20" 6.5x55?

[thelurcher]

Quick background first - I have a Tikka T3 in 6.5x55 for the last 5 or 6 years - I keep threatening to have it rebarelled. I use it for deer (Sika mainly) usually out to 200 yards but have shot further in the right conditions - wouldn't consider anything over 300 yards.
I'm set on the 6.5 as it has never failed me so no interest in hearing about the .270 etc.

Due to some of the most draconian gun laws in the world we're not allowed to reload so I use the following - won't be changing from these either -
Nosler BST 120 gr
http://www.norma.cc/en/Products/Hunting/65x55-Swedish-Mauser/Nosler-BST/

I always shoot with a moderator and would like to try a 20" barrel in a slightly heavier profile than stock. Bit more compact and might improve balance.

How will the 2" less affect performance? Any opinions on what twist rate would suit etc. would be great.

 

[-Fabien-]

Bonjour,

Here you have part of the answer:

http://www.sniperinfo.com/forum/showthread.php?106-Short-Barrel-Blasphemy

 

[RyeDaddy]

Difference to you as far as velocity will be minimal, I'd go for it.

I hunt with a 6.5x55 with an 18.5" barrel and for a rifle that will NEVER shoot past 400 yards I couldn't see needing any more barrel. I've hit 8"x8" steel at 600 yards with no problem.

If you're just shooting 120 grain bullets, a 1 in 9" twist would be great. If you'd like the ability to shoot 140's I'd go with 1 in 8".

 

[thelurcher]

Thanks lads - I would like to go under the 20" but the law here reckons that I'd be more prone to robbing a bank or some such s**t if I had a short barrel
Seriously 20" is the legal limit.

I'm definitely sticking with the Norma 120 - also had good luck with the Federal 140gr but although cheaper they're pretty hard to find now. Nothing else that I've tried gave me enough confidence on paper to move them on to deer.

I will stick up a pic when all done.