Duffy,
You made THE very important point about the 6.5 x 55 Swede. Its effectiveness is much more apparent and appreciated as it reaches out farther and farther. This is why it has been succeessfully used in long distance accuracy matches for years,...especially in Europe.
I love the .243 but the 6.5 beats it hands down.....not necessarily in a race off the line,...... but it'll catch it in short order and have more oomph farther out. Using similar sized/weight bullets would put the 6.5 x 55 out in front anyway. Don't get me wrong....I love the .243 .....my favortite rifle is chambered in that round.........I just have to recognize the effectiveness of the 6.5 while admiring them both. They each hold a slightly different niche in my collection.