6.5 x 55 AI Modern Balistics.

[Changeling]

Every thing below is to be taken in regard to Modern Loads and brass (like Lapua). I am familiar with the old military rifles made/rewarked by Husqvarna,Mauser and Carl Gustaf such as the model 96 and 38's. This conversation does NOT include them at all.


I am interested in hearing from people who have experience with this caliber. I know at one time a few years ago some of the guys at Williamsport were working with this caliber in competition. However I never heard how it turned out for them.
I found some information on the Internet that sounded very good and a lot that sounded more like BS.

One thing is for certain, velocities, case capacities H2O, loadings and any information varies more than any other cartridge I have ever researched relative to the Internet! So be very Leary if you research this caliber!

If anyone has Lapua case's in 6.5 x 55 AI I would really like to buy 2 cases that have been fired and resized only to take measurements from. I would be glad to pay for the cases and shipping.

 

[LHSmith]

About 5 years ago, I put together a Rem. 700 hunting rig in 6.5 x 55 Improved with a 30' shoulder. Researching the case at the time, I found a LR shooter, Steve Shelp, had done several chamberings in various Swede Improved chamberings. IIRC, Steve was based in the NC area. He posted quite a bit of data on these on BRC.

 

[double g]

I have shot that round alot, what do you want to know? DG

 

[Changeling]

I have shot that round alot, what do you want to know? DG

Thanks for the reply.
Anything you care to say. Were you shooting in competition with it, rifle stats, what accuracy, loads you used, Velocities, your personnel opinion, any problems with cartridge?

 

[minnesotamulisha]

There's a 16 page post of this over on the Sniper's Hide. Here's a link. It goes over a lot of information, including charge weights, bullets, etc. There's also a link to a similar thread on the old hide. If you page through it, you'll find it.

http://www.scout.com/military/snipers-hide/forums/5514-sniper-s-hide-bolt-action-rifles/13469414-the-modern-6-5x55-swede-users-thread

 

[normmatzen]

DIS-CLAIMER! I am not a 6.5X55 shooter and have zero experience with them!

EXCEPT, shooting against Swede rifles in vintage military silhouette. The standard loading is a VERY accurate round.

And, my friend in Australia says the 6.5X55 is still a very popular long range bench rest round in Europe as well as Australia.

Maybe you should look for information on European web sites?

 

[Liven The Dream]

2 cents !!
I shoot a std. 6.5x55 with a 32" barrel 1-8.5 twist with 142 match Kings for my 1000 yard prone Gun. OUTSTANDING !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I use Winchester Brass the head is smaller and fits a Barnard action with out modification.
With H 4831SC 2920 Vol. is no problem. Barrel life 2000 rounds ??? Point being do AI fast yes barrel life less

Good Shooting

 

[Rpbump]

Look for my PM.
Rpbump

 

[double g]

Will do anything a 6.5x284 will do. I use Norma brass, my load with 140 Hybrids is 50.6 MRP for 2960.

 

[22BRGUY]

Great post! Would be interesting sometime to see a comparison of the pros and cons, likes and dislikes of this cartridge vs a 260AI.

 

[Liven The Dream]

I did 260 AI in my first 1000 Rifle. also a Winner. I feel all the work to fire form brass is a waste.
The 6.6x55 does the job with less work and cost ? dies ,brass are less.

 

[DogBuster]

PM member here...'acloco.......

I believe he runs a Swede AI.......I have two std 6.5x55's.....

T3 Tikka field gun & heavy target action Salvage with 28" Pac Nor

 

[Changeling]

Look for my PM.
Rpbump

I got your PM, and sent you a reply. Thank you very much Rpbump.

 

[Changeling]

Thanks to everyone for there input it has been amazing that not one single person has anything negative to say about this caliber (6.5 x 55 & AI version) on this forum and on the Internet so far, except for a couple where it was obvious they didn't know much about anything, LOL 8)

 

[1shot]

There is a cartridge out there called the 6.5 GWI, named after the designer and Kelbly's Inc. Greg Wally. I'm starting my 5th year with the cartridge and will run 140 gr. pointed JLK bullets 3,070 fps. with an extreme spread of 2. 100 yd. zero, up 21.5 MOA your in the black every time excluding wind.
I hope this helps,
Lloyd

 

[jpretle]

I did 260 AI in my first 1000 Rifle. also a Winner. I feel all the work to fire form brass is a waste.
The 6.6x55 does the job with less work and cost ? dies ,brass are less.

Don, can you make a velocity comparison of the 2 chamberings using the 140-142 class bullets??
thanks,

 

[22BRGUY]

I did 260 AI in my first 1000 Rifle. also a Winner. I feel all the work to fire form brass is a waste.
The 6.6x55 does the job with less work and cost ? dies ,brass are less.

Thanks Don....Did you use a long action on the 6.5? and also on the 260?

 

[JRS]

The 6.5x55 BJ version has a 13.9% increase in velocity over the factory 6.5x55 case. It is essentially a twin to the 6.5x284, while using less powder.

 

[P72]

I just have to say something negative about the 6.5X55 and that is it has a non-standard base dimensions somewhat bigger than all the rest of them like the .260, 6.5X47 L, and just about all non magnum rimless cartridges. This makes forming brass from standard cases an impossibility should the supply of brass from such as Lapua and PPU be interrupted for various reasons, Hornady and Nosler make 6.5 X 55 brass but should the demand lessen or popularity wane it would probably be discontinued. My impression is that the 6.5X55 was designed in 1896 by German engineers for the Swedes. While an otherwise excellent cartridge having excellent ballistics, like the .260 and such it is sort of an odd ball best left in Europe.

Why bother with messing with it. Should a cartridge with approximately the same capacity be desired go for a 6.5-.284 that has become sort of a standard. Should you just want something that approaches the 6.5-.284 for a high degree of accuracy giving up very little go for a 6.5-06.

 

[JRS]

??

I just have to say something negative about the 6.5X55 and that is it has a non-standard base dimensions somewhat bigger than all the rest of them like the .260, 6.5X47 L, and just about all non magnum rimless cartridges. This makes forming brass from standard cases an impossibility should the supply of brass from such as Lapua and PPU be interrupted for various reasons, Hornady and Nosler make 6.5 X 55 brass but should the demand lessen or popularity wane it would probably be discontinued. My impression is that the 6.5X55 was designed in 1896 by German engineers for the Swedes. While an otherwise excellent cartridge having excellent ballistics, like the .260 and such it is sort of an odd ball best left in Europe.

Why bother with messing with it. Should a cartridge with approximately the same capacity be desired go for a 6.5-.284 that has become sort of a standard. Should you just want something that approaches the 6.5-.284 for a high degree of accuracy giving up very little go for a 6.5-06.

??? :