Ok folks, I need help from some of my fellow Canucks I have a problem, I am trying to decide which fits my needs better a 6.5x55 or 7x57 I was given lee loaders for both so factory ammo not a real dilemma. Is there actually any amount of field benefit to one cartridge or the other?
What rifles would you be looking at in the $500-700 before tax range, or would I be better off looking for a used Savage or Stevens rifle getting an aftermarket barrel spun on?
I know I could get a .260 or 7mm-08 but the classics appeal to me more.
Are there any good places to be loking for used online other than CGN, prices there just seem to be getting seriously out of hand.

Jamesd1187;
Good morning to you sir, Happy Thanksgiving and welcome to the 'Fire from the south Okanagan.

Here's a thread I've recently started which contains some anecdotal information which might be of interest to you.

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/9248055/1

If it were me looking for a classic Swede, I'd contact the good folks here at tradexcanada.

http://www.tradeexcanada.com/produits/95

While I'm not seeing too, too many of their 96's in 6.5x55, they used to have a fair few and I'd guess that if anyone could locate one it would be them.

Seeing as you're an addict and at the prices they've got at tradexcanada, I'd buy either a 9.3x57 or a 9.3x62 as well as a Swede and get your medium bore fix at the same time......

One thing I would say is that if you're looking for a 6.5x55 to make sure it's twisted for at least 1:9 - the original Swede are something around 1:7.9" if memory serves and based upon fooling with a couple of them since the mid '80's I'd say they got that cartridge/twist combination right back in 1891.

Hopefully that was some use to you sir, please feel free to give us a shout if we can be of further use to you.

Again welcome here, Happy Thanksgiving and good luck on your rifle search whichever way you decide.

Dwayne

Welcome to the "Fire from SE Alberta. All I can add to what Dwayne has recommended is "You have an interesting problem indeed".
I solved my med bore craving with a 35 Whelan which is all I hunt with these days, unless I grab my 44 Mag carbine......
Don't be a stranger around here.
Jeff

Split the difference, and go for a 6.5x57mm!

Warnign Will Robinson,WARNING DANGER!! Baaaad place to come for advice on which rifle to buy Ya see after we git through with ya, we will have ya buying them all!!! We are here to help!!!

I have a Husky M96 in 6.5x55 that was my first centerfire rifle. Used it to shoot my first deer (and quite a few deer and coyotes later on in life). My father had a 7x57 Brazilian mauser when I was young. He replaced it with a .308 Norma Mag, which was soon replaced with a .30-06. I inherited the .30-06 when he passed.

Don't know if it helps much, but the 6.5x55 stuck around and the 7x57 didn't make it in our gun safe.

BTW, only a true rifle nut would use a sub-$50 piece of reloading equipment to justify a rifle that would cost more than 20 times as much.


SS

Well I wanted a 7x57 Ruger no1 International for as long as I can remember, but seeing as the price of used ones is almost equal to new I could stomach it in a bolt action until I found a no1 or decided I didn't really want it. The 6.5x55 itch came about because my friends who precision shoot rave about their 6.5's and when my girlfriend was looking for her first deer rifle I was strongly considering one from tradeex before I bought supercub's model 7cdl .243 off him. My current meduim bore is a .38-55 winchester 94 from 1902. But your right those 9.3x62 96's from tradeex are super tempting I just wonder how close to its potential it can be pushed.
Maybe a Savage switch barrel rig wouldn't be such a bad idea, atleast it would take up a little less room in the gunsafes. And lets not get into shotguns I honestly have more then I know what to do with, maybe I need a muzzle loader or a lever action big bore or maybe a pistol cartridge carbine...... see what I mean folks I really need help.

Dude; You have good taste! A .38-55, esp. an older Winchester, is on my "must acquire" list.

Can't fault your desire for a pistol caliber carbine either. My Marlin .44 RM is the last rifle I would ever part with. Pre- Remlington of course!

Yep, you are are gonna fit in here real good. Next addiction you are gonna have will be the custom knife one. Stay away from the Knife Forum, bunch of damn enablers there!

James
6.5x55 swede is an exellent cartridge choice, I wouldn't be overly concerned with the twist rate of one of the older rifles, mine is from 1899 and it has a twist of 1-8 1/2 if I remember right. It shoots any bullet with accuracy, 120gr, 129gr, 140gr are all MOA groups, I haven't used 160gr bullets for a long time, I just think they are abit heavy.
The 7x57 is also exellent cartridge, I dont own one so I have no experience with one.

Custom knives aren't as likely to be an addiction for me I do hope to make my own bowie soon. I have lots of metal working experience and even a bit of blacksmithing nothing fancy but I've made my own chisels before so I imagine a knife wouldn't be too much of a stretch. I just need access to the right materials and equipment.

Now my main addiction waterfowl hunting.