6.5x55?

[BoilerUP]

Okay, I've got two 260 Remingtons, which should cover me pretty well in the 6.5mm range.

BUT...Swedes are even more oddball in these parts than 260s are so there would be novelty attached to owning one, I've got a Savage 110 laying around as a potential donor, and I've heard in a modern barrel/action (ie. not Mauser) you can push the Swede harder than a 260.

I'm curious to see what kind of velocities Savage 6.5x55 shooters are seeing with 120-123 and/or 139-142gr bullets.

 

[Germster]

Well, you can do as you wish, but IMHO it's not worth the effort.

 

[waidmann]

Ditto Germster!

 

[Float Pilot]

I have a few Swede Mausers, which of course are the older small ring Mauser actions. They shoot just fine as they are. I also have a model 70 in 6.5x55 Swede. Since it is a featherweight it only has a 22 inch barrel, but I load it pretty warm.
I have to use a red sharpe pen to make a red ring around the brass with the hotter Winchester loads. The longer case neck of the 6.5x55 lends itself better to accurate loads using heavier bullets.

I have been able to push a 140 grain boat-tail to 2,700 fps and a 120 grain to over 2,900 from the short barrel.

 

[Kachok]

You can push the Sweed a little harder but only in longer barrels. The 260 runs higher pressure but less case capasity so it works better in shorter barrels. The difference is very small though, if you want higher performance then the 260 try a 6.5-284, or if you want novilty and performance the old 6.5 Rem mag is a great choice.

 

[Watergoat]

My standard hunting load in my M70 FW sends a 140 out at 2730, from a 22 inch bbl. I would think 120s should go a bit faster. Never worked any loads up for those, that 70 has a looooong throat.
.

 

[USSR]

My 6.5x55 M70 with a 28" Obermeyer runs 139-142's at 2925-2950fps. Only takes about 25.5MOA of up from a 100 yard zero to reach 1k.

Don

 

[NCsmitty]

If you push the 6.5x55 at the same pressure level as the 260 Rem, the 3gr difference in case capacity and case design will give the Swede round a slight advantage in velocity.
Is it enough to switch from a 260 Rem to a 6.5x55, only you can answer that. There's really nothing wrong with having both if you want.

The key to a 6.5 caliber round is the great ballistic coefficient for flight, and its exceptional sectional density that gives it the deep killing power that belies it's paper ballistics and size.
It's become my favorite caliber du jour.


NCsmitty