Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles What twist for a 6.5 Swede?

Getting close to wrapping up my 8x57 project so I'm planning the next one...6.5 Swede on a 1917 DWM Gew.98 action...action is already out getting drilled, tapped and the bolt forged. Was going to go with an ER Shaw barrel as I have been very impressed with my Mk.VII, but I've decided to go with a local barrel maker instead. So if you were going to have Brux do a #1 contour barrel for a Swede, What length would you go with(I'm thinking 23 inches) and what twist? Would there be any downside to getting an 8 in 1 twist barrel?

I would do a 22" or 23" twisted @ 8

8 twist and the 22-23" length sounds good. There is only upside to the 8 over the 9 twist and with the Swede you may want to play around with the 160gr projectiles eventually.

8 with no downsides.........

CowboyTim;
Good morning to you sir, I trust this finds you well.

A few days ago we had what I considered an informative exchange here on a related topic that might be of interest to you as it does pertain to twist.

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbth.../Tissue_Damage_270_vs_6_5x55#Post9248055

If finances and supply up here across the medicine line will allow for such things, I'm currently in the process of getting some quotes on changing my wartime 98 action .270 into a Swede.

Based upon what I've seen in almost 30 years of playing with a couple 6.5x55 rifles - all 96's I should note - there is no down side to a quick twist. I feel strongly enough about this topic that if I can't get a 1:8 I don't believe I'll proceed.

My intended projectiles will be the Hornady 120gr GMX, 125gr Partitions or Barnes 120gr TTSX/ 130gr TSX.

Hopefully that was useful information to you or someone out there this morning. Good luck on your rifle project whichever way you decide.

Dwayne

Dwayne, looking forward to hearing how your swede project proceeds and any bumps along the way. I have a nice Fn (Husqvarna) action in 06 that would see a lot more shooting and hunting time as a swede. My son shot his first whitetail with that rifle, but he is a big fan of the 6.5x55!

6.5 mm bullets run long for their weight, so a fast twist is always the right way to go. I have a T3 Tikka with an 8" twist, and so far it shoots everything from 95 grains to 140 grains less than an inch with boring regularity.

Thanks everybody, looks like 8 twist and 23" is going to be what I go with. I'll get a price and a lead time figured out from Brux and go from there. Still have to send out the 8x57 project next week. Then it will either be the barrel for the 6.5 or a Micky for the 8x57 next on the list...

If me, #2 or 2.5 and ALWAYS an 8 twist - in all 6mm or 6.5mm

I ordered a Brux through a smith back in January, and have yet to see it. Be sure to get a delivery date, as I was told they are really backlogged. I too would go 1:8" or faster.

If I were building another rifle I'd go here: http://pac-nor.com/
and order whatever length and contour I wanted (my preference is Super Match in Stainless Steel, but they make Chrome Moly) with polygonal rifling. The polygonal rifling is superbly accurate and cleans up easily. http://pac-nor.com/barrels/ My last one took only about 8 months but I had extra work done (RemNut and Vais Muzzle Brake installed). That's just me, my drummer isn't even human but I learned to march to the beat.

Then there's these guys with Krieger barrels in stock:

http://www.brunoshooters.com/Mercha...p;Store_Code=BSS&Category_Code=2KR65

Shilen, Brux, and Hart are all on backorder.

Lilja's website shows several in stock as well...

http://www.riflebarrels.com/products/in-stock_barrel.htm

I did a Shaw 2.5 barrel; 26" with a 1:8.5 twist. I thought I would shoot 140gr bullets. My first load was 39grns of Varget behind 120 NBT. I grouping is so I never developed a load for the 140grn Berger Hunting VLD's or 130gr Barnes.

I don't regret a 26" barrel but its not for everyone.

The action is a Turk M38. Because of its large ring, small shank configuration I sent it to Shaw for fitting. Again no regrets.

I may go with Shaw yet, the backlog isn't as bad as I originally thought(about 4 months for a barrel)...I've been very happy with the Shaw barrel on my .300 winnie.