I will have to yield on the cost factor for buying factory 6.5CM ammo. I'll admit I was surprised to find it comparable to 270 ammo. At least for the Lead Free ammo I'm stuck with in CA. I'm still not going to buy a 6.5 though. I just can't see spending all of the $$ to buy a new rifle, rings, scope, sling, butt pad and ammo when my 270 is long paid for and is deadly on deer and bear on the ranch I hunt. Now if I had to start over buying a rifle, I would probably lean towards another used 270 with history behind it since I hunt but don't shoot long range targets.