[Scorch]

6.5X54 had a good reputation for many years, partly because it was a low recoil cartridge and primarily because it was available in rifle with good handling attributes. Hemingway was fond of the round and wrote of its killing prowess in several of his stories (much of its killing ability was no doubt due to his marksmanship). In terms of ballistics, it is very similar to several other 6.5mm military cartridges, ballistics were very similar to the 250 Savage. Its inability to achieve the minimum ft-lbs of energy specified by the British led to its being dropped for medium game hunting by hunting professionals in the African countries controlled by the Britsh. In the US, its non-standard head size pretty much determined it was a non-starter, but those people who hunted with them really seemed to like them. As the magnum craze took off in the 1960s, it could not compete. If you want a 6.5mm, I would choose a more modern version.