i have a barrel chambered to 6.5x55 and i already have a swede. i thought maybe i would build a 6.5-06 mauser or 6.5x284.

i assume both would clean up the swede chamber enough?

the 284 obviously i might have to set the barrel back, but other than that?? and which cartridge would you guys go with?

-Matt

The base of the 6.5X55 is a few thou larger than the '06 case, so some set back at lease would be required.

I have been shooting a 6.5-'06 for a lot of years, so I might go for the 6.5-284. I would like to try a 6.5 Rem Mag too.

jim

supposedly the shoulder angle is bad on thoats in the 6.5x284...i have no experience with it so i have no idea.

i am leaning toward the 6.5-06. or i would do something like a 6.5x250 or some other wildcat.

-Matt

If the shoulder angle has any effect on throat erosion (I not seen any scientific studies done to confirm or refute this theory)the 6.5/06 would be the offender.
In truth, both cartridges are harder on throats than the 6.5x55 because they burn more powder and are always loaded hot. The 6.5/284 should clean up the 6.5x55 chamber but the throat would be long so it might be advisable to set back a bit.
I have chambered and shot all three and like the 6.5x55 better than the other two FWIW. GD

The 6.5-284 is fairly hard on barrels as rifles go but it has a bad reputation as being worse than a 6.5-06 and 6.5 mag. The 284 case based round is mainly used by long range target shooters and typically uses very LONG bullets- these and the accompanying powder charges are harder on barrels than the guy hunting with 125 Partitions and what not.

Either one will be just fine. You have a little more lee way with the 6.5-284 in seating bullets out than the 06 case as you can be limited by magazine length.

There isn't any reason to set the barrel back when rechambering from 6.5x55 to 6.5-284, unless you want a fresh throat, as the 6.5-284 finish reamer will clean out the existing 6.5x55 chamber at all of the key points. The 6.5-284 and 6.5x55 cases are the same, 2.165", length.

As noted elsewhere, you'd need to cut a 6.5x55 barrel back to the point where the chamber diameter is no greater than 0.470", the diameter of the 30-06 case just ahead of the rim.

If you have EXCEL, I can email you my "cartridge conversion calculations, version 2" file. It is a rather useful little tool, if I do say so myself.

I have a couple of 6.5-284 rifles with over 2K rounds down the pipe and still get MOA+/- groups from them with their pet loads. 1 is a Winchester/USRA 70 FWT, long action, with a 22" CM barrel that was rechambered from 6.5x55 to 6.5-284 without being set back. The other is a Remington 700 with a 24" SS barrel that was rechambered from 260 to 6.5-284 without (obviously) being set back. The 22" Winchester is faster, with the same loads, than the 24" Remington.

Jeff

Jeff, I have been wondering about the merits of 22" and 24" barrels for the 6.5/284. You have some real expenience.

Can you tell me what velocity you are getting? And is the muzzle blast in the field excessive with the 22" barrel?

Also, I presume your Remington version is built on a short action. Are you loading any 130/140gn projectiles in the short action?

Thought about a 6.5x55 AI?

I like the one that I built on a Savage action with a Rock Creek barrel.

In the late hunt last seaon, one doe at 758 yards was a one shot deal (in a 26 mph crosswind - full value plus!)

You would have to set the barrel back, the Swede is 55 mm the 284 is 51mm in length. Clean up the chamber might not be the right term. I like all three calibers and have a custom 6.5/284, 06 and AI '06. I think the 6.5-06 is the one that should have been (256 Newton) the 25-06 and 270 are a waste of brass.

Jeff,

The 6.5 Swede is about .060" longer than than the 6.5x284 case and that would leave a lot of cartridge neck space, not bullet throat, without setting the barrel back. Not generally good for accuracy. I believe I'd set the barrel back when going from the Swede to the 284 case.

WOW............now if I can get this outta the next custom(6.5x284) Broughton barrel would be nice. What grain powder and bullets your using?

Check again.

I have seen the 6.5-284 case length listed from 2.165" to 2.170". The calculation to convert inches to millimeters is 1mm = 0.0393700787"

Divide 2.165" by 0.0393700787" = 54.99mm
Divide 2.170" by 0.0393700787" = 55.12mm

Although, on the minimum case length side, 54.99mm isn't quite 55mm, it is only 0.000394" less and I think that 4/10,000" could be the difference between reamers.

I have done this conversion and believe that you don't need to set the barrel back unless you want a fresh (or shorter) throat. My Winchester/USRA 70 FWT was rechambered without having the barrel set back and it is the fastest of my 284s, despite having the shortest (22") barrel.

Jeff

I stand corrected. I had dims for the 284 and 6.5x284 at 2.1138" (Norma) and 2.1142" for the 284 with the 6.5x55 at 2.165". I looked again and the manual says 2.170" for the 6.5x284. Must have had my eyes crossed. I have a custom Lilja barrell on mine with some custom features in the throat for the Lapua Scenar 139 bullet. It is a fine shooter also.

You're right the Swede is notoriously long throated. I do prefer the 120 to 140 grain spitzers which don't need that Swede throat. Thanks for the correction.