Why shouldn't i build a 6.5 sweede?

[spitfire_er]

I have been tossing around a Hart #3 8 twist 6.5 barrel in my shop for over a year. Didn't have a use for it when I got it just figured be good to have around.

While I have others I could use, I don't think I currently have a 6.5mm chambering. Was tossing around 6.5 creed, but I was going through my stuff the other day and realized I have a handful of winchester brass and some 6.5 sweede dies. I also have a 6.5 sweede reamer. A bunch of misc 6.5 bullets. I have a creed reamer too but no brass of dies.

Going through donors, I have a 1917 enfield I did up a few years ago with a nice walnut stock. Threw a recycled and rechambered 22-250 barrel on it cause I had the 22 cal barrel sitting around. I don't really shoot it much, but it's a nice setup and I think the sweede would be a perfect fit for this rifle/stock combo vs the 22-250.

Was thinking the SS barrel with a matte blast and the blued action/walnut stock would be a nice "modern classic" style rifle in a classic capable cartridge. I just don't see doing a creed on this setup vs the sweede. I've had 6.5-06's, 6.5-280's, and wanting another rifle I could have my kids shoot when they get a little older. Will eventually go to one of my 4 kids.

Will probably pick up some lapua brass and load up some hammers to make a nice sporting rifle? Below is the rifle I plan to rebarrel.

All in favor say aye!

 

[effendude]

Sounds like a good plan. Understand this approval is coming from a guy who bought his first Harley T-shirt 30 years ago as an excuse to later buy my first Harley! I've bought ammo or even brass first just as an excuse to buy or build a rifle too! I've never owned a Swede but I love my 6.5-284's.
Good Luck,
Scott

 

[Adam in WI]

No need to count, the ayes have it.

 

[Bill K]

You have the equipment and the old, standard 6.5 Swede is one fine and great shooting cartridge. Go for it.

 

[Liven The Dream]

yes .
Swede is great . Had a couple , don’t Hot Rod it .
Can eat Barrels when one dies .

 

[LHSmith]

Built a 30 ' improved swede on a R700. I found a chambered fluted barrel at a good price. I would be just as happy with the standard Swede chambering. So Aye, it is.

 

[FredV]

Love that action, Classic 6.5 cartridge, what's not to like. You should build it.

 

[Turpentine]

Absolute classic and sounds like you have most if not all of the makings. I’ve never had a Swede but a friends dad had one in a Styre With a Manlicher stock and double set triggers. Man I lusted after that rifle!

 

[Flouncer]

Carl Gustavs Approves !

 

[joshb]

AYE!!

 

[Drop Port]

That thing screams Swede!

 

[Dgd6mm]

I guess, if you must.

 

[762plinker]

the thing to ensure is that the brass and the reamer match.
some brass was undersized to make it cheaper to make('06 head")
may not be an issue today, but checking is cheap

 

[Zero333]

AYE !!!

 

[nakneker]

Great cartridge. Mine is a Tikka, Lapua brass, it’s very accurate. I’ve had zero regrets, quite the opposite actually.

 

[flatlander]

I'd wanted a custom 6.5x55 for years; finally had a local smith do a medium Palma Krieger 1-8tw in 6.5 Swede for my Nesika S Palma rifle. Sure enjoyed shooting it in Palma-style matches that allowed any chambering out at Whittington Center. Only downside was that even with a very strong custom action like the Nesika, I was having to trim cases after each firing.
Several years later, after buying a lathe and getting started doing my own barrel work, I bought a BAT 3LL action, and did up a couple of Bartlein hvy Palma bbls for it in 6.5x55 AI & straight 284 Win. And just a few years ago, I ordered in a Bighorn TL2 LA action, and did the switch bbl thing again with the same two chamberings. The AI has very little case taper; between that & the 40* shoulder, I've yet to have to trim 6.5 Swede brass for either of these rifles. I suspect that bbl life with the AI won't be much better than a 6.5x284, since the 6.5 Swede AI is getting pretty close to as much case capacity as the 6.5x284...

 

[Ray123]

No! Man ya gotta build my favorite 6.5 caliber!
Actually build whatever you like...the 6.5 Swede is a good caliber with good brass available, if they haven't discontinued it...should be too popular on Europe for that.
Looking around for a donor action, is where I start ..the fun starts there. Build it your way, ...maybe steal some ideas from "them European boys", fast and accurate shooting games...kinda makes want one...A 6.5 Swede, if ya wanna play there.

 

[KMart]

Just do it. I have one on a Mod 70 push feed. A lot like a creedmore but with overdrive. You won't be disappointed.

 

[Exercion]

Another "Aye". One thing to check is the bolt face, since the Swede uses a different size than the 06 and other Mausers. Might have to open your bolt face a tad if you plan to use the real (good) brass, you're definitely on the right track with Lapua. And while hotrodding it isn't needed, you can with a stout action and good brass run some relatively potent loads if you choose. I shoot a Remington with a 30" pac nor bbl in F-Class and I easily get into the 2900fps range with 140's. Haven't clocked the hunting load for the CZ yet.

Eric

 

[65swede]

Do it!