Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles 6.5x55 availablity in a New rifle?

OK I been studyin' the Ruger website in the new Hawkeye stuff an don't see a 6.5x55 anywhere. Ruger still shows it in a MK II Standard Grade but nuthin' else like mebbe a 77 Ultra Lite that I think the caliber would be perfect for just like the 257 Rbt's.

So, here is the question... who beside Blaser (too rich for my wallet for sure!) Tikka in a Hunter Grade only, and CZ in a FS or American still offers a 6.5x55 in a NIB rifle?

Call me Sancho again ...or am I tilting at windmills again wantin' a 6.5x55? Or just learn to tote that heavyazzed CZ? or put up with the high dollar magmazine Tikka?
Ron

Well, you're pretty much screwed, dude. Just went through the same thing and there simply aren't that many options. Both CZ's are heavy. I thought my son's FS was a honker until I got the American; now that's heavy. They do, however, shoot good.

There are some Sako's around but they're just as heavy as the CZ 550 American, unless you opt for one of the few remaining Finnlites. Unless you're lucky you're going to have to heave up 1,300 or 1,400 toads to score one of those. No thanks. You already mentioned the Tikka option.

I was also disappointed to see the Swede didn't show up in the Hawkeye product listing. I ended up with one of the old Mk. II's instead, and am going to simply make the best of it.

There are some Featherweights floating around, but the prices on those are exhorbitant, too. Sauer does it in the 202, but there's the price thing again.

I should probably end this right here and now, but the other option is a S____ (Dang, gotta' be careful using the "S" word).

Probably not much help, but best of luck and let us know what you end up with. I feel your pain.
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Best Regards

Verhoositz,I have the 77 MKII in blue and walnut, and I also have A M 96 that has been completly sporterized, If you don't need the rifle wright away, try Gun Broker, or local shop's. But the tikka is a good rifle, can't say about the CZ 550,never had one but, the guy's that do say they like them. Hope you handload your own ammo, That is A must if you want all from your 6.5X55. But you mite find some factory ammo that you like, maybe Norma. Factory rifle's and ammo choices in 6.5X55 have always been slim in the U.S.A. and I don't know why, it's a great caliber. 6.5 SWEDE

I think the others have nailed it with the inclusion of a 96 Mauser sporter.

That's why I'm about ready to try a .260 (Action is at Pac-Nor now).

We'll see if it can make me as warm and fuzzy as my 96 Sporter...

I have only one 6.5 Swede, a M70 classic featherweight. I REALLY like this cartridge, in fact, I would be willing to put up with the weight of the CZ to have something in the swede-I have a 9.3X62 in the CZ 550(my only CZ so far) and I love the cartridge and rifle.
So, I suppose you could always find a lighter stock for the CZ?
Regardless, you owe it to yourself to find something in a 6.5X55! You won't be sorry...

When one can have a new tube screwed on for $250ish (including barrel) I don't worry WHAT they are making, I'll make my own to fit my needs.

No one has mentioned the 700 Classic but they are are to find and for good reason. As mentioned above a new tube on the action of your choice and away you go. The cartridge is a fine one and has been for many years. 125 grain Partitions at about 2900 works on a lot of critters.

A 700 classic in the 6.5X55 would be nice!
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I'm not sure if you are only interested in a wood stocked rifle from your Tikka Hunter only mention, but recently I picked up a new T3 stainless lite in 6.5x55. It's sweet! Light, nicely balanced and quite accurate. I do believe they are discontinued in that config now and this was a closeout deal, but my purchase was recent so there might be some still out there. A used featherweight would be a nice find too. Not much chance of shooting out a 6.5x55, so used would not concern me much, but that's just me.

Good luck in finding your Swede. I put off finding mine for a while. The T3 I bought had interested me for some time, but I had been told all were special order for stocking dealers only and that ended my search, not knowing any. When I happened upon the GB listing, I decided now or never. I had already passed up a Finnlight (another great rifle but discontinued) and decided not to let this one go too.

Don't wait too long. It's a sweet shooter that'll put a smile on your face with the first round you touch off.....at least it did mine. Best wishes!

This is prolly the best advice I have heard on here in the time that I have been here. IMO a rifle is something that most of us purchase once in our life (although there are ususlly more than just a few). If I were you I would hunt down a good rifle and have it rebarreled..........you won't be sorry!!!

Howa makes one. OOPS, just checked their website and it is not listed anymore. Of course Walmart lists one on their special order section...

I just picked up a model 70 classic stainless featherweight in classifeds.Should be showing up tuesday.Never had a 6.5

+1

I just picked up a donor rifle in .270 Winchester to put a 6.5x55 tube on.

We seem to have listed all the currently and readily available rifles. Like RickyD, I have a Tikka T3 stainless synthetic on order. It may be the ultimate all-weather option for 6.5 fans. In Canada, the 6.5x55 as well as the 9.3x62 are available to dealers from the Tikka distributor's stock. Tikka also lists those calibers on their home (not the Beretta USA) website.

If I were looking for something more traditional with a wood stock, I would pass up the Tikka. My Ruger M77R MkII is a great-looking and smooth-functioning traditional rifle. I've been wondering how long it would take Ruger to prune the 6.5x55 from its line-up; it looks like the time is fast approaching. For something a little more upscale, the CZ500 FS is a great rifle, although I find mine a little weighty for a round as light-kicking as the 6.5x55. If I could find one, I might trade it for a Remington M700 Classic. Had a chance to buy one of those NIB and stupidly let it slip away. Life is full of regrets for the committed rifle loony.

Just a quick question to all as to why you believe the 260 Remington does not have the popularity of th 6.5x55SE. Maybe its just me, but the 6.5x55SE appears to be more sought for use than the 260 Rem. They are so similar ballistically that no real discussion need be placed on their abilities in the field. So what is it about the Swede? For me, I believe the Swede has some of the finest pin-point accuracy, while demonstrating mild report and ease of operation. Good stuff...yes, again the 260 Rem will demonstarte about the same thing.

I would guess it is because the 6.5X55 has a what, 80 year? headstart on the 260?
I think also, where rifle loonies are concerned, the older, european rounds may have more of an attraction than something based on the 308. I agree that ballistically they are for all practical purposes identical.

I am not adverse to my CZ Americans weight ...in a 9.3x62 <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />...but what I find amusing is that the 9.3 is the lightest of the Americans...go figure !
I am leaning towards a Tikka or a Ruger Mk II, just got a T3 SS/syn in 270 and have a WTHunter Std grade 270 ...and the WTHunter is hands down a better finished out piece of work...but it outweighs my 9.3 CZ and defeats the goal of a lightweight half priced Kimber Big Sky. I might have popped for the T3 SS/syn in 6.5x55 if I could have found one instead of the 270...and Mk II Rugers are not much if any lighter anyway.
The Ruger UL is what has caught my eye as the best all round sneak & peek shooter for me since the price point is right, the overall size, features and weight is right..but I am looking at having to virtually double the price of the gun to have one in 6.5 converted from one of the other LA cal's available. May have to settle on a Rbts UL...or find a M70 Fwt but this 6.5 itch is gonna get scratched somehow sooner or later. Thanks all, ya'll pretty much confirmed my thoughts.
Ron

OBTW ...who's doing a complete rebarrel that'll shoot straight for $250? Not anybody I know of in North Texas for sure!
RV

Tis a secret, less they get to backed up. Something happened when I mentioned Gene Ingram knives on here 4 years ago........

Verhoositz

Steyr also make them in the Prohunter but I don't know if they are available in the U.S.

A mate of mine here downunder has one and it prints stupendously small groups!

Here is a picture of it from an Australian distributer

http://www.granitearms.com/Mannlicher-Prohunter.htm

Interesting its available in 450 Marlin and 338 Federal!

Here is the factory website.

http://www.steyr-mannlicher.com/fcb/index.php?id=108&L=1

Maybe you can special order one in the U.S. if you liked the rifle?

I was wondering the same. So then the "one" is you. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> I kinda doubted you used Shaw's.

An ER Shaw barrel installed by them will put you at about $330.00 shipped with a stainless tube. Blued is more. Then you can sell the take-off for 25 to 75 depending on what it is and who wants it and come out near 250. But you don't have any action work done (lugs, bolt face, truing) or bedding. But you do have a pretty typical wait from what I hear.