Getting another 6.5x55 Swede... but which one?

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gregp74

gregp74

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These gun purchases seem to come in spurts. As soon as I buy one I find another and another. I just finished my search for a shotgun this morning and during my gun broker searches I noticed something else.

I've got my eyes on both a Remington 700 Classic and a Winchester Model 70 XTR Featherweight chambered in 6.5x55 swede.

The Winchester is in good shape and the bore looks perfect. The Remington is still NIB and substantially more expensive. Would it be worth the extra cost?

Would either be worth the extra price vs something a bit cheaper like a Tikka T3x or CZ?
 
I've always had a special place in my heart for the 6.5s, but I can't seem to hang onto them. My grandpa had an old Mauser that'd been sporterized back in the 60s. He gave that to me and when I was young and poor and not into guns I let it slip away. I saw it in the used aisle of a shop about 10 years later but didn't have my checkbook with me. The guy behind the counter promised to hold onto it for me until the next day. Of course you know what happened when i went back the next day. Nowhere to be found and nobody had a clue.

I had a custom one done up a few years after that. Beautiful gun. Shot like a dream. Then I lost my job and to make ends meet sold it to a friend. (I actually made money on that deal so it's not entirely sad.)

I really want to have one again, but I'm not going to shell out $4k for a rifle and scope this time. Something a bit more friendly to the pocketbook is in order :)
 
I’m on the hunt for a couple of 6.5x55s, myself. What I’m interested in is a Ruger No. 1 RSI and a CZ 550 FS.

Of the two rifles you listed, I’d probably pick the Winchester. I like the 700s, but a Model 70 Featherweight just feels like a hunting rifle.
 
Do you have a Swede Mauser yet? I assume so by reading the title.

I'd love to have a Remington 700 Classic in 6.5x55 Swede. Though they are getting up there in price.

Either way, nice to see people keeping the Swede alive.
 
Mn Fats said:
Do you have a Swede Mauser yet? I assume so by reading the title.

I'd love to have a Remington 700 Classic in 6.5x55 Swede. Though they are getting up there in price.

Either way, nice to see people keeping the Swede alive.
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One thing is I've still got a boatload of "modern" ammo and I'm not sure if one of the old Swede guns would handle it. If yes then yes, but I'd rather not blow myself up lol
 
My thoughts.

If I'm set on the classic 6.5X55 cartridge I'd want it in a classic styled rifle. Something like this.

https://ruger.com/products/HawkeyeAfrican/specSheets/47186.html


47186.jpg

But between your two options I'd buy the Winchester.

I think the odds are that a Tikka will out shoot any of the other options. I like Tikka rifles a lot, but they are about as far from a classic style rifle as you can get. I have no idea where a CZ fits in there as to price, but they are certainly a classic rifle and might be a great choice.
 
jmr40 said:
My thoughts.

If I'm set on the classic 6.5X55 cartridge I'd want it in a classic styled rifle. Something like this.

https://ruger.com/products/HawkeyeAfrican/specSheets/47186.html

But between your two options I'd buy the Winchester.

I think the odds are that a Tikka will out shoot any of the other options. I like Tikka rifles a lot, but they are about as far from a classic style rifle as you can get. I have no idea where a CZ fits in there as to price, but they are certainly a classic rifle and might be a great choice.
Click to expand...

I had a Ruger in 220 Swift? A few years back nice gun. Something to consider if I see one for sale. IIRC Cz had a full stock Mannlicher style one a while back but I'm not seeing any these days.
 
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Winchester XTR Featherweights in 6.5x55 are pretty rare. So is a 700 Classic for that matter but a Winchester Featherweight is a joy to handle and shoot and that Schnabel fore end is just plain classy.
 
I,ve had a m70 f.w. for over 20 years . Used it on I don't know how many deer and antelope , 3 elk and a few coyotes. When i bought it i got 200 rounds of S&B 131 grn , and am down to just a few left . I know of a few big bull elk taken with the round around here. My rifle shot under an inch when i sighted it in , and has shot a couple reloads that well , too. My favorite hunting rifle , and I own a few. You won't go wrong with the Winchester
 
earlthegoat2 said:
Winchester XTR Featherweights in 6.5x55 are pretty rare. So is a 700 Classic for that matter but a Winchester Featherweight is a joy to handle and shoot and that Schnabel fore end is just plain classy.
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Yeah they both look nice and I'm sure I couldn't go wrong either way. Of course I also have to think about whether I *really* need this but that's another story lol
 
I had a 700 Classic in 6.5x55 for a while, it was about a 1.5" gun and had a mile long throat. Nothing special really to recommend it, I'd probably go with a Tikka or Ruger if I got the itch for another x55 these days. I do like modern M70s better than 700s as hunting rifles but have never had an older non-CRF M70 like what you're looking at.
 
All of those are nice rifles. I've never shot a Tikka or CZ (only fondled the Tikka in a shop). I will say that if you're looking at the walnut stock Tikka, I don't care for plastic parts on a wooden stock gun. They work and are functional, but to me when you step from synthetic stocks to wood you're already opting for aesthetics over pure function and so to me regardless of their function I like all metal parts at that point.

The CZ I just don't know enough about to comment one way or another.

I've got one of the older but post 64 model 70's (and a 670 which is the same gun with even more cost cuts) and honestly its a great gun. They catch a bad rap vs the pre-64's but honestly a lot of the cost saving stuff they did in hindsight isn't really that bad - they're still great rifles.

Also, personally the 700 Classic is more of a "collector's item" type gun (all of the Classics are) - probably why its still NIB. If you're going to shoot it, then you're paying a premium for a NIB state that won't persist. If you're not, then you're buying a gun you can't enjoy shooting.

If it were me, I'd go for the Winchester.
 
mgmorden said:
All of those are nice rifles. I've never shot a Tikka or CZ (only fondled the Tikka in a shop). I will say that if you're looking at the walnut stock Tikka, I don't care for plastic parts on a wooden stock gun. They work and are functional, but to me when you step from synthetic stocks to wood you're already opting for aesthetics over pure function and so to me regardless of their function I like all metal parts at that point.

The CZ I just don't know enough about to comment one way or another.

I've got one of the older but post 64 model 70's (and a 670 which is the same gun with even more cost cuts) and honestly its a great gun. They catch a bad rap vs the pre-64's but honestly a lot of the cost saving stuff they did in hindsight isn't really that bad - they're still great rifles.

Also, personally the 700 Classic is more of a "collector's item" type gun (all of the Classics are) - probably why its still NIB. If you're going to shoot it, then you're paying a premium for a NIB state that won't persist. If you're not, then you're buying a gun you can't enjoy shooting.

If it were me, I'd go for the Winchester.
Click to expand...

I'm thinking much like you. They had a Tikka at my favorite shop (in another caliber) that I looked over and it was nice but I didn't care for some of the plastic on there. I looked at a CZ one I don't remember what model and although it was nice it didn't really wow me. The 700 classic looks like the bids are going up quickly. and are quickly approaching the buy it now price on the Winchester. Will just have to see what happens. And like I said in a previous reply I don't have to get anything right now.
 
I had a Winchester fwt M70 in 7x57 that I could not get to shoot up to my standards, so sold it. Pretty rifle, but I did not have confidence in it. The Rem 700 Classic was always a nice looking rifle with limited production, so prices often exceed value unless you are a collector. Tikka T3 is accurate and smooth, but not a classic. CZ 550 FS in 6.5x55 is accurate but surprisingly heavy, and the hogback stock is a challenge in scoping. My favorite is an old Husqvarna 8000 action wearing a pac-nor stainless barrel, although the style is a bit dated. If classic style is important, try to find an old Husky.
 
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I have a Tikka in 7-08 that I think is prefect but not pretty. I would lean toward the 700 as I never had one that wasn't a great shooter and a Classic is nice. But the Winchester is very appealing too. Some shoot some don't. I did by a Remington 700 today.
 
US manufacturers have historically loaded to lower pressures because of older military models. A model 98 or later action would be strong enough for any commercial loads after checking headspace, and I suspect the older cock on closing designs would too considering the Swedish steels and workmanship.
 
rust collector said:
US manufacturers have historically loaded to lower pressures because of older military models. A model 98 or later action would be strong enough for any commercial loads after checking headspace, and I suspect the older cock on closing designs would too considering the Swedish steels and workmanship.
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That reminds me of something I haven't thought of in years. The old one I had cocked on closing.
 
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