Want to build a 6.5x55 swede.

[JayPee]

Finally found the photos of my build. This is a Mark X Whitworth Mauser action, a short chambered Shilen barrel in 6.5x55mm in a piece of Northern California English walnut. Built in 1992.









The finish is roughly 12 coats of Tru Oil spray, sanded between coats with 600 wet or day sandpaper, used wet.

JayPee

 

[Slamfire]

Float Pilot has posted some excellent data, I decided to post the most relevant of mine. Firstly I shot Swedish ball ammunition for a baseline. I did most of my testing in a M700 as I bedded and free floated the barrel in that action. That made a huge difference in accuracy. I don't have any record of M70 chronograph data of Swedish ball, so this is a comparision.

As you can see out of a 22" M700 barrel Swedish ball clocks at 2470 fps. My favorite load is just a trifle faster in the M700. In the M70 it is a bit slower than in the M700.

It is my recollection I did not have any issues feeding Swedish ball through either the M700 or the M70. I am not worried about case head size issues.


M700 22" Barrel


143 gr Swedish Ball 1986 headstamp

2 Feb 2008 T = 54 °F

Ave Vel = 2470
Std Dev = 18
ES = 48
High = 2491
Low = 2443
N = 5

140 gr Hornday Spire Point 43.0 grs AA4350
R-P new brass CCI-200 OAL 2.990"

2 Feb 2008 T = 52 °F

Ave Vel = 2512
Std Dev = 27
ES = 72
High = 2547
Low = 2475
N = 5

M70 Featherweight 22" Barrel

140 gr Hornady Spire Point 43.0 grs AA4350
R-P new brass CCI-200 OAL 2.990"

18 Nov 2007 T = 75 °F

Ave Vel = 2428
Std Dev = 29
ES = 95
High = 2480
Low = 2385
N = 24

easy bolt life,nice rounded primers







100 yard Group

 

[CarJunkieLS1]

Thanks Slam at least I won't have to worry about case head diameter issues. I have manuals that have data for both "military actions" and "commercial actions"

I thinking a Rem 700 ADL will be my donor action. In 30-06 or .270. Throw in an aftermarket trigger and a Boyds Stock and I'll be ready to shoot. Also is there any difference in removing a barrel from a Savage than from a Remington?

 

[mr.trooper]

If you want hot-rod performance and a 6.5mm bullet, there are better cartridges for that.

Hot loading anything for regular use is dumb. Hot loading a 6.5x55 is even less intelligent.

 

[denton]

One of the best starting points for a custom 6.5x55 is a Yugo 24/47 or M48. Since these are intermediate length actions, they cannot be converted to anything that is 30-06 length, so there is not a lot of demand for them. But they are the perfect length for 6.5x55, 7x57, 8x57 or 257 Roberts. You can get one in good condition for around $175.

Rifles can't read headstamps. So your rifle will not "know" whether you are shooting 270 or 6.5x55. It only "knows" the thickness, type, and geometry of metal between the powder and the outside world. 30-06 pressures in a modern or LR Mauser 6.5 are as safe as 30-06 pressures in an 06. And long experience has shown that well made LR Mausers will routinely handle 30-06 and 270 pressures.

I have pressure measuring equipment, and routinely run my modern 6.5x55 at 58 KPSI. That's pretty conservative, not hot rodding. I think that running it at 62 KPSI is probably just as safe. With that, I get 3050 FPS with a 120 grain bullet.

 

[Float Pilot]

I throw 130 grain Berger VLDs out of my old Swedish CG-63 at 2,790 fps. The Berger has a BC of 0.552

At 500 yards it is still going just over 2,000 fps and developing 1178 foot pounds of energy.

At 800 yards it is still going 1,600 fps... Well above super sonic.
When zeroed at 300 yards the bullet path is within 5 inches ( a hands width) of the bore all the way out to 350 yards.

 

[USSR]

CarJunkieLS1, I wouldn't forget the Winchester Model 70 action, (with the large claw extractor) as it was once chambered for the 6.5x55 cartridge in the Featherweight model.

+1. I built my Match Rifle using a Winchester Model 70 Featherweight in 6.5x55 as the starting point. I used it in 1,000 yard F Class Competition for 3 years and it is a joy to shoot.

Don

 

[preston326]

My mauser m96 6.5x55

picture of my rifle

 

[Coltdriver]

I would seriously consider getting a modern CZ 550 in 6.5X55 Swedish and then getting a very high end barrel put on it.

I would also advise you to think about drawing up a custom chamber and then getting a custom reamer for your barrel.

The standard 6.5X55 Swedish chamber has a very long throat. This is wonderful for the 160 grain bullets. But it makes getting close to the lands for anything less impossible.

Also make sure you get a 1 in 8 twist if you want to shoot anything over 130 grain bullets.

The sd on the 6.5 in 160 grains is unmatched by anything else out there. But they do arc a bit. The smaller bullets do have a great pbr and they all fly great.

Let us know what you end up doing.

 

[shadow9]

The sd on the 6.5 in 160 grains is unmatched by anything else out there.

For that weight range, at least. A 220gr .30 bullet is .331, a 275gr .338 is .344, and the 500gr .458 is .341, just to name a few.

If you're going with a CZ action, just buy a CZ550 action off of Brownells rather than buying a CZ550 and rebarreling it.

Alternately, I think the Yugo 24/48 idea is best here - it's an inexpensive but full-blood Mauser action, hampered only by not being the full .30-06 size. Also, since your ideal COAL for the chamber on 6.5x55 is around the 2.9"-3.1" range, the magazine on the 24/48 should still work just fine.

 

[USSR]

Also, since your ideal COAL for the chamber on 6.5x55 is around the 2.9"-3.1" range, the magazine on the 24/48 should still work just fine.

Don't know much about the Yugo 24/48, but I do know those 139 - 142gr bullets are REAL long. My loads measure 3.082" which may be pushing it with anything other than a long action. Also, with a build, you want to go with a commercial action where high quality, aftermarket parts are readily available.

Don