6.5x55

[Freestate101]

In another post it was stated that the 6.5x55 would fit in a Savage short action "all day long". Is that a factual statement, and if so will it magazine feed the longer 140+ gr. bullets?

Thanks guys,
Jim

 

[1000yardstare]

I have Hornady 140 gr SP seated to 3.080 COAL for my 6.5x55 Tikka T3 Lite. This compares to 2.905 in the Hornady manual which illustrates the ginormous long throat that Tikka puts in their 6.5 Swede rifles. For the 160s I guess.

After reading your question I tried one of the above cartridges in the magazine of my Savage .308 VLP and it barely fit but it did fit. If you have a 6.5x55 with a more normal throat there would be plenty of room in a Savage short action magazine for the Swede.

 

[2506]

If you can I would have the barrel for your Savage throated for the longest bullet you will use. For a modern 6.5X55 for game shooting you really don't need anything over the 140 gr bullets.

 

[Freestate101]

Thanks guys, I have had a desire for another sweede ever since I sold the semi-custom manlicher built on a 96 mauser action that I aquired back in the early 70's.
I have a Savage 12 action with DBM and think I will order another Bartline soon. What twist rate would work best for the 140's and what would be the lightest weight bullets that twist rate would handle without problems?

Thanks
Jim

 

[jonbearman]

Go to the berger website and it will tell you the correct twist.

 

[15Tango]

I have a Savage 12 action with DBM and think I will order another Bartline soon. What twist rate would work best for the 140's and what would be the lightest weight bullets that twist rate would handle without problems?

8 twist seems to be the go-to twist for 6.5MM. I've got an 8 twist and it does very well with 140 VLDs and Amax and the lightest I've ran was the 95 Vmax at 3400 FPS and I never had any issues with those - they're surprisingly accurate! I've heard 9 twist doesn't always work well with 140s, 8.5 would be the slowest I'd go. Berger says 8 or faster for the 140 VLD . . . it'd be nice to have the insurance of the 8 if you ever decide to use the 160s, something the Swede does very well.

Wayne

 

[1000yardstare]

My Tikka 6.5 Swede has an 8 twist. Shoots 140s and 160s very well, sub moa.

Also shoots 100 gr Nosler BT very well in that fast twist. Just got back from the range. Put three 100 BT into 5/8 inch at 100 metres. Think the group could have been tighter without the heavy coat and gloves for the -8C (18F) weather. But I would rather be out shooting than sitting inside wishing I was shooting.

I seat the 100 BT for one caliber retention in the case neck. Have no idea how far they are jumping to the lands. Must be a fair bit but it doesn`t seem to affect their accuracy.

Load for the 100 BT is 45 gr RL15. Chronos at 3080 fps. Great coyote load.

This load is safe in a modern rifle but I wouldn`t use it in a small ring Mauser.

 

[Freestate101]

Thanks guys, that's exactly what I needed to know, now to get a barrel, dies, brass and bullets and start some load gathering/development. I'm not quite as hardy as 1000yardstare, so I will have to wait untill the weather gets to a more comfortable 45-F to do any range work.

Jim

 

[jonbearman]

Did you guys know that in sweden they proof loads in a 96 action and barrel.It is a bit stronger than you would think because of the swedes metallurgy. I love the swede and have a few 96"s and a ruger mkII with the light pencil tube and I have shot the 140's with no problems.I dont even remember the twist rate,but it does work with hornadyny 139's and 140's,no vld's of course.

 

[chj3]

As noted, the lighter bullets may be jumping a bit to the lands as most 6.5x55 chamber/throats are cut.

Hornady's book indicates a max COL of 3.150". And, they specify a loaded COL of 2.905 for their 120, 123, and 129 gr bullets.

As measured, with the Hornady 129:
Win. Model 70: 3.21"
Swede Mauser: 3.19"
T/C Encore:3.05"

The 129 gr is barely (about 0.1") in the case neck at 3.21".

 

[jmm03]

I've been shooting a "modern" swede for a while now in 2 different model 700's. Both shoot well using H4831SC,BR2 primers,142 sierra's,Lapua cases,oal 3.100. 46 grains gives 2750fps average out of a Bartlein 5R heavy varmint 8.5 twist 27 inches long.44.5 grains shoots well out of a 30 inch medium palma,also a bartlein 5R 8.5,I haven't been able to chrono that one yet.Both loads are seated into the rifleing in a no-turn neck match chamber(new PTG reamer) Jim

 

[2506]

jonbearman: the Swede Mauser has a 7.5" twist for the loooooooooog 156 gr military RNFMJ they used before switching over to the 139 gr spitzer FMJ. I have shot the 160 RNSP from Hornady and it shoots very accurately. I have shot bullets from 100 gr Sierra hp up through the 160 gr and they all shoot accurately. The 120 Nosler BT is extremely accurate with a max load, for the under 46,000 cup for the 96 Mauser, of AA4350 which is 46 grs given to me from the AA ballistics people in a Rem. case with a Fed. 210M primer with an COAL of 3.050 which is as long as you can load it and have it work through the magazine. It has to jump a mile to the lands but it is a tack driver. I get right at 3000 fps in the 29" barrel of a M-96 from this load and it will hammer a deer.

 

[45bpcr]

I love the 6.5X55

the FSR rifle in the middle is the most accurate iron sighted rifle I own

Craig

 

[quickone]

I SHOOT A 6.5X55USA MATCH ITS A PTG STOCK REAMER , SHORTER THROAT IN A 98 MAUSER W/#5 DOUGLAS BARREL. THIS IS MY HUNTING RIFLE AND I HAVE SHOT A .236 W/140GK'S USING 4831SC. ALSO TRY SOMETHING EVEN SLOWER 7828SSC WITH 130 BARNES TSX, TEARS DEER UP. ONE DAY I WILL TRY SOME MATCH KINGS , BUT WHY BOTHER . THE BARNES SHOT @3/4. I'M TICKLED TO DEATH.