Optimum 6.5 x 55 twist for available bullets

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Chris2

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Greetings:

Since I'm new to this site, I hope that I've landed in the appropriate forum. If not, I hope to be gently guided where I need to go.

I grew up on a small farm in NY, hunted woodchucks with a Stevens 22 semi-auto until my father gave me a 222 Savage 340 as a graduation present.

While walking, unarmed, up the lane for exercise after retirement, my father was attacked by two dogs, which my brother dispatched with his 243 Remington.

I have become enthused about the 6.5 x 55 Swede and would like to know what rifles and rifling twist would provide the best accuracy at least cost for all available 6.5 bullet weights and types? I envision hand loading and would like a rifle with a strong action that would permit maximizing the potential inherent in that cartridge. How desirable would a set trigger be? Thank you very much for your suggestions!
 
I've moved this to Rifle Country so it doesn't get buried in General.
 
Ruger, among others, has produced it's M77 in 6.5 Swedish Mauser.

The 6.5 is one of those dual personality cartridges. In military rifles, pressures must be lower than in modern sporting rifles, so a handloader can take advantage of that.

The military rifles were throated for a long, blunt nosed bulled, whereas modern sporting rifles have shorter throats. I have shot a lot of Remington bulk bullets through mine (an M96 sporterized by Kimber) and find I have to seat the bullets way out there. In fact, the Remington bullets have two cannelures, and I seat the bullets to the second (rearmost) cannelure for best accuracy.
 
If you want to shoot the long 160gr bullets or the long 139-142gr VLD match bullets, you need a 1 in 8 twist. Many 6.5 barrels are 1 in 9 and they work fine up through the 140gr hunting bullets but can't handle the longer ones with good accuracy. The 1 in 8 can handle the shorter bullets as well. I don't have a 6.5x55 but I do shoot a 260.


Drue
 
Built this 6.5x55 rifle for 1,000 yard F Class Competition:
6.5Swede1.jpg

Boots Obermeyer made the barrel a 1-8.5" twist, and it works well with the 139-142gr match bullets that are used in LR competition.

Don
 
One in 7.5 to one in 8.
I have a target rifle with a one in 9 twist and it doe snot like the longer boat tails.

What matters is bullet length not weight....
 
I have a modern Steyr in 6.55MS. It has a 1 in 8 twist.

The problem is that the 6.5X55 Swede will come chambered for those very long 160 grain bullets. So that means you will not be able to get close to the lands with a lighter bullet.

I had a CZ that I got rechambered with a custom chamber (much shorter throat) and at 1 in 10 twist it would shoot 130's with great accuracy.

The magic of the 160 grain bullets is their sectional density. They will also sail a long way with great accuracy if you can calculate the arc.

While many manufacturers may have a 6.5X55 chambering available you should go with the 1 in 8 twist. I think the Mausers in 6.5x55SE are 1 in 7.8 or something even a tic faster.
 
The problem is that the 6.5X55 Swede will come chambered for those very long 160 grain bullets. So that means you will not be able to get close to the lands with a lighter bullet.
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Exactly. The military throat is very long. As I said earlier, I shoot a lot of Remington 140-grain bulk bullets, and seat them to the lower cannelure -- which is WAAAAY out. The rifle is more accurate with short bullets seated out like that.
 
Under 140gr, the more modern short action 6.5s hold their own. The case capacity of the 55 allows it to shine with both the long pointy boat-tail 139-140 gr match bullets, hard hitting 160gr game bullets, and equally long but lighter all copper bullets. 1 in 8" is just about perfect.

Mike
 
Hello Chris

A big part of the appeal of the 6.5X55 is the fact that it was available in inexpensive (back then) military surplus firearms. I myself have two, in model 96 Mausers that I bought back when they were 80$. I've reloaded for it and have carried them in the field hunting. Sporterized_Swedish_Mauser.jpg

That being said, there's nothing magic about the 6.5X55 that can't be matched by other more contemporary (that means available) cartridges. Have you looked at the 260 Remington, or the 6.5 Creedmore? There's even the 6.5 Grendel to put on your AR.

I don't see where you are located, but I'll assume that makes a difference. I suppose if you're located in Sweden, the 6.5X55 is a natural best choice. If however you're located in Texas, then I suppose that any assortment of different rifles in calibers from .24 to .28 will meet your overall needs. Cartridges like the .257 Roberts, 260 Remington, 7mm-08, and .308 will all fill the same niche occupied by the 6.5X55. I'd take a look at what's on sale at your local mart and report back to us on what you find.
 
I personally really like the 6.5X55, it is accurate in the right rate of twist and is very mild shooting recoil wise. All that being said, unless I already had a 6.5 rifle, I would probably look real hard at the 7mm-08. There is a greater selection of bullets and it is very accurate round.

I do like my 1917 vintage M96 FSR (club target rifle), though and I enjoy shooting it more than any other bolt action rifle I own.
 
Like I have said before it is the bullet length and not the weight. The 6.5x55mm Swede was developed via a committee and was not developed by Paul Mauser. It was designed to have the bullet seated out for a long C.O.L.
My 1 in 9 will stabilize a 160 grain bullet, but not the 142 grain SMK which is a longer projectile.

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[IMG]http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=163572&d=1335642331[/IMG]
 
I hope that my 3rd attempt to respond will be successful! I seem to have been automatically logged out on two previous attempts!

Your responses have been most generous,helpful and informative; a most heartwarming welcome to the site! Thank you very much!

Meanwhile, while I consider your responses, I am trying to select the most useful cartridge to fill the niche between 222 and 30-06. Suggestions welcome! Again, my sincere gratitude for your generosity!
 
Around here, I see a lot more 6.5x55 on the shelves than I do 260 or Grendel.

The 6.5 brass is also cheaper than 260 brass.
 
I am trying to select the most useful cartridge to fill the niche between 222 and 30-06. Suggestions welcome!
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There are a lot of cartridges that would fill that niche -- and the 6.5X55 is one of them.

However, the .243 Winchester would be my choice -- it is widely available, as are the rifles to shoot it. It has plenty of power and a flat trajectory. It can be loaded to sizzling velocities with light bullets and used for long range varmint shooting, or loaded to more sedate velocities with heavier bullets for larger game.
 
Chris;

The 6.5 Swede is a truly excellent choice for that gap in the arsenal you've told us about. The two modern actions I'd consider would be the CZ550 and the Tikka. Perforce, because I'm a lefty, I chose the available Tikka LH action for my custom 6.5 X 55mm Swedish Mauser. The sole bullet it uses is the Sierra 140 GameKing in a 1:8 Lilja medium weight sporter barrel. The barrel was throated for that bullet, and accuracy is excellent, consistently .5" and sometimes better.

The CZ550 will be a classic Mauser action, the Tikka is a modified pusher. The Tikka will be lighter, the CZ will be stronger I think and more of a collector's item as time goes by. Your nickel, your choice.

900F
 
CZ550's are only 1 in 8 on the newest versions. CZ's are fabulous rifles, but you will have to pay attention as the majority of them are 1 in 10.
 
I note with pleasure the announcement that CZ Swedes are now manufactured with a 1:8 twist, finally enabling them to take advantage of the 160 grain bullet. Lamentably, after a visit to the CZ website, I have been unable to confirm this. They are certainly very stingy with technical specifications about their firearm offerings! I also note, with concern, that their current offerings all appear to have barrels shorter than the 23.5" previously offered!

In response to the suggestion that I consider a .243, I note that the Swede case is larger than the .308 case, from which the .243 derives its case. I also note that 6.5 bullets are available from 85 - 160 grains, thus overlapping the high end of bullets available for the .243. My question is: What manufacturer, if any, manufactures a rifle capable of projecting, with the high degree of accuracy for which 6.5 bullets and the Swede are known? What are its technical specifications? How does one load to achieve that accuracy?

Since a longer throat is required to accommodate the 160 grain round nose, used at short range, could that bullet be seated deeper in the case, to enable a shallower throat to better accommodate the smaller bullets, without reducing efficiency and effectiveness of the 160 grain bullet?

I have profited much from this dialog but do not have the time to devote to it that I would like, which is to say, full time, until I feel that I have found acceptable answers to all my questions. Since I am new to this site, I find myself very much in need of advise about how long a thread remains active etc. The subject matter will certainly remain relevant. Would it be acceptable for me to add to the post as new information becomes available and new questions arise? As always, you guidance is solicited and most gratefully accepted! Thank you!
 
viking499 said:
Around here, I see a lot more 6.5x55 on the shelves than I do 260 or Grendel.

The 6.5 brass is also cheaper than 260 brass.
Click to expand...
I don't around here (unfortunately). Not sure what to make of your reply since we can't tell where your "here" is . . .

I'm going to have to make the drive North to Cabellas to find some Prvi Partizan or Sellier & Bellot 6.5x55 FMJs for the range. Locally there is only the expensive hunting stuff when I can find it.

Mike
 
I don't around here (unfortunately). Not sure what to make of your reply since we can't tell where your "here" is . . .
Click to expand...

My "here" is Kentucky.

You might look online to find some cheaper range rounds.
 
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