch them. The Ruger compact actually has a 16.5 barrell. Tiny little thing http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=154586974 Should suit her fine size wise but its so small im worried about recoil again. And the only way to find out is to buy it or happen to talk to some one that has shot one. Im going to look up the Ruger RSI, im not familiar with that one.

Edit: OK, just looked at the RSI thats pretty sweet. Got to find what they weigh.

I have owned the ruger in .260, didn't like it, currently own the CZ 6.5X55, great shooter, the set trigger is amazing,either one, shelf ammo selection is limited.

Yep, last I heard Kimber put the hold on the .260's. My wife had a remington 700 mountain rifle in .260 rem. accurizied by hill county rifle, but she made a mistake of shooting my Kimber Montana in .308. She liked how light it was and the way it handled, so I swaped her .260 out at my local gun shop for a Kimber Montana in .243!! I got rid of all my remington 700's and am slowly switching over to Kimber Montanas. I've also seen that Kimber is coming out with a 84L, which is a 6# long action. Thats pretty light considering it has a kevlar/fiberglass stock like my Montana 84's. The 84L suppose to be out some times this year!! I think my next will be a 84M Montana in .223!! Then I will have a .308, .243 and .223!!

Buddy of mine shoots the rem 260 and i have the 6.5 and the recoil is less on the 6.5. I love my 6.5 and pretty much all i use when hunting and use the 120 grain ballistictips. Never had a hog or deer get away and most dropped on the spot.

X2 on the Winchester Featherweight if you can find it. I love mine and it has proved reliable on a lot of animals. Can't beat the 6.5x55!!!

are you reloading the 120gr ball.tips? if you are getting shelf ammo I would appreciate the where? thanks

Colt 45. What was your disslikes on the Ruger in 260. I'm kinda torn. Almost ordered the ruger today.

270 or 280?

animals wont feel the diff and you probably wont see it

My wifes shoulder will. She can shoot it but does not enjoy multiple rounds from a 270 and we shoot alot. The gun in question is to be for her.

I never could find a load that would shoot worth a dang and the trigger was herendous, good looking, but thats the only thing good I can say about it.

I had one and shooting a box of 20 rounds would leave my should black, blue, and yellow. Also, after the first 7 or 8 rounds, it was painful. I finally replaced the thin solid rubber pad with a thick Pachmayr one and it was okay then, but in a light rifle, these 2 calibers can be unpleasant.

I have always shot a .30 cal rifle so no direct experience here.. I have read though that the 6.5 swede is a great round. I have a Military one hanging on my wall but have never shot it.

I have a Kimber 84 in .260 love it! actuall shot like crap when I first got it. couldnt get anything under about 1.5" groups even with hand loads. Sent it back to Kimber and they rebarreled it, and sent me the test targe twith factor amo 120 grn. something I dont remember, .070 inch 3 shot group. That gun is light and shoulders better than most of my customs!

a buddy of mine has a CZ 550 American in 6.5x55 and loves it... wouldn't trade it for the world.