6.5x55 tell me about it.

[TheGrimReaper]

6.5x55 SE is a awsome round. Very fun to reload for too. I hunt with a Tikka T3 SS in it and it kills deer dead with very little recoil.

 

[scythefwd]

picking up the swede next week. My cost (including everything I bought that I'm trading... < $40. I'll be replacing the stock and scope in due time... Well see what else. Several people mentioned that I shouldn't run full potential loads in this action.... Or at least alluded to that. Besides reloading... Which I'll be doing, any recommendations for current factory loadings for paperand beast?

 

[ifit]

NICE ussr, more details please

 

[Hopkins]

USSR, that Mod 70 action looks like a control feed 70 (pre 64) action. I'm not aware they have chambered the "New" control feed 70 in 6.5x55 as of yet.

 

[USSR]

That 6.5x55 is as follows:

- Winchester M70 Classic (pre-64 TYPE) long action, originally a 6.5x55 Featherweight
- 28" Obermeyer AMU contour, fluted and chambered in 6.5x55
- Pillar bedded McMillan Prone Stock in, I believe, woodland camo
- Williams Steel one-piece bottom metal
- Jewell Trigger
- Speed Lock firing pin and spring
- Badger Ordnance 20MOA picatinny rail
- TSR Tactical Rings
- Sightron SII 6-24x40 Scope
- Smithing done by Terry Cross at KMW

Don

 

[NCsmitty]

any recommendations for current factory loadings for paper and beast?

As far as I know, all current factory loads are safe in the Swede Mausers. The heavier bullets seem to shoot best in the fast twist Swede Mausers. Prvi-Partizan and Wolf Gold are made in the same factory and are reasonably priced, and usually accurate.
As to reloads, most manuals list loads for the military 6.5x55, and some show loads for commercial actions.
If you adhere to the military load limits listed, you should be able to work up some good accurate loads. Then you can see for yourself what a sweet rifle and round it is.



NCsmitty

 

[Owen Sparks]

My stock (except for the scope) Mauser was made in 1907 and will hit a dime at 100 yards. What more can you ask?

 

[USSR]

As far as I know, all current factory loads are safe in the Swede Mausers.

I believe NCsmitty is correct. The U.S. manufacturer's download the 6.5x55 to pressure-levels that would not destroy any single lug Norwegian Krags that are still occasionally found. I have heard that the Europeans load the 6.5x55 a bit hotter, but I don't know that by personal experience.

Don

 

[Hopkins]

USSR, that is a very sweet set up. I'm leaning in a similar direction with a push feed long action 70 I plan to have Krieger barrel. I have about talked myself out of the 260,6.5x47 and 6.5x284 in favor of the 6.5x55. I have a Husky 38 that was sporterized that I love to shoot and reload for. It is a tack driver with 140's if the velocities are 2500 fps or so.
I had some 139gr Norma factory that listed on the box after translation a muzzle velocity of 2700+ fps but chronod out at under 2550. If that is any indication of what the Europeans are doing.

 

[Maverick223]

I have about talked myself out of the 260,6.5x47 and 6.5x284 in favor of the 6.5x55.

Good decision, you already have the action length, you may as well use it. This will probably not be a popular view in this particular thread, but normally I would prefer the .260Rem. (AI or otherwise), as it crams the same bullet into a smaller action, and does so with little loss of velocity (particularly the "improved version"). That said, both (or rather all of the aforementioned) are excellent cartridges, so you really can't go wrong with either.

 

[Owen Sparks]

One advantage the 6.5x55 has over the .260 Rem is the ability to use the heavy 160 grain bullets.

 

[Maverick223]

One advantage the 6.5x55 has over the .260 Rem is the ability to use the heavy 160 grain bullets.

True, while the .260Rem. can shoot them, it requires a intermediate/long action or you loose a good bit of capacity (and therefore velocity & performance).

 

[scythefwd]

Unfortunately, guy backed out of the deal before we even met. Guess he liked the rifle more than he thought. Oh well, at least I learned something here.... and added another caliber to look for.....

 

[Maverick223]

Eh, they made more than one. Good luck in your search.

 

[BrocLuno]

Yup, keep looking

 

[expower1]

i have a 6.5x50 and 7.7x58 both are very nice to shoot but i have not fired them in 20 years but soon i will again having them checked so they dont blow up in my face.

 

[NCsmitty]

Welcome to THR, expower1.

We can always use some pictures of your Arisaka rifles. Just use the Go Advanced feature and up load.



NCsmitty

 

[Hopkins]

I seem to remember an article from years ago that was about the relative strengths of military bolt action receivers . IIRC tests were done by over loading Springfield, Enfield, Mauser and Arisaka rifles. I think the Arisaka won hands down.

 

[interlock]

6.5 x 55 is an all time great. there are lots of myths about it. It is a proven game getter because of the high sectional density of the heavier bullets. When it delivers them big long heavy bullets at a moderate velocity it is going to be a very good hitter. it is not a flat shooter when loaded with them big hard hitting bullets.... but it is a centrefire rifle so it is not bad at all. we are talking about margins of inches at normal hunting ranges.

 

[Smokey in PHX]

I really liked the the Mod 70 Featherweight. Didn't know it was available in the 6.5x55. Would be a nice match to go with my 7x57 in the same model. Both of these perform better on game than the ballistics indicate.

 

[Maverick223]

Both of these perform better on game than the ballistics indicate.

+1, though most folks discount sectional density and bullet construction (two of the most important aspects of a big-game hunting cartridge), and skip right to energy, TKO, and velocity.

 

[viking499]

I really liked the the Mod 70 Featherweight. Didn't know it was available in the 6.5x55. Would be a nice match to go with my 7x57 in the same model. Both of these perform better on game than the ballistics indicate.

CZ has both those calibers in the 550......

 

[kneault65]

got one in a Remington 700 classic. Had it since I was 13 and will never part with it. 6.5x55 is my favorite caliber. Ive killed countless whitetails, bears and one elk with it. I shoot pumpkins with it out to 600 yards with no trouble and I'm sure It'll do fine out to 1000. Its a very underated caliber in North America. Can't wait to get another.

 

[Hopkins]

The first acceptable metric rifle cartridge to the American shooter was the 7mm mag. Remington understood it would take the sizzle of "magnum" to get past the "mm" barrier. The 9mm pistol cartridge was a sleeper in the U.S. until the Beretta 92 became the service sidearm. Mauser created 2 rifle cartridge designs that have only improved with better bullet and powder designs. The 6.5 and 7 should still be here in another 100 yrs.

 

[TheSwede]

Just a tip from a swede. 6,5x55 like long barells. It works fine with 22' too but to really get out the full potential of the caliber I think you should choose 24' as a minimum and a 26' is perfect! With a 26 barrell and a modern bolt action you can load a 100 grain bullet and get more than 3120 (f/s) without getting hot. The caliber is also very kind to the barrell.
Its funny to see you guys like the 96's mauser. Just be carefull with hot loads! The barells are long and you will get the velocity without hot loads. 96's is weak compared to modern rifles but I guess you know that.