6.5x55 Swiss?

[SHOOT1SAM]

I like the caliber also, having sporterized a Mauser '96 several years ago.

However, unless you are going to be shooting bullets heavier than 140 grains, the .260 Remington is its virtual twin ballistically, but in a short action as opposed to the 6.5 Swede's long action.

IMNTBHO, you won't go wrong with either one.

Sam

 

[Grizzly Adams]

The Rem 260 the the commerical verison of the wildcat 6.5X308 based on the 308 Win necked down the .264 or 6.5mm.

 

[luckytexan]

Someone suggested something in a 6.5x55 [Swede]. What is a good rifle chambered for this round?

I've been looking for a hunting rifle in this cartridge. There aren't a lot of new ones currently chambered for this round, although almost every major make has been chambered for it at one time or another.

I'd look at the CZ 550. It has been getting good reviews, reasonably priced, and is apparently very accurate.

Here's a range report from several years ago: http://www.thehighroad.org/archive/index.php/t-1130.html

 

[KellyTTE]

I hate to resurrect a dead thread, but does anyone have any information on 6.5 Swiss ammo, specifically AP varieties that were produced. Anyone ever SEEN any in the US?

 

[USSR]

KellyTTE,

There is no 6.5 Swiss. There is a 7.5 Swiss and a 6.5 Swede.

Don

 

[Gambit]

Pictured below is a M96 in original condition and another that I have done some work on. I guess you could call it sporterizing.
I am not a fan of altering historically correct rifles such as these but, this one came with missing parts, no bluing left and a stock that was rotted and broken in several places. The redeeming feature was that it is all matching. I bought it at a gun show for $65. It turned out to be the most accurate of the two I now own and I tried to leave it as original as possible and still meet my needs.
It shoots as accurately, if not more so, than any deer rifle I have owned. I do load my own.
I had a Model 700 in 270 that would shoot 130 gr bullets at around 2900 fps and that was my favorite deer hunting round. My most accurate hunting load in that sporterized M96 is a 120 gr Sierra, behind some IMR 4350. It chronies right around 2925 and no sign of over-pressure.
I've yet to put one in a deer but, I am sure it will perform much like that 270 while shooting a little flatter with less recoil.
A great caliber.

KellyTTE, I found the following here before joining. It lists milsurp dealers that may be of assistance to you.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=206780

 

[Sigarmed 1]

Someone suggested something in a 6.5x55 [Swede]. What is a good rifle chambered for this round?

I currently have a Cooper Phoenix in 6.5 x 55 for sale in the classifieds here. It is one of the best examples of a quality modern rifle chambered in this caliber that I know of.

 

[woo18]

an excellent rifle for an excellent round.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

How does it compare to .308 for power, range, versatility, availability and price?

1. Power: Under 300 yards, a little less power than .308 Win. Past 300 yards, the same gradually becoming a little more than .308.

2. Range: About the same - the 6.5x55 has a little more range in terms of less drop and better wind-bucking, due to the superior BCs of the bullets.

3. Versatility: 6.5x55 wins - it's arguably one of if not the most versatile centerfire rounds in existence, from varmints to very large game. But the .308 is quite versatile too, with bullets as light as the Speer 100 gr plinker on up to 220 grains or even more.

4. Availability: .308 Winchester wins easily. It's far far more available, though 6.5x55 is somewhat popular and can be found at the larger stores like BassPro, Cabela's, Sportsman's Warehouse, etc., and most large local gun shops, but not Walmart or small gun shops.

5. Price. .308 Winchester is cheaper if buying non-premium factory (Fusion, etc.). If buying premium factory, then about the same, and if reloading, about the same as well.

Don't forget the lower recoil of the 6.5x55 and the superior penetrative abilities of the typically-higher sectional density bullets, ceteris paribus.

 

[Shawnee]

Will tack a bit more info onto "Sauce's" versatility comments.

It's true the .308 can be called a "varminter" because they have a 100-gr. bullet out for it. But that's sorta like calling Phyliss Diller a sex symbol.

The 100-grainer for the .308 has a ballistic coefficient of only .152 - copared to the B.C. of .358 for the 100gr. 6.5 bullet.

If you look at deer-weight bullets, the .308's SST 150-grainer has a B.C. of .415 but the 6.5 140-gr. SST bullet has a B. C. of .520. Now both of those BCs are very good but there is no doubt which is better.

 

[Old Time Hunter]

Gambit, what #'s are stamped on your disks for bore condition and dimensions? Nice rifles, thanks for posting.

You really made me feel ill though, I picked up a 1917 M96 this past weekend because of it's condition (non-reissued armory rebuilt). Unfortunately I paid $200 for it. Now it seems high. The other draw back, it has the threaded barrel muzzle. The good, brand new appearing stock with cartouche's, excellent bluing (not chemical), correct #'s.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

But that's sorta like calling Phyliss Diller a sex symbol.

So I'm the only one who found Phyllis hot when she appeared on hollywood squares?

 

[Shawnee]

"So I'm the only one who found Phyllis hot "




Sauce - you've been in the woods too long !

 

[Tamlin]

Another 0.02 on the Swede . . .

I bought a sporterized 6.5 x 55 1895 Mauser Carbine over the summer and took it bear hunting this past weekend. (Didn't get a bear, but had a lot of fun shooting the Swede). It's got a BIG boom with hardly any recoil. I remember years ago shooting my uncle's Mauser (can't remember which model), but it left my shoulder black and blue. My Ruger GP100 .357 has more kick than the Swede - and the Ruger is a solid gun which absorbs recoil pretty well. I really like it. I just can't bring myself to drill and tap it for a scope, so it's going to stay with iron sights. Even still, I feel comfortable enough to take shots out to a couple hundred yards.

 

[TimboKhan]

I've got two Swedish Mausers, and they are a delight to shoot. If I could find a Ruger MkII chambered in 6.5x55 (and Ruger did make rifles so chambered for some time), I believe that would become my #1 hunting rifle. I am quite certain that I could look up ballistics charts and see that there are better performers, but it's a round that has a fairly long history of performance behind it. No, it isn't what I would choose for bears, but I can't think of a quadriped on this continent that it wouldn't be suitable for.

That being said, it's still pretty hard to beat the good ol' .30-06!!!

 

[litman252]

6.5x55 has to be the most liked cartridge of all, for those that know of it. I shot my ~sporterized one last weekend, shot good for the scope on it..........

What other caliber can have 40 responses w/o a single negative comment? Maybe the lack of ammo or few rifles but that is the ONLY negatives and it's a good trade for a little bit of work. You always have something about any caliber, 30-30, 30-06, 7mm-08 they all have someone that thinks they suck, not with the Swede and I think that says a lot.

Tony

 

[lefteyedom]

My 0.02
A Ruger #1, with a Mannlicher stock, 20" barrel, aperture sighted and chambered for 6.5X55 would be a darn near perfect rifle.

 

[Will Fennell]

"Modern Rifle/ Old Cartridge"

I just got a Tikka T3 in 6.5 Swede for my wife's deer/hog rifle. My first reloads for it are shooting right around .5" for 3 shot groups, and it's VERY light on the shoulder as hoped. So far it really likes 130 gr Nosler Accubonds.

 

[nyggis]

Gaaahhhh!!

Please!!!

Learn to separate our two countries!!!

SWEDEN = Blond girls, Smörgåsbord, Boring family cars, IKEA, ABBA, Mauser 6.5x55

SWITZERLAND = Cheese, Banking, Chocolate, Expensive watches, The Alps, K31 7.5x55

 

[Shawnee]

Hey Will Fennell...

What load are you using with that bullet and what do you figure the muzzle velocity is ?

Hey Lefteyedom...

GEEZ ! Pleeeeease don't mention a Ruger #1 in the Swede.

 

[Gambit]

Hi Old Time Hunter,

Both are #1s and both are listed as 6.51 to 6.46.

 

[Gambit]

Hi Old Time Hunter,

The sporter (CG 1908) is marked as a 1 with a 6.52 bore diameter.
The original M96 (CG 1919) is also a 1 with a 6.50.

 

[Gambit]

Hi Old Time Hunter,

The sporter (CG 1908) is marked as a 1 with a 6.52 bore diameter.
The original M96 (CG 1919) is also a 1 with a 6.50.

 

[Gambit]

Hi Old Time Hunter,

The sporter (CG 1908) is marked as a 1 with a 6.52 bore diameter.
The original M96 (CG 1919) is also a 1 with a 6.50.

 

[Gambit]

Hi Old Time Hunter,

The sporter (CG 1908) is marked as a 1 with a 6.52 bore diameter.
The original M96 (CG 1919) is also a 1 with a 6.50.

Sorry guys, I kept getting an error message that lead me to believe the post was not being accepted.