Rifle · CIP
6.5x65mm RWS
RWS's German sporting cartridge designed for medium European game.
- Caliber
- 0.2638″ · 6.7 mm
- Introduced
- 1988
- Case
- Rimless
- Parent
- .30-06 Springfield
- Primary use
- Hunting
- Status
- Discontinued
- Introduced
- 1988
- Type
- Rifle
- Origin
- Germany
- Inventor
- RWS
- Manufacturer
- RWS (Rheinisch-Westfälische Sprengstoff)
- Standard
- CIP
- Status
- Discontinued
- Availability
- Collector
- Case capacity
- 74 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:8
- Primer
- Boxer Small Rifle
- Case type
- Rimless
- Max pressure
- 60,191 psi, CIP transducer
- Eff. range
- 400 yd
- Max range
- 4650 yd
- Recoil
- 8–12 ft·lb
Ballistics
Published velocity/energy data isn't available for 6.5x65mm RWS — an obsolete/collector cartridge. Parent case: .30-06 Springfield.
Performance
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
CIP TDCC · verified| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 6.70 | 0.264 | ✓ |
| Neck ⌀ | 7.57 | 0.298 | ✓ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | 10.97 | 0.432 | ✓ |
| Shoulder angle | 20° | — | ✓ |
| Base ⌀ | 12.04 | 0.474 | ✓ |
| Rim ⌀ | 11.95 | 0.470 | ✓ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.30 | 0.051 | ✓ |
| Neck length | 6.48 | 0.255 | ≈ |
| Case length | 65.00 | 2.559 | ✓ |
| Overall length | 85.00 | 3.346 | ✓ |
Size vs familiar rounds
Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. 6.5x65mm RWS is highlighted below.
Factory loads
Being verified
Advertised FPS, energy, and BC are withheld until loads clear verification.
Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory
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.
Lineage
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 0.2638″ (6.7 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.
- What is 6.5x65mm RWS based on?
- 6.5x65mm RWS is derived from the .30-06 Springfield case.
Sources & provenance
- Standard C.I.P. — C.I.P. TDCC — Tables of Dimensions of Cartridges and Chambers
- Standard C.I.P. (Commission Internationale Permanente) — C.I.P. TDCC TAB. I — 6,5 x 65 RWS (Date 90-04-05, Revision 02-05-15) · grain_ballistics, representative_gun archived
- Manufacturer RWS (RUAG Ammotec) — Produktdatenblatt — RWS 6,5x65 RWS KS 8,2g (Art. Nr 2116979) · grain_ballistics, representative_gun
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 20 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →
