No Modern 6.5x55 Love?

[flyinbrian]

Can somebody tell me why I shouldn't order a 6.5X55 Swede barrel for my lonely Savage long action?

I continue to vacillate between a .284 Winchester and the Swede, and I hate the indecision, but I have great arguments for both. I need to be tipped one way or the other. Please don't tell me to buy a second LA and build them both, because I just might.

 

[Ltdshooter]

Can somebody tell me why I shouldn't order a 6.5X55 Swede barrel for my lonely Savage long action?

I continue to vacillate between a .284 Winchester and the Swede, and I hate the indecision, but I have great arguments for both. I need to be tipped one way or the other. Please don't tell me to buy a second LA and build them both, because I just might.

Do it w/o hesitation but have your chamber cut for the 6.5x55 GWI (Greg Walley Improved). This is a slightly less radical AI version with a 30 degree shoulder. I've been shooting one since May and have been very impressed. 2950 with a Berger 140 VLD, super accurate, not even close to a max load with H4831SC. Can't say enough about how good this thing is....

 

[bcott]

I have the Blaser R8 Professional in 6.5x55SE. I LOVE IT!!!. Very easy to work up loads for. eg; 85gr Sierra, 120gr Nosler BT, Lapua 155gr Mega. Bbl is 22"(from bolt face to muzzle) and has an 8.66" twist. I use Varget for the 85gr and RL22 for the 120gr and 155gr bullets.

The Blaser R8 comes in both 6.5x55SE and the 6.5x284. I chose the x55. I did not see enough of a velocity gain with the x284 over the x55SE. The x55SE feeds flawlessly from most bolt action magazines. Both cartridges are not suited for "short actions". eg; my 155gr Mega load is 2.985" COAL and this is with a .035" jump.
Carl L.

 

[CobraRed]

The Blaser R8 comes in both 6.5x55SE and the 6.5x284. I chose the x55. I did not see enough of a velocity gain with the x284 over the x55SE. The x55SE feeds flawlessly from most bolt action magazines. Both cartridges are not suited for "short actions". eg; my 155gr Mega load is 2.985" COAL and this is with a .035" jump.
Carl L.

2.985" You sure, Carl?

My 140 Amax's are all the way out to 3.195"

I've seen .308's that was closer to your 2.985"

 

[stinkitup]

The Mega is quite a lot more rounded up front than the amax is, the amax is about the longest of any pill for the 6.5's

Ryan

 

[Raptor]

Flyinbrian,
I have both the 6.5x55 in a Remington 700 with a Kreiger barrel and a 284 with the same. I love both but the 284 is by far the better longrange rifle past 1000yds.

I have shot my 284 out to a mile with 162AMAXs (1788ys to be exact) If you plan on shooting to 1000yds or less it may be a toss up but you have a hard time beating a BC in the high 600s to 700s. Just my opinion..

 

[CobraRed]

Updated rifle

 

[Luke_NL]

Looking mighty good!

 

[nashlaw]

I have a Howa with a Krieger MTU barrel sitting in a McMillan A2. It hauls the mail.

 

[bcott]

Yes, I just remeasured the 155gr Lapua Mega 6.5x55SE load; 2.985". It is a round nose bullet. It looks like it should have an eraser on the end. My 120gr Hornady GMX load is 3.110"OAL.. My 85gr Sierra is another shorty though @ 2.875. I needed enough bullet in the neck to stay in place with normal handling and feeding. These are the only bullets that I have worked with, so far. Carl L.

 

[stinkitup]

Love it CobraRed very good looking rifle, love the heavy blued barrel.

 

[people]

Who makes that stock? I did not see that in your posts.

Updated rifle

 

[Hwyshredder78]

That's one sweet rifle, and a great topic, CobraRed! I have wanted a heavier barreled varmint- tactical 6.5x55 for years, so recently I started ordering- gathering parts my first custom, and it's going to be chambered in the legendary round. The Bartlein 5R 1-8" twist Sendero contour barrel is already here, and the PTG reamer and uni-throater are ordered. Trying to decide on an action now, there's just so many good options out there right now! Borden Timberline, Defiance Rebel, or a Stiller Predator, it's a tough one!

 

[CobraRed]

That's one sweet rifle, and a great topic, CobraRed! I have wanted a heavier barreled varmint- tactical 6.5x55 for years, so recently I started ordering- gathering parts my first custom, and it's going to be chambered in the legendary round. The Bartlein 5R 1-8" twist Sendero contour barrel is already here, and the PTG reamer and uni-throater are ordered. Trying to decide on an action now, there's just so many good options out there right now! Borden Timberline, Defiance Rebel, or a Stiller Predator, it's a tough one!

Any updates on you swede build?

Who makes that stock? I did not see that in your posts.

It's a Bobby Hart + accublock. I actually just got another one in different wood for another swede build. This time 6.5x55 Ackley Improved with custom action. Here are the parts so far, waiting on the action
PTG floating 6.5 Swede 40 degree reamer,
Another Vortex PST FFP in MOA this time
Timney trigger
Bartlein 31" 5R 1:8.5 barrel blank to be turned to 30" finished.
P3 rear minopod

Already been shooting at 1200y steel, hoping to ring some 1500 yard steel with the new build.

 

[Thauglor]

The 6.5x55 is my favorite caliber, started out with military mausers but got bit by the match bug so I upgraded a bit. Still waiting on a tube gun stock for the longer cartridges from Eliseo.

 

[DogBuster]

Built my 6.5x55 a few years back...used these components...

New Savage s/shot target action...machined lug & barrel nut
Pac-Nor 28" x no taper 8 twist/3 groove...SS SM...11* crown
Choate Varminter stock w/added lead shot ballast in grip...
Bushnell 4-30x50 Tactical scope mounted in Burris Signature rings
Weighs right at 18#...a pleasure to shoot...not a real fussy diet...shoots VV560...RE17...H4831sc..H4350 the best..Lapua brass of course...
Berger 140's or Sierra 142 & some old 144 SMK's...
My other field rifle in Swede is a Tikka SS/lam...as shown in pic

 

[huffmanite]

6.5x55! Love it. Have a primo still military Husqvarna M38, a couple of sporterized Swedes (94 & 96) and a Stevens 200 barreled in 6.5x55. Each shoot pretty good. Fellow member of range has a pricey custom rifle chambered in 6.5x55 that he uses for accurate long range shooting. Another member has a very nicely sporterized 96 Swede. What's odd to me, I've seen him shoot 4 shot 200 yd groups that you could cover with a quarter and the rifle still has its original military trigger in it. I'm awed.

Like others have posted, I too have better accuracy with slower powders in my 6.5x55 reloads. Prefer Ramshots Magnum powder, but finding it has been difficult. Recently, tried some Alliant RL22 with good success when it comes to accuracy.

 

[CobraRed]

You cant beat RL22 and the Swede IMO.

Hoping my Ackley Improved Swede likes it just as much

 

[CobraRed]

My new revised stock:

 

[alamo308]

Love my 'modernized' Swede 1917 M96, converted to CG63 in 1978, if that's 'modern' enough?

Here's how it did at 300 yards, iron sights (apertures), 10 rounds (without the bipod, resting on sandbag).
Ammo was Lapua Scenar 139gr over 37gr of VihtaVuori 140, in a recycled FNM case.