I am looking for a new gun in the 6.5x55 caliber. i have heard of the cz models and steyr models. Is there any other guns chambered in this? Also can anybody state the pros and cons of this cartridge? Finally if anybody has any photos of their guns can you post them as well. Thanks
6.5X55 ?
- Thread starter B.A.M.F
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R.W.Dale
Member
You really need to make up your mind
That's 7 different guns in the past couple weeks
That's 7 different guns in the past couple weeks
The Deer Hunter
Member
Ok, he should make his mind up but dont pressure him. Its hard to decide on a gun you want. If you rush it you will end up with a gun you will regret buying in a couple of weeks.
R.W.Dale
Member
That's why you buy another one and another and another and another and another and another and another and another ad infinum
I keep on hearing good things on different guns. Also i don't want to have a whole lot of guns. Im limiting myself to 2 more a light mountain rifle and a heavy big game gun. You sure do keep track of the mebers of this forum doncha krochus. So if anybody has any suggestions on any of these.
6.5X55 link possibly worth lookin at
http://www.chuckhawks.com/choosing_6-5mm_rifle.htm The 6.5X55 is one hellova round from what I've read. If I were ever in the market for another CF rifle, It would probably be the only one I would look at. Google it.
http://www.chuckhawks.com/choosing_6-5mm_rifle.htm The 6.5X55 is one hellova round from what I've read. If I were ever in the market for another CF rifle, It would probably be the only one I would look at. Google it.
one eye joe
Member
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Ruger, Tikka, and TC Encore all come in 6.5x55, as well as old Swedish mausers and the CZ you mentioned. Of course you can get it in a lot of custom, or high priced models (blaser, etc.). If you don't reload, the 6.5 is a nice round, although 140 grain bullets are about all that is available. If you handload, it is great. With 100-120 grain bullets, you can load right at .25-06 velocities. I am getting just over 3000fps with a 120 Ballistic tip in my CZ. with 129-140 grain bullets, you are right with the 7-08, and on the heels of the .270. 160 grain bullets can't be pushed awfully fast, but they penetrate forever. Heck, they look like small pencils sticking out of the casing. If you want to shoot the heavier bullets, make sure the twist rate is faster than 1in 9", which I believe Ruger uses. There are some old Remington Classic's in that caliber with 1 in 9 twist that have trouble with 140 grain and heavier bullets. Overall, it is a greaat round that will do anything you need without pounding you in the process.
atblis
Member
Also
Sako.
Howa used to. Don't know if they do anymore.
Commercial Husqvarna (not made anymore but nice guns).
Remington chambered it in the classic one year. Not impossible to find.
Can't go wrong
Accurate
Affective.
Mild recoil (especially with factory ammo)
Chambered in quality rifles
Plenty of factory ammo available.
Lapua brass.
Good barrel life
Not too common. So you get to explain to people why your rifle is so special.
Probably my favorite center fire round. Truthfully though, it doesn't do anything that a lot other rounds can't do equally as well. I think the reputation it has for accuracy has mostly to do with the fact that in general only very high quality rifles were chambered in 6.5x55 (Ruger being the lone exception I can think of). Also there wasn't any truly crappy ammo available either. The Swede military stuff was quite good.
1in8 is the standard rifling for the heavier bullets.
1in9 often works just fine the 140s.
1in8.5 are available also.
If you like walnut stocked hunting rifles, the 550 american is the way to go. It outclasses just about everything in the same price range.
That saying that "the truth is somewhere in the middle".
Sako.
Howa used to. Don't know if they do anymore.
Commercial Husqvarna (not made anymore but nice guns).
Remington chambered it in the classic one year. Not impossible to find.
Can't go wrong
Accurate
Affective.
Mild recoil (especially with factory ammo)
Chambered in quality rifles
Plenty of factory ammo available.
Lapua brass.
Good barrel life
Not too common. So you get to explain to people why your rifle is so special.
Probably my favorite center fire round. Truthfully though, it doesn't do anything that a lot other rounds can't do equally as well. I think the reputation it has for accuracy has mostly to do with the fact that in general only very high quality rifles were chambered in 6.5x55 (Ruger being the lone exception I can think of). Also there wasn't any truly crappy ammo available either. The Swede military stuff was quite good.
1in8 is the standard rifling for the heavier bullets.
1in9 often works just fine the 140s.
1in8.5 are available also.
If you like walnut stocked hunting rifles, the 550 american is the way to go. It outclasses just about everything in the same price range.
That saying that "the truth is somewhere in the middle".
Another option
Is the relatively new .260 Remington (a 6.5mm on a .308Win case). It basically duplicates the ballistics of the 6.5x55 Swede, but in a short case which can be used in a short actioned rifle. I don't have any personal experience with this round, but according to what I have read, this is the case.
I have a 6.5x55mm, Swedish Mauser (1917 mfg), and handload for it. The cartridge is an outstanding one, very flat shooting at longer ranges, better than many larger more powerful rounds. However, the Swede is also "limited" to pressures of about 45,000psi, due to the actions of the old Mausers.
In a modern rifle capable of safely containing higher pressures, the handloader can improve the performance a noticable amount. HOWEVER, if this is done, care must be taken that the high pressure ammo never finds it's was into one of the old Mausers, as this can create a dangerous situation.
If you limit yourself to factory ammo, then there is no problem. The only drawback to the 6.5x55mm is that ammo is not widely stocked, and is more expensive than more common calibers. This situation is better today than it was 25 years ago, when the only ammo available was Norma, and cost about a buck a round even back then. Since then, Remington and others have added the 6.5x55mm to their lines, and also sell brass. It still cost a bit more than the .30-30 or the .30-06, but not tremendously so.
Is the relatively new .260 Remington (a 6.5mm on a .308Win case). It basically duplicates the ballistics of the 6.5x55 Swede, but in a short case which can be used in a short actioned rifle. I don't have any personal experience with this round, but according to what I have read, this is the case.
I have a 6.5x55mm, Swedish Mauser (1917 mfg), and handload for it. The cartridge is an outstanding one, very flat shooting at longer ranges, better than many larger more powerful rounds. However, the Swede is also "limited" to pressures of about 45,000psi, due to the actions of the old Mausers.
In a modern rifle capable of safely containing higher pressures, the handloader can improve the performance a noticable amount. HOWEVER, if this is done, care must be taken that the high pressure ammo never finds it's was into one of the old Mausers, as this can create a dangerous situation.
If you limit yourself to factory ammo, then there is no problem. The only drawback to the 6.5x55mm is that ammo is not widely stocked, and is more expensive than more common calibers. This situation is better today than it was 25 years ago, when the only ammo available was Norma, and cost about a buck a round even back then. Since then, Remington and others have added the 6.5x55mm to their lines, and also sell brass. It still cost a bit more than the .30-30 or the .30-06, but not tremendously so.
atblis
Member
Personally
I don't shoot the higher pressures in the M96. I love them too much to risk anything.
However, I question the truth in the statement that the Swedish mausers are weak. Hell, companies rechambered them in 308. I haven't heard of one of the 308s blowing up.
I am starting to wonder if it is simply a statement that's been continously propagated, but has no basis in fact.
The ammo thing was a concern when the only places you could buy stuff were from your local gun store. WIth the internet, 6.5x55 of decent quality can be had for under 10 bucks a box.
Can someone tell me why the M96 is so weak?
I don't shoot the higher pressures in the M96. I love them too much to risk anything.
However, I question the truth in the statement that the Swedish mausers are weak. Hell, companies rechambered them in 308. I haven't heard of one of the 308s blowing up.
I am starting to wonder if it is simply a statement that's been continously propagated, but has no basis in fact.
The ammo thing was a concern when the only places you could buy stuff were from your local gun store. WIth the internet, 6.5x55 of decent quality can be had for under 10 bucks a box.
Can someone tell me why the M96 is so weak?
GTSteve03
Member
It's not.
The big deal, from my understanding, is the design difference between the Swedish Mauser design, which was an 94 Mauser action vs the Mauser 98 design found in the 8mms. The earlier design used 2 locking lugs vs the 3 locking lugs in the 98 action. As far as I know this isn't a safety issue unless you're getting into really high pressures, nothing a 6.5x55 would be able to manage with any published load data.
Hell, the Swedes were proofed with a double charge at the factory. I don't imagine you're really going to hurt anything handloading up some hotter stuff for your Swede. I'll probably do that for mine once I start rolling my own.
USSR
Member
Had a custom built F Class rifle made in 6.5x55. Using modern slow burning powders, and using a modern bolt action, 2925-2950fps with 139-142gr bullets is easily doable. VERY flat shooting out to 1k.
Don
Will Fennell
Member
But how long.....?
Don,
How much barrel lenght does that take? I'm looking at a sporter in 6.5 Swede.....a SAKO 85 with a 22-23 or so inch barrel. What kind of velocity can I get out of that?
Don,
How much barrel lenght does that take? I'm looking at a sporter in 6.5 Swede.....a SAKO 85 with a 22-23 or so inch barrel. What kind of velocity can I get out of that?
rangerruck
Member
the prob with the 6.5 is ammo, it is costly to find, unless you can get wolf, and then it is still proly over 10 bucks per box. used to be able to find milsurp , but that has pretty much dried up...
If you handload tho' it is a handloaders dream. tons of brass, tons of diff weight bullets, with a 26 in bbl, you can get 3000 fps handloading, out of it.
Also the 6.5 bullets are pretty much the kings of the benchrest peeps, especially from 600 to 1000 yds comps.
If you handload tho' it is a handloaders dream. tons of brass, tons of diff weight bullets, with a 26 in bbl, you can get 3000 fps handloading, out of it.
Also the 6.5 bullets are pretty much the kings of the benchrest peeps, especially from 600 to 1000 yds comps.
USSR
Member
Will,
That's out of my 28" Obermeyer. With a 22-23" barrel, I would subtract about 100fps.
Don
That's out of my 28" Obermeyer. With a 22-23" barrel, I would subtract about 100fps.
Don
Hokkmike
Member
I shoot the 6.5 X 55 exclusively. It can be had in Winchester Model 70 Sporter (hard to find) or Featherweight, Ruger, Remington, and SAKO plus others. My primary deer rifle is a SAKO Finnlight in 6.5 X 55. My varmint gun is a SAKO model 75 in 6.5 X 55. They are light on recoil, not too loud, EXTREMELY accurate, can carry bullet weights from 100 to 165 grains, and have flat ballistics.
Chamber pressures are low for factory rounds, though still accurate. It can be reload easily to muzzle velocities of 3000 fps without any danger. My pet load comes out at 2859 fps using a 120 grain ballisitc tip and is the most accurate round I have ever shot.
It is like shooting a .243 but getting the results of a .270.
Negatives: Ammo not readily available at large chain stores like Gander Mountain. The action on most guns is a long action as it is a long cartridge. In this class of cartridges I would also consider the .260 or 7mm .08.
My brother and another friend also shoot the Swede.
Chuck Hawkes picks it as THE bast all around deer cartridge. My practical experience with many buck harvested says he is right!
Chamber pressures are low for factory rounds, though still accurate. It can be reload easily to muzzle velocities of 3000 fps without any danger. My pet load comes out at 2859 fps using a 120 grain ballisitc tip and is the most accurate round I have ever shot.
It is like shooting a .243 but getting the results of a .270.
Negatives: Ammo not readily available at large chain stores like Gander Mountain. The action on most guns is a long action as it is a long cartridge. In this class of cartridges I would also consider the .260 or 7mm .08.
My brother and another friend also shoot the Swede.
Chuck Hawkes picks it as THE bast all around deer cartridge. My practical experience with many buck harvested says he is right!
atblis
Member
Yep
I get 2900 fps out of a 29" barrel, and that's not because I thought it was overpressure. I Just quit at that point.
I get 2900 fps out of a 29" barrel, and that's not because I thought it was overpressure. I Just quit at that point.
atblis
Member
I'd actually make the argument the other way
If you're going to reload I'd go for the 6.5x55, for the simple reason that you can get Lapua brass (among other things), and with heavier bullets the 6.5x55 does beat the 260.
If you're going to reload I'd go for the 6.5x55, for the simple reason that you can get Lapua brass (among other things), and with heavier bullets the 6.5x55 does beat the 260.
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USSR
Member
+1. The lack of quality, ready-made brass is what holds the .260 back.
Don
Bob F.
Member
Hokkmike: What powder out of the sporters w/ 120's?????////
Thanks.
Bob
Thanks.
Bob
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