RE: looking for a new gun
I have quite a bit of experience with 6.5mm cartridges (it is a pet number around here), mostly the .260 Rem, 6.5mm/.284 and the 6.5mm-06. All I can tell you is they kill game far better than you can even imagine and all are very accurate. I haven't much experience with the 6.5x55 Swedish, but it can be handloaded to .260 Rem velocities, and it may be the most accurate of all. If you're looking for a deer/antelope/occasional elk round, look no further than the .260 Rem, or any other 6.5mm cartridge.
Good Dogwork and Good Hunting