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

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gregp74 said:
Curious about a K98 also would that be ok with today's 6.5x55 loads?

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/874617973
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Only the Original Norweigen Krag–Jørgensen rifles are considered "weak," and U.S. Factory Loads are weak accordingly.

Mausers, which were tanks, and most any modern design like the Ruger Hawkeye, will take modern (55K+ psi) pressure w/ good brass.




GR
 
gregp74 said:
View attachment 935846

Good to know I've got a starting point grandpa left if I start reloading.
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That load with a Hornady 140BTHP and IMR 4350 is what I shoot for military matches in my M96. It is a solid load, but within the safe range for an M96.
To answer your question about pressures, assuming good condition and headspace, the K98, M98 "long" and various commercial actions such as Remington, Ruger, Winchester, Sako, Tikka, Blaser, and the M98 (I believe it's a K98 clone) Husqvarna, CZ/BRNO, Zastava and FN commercial actions are safe with all modern 6.5x55 loads up to Lapua 6,5x55 Skan data...at your own risk of course (in case any lawyers are reading).

I would and do keep pressures on the mild side with the M96 action.
 
gregp74 said:
Curious about a K98 also would that be ok with today's 6.5x55 loads?

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/874617973
Click to expand...

Interesting rifle, but I think the Husqvarna is a superior rifle. This rifle is not a K98, rather a Brazilian M98 "long" action. The Brazilian contract M98s were well made. The Huskies have a well earned reputation for accuracy and ruggedness, and are hard to find in 6.5x55. The one I linked is an upgraded model in terms of wood and finish. I'd be tempted to bid against you if I didn't have a fine .280 Rem mauser already. They make a fine chainsaw and motorcycle as well.
 
My Swede is the CZ 550. It’s a fantastic rifle that has been a sweet shooter for me since the day I found it languishing unloved on the consignment rack.

Stay safe.
 
i have six swedish army rifles(five 96,s and one 38) and two civilian rifles( a remington classic and a CZ 550). if you have a modern rifle try N 560 powder, i run a 120 gr bullet at over 3000 fps and a 139-140 at over 2900 fps with no pressure. my rifles rem-cz like flat based bullets best and run moa and better on my good days.
 
I’ve never cared for Rugers much but the Hawkeye African mentioned by jmr40 would be my first choice by a mile. A CZ 550 would be my second choice if CZ still made 550’s. I really like mine. Of the two options listed I’d go Winchester just because.

I feel a Husqvarna and a European made 98 are plenty strong enough for modern 6.5x55 loads.
 
Well I passed on the Remington 700 Classic. It was really nice but sold for over $1000. I was really tempted but whatever I get I plan on shooting at least a little bit. That one being 26 years old and new in box would probably lose a lot of resale value the first time I chambered a round.

Still looking at the Husqy and the Winchester.
 
rust collector said:
If you want an accurate rifle to shoot get a Tikka T3x in 6.5x55 or 6.5 creedmoor. Here's one possibility: https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/tikka-t3x-hunter-65-x-55-swedish-bolt-action-rifle

If you are in pursuit of memories of your grandfather, get a Husky, sporterized Swedish mauser, or the model 70 but understand that there is no guarantee of accuracy with the older iron. Good luck.
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That's kind of what I'm going back and forth about. The one I had many years back was a sporterized Mauser with a short barrel and almost looked like a Mannlicher style. I'm not really sure how it started out if it had a short barrel to begin with or if it was shortened. I had so much fun shooting it I don't even recall how accurate it was. I'd hate to get anything now that's a total dog accuracy wise.
 
Wait...WAIT!! Didn’t you read the other thread going on now about the 260? Apparently both it AND the 6.5x55 are dead! I for one, am glad I came across it. Now I know to throw out all my Redding dies, throw out the very large quantity of LC brass I formed and spend more money & time buying & installing a 6.5CM barrel on my bench rifle. Talk about lucky reading!

Oh....Your Welcome!:);)
 
David Hoback said:
Wait...WAIT!! Didn’t you read the other thread going on now about the 260? Apparently both it AND the 6.5x55 are dead! I for one, am glad I came across it. Now I know to throw out all my Redding dies, throw out the very large quantity of LC brass I formed and spend more money & time buying & installing a 6.5CM barrel on my bench rifle. Talk about lucky reading!

Oh....Your Welcome!:);)
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lmao

I did a 6.5 creed a few years back. It was nice but didn't make me jump around and cheer. It seemed a lot like a short version of the swede or the 260. But all things being equal I'll stick with the one that was good enough for grandpa and I still have a few hundred rounds for... some of which date back to the 60s!

EDIT:

I went back and looked at that thread. Like someone over there said any one of them the creed the 260 or the x55 are fine for a hunting rifle.

To be honest though when you look at the minutiae of advantages of one over the other I sometimes wonder how many of us are capable of shooting better than any particular gun. (Unless it's junk.)
 
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If you want a Modern Classic type of rifle, grab a CZ of some flavor. They have a good reputation for accuracy and some nice lines to them. Occasionally they'll put out a Manlicher stocked version even.

The 550 line has been discontinued, but can still be found NIB.
 
Of the two you mentioned, Winchester. But add a vote for CZ if there’s room for an option number 3.
 
gotboostvr said:
If you want a Modern Classic type of rifle, grab a CZ of some flavor. They have a good reputation for accuracy and some nice lines to them. Occasionally they'll put out a Manlicher stocked version even.

The 550 line has been discontinued, but can still be found NIB.
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BigBore44 said:
Of the two you mentioned, Winchester. But add a vote for CZ if there’s room for an option number 3.
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That's another good suggestion. I've owned a few CZ pistols as well as a 455 22 and a 527 223 varmint rifle. They were both really nice although IIRC one or both of them had bolts that went up really car and almost hit the scope? It's been a few years I don't remember exactly.

I haven't seen any of the 550s pop up but the 557s seem to be there a lot. I'll have to read up further on them. They do look nice and they have a hinged floorplate not that funny mag well built into the trigger guard my 527 had that irritated me.
 
I’ve never had one...but it was actually the 6.5x55 that made me appreciate the 6.5mm cartridges. As a child I was of course mystified by the 7.62x51!:eek: After seeing Full Metal Jacket, I was SOLD! Then as a 12 yo kid I shot a
30-06, and it took honors as the Holy Grail. First & 2nd rifle were 30-06 for me. Wasn’t until my 20‘s I started learning ballistics & reloading.

I had heard of the 6.5 Swede, but didn’t pay it attention. To me it was obviously less powerful than my mighty 30-06! Or even the 308:scrutiny: LOL!:D Then I came across an article of a shooter who built a custom bench rig and chambered it for 6.5x55. And he was accurate to INSANE distances! Distances I hadn’t thought were real, save for luck of course.

That was the start of my love for the 6.5mm.
 
David Hoback said:
I’ve never had one...but it was actually the 6.5x55 that made me appreciate the 6.5mm cartridges. As a child I was of course mystified by the 7.62x51!:eek: After seeing Full Metal Jacket, I was SOLD! Then as a 12 yo kid I shot a
30-06, and it took honors as the Holy Grail. First & 2nd rifle were 30-06 for me. Wasn’t until my 20‘s I started learning ballistics & reloading.

I had heard of the 6.5 Swede, but didn’t pay it attention. To me it was obviously less powerful than my mighty 30-06! Or even the 308:scrutiny: LOL!:D Then I came across an article of a shooter who built a custom bench rig and chambered it for 6.5x55. And he was accurate to INSANE distances! Distances I hadn’t thought were real, save for luck of course.

That was the start of my love for the 6.5mm.
Click to expand...

That's awesome!
 
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