398: 6.5mm Cartridges: The Ultimate Guide

398: 6.5mm Cartridges: The Ultimate Guide

Author: John McAdams November 20, 2025 Duration: 1:47:40

I discuss all of the 6.5mm SAAMI standardized cartridges (plus a couple of other noteworthy CIP rounds) in this episode. As always, I'll talk about their history, design characteristics, performance specs, their strengths and weaknesses, and their recommended uses in detail. Where appropriate, I'll also share some personal anecdotes involving these rounds as well as some observations involving various cartridges by noteworthy gun writers as well.

Cartridges covered: 6.5x52mm Carcano, 6.5×55 Swede, 6.5x57mm, 6.5x50mm Japanese, 6.5x54MS, 6.5-06, 264 Winchester Magnum, 6.5mm Remington Magnum, 260 Remington, 6.5-284 Norma, 6.5 Grendel, 6.5 Creedmoor, 26 Nosler, 6.5-300 Weatherby, 6.5 PRC, 6.5 Weatherby RPM

Sponsor: Support me on Patreon to see the terminal ballistics analysis of the Kennedy assassination (which involved one of these rounds discussed in this episode) conducted by an experienced trauma surgeon. Supporters also receive access to my other bonus material.

The Third Bullet by Stephen Hunter

Rifle Cartridges For The Hunter by Richard Mann

Resources

Episode 172: 6.5 Creedmoor vs 300 Win Mag For Elk Hunting

Episode 282: 6.5 Creedmoor For Grizzly Bear?!

Episode 366: Modern Cartridge Design With John Snow

Episode 286: 30 Caliber Cartridge Roll-Up

Episode 291: 270 Caliber Cartridge Roll-Up

Episode 297: 9.3mm and 375 Caliber Cartridge Roll-Up

Episode 300: 40 Caliber Safari Cartridge Roll-Up

Episode 328: 25 Caliber Cartridge Roll-Up

Episode 329: 50, 60, & 70 Caliber Safari Cartridges With Kevin Robertson

Episode 338: 338 Caliber Cartridge Roll-Up

Episode 345: 7mm Cartridge Roll-Up

Episode 345: The "Other" 30 Caliber Cartridges: 303 British, 7.x62x54R, etc.

Episode 358: 35 Caliber Cartridge Roll Up


John McAdams hosts the Big Game Hunting Podcast, a conversation grounded in the realities of pursuing game across continents. Each episode feels like a detailed campfire talk, moving from the technical specifics of terminal ballistics and caliber selection to the raw, unforgettable narratives from the field in Africa, North America, and beyond. McAdams brings together a global community, with voices ranging from seasoned industry professionals to fellow hunters who call in with their own experiences. The focus is always on practical knowledge and authentic stories, stripping away any pretense to get to the heart of what hunters actually want to discuss. By sharing his own journey of learning and improvement, McAdams creates a space where curiosity and respect for the wilderness drive the dialogue. Tuning into this podcast means joining a serious yet accessible exchange where the complexities of the hunt are explored without filter. New conversations are released every Thursday, offering a consistent dose of insight and camaraderie for anyone passionate about the pursuit.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Big Game Hunting Podcast - Hunting Africa, North America, & More!
Podcast Episodes
390: 25 Creedmoor vs 6.5 Creedmoor Caliber Comparison [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:25
John McAdams shares insights on the 25 Creedmoor vs 6.5 Creedmoor informed by real world data on obtained at the range, afield, and in ballistic gel in this podcast episode. John discusses the design characteristics, per…
389: Taurus & Rossi Firearms With Caleb Giddings [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:27
Caleb Giddings, the marketing general manager for Taurus holdings, joins me on the show to talk about Taurus and Rossi firearms. We discuss the history of Taurus and Rossi, the details on some of the hunting handguns and…
388: 25 Creedmoor-A Triple Threat Cartridge With Richard Mann [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:19
Field & Stream shooting editor Richard Mann joins me in this podcast episode to discuss the new, SAAMI standardized 25 Creedmoor. Richard discusses the origins of the 25 Creedmoor, some of his experiences shooting and hu…
386: Hunting Brown & Grizzly Bear With Ron Spomer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:05
Ron Spomer is back on the show to discuss his adventures hunting brown and grizzly bear on the Kamchatka Peninsula in far eastern Russia as well as in Alaska. Ron shares the stories of those hunts (a couple of which are…
385: North Fork Bullets-Africa's Premier Bullets? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:16:49
North Fork bullets have a stellar reputation for hunting in Africa and are considered by some to be among the best projectiles available for hunting the continent. To that end, North Fork Bullets' technical support speci…
384: 2025 Big Game Hunting Podcast Safari Recap [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:33
As promised, I have a more comprehensive recap of my 2025 African safari hunt with several podcast listeners for you today. I'll talk about that hunt in more detail today and provide some reflections on the results of th…
383: Tracking Buffalo Like Your Life Depends On It [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:46
Though I've interviewed plenty of great Professional Hunters over the years, you don't hear from many trackers in podcast interviews for various reasons. That changes in this episode where I sit down with Pheilemon Matho…
382: Live from South Africa! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:41
Join me, the three podcast listeners I just hunted with in Africa, and our entire crew of PHs for an informal "campfire style" discussion of the highlights of our July 2025 safari in South Africa's Free State & Limpopo P…
381: A Cape Buffalo Hunt 30 Years In the Making With Jimmy Epperson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:17:17
Jimmy Epperson dreamed about hunting Cape buffalo for over 30 years before Big Game Hunting Adventures helped turn that wish into a reality for him in 2023. Jimmy also just returned from another hunt with us in early 202…