[bigbrother]

I've only owned and shot one 6.5 and that's my Ray Romain smithed 6.5x284. It has a 28" douglas barrel on it. I shoot 140 grain Berger's out of it at 2940, it has shot 3/4" at 300 yds. What I know is that this gun and caliber has killed deer out to 1100 yards (lazer ranged). I've never asked anything more of it. In fact I think the closest deer that we've killed with it was 535 yards! My gun is an awesome shooter but like I said it's the only experience I have. My uncle shoots a 264 winmag and on whitetails and the couple elk that he's shot, he's never wanted anything else.

Take that for what it's worth. When it comes down to it I think it's a matter of personal preference. I've heard the 6.5 WSM is hard on throats though like I said I can't verify and dependant upon how much shooting you really do, you may never notice it anyway. For bench competitors it would mean rebarreling, for hunters shooting to 600 or 700 yards, it probably wouldn't matter. (meaning it will probably still shoot good enough)

So, just my 2 cents, but Petey and OlSpark can attest to how deadly the little 6.5 can be.