6.5 x 55 Swedish Mauser

[michaeljdean]

Looking for some expert advise. I have a 6.5 x 55 Swedish Mauser and would like to use the action to build a new rifle. I know there are plenty of other actions available on the market today; I just really like the 96 Swedish action.

My intent is to have a reamer and dies made necking the cartridge down to a 6mm, keeping all of the other specifications the same. My concern is whether the cartridge and/or action will handle the increased pressures. From what I've read, the Swedish action is extremely well made. The goal is building a flat shooting varmint rifle with my favorite action.

Any suggestions or input is appreciated.

 

[fullersson]

It's my understanding that those actions were rated at 51,000 psi. The way I uderstand it they were tested with one shot at 66,000 psi. I probably wouldn't use it. Brian Brown.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/6.5%C3%9755mm

 

[Bobthenailer]

What you are making is an "un-improved" version of the 6mm Vais cartridge. As for pressure issues I built a 6.5x55 A.I. on a Swede military action and have had no problems, E.R. Shaw 1.125 barrel, Richards thumbhole stock, and it will group into one ragged hole at 100yards with 123grn MK's. 200yards grouped 1/2".

 

[OKIE2]

I have a 96 rebarreled to 22-250

 

[Flouncer]

Non expert advise. No. You could keep your loads soft but you have no way to measure actual pressure. Your action may fail before the brass has overt pressure signs. Anyone ?

 

[Bobthenailer]

I have seen articles listing the Swede psi tested to 60K psi safely, however I would keep load pressures (estimated with Quick Load and load manuals for rateings) to 45K - 50K psi. I run my Swede Ackley loads to just under 3000fps (best accuracy) with no issues or worries, don't recall what Quick Load had for estimated psi but it wasn't to high I know that.

I would like to hear more about that 22-250, M96 (OKIE2), I have a slick cocking piece mod I do to my small rings to improve the looks.

 

[OKIE2]

it was the first time I ever tried to rebarrel anything.
I took a Remington 22-250 varmit barrel and the threads for the Mauser is just right for when you cut off the remington threads I rethreaded the barrel and cut the shoulder so I did not have to do anything to the chamber and got the right head space. Then I fitted a richards thumb hole stock and bedded it
put a timmy triger on it. It turned out to be a nice accurate rifle.
FORGOT TO ADD
I have shot 40 gr Btips with 40 grains of 4320 at 4580 fps NO PROBLEMS.

 

[Bobthenailer]

FORGOT TO ADD
I have shot 40 gr Btips with 40 grains of 4320 at 4580 fps NO PROBLEMS.

4580 fps..... is that the average or a high string shot fps. That is amazingly fast!!!

 

[areaone]

I may be reading this wrong, but why not go to 6mm Remington, pressure should be no porblem, in essence a 6mm Rem is nothing more than 6x57mm. Instead of the expense for specific reamer and dies, just have the bolt face on the swede corrected to accept the .473 bolt face, it may work as it is at.480, I think it would since you have a claw extrator, only .007 oversize. the 6mm remington is a barn burner of a versatile cartrige from 58 gr thru 115 depending on twist, wanting a varmint gun go 12 twist the old .244 remington. Just do not try the last 5% of velocity out of a Swede, and it will work. Do not Hod Rod this, will not shoot the best accuarately with top speed.