6.5x55 Action

[NZ_Fclass]

I have seen it done. Gunsmith Steve Blenkarne, who founded Tru Flite barrels converted short Howa actions to various calibres, Yes- the bolt had to be removed to eject a loaded round. I forget which stocks he used, but they were a lightweight fibreglass from the US, and or course, Tru Flite lightweight barrels.

 

[DiffEQ]

No. That would not be a good combination at all, unless you would just want to shoot single-shot as someone suggested. The bullet would have to be set too far into the case neck otherwise.

I believe this was a featherweight action? I purchased it at a time when one could buy just a Model 70 "barreled action", proof fired, and then have his way with it! I think that it came with an 18 inch 30-.06 light contour barrel installed? I had my gunsmith yank it and install a 26 inch .308 OTC barrel in 1990. It was the smoothest and fastest cycling bolt action I've ever owned. I was just screwing around in the late '90's when I had the gunsmith switch is from 6.5-.08 to 6.5x55, in order to shoot small bullets very fast at some local club prone 200-yard matches.

Dan

Late 80's Model 70? The one I still have from then is a Rem style extractor with the bottom of the bolt face open (stainless extreme weather). Another I had was a closed bolt face, both non Mauser claw.

Yes....forgot to mention even with standard 308 bolt face..

Lapua & Norma 6.5x55 brass works great !

Concur. I've converted one Rem 721 and two Savage 308 bolt face actions, and all fit and feed Lapua, Norma, PPU, S&B and all domestic 6.5x55 brass.

Was hand priming some Winchester 6.5 x 55 and forgot to change the shell holder in the K&M from a .308 she'll holder this morning. Noticed the number on the shell holder and tried a Lapua 6.5x55, no go.

Funny. Shell holder diameters vary so much from brand to brand. What I found that affected brass use & fitment the most was web thickness.

 

[pintopete]

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??

For me it is the latter, nostalgia, and stubbornness. The 6.5x55 is also is a very capable cartridge in its own right, as I’m sure you know. It’s unfortunate that the base is a somewhat unique diameter. 6.5 C or .260…stop making sense! LOL. I haven’t acquiesced to anything.308 based yet, even though it frequently is the most logical, and very effective choice in all its forms. I have a 6.5x55 R700 LA project in the works. Should have been completed by now, but I suffer from the same, too many projects, issues that you guys have. I found that Lapua brass would not cycle well in the factory bolt. My smith replaced the bolt body with a correctly sized part, along with a Sako style extractor. Those other cartridges you mentioned would have been easy peasy. It’s just me I suppose. Commonly do things the hard way.

 

[joshb]

I built this 6.5x55 on a Stiller Tac 300 action. No modification needed for Lapua or PPU brass.

 

[ebb]

Well if they all looked like that i could understand everybody wanting one!!!!

 

[ebb]

The day came I found a 6.5 Swede at the antique flea market at the South Florida fairgrounds. It was not the Swede I wanted but it was a deal I couldn't pass up. Its an M94 6.5 carbine, all the metal. work looks to be original but it's in a sporter stock. I thought it was a rifle that had been cut down, but its a carbine. The barrel has one spot of rust i need to deal with and the white bolt is a little dingy. For $ 100 I could not let it pass. I have sporterized several Turks and a Spanish, but this one is going from sporterized back to original if I can find a stock or borrow one long enough to copy.

 

[Drop Port]

Can a .308 length action be use to re-barrel and chamber for 6.5 x 55mm? 4
Respectfully

If you're asking for the simple answer, yes. Would I recommend it, no. I did a 6.5 x 284 on a short action with similar length case (.005") longer, what a PITA. If it's a single shot and you don't mind pulling the bolt to remove a live cartridge then have at it.

 

[FNSafari]

Regarding action length, the worst thing, imo, Remington did to the .257 Roberts was put it in the 722 action. COAL is just way to short to take advantage of most spitzer shape bullets. No way I can reach the lands and expect to use the rifle as a repeater.

 

[pintopete]

Regarding action length, the worst thing, imo, Remington did to the .257 Roberts was put it in the 722 action. COAL is just way to short to take advantage of most spitzer shape bullets. No way I can reach the lands and expect to use the rifle as a repeater.

I agree wholeheartedly. 244 Rem suffered similarly, but not as severely. Very unfortunate.
If building a Mauser length caliber on a Rem700, go LA.

 

[FNSafari]

Yes, LA. One of the reasons Tikka locates the bolt stop and adjusts magazine length for use with 30-06 oal cartridges, among them the 6.5x55 SM.