No Modern 6.5x55 Love?

[Infrequent Shooter]

Does anyone have any older Norma 139 gr, boat tail bullets they are willing to part with?

 

[Frankm]

Similar to JRR I m shooting 48.5 grains R26 with 147 Eldm and getting 2810 FPS out of 24” Fieldcraft with a similar OAL. It ll go faster and still not reflect pressure with R26 but 48.5 grains was .5-.7 MOA. Plenty good for a lightweight deer rig.

 

[pintopete]

Latest Speer Handloading Manual #15 (2020) lists load data for 6.5x55 “Military Actions” & for 6.5x55 “Strong Commercial Actions”. Data lists 140gr at about 200 fps difference. I like it that they did this. Haven’t had a chance to try any yet.

BTW, those who are using Remington 700 actions and chambering in 6.5x55, are they long or short actions? Or if given the choice…I recall short actions being too short for these cartridges (.257, 7x57, 6.5x55, etc.).

 

[moondog]

I did mine on a long action to take advantage of the heavies. Mine is a GWI so I'm running it a bit hotter. 140s at 2970.
Been great so far.

 

[rockrat]

IIRC, the Rem 700's were on a long action.

 

[FNSafari]

Latest Speer Handloading Manual #15 (2020) lists load data for 6.5x55 “Military Actions” & for 6.5x55 “Strong Commercial Actions”. Data lists 140gr at about 200 fps difference. I like it that they did this. Haven’t had a chance to try any yet.

BTW, those who are using Remington 700 actions and chambering in 6.5x55, are they long or short actions? Or if given the choice…I recall short actions being too short for these cartridges (.257, 7x57, 6.5x55, etc.).

I have a rem 722 in 257 Roberts. The short action and mag puts a severe constraint on OAL. Would have been better if it had been on a 721 action and 06 length magazine.

 

[UrsusMagnus]

Update on post #53 on page 4.

Anyone else enjoy theirs?

I've been looking through threads via searching 6.5x55 and noticed most of them are ancient.
This is my Rem 700 in 6.5 Swede, Remington made the 700 in 6.5x55 one year, in 1994 - and this is it. Almost done, I have a 28" McGowen bull barrel on order.
I've been using Vhit N150/N160, but in preparation for the new barrel bought a bunch of RL-22 and have been playing around with it, seeing great results.
Loading pretty hot, even at modern action standards (book maxes loads are for old Swedish Mausers), with 140 Amax's and Berger VLD's has been shooting great at 700 yards up to near 1000.

I hit a 6" swinging pistol target 5 for 5 with the two different bullets at 700 yards.

Mono pod I machined and mounted from the tapped swivel stud hole.

168 Amax 30 cal next to 140 VLD and Amax in Swede

I'm twelve and a half years late to the party but this is one of the best posts I've seen since getting my hands on a couple 6,5 Swedish ladies made in Austria by Steyr

 

[Uncle Grinch]

The 6.5 Swede has been one of my longtime favorites for almost 50 years. Still have three rifles in this caliber, a 96 military, an FN produced Husqvarna commercial and a Douglas barreled Mark X.

 

[ebb]

I thought a modern 6.5-55 was a 260 Remington. It can be in a short action, no weird base diameter????

 

[SeabeeKen]

Been toying with the idea of an ackley version. Hmm

 

[FNSafari]

Been toying with the idea of an ackley version. Hmm

What might concern some is the rim diameter is bigger than the .48" 06/308 standard. Improved 6.5x55 , look at the 6.5 Rogue

 

[Uncle Grinch]

American made 6.5x55 has .473 rim size. My PPU and NNY has .480. So if it bothers you buy R/P, Win, or Federal.

 

[ebb]

^^^^^ Yes if you need to load for an original, like my 1894 hunt for the .480. If building a new rifle choose anything you want and cut a chamber that is appropriate. I assume Lapua makes their brass with the original base size???

 

[FNSafari]

If it doesn't have a .48 rim diameter it ain't a 6.5x55 sweed. My Norma brass is .4803 ish