6.5 x 55 Swede and 7 x 57 Mauser ?
- Thread starter Hammer
- Start date
Hammer said:
I do not know anyone using either of those cartridges in F-Open. However, the Swede is just about like the .260 and or .260A.I. and would be just as good and just as accurate. With 140 class bullets, you would be hard to beat at 600 and do well at 1000.. With the 7mm Mauser, especially in A.I. configuration, using 168gr bullets, you would be right at home in 1000 yard F-Open competition. Just because these are "old" does not make them useless. BOTH are excellent cartridges indeed! I would not feel handicapped in F-Open whatsoever..
mshelton
The one downside to the Swede is that the rim is actually a bit larger than the standard .308 sized cases, so if you're using a regular .473 bolt face, you either need to open it up a tad or spin the cases and take a small file to then to get a few thou off the rim.
Not a huge deal but if you're thinking about a Swede it's something to keep in mind.
Not a huge deal but if you're thinking about a Swede it's something to keep in mind.
22BRGUY said:
That may in fact be.. However, most competitions are single feed deals anyhow, that's why I did not mention it. As far as I know, only the various "Tactical" matches use magazines. If the Op is interested in those venues, then using a 30-06 length action would be beneficial..
Hammer said:
If someone was going to go that route for competition, they may very well opt for the A.I. version. The "problem" with that is it would be in direct competition with a 6.5 x 284. Additionally, you would have the same barrel life as the vaunted 6.5 x 284.. But nonetheless, it too is an excellent cartridge.
I shoot the 6.5x55 in F-Open. Mine is on a Remington 700 action and is on its second Pacnor barrel. While load data published is generally for the older military versions, I can say that in a modern action, with good brass and a nice long tube, my velocities are pretty good, with less powder than the 6.5-284's.
Eric
Eric
ShootDots said:
True and if you neck down anything, why not a 6.6-06?
I think the 6.5x55 is a great cartridge and I'll be bringing my VZ24 to more matches. Shoots about same as my 6.5 creedmoor. Way cool to have two cartridges over 100yrs apart, only to find the change was to stuff it in a short vs long action.
Shoot in a monthly competition at range I'm a member. Generally I use a Ruger tang safety 77 rifle, I had a 7x57 barrel put on it. I'm satisfied with the oldie cartridge. Another gent has a BATF(?) actioned rifle in 6.5x55 (SKAN version?) He does very well in the competition, one of the guys to outscore.
FWIW, at one time European countries held a military rifle competition. Standard issue military rifles were supposed to be used. There were two nations in the competition that typically won the event. Switzerland with its Schmitt-Rubin rifle in its unique 7.5 Swiss cartridge and Sweden with its 6.5x55 cartridge rifles.
Edited my post to comment about loading data for these two cartridges you'd find in reloading manuals for these to cartridges. Not that long I bought an Alliant powder for the first time that I knew I could use to reload 6.5x55. On Alliant reloading site, it showed two sets of reloading info for their powder....one for a military action and one for a commercial action. Basically, what is the max load for a military action (Swede military 94/96/38 rifle) is lower than the start load for a 6.5x55 commercial action rifle. Had not ever see load data that distinguished between a military and commercial action. I assume this is probably true for 7x57 load data in reloading manuals , as its history for military use predates that of the 6.5x55 Swede and there were a bunch of both cartridge military surplus rifles sold in U.S. Gent with the BATF action 6.5x55 told me, when started load development for his rifle, he started at Max load for whatever powder he was using and worked up from there. Darn if I can remember what velocity 6.5 loads he now shoots, but it is much higher than what any reloading manual will show.
FWIW, at one time European countries held a military rifle competition. Standard issue military rifles were supposed to be used. There were two nations in the competition that typically won the event. Switzerland with its Schmitt-Rubin rifle in its unique 7.5 Swiss cartridge and Sweden with its 6.5x55 cartridge rifles.
Edited my post to comment about loading data for these two cartridges you'd find in reloading manuals for these to cartridges. Not that long I bought an Alliant powder for the first time that I knew I could use to reload 6.5x55. On Alliant reloading site, it showed two sets of reloading info for their powder....one for a military action and one for a commercial action. Basically, what is the max load for a military action (Swede military 94/96/38 rifle) is lower than the start load for a 6.5x55 commercial action rifle. Had not ever see load data that distinguished between a military and commercial action. I assume this is probably true for 7x57 load data in reloading manuals , as its history for military use predates that of the 6.5x55 Swede and there were a bunch of both cartridge military surplus rifles sold in U.S. Gent with the BATF action 6.5x55 told me, when started load development for his rifle, he started at Max load for whatever powder he was using and worked up from there. Darn if I can remember what velocity 6.5 loads he now shoots, but it is much higher than what any reloading manual will show.
For those interested, I am having a 6.5 x 55AI being built as I write this. the number's are in the 3k fps w/o pressure signs using 4831sc, Rl 23 and testing Rl 26. For those interested, there is a thread on Sniper's Hide in the Bolt Action segment where we are discussing our rifles, loads and etc. These #'s are using a Berger 140gr Hybrid and 140gr Amax.Check it out.
My friend in Australia says that the 6.5X55 is still very popular for Bench Rest in Oz and in Europe.
It's only here that folks haven't taken to the 6.5X55.
It's only here that folks haven't taken to the 6.5X55.
Ledd Slinger
Silver $$ Contributor
Don't compete with one, but I built my son a hunting rifle in 6.5x55 Swede. It is just a plain jane Shilen CM barrel at 22" and 1 in 8" twist on a stainless Howa 1500 long action. Right now we are shooting up some factory Lapua ammo I got a good deal on ($26 per box of 20 rounds) and it is shooting the 108gr Scenars 1/2" at 200 yards. Once that ammo is shot up, I will use the Lapua brass to begin my own load work up. Hopefully I'll be able to get it shooting just as well with the 130gr Berger VLD's I have ready for it. Really amazing how accurate it is. Never in a million years would have thought it would shoot that good with factory ammo.
I have put together two rifles in the last few weeks. One is a 260 Rem. on a savage 12 action and the other is a 6.5x55 Swede. Both rifles have Criterion 28" barrels. I am chrono-graphing a click above 2800fps for the 260, and a click above 2900fps for the 6.5. Although, the rifles are still in the "break-in" process, they are both an inch or less at a 100yds. My plans are to have both rifles sighted in at 300yds. I have shot the 260 in three shot groups at 200yds four times. The last three shot group was about an 1 inch.
I am happy with both rifles so far.
Hoosier
I am happy with both rifles so far.
Hoosier
I use an improved version of the 6.5x55 in f-open and its pretty darn good. 140's at 3k are no problem out of a 30 inch tube. I used a 260 previously but wanted to move to 140 class bullets and maintain 3k speed. the 6.5x55 improved did exactly this.
I also use a straight 6.5x55 for a hunting rifle and shoot the 130 bergers at ~2900 with a 24 inch barrel.
love the 6.5's and will always use them.
I also use a straight 6.5x55 for a hunting rifle and shoot the 130 bergers at ~2900 with a 24 inch barrel.
love the 6.5's and will always use them.
7.5x55 is THE European competition round for .30cal class events. Some fantastic match rifles chambered abroad for that round and used in ISU competitions.
7mm Mauser is an 1895 era round in military terms, which the 8mm Mauser eclipsed 20yrs later. 7x57 is a venerable round, and source for .257 Roberts, but nothing too exciting for velocity or precision.
7mm Mauser is an 1895 era round in military terms, which the 8mm Mauser eclipsed 20yrs later. 7x57 is a venerable round, and source for .257 Roberts, but nothing too exciting for velocity or precision.
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