6.5x55 Action

[red_mamba]

I converted rem700 from .30-06 to 6.5x55 without any bold or action modifications.
It doesn't always eject lapua brass but that does not bother me atm.

 

[LHSmith]

I converted rem700 from .30-06 to 6.5x55 without any bold or action modifications.
It doesn't always eject lapua brass but that does not bother me atm.

If you compare the 6.5 x 55 Lapua case head (.479) with a standard .308 style case head (.473) you will notice the extractor groove has much more relief (it's beveled) towards the shoulder. My smith made a tool to replicate this relief and the custom Rem. 700 Swede he built for me feeds and ejects flawlessly.

 

[Hopkins]

I have a push feed model 70 LA that I had the bolt face opened up for the Swede I rebarreled it with. It feeds and extracts the undersized Winchester and standard European Swede brass fine.

 

[Shynloco]

I have used the savage target actions and never had any problems. Also if using domestic brass such as rem, it is the same base bolt head diameter.

DITTO! I have a Savage Target action that WAS a 22-250 and had it rechambered to a 6.5x55 that now shoots 142 gr Sierra's VERY accurately and with tight groups. IMHO, too much opinion by some (ref other makes of rifles) who've never done it. A shooting partner of mine has done the same thing on a Rem 700 action.

Alex

 

[nhm16]

Depending on how long you load the cartridge, Savage "short" actions might work because they seem to be a little longer than Remington short actions. My Savage factory centerfeed DBM can take a cartridge that's 2.950" long (just verified with a .260 dummy round loaded with a 140gr VLD).

See also: http://forum.accurateshooter.com/index.php?topic=3758119.0

 

[Hopkins]

The COL for the Swede is 80mm or 3.15"

 

[Ledd Slinger]

The COL for the Swede is 80mm or 3.15"

Right. I think the main point most of us are trying to make here is not that you can't use certain 'longer than normal' short actions for the 6.5x55. But that if you want the full capability of the 6.5x55 using all the various bullet weights at all possible seating depths in a magazine fed rifle, a short action, even if fairly long, probably isn't the way to go.

Regardless of what type of action a person may use the chambering in, the 6.5x55 was designed for a long action.

I even have a 6.5 Rem Mag I built on a long action. Though traditionally a short action round, it works much better in a long action if wanting to seat 140gr Berger VLDs way out into the lands for maximum case capacity. So when building a rifle, just keep in mind that too much room in the mag is much better than too little. That way there is absolutely nothing to worry about in that respect.

 

[Hoosier]

Thanks everyone...Great discussion
Hoosier

 

[Sdvldog1371]

Dead Thread I know, however, for the sake of posterity I will add an observation.

DISCLAIMER:

THIS IS NOTHING MORE THAN MY PERSONAL OBSERVATIONS. I AM NOT SUGGESTING ANYONE TRY THIS FOR THEMSELVES. YOU HAVE BEEN ADVISED. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL DUE DILLIGENCE AND THE FINAL DECISION, WHETHER OR NOT, TO TRY ANY OF THE CHAMBERINGS COMPARED BELOW. I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE AND THIS INFORMATION IS FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY.

Today I was scheming on assembling my newest rifle for which I have 1 action (SHORT ACTION) and will have several different barrels. I want a 6.5 addiction which is based on the 6.5x55 case. The Addiction for those who don't know is designed to use 140gr berger Hybrids in a short action with a COAL of 2.945.

I was curious since I can get pre-fit barrels from Proof, whether or not, I could just have a 6.5 CM reamed to the 6.5 Addiction. In order to figure out if it was possible I found the reamer prints and this led me down a rabbit hole of designing and 3d modeling different cartridges based off of reamer prints.

The findings are as follows:

NO You cannot ream out a 6.5CM to a 6.5 addiction. You can, however, ream a 6.5x47 Lapua chamber to 6.5 Addiction.

-You can also ream 6.5x47 Lapua out to 6.5 BJAI/6.5x55 40* improved and 6.5 GWI.

-You can ream 6.5 CM to 6.5 BJAI/6.5x55 40* improved but NOT 6.5 GWI

-IF you just had to have your 6.5 CM set back and wanted to run 6.5 Addiction you'd have to take a minimum of 0.78" off of the chamber end to run the reamer far enough to clean up the 6.5 CM as the 6.5 CM body has far less taper than the Addiction.

When changing Opacity of each cartridge and overlaying the 6.5x55 swede improved cases I don't see much reason other than MAGAZINE LENGTH and FREEBORE holding one back from loading up to a 140gr bullet in a short action like the 6.5 Addiction Short action does. I've had Berger Hybrids do quite well at even 0.250" jump and have heard people REALLY jumping them, like 0.500" yes, half an inch.

Freebore is as follows:

6.5 Addiction SHORT ACTION 0.010"
6.5 Addiction LONG ACTION 0.120"-0.188"

6.5x55 BJAI 0.188"

6.5x55 GWI 0.191"

In conclusion:

To put the idea to rest, I would say that if one wanted to magazine feed one of the 6.5x55 improved cartridges in a short action it is possible so long as you have a magazine capable of feeding a cartridge with an overall length of 2.945". I personally have ran Berger 156 EOL in my 260 rem built on a Gunwerks GRB short action in MDT magazines without the binder plate at 2.975 and there is still some room... little
but enough: and I haven't had a problem feeding them.

I hope this helps anyone who finds themselves relentlessly searching the internet for answers.


REAMER PRINTS USED:

BJAI- PTG (6.5x55 swed. mauser ack improved)
GWI- PTG (6.5x55 GW imp)
ADDICTION- PTG (6.5 addiction Short action)

 

[Liven The Dream]

Had a 6.5X55 on a Barnard Target Action .308 Bolt Face. With Winchester Brass worked great.
Winchester Brass the Rim is .003-.004 smaller than Norma or Lapua.

Back some years ago Remington Sold some 6.5x55 700 Action Rifles.
The Bolt face was larger for the 6.5x55 Brass.

Check well before your Build ?

 

[moondog]

Kelblys bolt will accommodate 6.5x55.
I built my 6.5x55 gwi on a long action.

 

[FNSafari]

Built a 6.5x55 on SA Savage Target action....works fine...

Solid bottom s/shot.....OAL is 2.950" with 142 SMK's

Do not carry to hunt with....its 18#.......... ;D

Or find a used or new Tikka T3 or T3i. I did and am astounded with its accuracy and barrel quality.

 

[Laurie]

Or find a used or new Tikka T3 or T3i. I did and am astounded with its accuracy and barrel quality.

European rifle forums increasingly report that it's becoming ever harder to get a new Tikka or Sako in 6.5X55 with a dealer order needed and delivery times no longer being estimated. Although the 260 Rem struggled to gain traction with most European rifle manufacturers, 6.5 Creedmoor has really taken off and that's the 6.5 most T3s are now turned out in.

 

[Will Henry]

The short action model 70, with the spacer removed from the mag box and the bolt stop shortened, is an excellent fit for the 6.5x55 or the 7x57. I shot a 6.5x55 for "F" class for quite a while in the late '90's and it worked great. Later on , I used the same cartridge for silhouette. In the end, I switched to the 6.5 Creedmoor for the more easily available brass. WH

 

[FNSafari]

European rifle forums increasingly report that it's becoming ever harder to get a new Tikka or Sako in 6.5X55 with a dealer order needed and delivery times no longer being estimated. Although the 260 Rem struggled to gain traction with most European rifle manufacturers, 6.5 Creedmoor has really taken off and that's the 6.5 most T3s are now turned out in.

Yes, I've heard that too. I sent a brand new SAKO 85 back to Beretta USA the first of June this year to replace an absolutely horrid internal finish barrel. As of today they are "waiting for parts." My first foray into Sako rifles and my last. The T3 6.5x55 I have I found on a classified 4 years ago and bought it unfired for $500. I agree given the issues of availability some other 6.5 case is in order. Your suggestions are good ones imo. Merry Christmas!

 

[Kurz]

European rifle forums increasingly report that it's becoming ever harder to get a new Tikka or Sako in 6.5X55 with a dealer order needed and delivery times no longer being estimated. Although the 260 Rem struggled to gain traction with most European rifle manufacturers, 6.5 Creedmoor has really taken off and that's the 6.5 most T3s are now turned out in.

I ran into this same problem a few months ago when trying to secure a new Sako for an acquaintance. None to be found and the order time frame was horrifically long. This brought out two lines of thinking; one reminiscent, the other pragmatic.

A number of years ago, back when mil-surp rifles were affordable, I stumbled onto an M38 in near new, pristine condition in a fiddleback stock. I really had to think about this since it was nearly $300.00 as opposed to the $100.00 for a very used M96. But I buckled and still own it. It goes into the field with me sometimes when hunting Mule deer. The Hornady 160 gr. RN is perfect for those shorter shots out to about 350 yards.

It is not surprisingly difficult or expensive to build a 6.5x55 chambered rifle. Yes you need to consider using one of the newer intermediate length actions or simply use a long action. There are still some bargains available for actions, even skipping the Savage. Seekins and Kauger have lower price variations. Yes you need to modify the bolt face. God knows the barrel makers have gone full bore into making prefit barrels chambered as you choose. Get a chassis or aluminum bedding block stock plus a trigger and off you go!

There is brass available currently, both Lapua and PPU. I've been using the Lapua since I started loading for this cartridge. I ran into some VVN-555 by accident and it turns out it's great in the Swedish cartridge.

Don't be put off by Tikka or Sako, build your own.

Enjoy the process!

 

[ebb]

When a 6.5 mm bullet exits the barrel do you think it knows if it came out of a 6,5-55 or a 6.5 creedmoor, or even a 260 Remington? Why deal with an odd head diameter and alter a bolt when modern brass exists in many different forms. Yes i would love to own an original swede in 6.5 -55 and If I ever find one at a decent price I will buy it. But why spend extra money, do more work, hunt hard to find brass and take a step backwards nostalgia??? Or is there something I am missing??

 

[joshb]

When a 6.5 mm bullet exits the barrel do you think it knows if it came out of a 6,5-55 or a 6.5 creedmoor, or even a 260 Remington? Why deal with an odd head diameter and alter a bolt when modern brass exists in many different forms. Yes i would love to own an original swede in 6.5 -55 and If I ever find one at a decent price I will buy it. But why spend extra money, do more work, hunt hard to find brass and take a step backwards nostalgia??? Or is there something I am missing??

Nostalgia is a real force in my world! I have a nice old Swede I’d let you have for a 2018 price. I have too many!

 

[ebb]

Yeah I know what I said but the 03A3 needs put together, the Thompson needs to be a semi-auto and put together, the many Arisaka's need finished, the MK5 Sten won't run, the Remington ultra mag needs the stock finished and put together, there is a couple of 22lrs need stocks refinished Hannah's 870 needs the ejector replaced. I think i need to finish the house in GA and build some rifles before anymore projects come home. Even if its just load development and ammo.

 

[joshb]

Yeah I know what I said but the 03A3 needs put together, the Thompson needs to be a semi-auto and put together, the many Arisaka's need finished, the MK5 Sten won't run, the Remington ultra mag needs the stock finished and put together, there is a couple of 22lrs need stocks refinished Hannah's 870 needs the ejector replaced. I think i need to finish the house in GA and build some rifles before anymore projects come home. Even if its just load development and ammo.

That’s the Wall I’m running into, these days. Too many projects, too little free time.