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6.5x55 why not???

R

Rustybroadhead

Anschutz North America
Full Member
Minuteman
May 15, 2012
376
7
Alabama
I am about to start my first rifle build and have been researching different calibers. The post on here has a great deal of good info but I was curious why 6.5x55 was not even a foot note?? I have a Winchester 70 in 6.5x55 and it shoots factory 120 gr ballistic tips to 1/2 inch or a bit better. It hasn't even had a trigger job yet.

Most of the ballistic info on it shows factory ammo a bit slower than the 260 rem. but... It is not loaded to anywhere near the pressure in factory loads. Even if velocities aren't quite what you want, you could always do an Ackley Improved version that I am sure could get to 2900-3000 fps with a 140gr bullet.

Midway had a good selection of match ammo. Some of which was really cheap. Could make good practice ammo if it is reasonably accurate. Brass looks to be less expensive as well.

What am I missing here??? It is huge in Europe, why is no one shooting this over here?
 
Re: 6.5x55 why not???

You're not missing anything - it is a fine cartridge. In a strong, modern action, it wilk outperform 260.
 
Re: 6.5x55 why not???

I own/use have used several 6.5x55`s.Beginning with the old military models.Now I have a M70 win. with a 26" Kreiger and a Rem.700 same barrel.9" twist.Started competeing with one at metallic silhouette (500M) and long range.600-1200yds.I shoot mainly 142SMK`s and 139 scenars.You can send them at 2600ft/sec to 2950 ft/sec.
Not only it has more powder cap. than the 260,but better old brass that is Lapua,who does now make some in .260...also have a new unchambered Obermeyer blank if you need it.
bill larson
 
Re: 6.5x55 why not???

Great cartridge. Don`t Ackley, wasted powder, primers, bullets and barrel wear. A standard 6.5x55 is a great cartridge. Most people who has short action goes with 260, 6.5 Creedmoor or 6.5 Lapua, and for long action they usually go with 6.5x284 or 6.5-06. Don`t be afraid to build this cartridge.
 
Re: 6.5x55 why not???

The 6.5 Swede is a great cartridge, but requires a long action to take advantage of the heavy, high BC bullets. And most folks that pick a long action want more performance than the 6.5 Swede offers.
 
Re: 6.5x55 why not???

My Tac Ops Delta 55 6.5x55 Swede

IMG_0010.jpg


IMG_0009.jpg


IMG_0001-1.jpg


IMG_0004-1.jpg


Build it and it will shoot.
 
Re: 6.5x55 why not???

Just get a tight no-turn neck chamber and you'll be good. I run a very tight 260 chamber built for Lapua brass and 139 Scenars and I'm getting 2912 fps, so the Swede will do better if pushed.
 
Re: 6.5x55 why not???

Outstanding info! I am glad to see that there are other great minds around. I don't understand why it is so under represented. As it happens, I have a long action remington to start from and I just wasn't sold on the 6.5x284 or the 6.5-06. Barrel life is just too short. This caliber seems to be a good solution.

Very nice rifle Shooter McGavin (I loved Happy Gilmore by the way). And very nice shooting as well.

So does everyone agree that 1-9 is the right twist to go with???
 
Re: 6.5x55 why not???

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Rustybroadhead</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Outstanding info! I am glad to see that there are other great minds around. I don't understand why it is so under represented. As it happens, I have a long action remington to start from and I just wasn't sold on the 6.5x284 or the 6.5-06. Barrel life is just too short. This caliber seems to be a good solution.

Very nice rifle Shooter McGavin (I loved Happy Gilmore by the way). And very nice shooting as well.

So does everyone agree that 1-9 is the right twist to go with???</div></div>

No, 1-8 if you want to shoot 139-142.
 
Re: 6.5x55 why not???

I recently started shooting a Remington action 6.5x55 and find it far more enjoyable to shoot than my .308's. The recoil is less and the ballistics are better. What is not to love. The only way I would go with the 260 would be if I had to go short action.
 
Re: 6.5x55 why not???

dont know why been shooting my customized model 96 sweede since 1987 and she's still kicking but on deer and paper.
oh and for those that dont think the model 96 swedish mauser is strong- friend of mine was over at norma going thru their reloading area where they test their factory ammo- you guessed it they had 5 model 96's shooting all there ammo. they load 156 grain bullets to over 2600 fps and the guns never miss a beat he was told. mine has never let me down.

IMG_0012.jpg


 
Re: 6.5x55 why not???

There is no doubt it is a pleasure to shoot. I have taken a couple of deer with mine as well. What I am curious about is that if I am going to build a long range gun to run this round, what barrel twist should I go with to stabilize bullets in the 140gr neighborhood?
 
Re: 6.5x55 why not???

That is a beauty!


<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Shooter McGavin</div><div class="ubbcode-body">My Tac Ops Delta 55 6.5x55 Swede

IMG_0010.jpg


IMG_0009.jpg


IMG_0001-1.jpg


IMG_0004-1.jpg


Build it and it will shoot.
</div></div>
 
Re: 6.5x55 why not???

Its a very good cal , BUT it has a few issues when trying to run as a modern Tac rifle .

1 ) It does not fit in most short actions ( needs a long action , and as it needs a long action , why not step up again to say a cartridge that uses most of the room in a LA , ie a 7mmRM or 300WM etc )

2 ) Virtually no one makes detach mags for this cal .

3 ) The head is a little different than 308 at .473 etc .

About the only modern mags made for this cal , are the 5 & 10rd Sauer mags for the STR 200 ( these are single stack mags ) , and the nice 10rd double stack double feed Sauer 205 mags .

And of those mags , about the only ones readily available are the 5rd Sauer STR 200 ( made for the target rifle ) .

I have a Sauer 205 in the UK at the moment , and cannot find spare mags for IT , as well Sauer donot make this rifle any more , which has a nice 10rd mag a bit like the AW 10rd , instead they make a stupidily long single stack 10rd version for the latest Sauer SSG3000 ( ie a STR 300 in 308 with a glass McM stock instead of a wooden one ) .

Later Chris
 
Re: 6.5x55 why not???

I just built one on a pre-64 Winchester 70 action. I used the excuse that my wife would love to shoot it. Plan backfired.....she does love to shoot it and quite well.
 
Re: 6.5x55 why not???

I was told to use AICS. 300wm mags and bend the feed lips a little. Anyone with experience here?
 
Re: 6.5x55 why not???

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: pipewhiner</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I was told to use AICS. 300wm mags and bend the feed lips a little. Anyone with experience here?</div></div>

Should work fine.
 
Re: 6.5x55 why not???

I had High Speed Shooting Systems (HSSS here on the 'Hide) build a Swede lightweight hunter for my wife on a REM700 LA. It's MY favorite hunting rig. It has a Krieger barrel, and McMillan inletted their Model 7 stock for it for me, It's a real sweetheart and will shoot <.2 from the bench with handloads at 100.
 
Re: 6.5x55 why not???

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ChrisF</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">Virtually no one makes detach mags for this cal</span></span></div></div>
This is why the 6.5x55 lags behind all the short action 6.5mm cartridges. It's not that there is anything wrong with the 6.5x55 Swede, it's that shooters want detachable magazines. In particular, 10 round detach mags. Outside of using Wyatt's 10 round .30-06 mags, there is not a whole lot out there that will fit a long seated 142 grain SMK in a 6.5 Swede.
 
Re: 6.5x55 why not???

Below is a link to another site discussing a 300wm to 6.5x55 conversion (if links like this are bad ju-ju; I'm sorry). A guy in the thread said he was using AI 300wm mags after tweaking the feed lips. I don't have first-hand info that it works or how well it works, but I'll probably know for sure in about 6 months or so. The argument for taking advantage of the larger cartridge capability of the long action may be a little over stated IMVHO. Ultra high BC 6.5mm rds show similar long range ballistics to the 300wm with Substantially less recoil when loaded to modern action pressures. If the target a piece of paper or steel, the benefits of the larger cartridge, at least for me, are outweighed by the negatives. YMMV.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=659764
 
Re: 6.5x55 why not???

Love my CZ 550 in 6.5x55. I get 2780 with the 123 amax out of a 20.5" barrel. If is a fun round to shoot and very easy to load for.
 
Re: 6.5x55 why not???

Thanks for the link. A lot of good info there. Since I am converting a .270win, the case head issue should not come up. The magazine issue is what is beginning to bother me. I was planning to going with an AI stock so if there 300wm magazines will work with a little modification, then all is right with the world. I just want to make sure so that I am not having to change things half way through.
 
Re: 6.5x55 why not???

I built a 6.5 x 55 AI for my F-class rig on my Stiller Predator action, the reamer was specc'ed to load 139 g Lapua Scenars with the base just above the neck-shoulder junction. I assumed that I would have to take the bolt out to remove unfired rounds, but Stiller weird-shaped ejection port allowed the rounds to eject normally.

The 6.5 x 55 AI allows you to launch 139 g Scenars at 1n easy and very accurate 3,100 fps.

Did you know that the 6.5 x 55 brass is the cheapest brass they sell and that is a good thing too.

wade
 
Re: 6.5x55 why not???

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: wwbrown</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">139 g Scenars at 1n easy and very accurate 3,100 fps.</span></span></div></div>

That's screaming fast! If it's accurate and not a barrel burner, that is one heck of a combination. Nice job!
 
Re: 6.5x55 why not???

Wow, that is fast. I was figuring on getting 2900fps out of it and being very happy with that. Were you using a 30in barrel on yours? I was going to go with a 26in barrel on mine. What kind of barrel life are you getting?

Also, What twist rate are you using for that ammo? That is something I am really curious about.
 
Re: 6.5x55 why not???

I use a 28" tube and was able to get 3,100 fps accurate but 3,050 was a little more accurate. 3,050 was easily fast enough with the Scenars for the 1,000 yard line so I never did what the top end was. I shot this load here in Minnesota in January and at Oak Ridge in TN (a great range and people I highly recommend everyone shoot a comp there) at 90° with no pressure signs. I personally think the Ackley is worth it, the fireforming load was scary accurate at about 2,800.

When you have a 6.5 mm barrel installed on a comp it is always time to order the next one. The life on any of the 6.5's is not great. The 6.5 x 55 AI barrel went south at 800 rounds right about where you expect a 6.5 x 284 shot the same way to go south. There is no way around it physics wins, speed in shooting rapid strings and velocity kills barrels.

wade
 
Re: 6.5x55 why not???

yep... I did miss the "AI" part of that..... I will be happy at my 2900.... Although I have considered the AI, I think at this point I am going to stick with the case the way it is and hope for a little better barrel life. Besides, most of my shooting is going to be out to 700yds. Unless I travel somewhere, that is all I have.
 
Re: 6.5x55 why not???

I get 2850fps with Berger 130's over 50gr of VV N560 in my 22.7" Blaser R8 barrel. I had no trouble whacking the 3'x3' plates or the 24" gongs at 1,000 yards in Texas with Darryl Holland recently.

You can find 6.5x55 ammo every where in the world. If your traveling a lot with the rifle, that is a consideration.
 
Re: 6.5x55 why not???

well looks like a lot of 6.5x55 shooters on here. as far as barrel life my m96 sweede still shoots 1/2 moa with 47 grains of imr 4831 and a 140 grain amax. wow i cant say for sure but i know i am over 2000 rounds thru this gun and in 2017 it will be 100 years old.
 
Re: 6.5x55 why not???

Thanks guys. I have pretty well made up my mind that this it the caliber I am going to build. Everyone seems to have really good things to say about it. I am going to go with a little longer barrel, probably 26in, but I am very undecided on twist rate....

What twist and what weight bullet is everyone using???

I found a barrel with 8.5 twist the other day.... Will that fly bullets in the 140gr range???
 
Re: 6.5x55 why not???

Side note. 308 mags will work. As will 270/30-06 type mags in a long action. Sako used to use the same .308 mag for their 6.5x55 on some rifles.

L
 
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