6.5x55 for varminting?

[Fullchoke]

Hey, first off, new to the board. Looks like a nice site, I hope I get good information. I hang around on thefiringline.com a lot, my s/n there is Full-choke.

Secondly, I have been thinking about doing a nice varmint rifle that will be deadly accurate. I was settled into something like the 223 Rem or the 308 Win, but now I'm rethinking to the 6.5x55. It kind of fits nicely between the two from the way I understand. What do you think of it as a varmint round? How easy would it be to find an affordable rifle in 6.5x55 that I can setup?

Thanks,
F-C

 

[rhino]

As far as varminting. Do you plan on shooting ultra long range like past 600 yards? Because your twist will have to be considered. While a 1-8.5 twist is good for long range the smaller 95 and 103's and such would require a slower twist to work better at higher velocities

As far as a gun ready to go that is a no-go. Nobody anymore has a 6.5x55 HB ready to roll anymore. Well unless you want to go ultra high end on a Blaser which would set you back at least 3k.

Basically you would be looking a t rebarrel on an existing or bought action.

Do you want to feed from magazine? That would require a long action. Single shot is doable on a short action, just have to pull the boat on a loaded round.

A Savage action on a BVSS and then switching out the barrel to 6.5x55 se with a Pac-nor pre-fit would make most sense. Or order a blank and have a qualified gunsmith chamber and install it.

There is also the new target action.

The Savage with prefit, new stock and base would run you around $1100-1400 depending on what action your using plus optics.

If you could find a used long action bvss and keep the stock switch only the barrel and trigger if wanted could run you like $900.

A Tikka older M 695 action is also nice, problem is finding stocks.

Remington could also be redone to 6.5x55, but bolt face may have to be opened up. Savage doesn't. Tikka may or may not depending on former caliber.

I got a Master Sporter Tikka years ago at $714 out the door price which was good to go, but they quite importing them.

Basically your looking at $1k or more depending if you buy used or new with any action and stock set-up.

RHINOUT!

 

[Ogre6br]

wonderfull choice going the 6.5x55
Sorry Rhin but the Tikka T3 Stainless Varmint and "super" varmint is avail in 6.5x55 and its the correct length action and correct wsit for what you want to do
I have used the 90 TNT for sub 250,maybe 3000 yard work also the 107 and 108 to 300 easy
The 123 will stretch out a lot further- look at the article on the guys using the 6.5x47 L in the recent matches etc
They used factory ammo out to 600 yards
The 6.5x55 in a modern action like the T3 using Euro spec brass to match the chamber will push the 123 faster than what the x47 will so the trajectory will be even flatter.

A R700 long action or maybe a Better R700 might be a Predator or a TAC action from STiller or a Wasnatch or a pierce or a borden action. all fit the R700 long action profile and inletting but have all the good bits already done to them and will prolly work out cheaper and quicker in the end than getting an R700 LA and having it accurised.

I'd go the Tikka though and have it cleaned up a bit IF your smith thinks it needs it- some dont.

A FLS body die converted to bushing die by JLC precision
http://www.6mmbr.com/catalog/item/1433308/892435.htm
and use a Hornady seater with and added micro top and you are away with quality dies for not mega $$.

Just some ideas from someone who has been shooting the 6.5x55 for many years and has a very similar setup built on the one model older Tikka action the 695 master sporter

later
P

 

[Fullchoke]

Holy smokes guys!

You were all talking way over my head and spitting numbers out I don't understand, but that is okay, I'm here to learn. I'm thinking a CZ 550 American will do just fine since it is chambered in 6.5x55 as well. I'd be doing yote and smaller anywhere from 100-750 yards based on critter size, distance, visibility, obstructions, etc. Prolly as long a range shot as possible without endangering anybody and still getting a clean kill.

 

[rhino]

Ogre6br,
I don't see those guns listed in 6.5x55 se. Where did you see them for sale in that caliber?

The CZ American doesn't have a heavy or varmint barrel, might warm up on you aweful quick.
RHINOUT!

 

[Fullchoke]

Yea, that is the only downfall. I think the CZ American is the only rifle they caliber in the 6.5x55. That is depressing, but I guess I will have to deal with it. I've been thinking about the 6.5x55 pretty hard, but the other rounds that have caught my eye are 308, 25-06 and 223. I can get cheap ammo for plinking in all the mil-surp ammo, but the 25-06 would be a little more hefty. I'd like something that would be affordable to plink with, but when I want to do some serious shooting I can get some serious good factory loads or even be able to reload some hot varmint rounds.

On the aspect of rebarreling a Savage, how hard/costly would that be to do to something like a 10FP to get it from 308 to 6.5x55? And, what caliber would be the easiest to convert in the way of action size, bolt face, etc?

Thanks,
F-C

 

[Ogre6br]

Rhin
I know a G-shop here over my side of the pond,Australia) that I can walk into and theres a T3 Varmint stanless on the shelf with a 5 shot mag and mounts for not much more than 1K local $$.

Put a decent scope on it and load up with some Scenar 123's at 3000 FPS with R15 or R19 or H4350,mild load) and shoot to 600 yards easy.
Any further than 600 and use the 139 Scenar at 2850 with a warm load.
The ballistics program says the 123's its still supersonic at 1000 but I'm half blind and couldn't see anything that far away let alone shoot at it so I have never tried.

The Tikka come factory floated with adjustable Sako made triggers. The barrels are made by Sako and the action is a thick walled slab sided stiff action. put a hart front rst on the forarm when using a rest and a decent rear bag and go shooting.

Admittedly you arn't goin to be competative in the BR nationals -but- if youre keen you can get your smith to do a clean up of the threads and make sure the lugs are in contact 100% and everything is on centre and you will give your local comps a scare from 100 out to 600 as a minimum and then there is F-class too.

HTH

later
p

P.S If you are thinking of building a 6.5 on a short action I'd choose the 6.5x47 Lapua.

 

[chuckw2]

I have three T-3 hunters new in the box for $499 each. I have a .223,22-250, and a 6.5 x 55.



Shipping will be extra..


Chuck Wetherington

 

[rhino]

I thought so.

So if your in America you have to have a gun made up. Too bad they quite on the Master Sporter, what a rifle for the price.

RHINOUT!

 

[Ogre6br]

Too bad they quite on the Master Sporter, what a rifle for the price.
RHINOUT!

You not wrong I would have brought several if I could only get my hands on them.

later
p