No Modern 6.5x55 Love?

[CobraRed]

Modern means modern action, so any currently made or recently made (think Win 70) action.
Generally this group makes up the stronger actions that can take the increased chamber pressures of modern loads (above the book max that was designed for Swedish mausers)

Nice shooting!

 

[wbm]

Just finished this one in 6.5x55. Savage action and E.R. Shaw barrel. It does shoot! Love the Swede.

 

[mac86951]

I'll toss my hat in the ring then, I just received a hand-me-down sporterized cz24 in 6.5x55. I've seen so much information on old mausers I'm not sure what to load to, would pressure signs start to show before action failure?

I see that most are using a slower powder, I'm using h4350 as I have some, but I'll look for 4831 and rl22.

-Mac

 

[Hopkins]

I have a Mauser and a Model 70 PF in 6.5x55. My Model 70 prefers H4350 and 140's and the Mauser performs better with IMR 4350 and FB 140's seated at the maximum OAL. Neither rifle was as good with 4831 H or IMR and 140's or RL22 and 140's. I recently tried Hybrid 100 V in both and was underwhelmed. You should see pressure signs long before action failure unless the action is mechanically compromised.

 

[wbm]

I'll toss my hat in the ring then, I just received a hand-me-down sporterized cz24 in 6.5x55. I've seen so much information on old mausers I'm not sure what to load to, would pressure signs start to show before action failure?

If you have a VZ-24 that should be a large ring Mauser. They are not the same as the small ring M96 Swede actions. Some consider the VZ-24 to be one of the best Mauser actions. The small ring M96 Swede action was designed for 45,000lbs of pressure while the large ring Mauser will handle more than that.

My Model 70 prefers H4350 and 140's and the Mauser performs better with IMR 4350

A lot of people who shoot the 6.5x55 have also found that H4350 and Reloader 17 do very well. That has been my experience as well. H4350, RL-17 and H4831 have always given me better results than the "go-to" Reloader 22 or other slow powders....one exception being IMR 7828 SSC. Good powder with 140gr bullets in long barrels. With light bullets like the 100gr Hornady Amax, IMR 3031 has produced some "screamer" groups for me. Sierra used a M96 Swede for their testing in the Sierra V Manual. The 140gr bullet did best with, believe it or not, Varget! Go figure.

 

[Changeling]

Here are some things to think about for the 6.5 x 55 AI in a modern action.

The "6.5 x 284 Norma" It's standard configuration is considered "Improved", is at it's best in accuracy (1000yd) when loaded in the 2800 to 2950 fps area.
There is a page on this forum that shows all the favourite loads by TOP shooters using this cartridge (6.5 x 284).
The "6.5 x 55 AI" will reach these velocities also.

6.5 x 284 = 68.33 gr h20 from Chuck Hawks.
6.5 x 55AI = 62gr h20 (Standard case = 57.9gr h20).
Difference of 6.33gr h20.
Small differences in case capacities due to case brand and reamers would be normal.

The 6.5 x 55 AI was used in competition a few years ago by many members of this forum such as Steve Shelp (spelling ?), Dave Tooley, etc.

CobraRed is one of the early contributors to a lengthy post on the Sniper's Hyde forum where a creatable conversation was started about the 6.5 x 55 and AI version.

 

[wbm]

Took an accuracy load out of Sierra's V manual for 100gr bullet. I used a Hornady 100gr Amax over 40.5gr IMR 3031...Lapua case and CCI primer with an oal=3.00". Velocity is about 3000fps. Several 5 Shot groups so far average less than .65". A keeper I think.

 

[hogan]

Great round for a one rifle hunter...

Not so great compared to .260rem which gets better barrel life and precision, or with 6.5/284 which does more velocity and less barrel life but greater precision at longrange.

6.5/284 in a long action is way more flexible.
Got lots of taper in the Swedish case, if go AI you are right there with 6.5/284 but w/o the benefits.

Great sporting rifle round, and one that can certainly be made to shoot; but... others give more benefits.

 

[6.5X55guy]

Mine began its life as a Savage 111 in .270. It now sports:

Criterion 26" varmint contour barrel in 6.5X55 match
Stainless machined recoil lug and nut
Choate tactical stock
Vortex Viper PST 6-24X50
Weaver base
Warne rings
Tactical Works bolt handle
Accutrigger with lighter spring set to 1.5#

Running 140gr Berger Hybrids behind IMR 4350 @ 2875fps.

 

[wbm]

That is one sweet setup! Criterion barrels have always exceeded my expectations and all have shot great. One of the best buys out there!

 

[Liven The Dream]

On my 2nd barrel , The love just won't stop.

Barnard action Krieger (Boots) 5R 32" SS 1-8.5 .

142 Sierra's Win. Brass , BR-2 , 4831SC Vol. 2918 ( save the barrel vol.)

This is a 1000 yard prone rifle it is a Winner.

 

[wbm]

H4831 has been a great powder for a lot of Swede shooters. Working with Reloader 17 and 140gr Amax yesterday....looking promising.

 

[GSPV]

That case is begging for a little hotrodding.

Blow out the taper, 40 deg shoulder and maybe neck up to 7mm.

 

[rardoin]

That case is begging for a little hotrodding.

Blow out the taper, 40 deg shoulder and maybe shoot 142-150gr VLD's.

Fixed it for you.


The 6.5 x55 BJAI or GWI

 

[GSPV]

Dang, I guess I just had the 180 Berger Hybrid on my mind...

I actually did something similar when I necked up the 6.5x47 Lapua to 7mm. Because I already had a huge investment in 7mm stuff and wanted the minimum case to deal with the mid-range stuff that I shoot. No need to deal with the Shehane that I had for mid range. So far, it’s working out very well. It’s just stupid easy.

 

[jmm03]

Swedes can be addicting. I started out with an M96 but then I just had to have a CG63,a couple of FSR diopter sighted rifles later I needed to try the round in a modern action so I turned my 7mag into a heavy barrel with a match chamber. One modern rifle wasn't enough so I built another...

 

[Bigguy1951]

I love my 6.5x55 Tikka T3. I just shot a mile for the first time with it. Using 140gr Berger VLD hunting bullets at 10 jam I hit 2 out of 12 at 1780 yds on a 1moa target. The first shot was a get in the area shot. So really I hit 2 times out of 11. The wind was very switchy and changed plus or minus 3 moa. Had to wait on conditions to be close. Great fun. Can't wait to do it again.

 

[AckleymanII]

on a modern Rem 700 SS action
51.5g of R#26
130g Accubond
fed 215
26", 8T
3150 fps
Sub 10 fps SD, sub moa killing anything you point at


Micro group was at 48.5g at 2850 fps

 

[DocDoc]

on a modern Rem 700 SS action
51.5g of R#26
130g Accubond
fed 215
26", 8T
3150 fps
Sub 10 fps SD, sub moa killing anything you point at


Micro group was at 48.5g at 3850 fps

Ackley, was that 2850 fps?

 

[JRR]

98 Mauser, 28" Krieger HVT.
Horn 147gr.
Lapua brass
3.165" oal
46.7 Rel 26
2830 fps