Building a 6.5x57 hunting rig

[Clod-NC]

Hi gentlemen
I intend to build a hunting rifle in 6.5x57 improved 30°,anyone here ever heard,shot,or know someone shooting one or something similar,like 6.5x257 Roberts improved?I'm interested in all feedback;how about getting a reamer for instance,delays,price;the barrel will be 28" in 1/8.5 ,contour N°5,the action is a Zolly 96 Mauser(small ring,long action)I don't intend to shoot anything bigger than 120 grainers,the critters I'll be after are 180-200 pds average.Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[wwbrown]

I have not done a 6.5 x 57 Imp but did a 6.5 x 55 Imp (lets call it a 65I). I had the reamer throated for 139 g Scenars and it shot great even when fire forming brass. With formed brass I could easily get 3,100 fps but used 3,050 with the Scenars, H4831SC was the powder of choice for this round and gun. Your case capacity will be a little different, I would look hard at the 6.5 x 55 Imp as you can get Lapua 6.5 x 55 brass.

I would go with a 1-8 or 8.5 twist so you could shoot the heavier 6.5 bullets, there are great bullets from 139 to 142 grains.

Free advice and overpriced at that,

 

[butchlambert]

Never heard of a Zolly 96 Mauser.

 

[Clod-NC]

Hi Wade and Butch

Thanks for your answers,the Zolly 96 action is based on the Husqvarna action that equipped the 6.5x55 swedish mauser,except they don't have the common extractor,so it's kind of slicker.Butch,did you,as a smith come accross any rifle in this caliber as I want to have built? If yes,your feed back would be appreciated,so thanks in advance.

 

[butchlambert]

6.5x55 is an excellent cartridge. I had one of the Remington Classics in 6.5X55 about 15yrs ago. It was a great shooting factory deer rifle.