Lindcott Armory Rifle · CIP standardized
6.5x65mm RWS
RWS's German sporting cartridge designed for medium European game.
- Introduced
- 1996
- Type
- Rifle
- Origin
- Germany
- Inventor
- RWS
- Manufacturer
- RWS (Rheinisch-Westfälische Sprengstoff)
- Standard
- CIP standardized
- Status
- Discontinued
- Availability
- Collector
- Bullet ⌀
- 0.264″
- Case length
- 2.559″
- Overall length
- 3.34″
- Base ⌀
- 0.474″
- Rim ⌀
- 0.47″
- Case capacity
- 74 gr H₂O
- Twist
- 1:8
- Primer
- Boxer Small Rifle
- Case type
- Rimless
- Max pressure
- 60,191 psi
- Eff. range
- 400 yd
- Recoil
- 8–12 ft·lb
Ballistics
- Velocity
- 2,800–3,100 fps
- Energy
- 2,200–3,100 ft·lb
- By real loads
- 2,887–3,314 fps · 20 loads
- Typical MSRP
- $1.80/rd · price history →
- Parent case
- —
Representative trajectory — modeled from a single velocity input, not a measured load. Real published loads span the "by real loads" range above.
Factory loads
In production — 20 active loads across 13 brands. Top 15 shown · see all 20 →.
| Brand | Load | Grain | Bullet | FPS | ft·lb | BC | $/rd |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RWS | Speed Tip Pro | 109 | STP | 3,314 | 2,658 | — | $1.80 |
| RWS | DK | 93 | DK | 3,150 | 2,049 | — | $2.50 |
| Norma | TipStrike | 120 | TipStrike | 3,149 | 2,642 | — | $3.00 |
| Sako | Gamehead | 120 | SP | 3,117 | 2,588 | — | $2.00 |
| Geco | Plus X | 127 | BTHP | 3,084 | 2,682 | — | — |
| Brenneke | TIPEX | 127 | Polymer Tip | 3,084 | 2,682 | — | — |
| RWS | UNI Classic | 127 | SP | 3,084 | 2,682 | — | $1.60 |
| RWS | Evolution | 127 | EVO | 3,084 | 2,682 | — | $2.20 |
| Sellier & Bellot | SP | 131 | SP | 3,018 | 2,649 | — | $0.85 |
| Graf & Sons | Graf Heritage | 127 | SP | 2,985 | 2,512 | — | $0.70 |
| Lapua | Lapua Scenar | 123 | HPBT | 2,985 | 2,433 | — | $2.60 |
| RWS | HMK | 127 | HMK SP | 2,950 | 2,454 | — | $2.00 |
| PPU | Standard | 127 | Soft Point | 2,887 | 2,350 | — | $0.55 |
| Norma | Classic | 127 | Soft Point | 2,887 | 2,350 | — | $1.80 |
| RWS | Classic | 127 | Soft Point | 2,887 | 2,350 | — | $1.60 |
Velocities are manufacturer-stated (test-barrel). Discontinued loads dimmed.
Dimensions
Reloading cost
Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.
Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.
Connected reference
History
RWS of Germany developed this sporting rifle cartridge in the 1990s for European hunters. Designed as a high-performance 6.5mm option for medium European game, the 6.5x65 RWS provides excellent ballistics in a proprietary case that has not seen widespread adoption outside Germany.
FAQs
- What twist rate does 6.5x65mm RWS use?
- 6.5x65mm RWS typically uses a 1:8 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is 6.5x65mm RWS?
- 6.5x65mm RWS uses a 0.264″ (6.71 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is 6.5x65mm RWS still in production?
- 6.5x65mm RWS is discontinued; typical availability is collector.
- What is 6.5x65mm RWS used for?
- 6.5x65mm RWS is primarily used for hunting.
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 20 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. Spotted an error? Report it →