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Re: 6.5x55 Swede performance Old_Crab #12796304 04/14/18
Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 19,229 B Blackheart Campfire Ranger
Blackheart Campfire Ranger B Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 19,229	If I were worried about speed in a long action 6.5 the 6.5x55 wouldn't make my list of possible cartridge choices.

GB1

Re: 6.5x55 Swede performance Old_Crab #12796519 04/15/18
Joined: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,047 Missouri S sharps4590 Campfire Regular
sharps4590 Campfire Regular S Joined: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,047 Missouri	Ain't nothin' I haven't been saying since all the Creedmoor hype hit the market. They're all good cartridges but, as with engines, there's no substitute for cubic inches. If velocity is one's primary concern then there's certainly 6.5 cartridges available that beat all of them. On game, effectiveness is probably about equal across the board, even at distance if you know your rifle/cartridge ballistics. Contrary to what seems current, popular belief, game has not evolved to where it is now armor plated. Long action/short action is the least of my concerns when looking at a cartridge with a long action being my preference the majority of the time. Pick the one that makes you smile and go forth happily! NRA Benefactor 2008 Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father but through me." John 14-6 There is no right way to do a wrong thing

Re: 6.5x55 Swede performance Old_Crab #12796659 04/15/18
Joined: May 2009 Posts: 17,252 Cheyenne, Wy Fotis Campfire Ranger
Fotis Campfire Ranger Joined: May 2009 Posts: 17,252 Cheyenne, Wy	I have always been saying that. In a modern rifle, the Swede will come very close to a 6.5mm-06. https://thehandloadinglog.wordpress.com μολὼν λαβέ "Weatherby was too long so I nicknamed it "Bee""

Re: 6.5x55 Swede performance magnum44270 #12797004 04/15/18
Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 1,635 In the land of halfwits! N Nrut Campfire Regular
Nrut Campfire Regular N Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 1,635 In the land of halfwits!	Originally Posted by magnum44270 140 ABLR at 2920 22.5 barrel. love the 6.5x55 What rifle and powder are you using??? It's a great life if you don't weaken..

Re: 6.5x55 Swede performance Fotis #12797025 04/15/18
Joined: Dec 2002 Posts: 32,119 OMAHA 260Remguy Campfire 'Bwana
260Remguy Campfire 'Bwana Joined: Dec 2002 Posts: 32,119 OMAHA	Originally Posted by Fotis I have always been saying that. In a modern rifle, the Swede will come very close to a 6.5mm-06. The 6.5-06 has about 16% more case capacity than the 6.5x55, so it should get about 4% more velocity when loaded to the same pressures, assuming that all other factors are equal.

IC B2

Re: 6.5x55 Swede performance Fotis #12797071 04/15/18
Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 15,646 Coues Country G GregW Campfire Ranger
GregW Campfire Ranger G Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 15,646 Coues Country	Originally Posted by Fotis I have always been saying that. In a modern rifle, the Swede will come very close to a 6.5mm-06. Nah.... About as close as the Creed is to the Swede.... It's just a math problem is all to look at this stuff which is outlined above... - Greg Success is found at the intersection of planning, hard work, and stubbornness.

Re: 6.5x55 Swede performance Old_Crab #12797100 04/15/18
Joined: May 2005 Posts: 7,075 A AussieGunWriter Campfire Tracker
AussieGunWriter Campfire Tracker A Joined: May 2005 Posts: 7,075	6.5x55 surplus rifles were dumped on the Aussie market in the 80's so we used a lot of them on a lot of game and they never didn't work. Field performance was identical to a .270 on feral game. John When truth is ignored, it does not change an untruth from remaining a lie.

Re: 6.5x55 Swede performance 260Remguy #12797215 04/15/18
Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 28,364 Idaho, USA Jim in Idaho Campfire Ranger
Jim in Idaho Campfire Ranger Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 28,364 Idaho, USA	Originally Posted by 260Remguy Originally Posted by Jim in Idaho The one short action modern rifle that is a tailor made fit for the Swede is the MRC 1999. Its "short action" actually has a 3.1" magazine box and will hold 160 RN bullets or any other 6.5 bullet seated out as far as they will go. Speaking of, the legacy of that 160 RN seems to be a handicap to the Swede and lighter 100-120 grain bullets. Now I freely admit I only have first hand knowledge of two rifles so chambered - an original 1896 and the aforementioend 1999 but have compared notes with other folks on the long action Tikka T3 and it seems that factory 6.5x55 chambers have very long throats specifically to allow for those 160 grain bullets. This is perfect for 140 down to perhaps 129 grain tipped bullets but the throat is too long for the lightest 6.5 bullets. You can't reach the lands and have any part of the bullet still inside the case neck no matter how long the magazine is. Mule Deer has mentioned that he had a custom reamer made for his 6.5x55 with a much shorter throat than standard. Again, the above is only based on three different models so I'm curious to know what others have experienced with modern commercially made rifles in 6.5x55. I currently have 11 rifles chambered in 6.5x55, 5 of them are modern, factory built, commercial sporters; a Howa 1500, a Husqvarna 640 (FN 98 action), Remington 700 Classic, a Ruger 77 Hawkeye, and a Winchester/USRA 70 XTR Featherweight (1986 European run). The 700 Classic has a noticeably shorter throat that the other factory specs rifles. Shortly after the 700 Classics in 6.5x55 hit the market in 1994, it was reported that some factory ammo with 156/160 grain bullets, maybe PMC, wouldn't chamber because of the shorter throat. The others have longer throats and probably work better with bullets no shorter than the 129 grain Hornadys. Thanks for that info - always nice to have real data. Gunnery, gunnery, gunnery. Hit the target, all else is twaddle!

Re: 6.5x55 Swede performance AussieGunWriter #12797264 04/15/18
Joined: Oct 2016 Posts: 1,679 T Trystan Campfire Regular
Trystan Campfire Regular T Joined: Oct 2016 Posts: 1,679	Originally Posted by AussieGunWriter 6.5x55 surplus rifles were dumped on the Aussie market in the 80's so we used a lot of them on a lot of game and they never didn't work. Field performance was identical to a .270 on feral game. John I've hunted with a 270 for years, and a 6.5X55 Swede for the last 3 years. Results as far as I can see have been identical. This year I'm going to try the 147 eld. Might be a game changer.....results awaiting ☺ Trystan Last edited by Trystan; 04/15/18. Good bullets properly placed always work, but not everyone knows what good bullets are, or can reliably place them in the field

Re: 6.5x55 Swede performance Old_Crab #12797518 04/15/18
Joined: May 2009 Posts: 17,252 Cheyenne, Wy Fotis Campfire Ranger
Fotis Campfire Ranger Joined: May 2009 Posts: 17,252 Cheyenne, Wy	I was getting 2850 with the 140 Hornady Sp and IMR4831 from my 1997 Win 70 push feed featherweight. https://thehandloadinglog.wordpress.com μολὼν λαβέ "Weatherby was too long so I nicknamed it "Bee""

IC B3

Re: 6.5x55 Swede performance Fotis #12797576 04/15/18
Joined: May 2005 Posts: 7,075 A AussieGunWriter Campfire Tracker
AussieGunWriter Campfire Tracker A Joined: May 2005 Posts: 7,075	Originally Posted by Fotis I was getting 2850 with the 140 Hornady Sp and IMR4831 from my 1997 Win 70 push feed featherweight. Push feed Model 70's are the undiscovered treasure of the rifle world. Claw extraction is terrific for a stuck bogie, but old folk law when it comes to extracting a cartridge case. Seen a lot less issues with the former than the later. Then there is the opportunity to barrel swap, that opens a big door. John When truth is ignored, it does not change an untruth from remaining a lie.

Re: 6.5x55 Swede performance Old_Crab #12798072 04/15/18
Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,416 Eastern part of W. Texas! Bbear Campfire Regular
Bbear Campfire Regular Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,416 Eastern part of W. Texas!	I'm using the 142 gr ABLR and IMR4350. I stopped development when I got to 2800 fps as I put 4 shots into .3" group at 100. Didn't see a reason to go further. I've taken several whitetails and a few axis with it. All one shot kills with complete pass-through. Support your local Friends of NRA - supporting Youth Shooting Sports for more than 20 years. Neither guns nor Liberals have a brain. Whatever you do, Pay it Forward. - Kids are the future of the hunting and shooting world.

Re: 6.5x55 Swede performance Bbear #12798561 04/15/18
Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 14,096 Texas G geedubya Campfire Outfitter
geedubya Campfire Outfitter G Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 14,096 Texas	Gosh n' begora, I must be behind the curve, I've never seen the point in trying to get magnum velocities out of the Swede.............. +/- 3,000 fps mv out of a 6.5 Leopard (6.5-300 WSM), 140 gr. Sierra Spitzers. +/- 3,000 fps mv. out of a 6.5 -284, 130 gr. Accubonds +/- 2700 and change out of a 260 Rem, 130 gr, Accubonds and a measley +/-2,560 fps with the factory 156 gr. Norma Oryx, https://www.norma.cc/us/Products/Hunting/65x55-Swedish-Mauser/Oryx/ caught "Da Claw" in the neck, just a couple inches in front of the right shoulder, bullet exited just in front of the left hind. DRT, Nice thing about heavy slow bullets, you can eat almost up against the bullet hole. ya! GWB Last edited by geedubya; 04/15/18. A Kill Artist. When I draw, I draw blood.

Re: 6.5x55 Swede performance Old_Crab #12798846 04/15/18
Joined: Feb 2011 Posts: 17,760 Wyoming W WyoCoyoteHunter Campfire Ranger
WyoCoyoteHunter Campfire Ranger W Joined: Feb 2011 Posts: 17,760 Wyoming	Cool stuff G.. Molon Labe

Re: 6.5x55 Swede performance Old_Crab #12799640 04/16/18
Joined: Nov 2017 Posts: 1,186 Bandera, TX DubThomas Campfire Regular
DubThomas Campfire Regular Joined: Nov 2017 Posts: 1,186 Bandera, TX	I've got a Barrett Fieldcraft in 6.5 X 55 and love it. I topped it off with a Swarovski Z3 3-10X42. I loaded up some 130 gr. Swift Scirocco's up to a max recommended load of 42.5 grains of IMR 4350 and a CCI 200 primer in Hornady brass. I also loaded the same bullet up to a max of 45.5 gr. of RL 19. The first loads were just for accuracy and my max load of IMR 4350 gave me a .185 group. The max load of RL 19 showed promise as well at about a .75 group. I went back to the bench and loaded some additional rounds at the max loads for velocity testing. My max load of 42.5 grains of IMR 4350 averaged 2660 fps and the max load of 45.5 grains of RL 19 gave me an average of 2740 fps. These are max published loads I got from the folks at Swift I'll be headed to the deer lease this coming weekend. I'm gonna put the hurt on some pigs and sheep. . The lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part!

Re: 6.5x55 Swede performance DubThomas #12799709 04/16/18
Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 14,096 Texas G geedubya Campfire Outfitter
geedubya Campfire Outfitter G Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 14,096 Texas	Originally Posted by DubThomas I'll be headed to the deer lease this coming weekend. I'm gonna put the hurt on some pigs and sheep. . good on ya! Heading back out tomorrow thru Saturday to do the same. .............. Pigs get fat, hogs get slaughtered. Shot mama first the shoats kept coming back. Good practice shooting moving footballs at +/- 100 yds. would have shot more, but only brought 5 rounds with me. my bad! ya! GWB A Kill Artist. When I draw, I draw blood.

Re: 6.5x55 Swede performance Old_Crab #12799792 04/16/18
Joined: Feb 2018 Posts: 98 Montana / Alberta V vmax204 Campfire Greenhorn
vmax204 Campfire Greenhorn V Joined: Feb 2018 Posts: 98 Montana / Alberta	The 6.5 CR just happens to be the flavour of the day. It doesn't do anything the 6.5x55 wont do except it's in a short action. I load for 3 modern action 6.5x55 and a Krag Jorgensen 6.5x55. I don't hotrod the modern actions as I find the best accuracy is at lower velocities and I'm not about to trade speed for accuracy. The deer, moose, and bear that I've shot didn't seem to know the difference in 200 fps. I thought growing old would take longer.

Re: 6.5x55 Swede performance Nrut #12800444 04/16/18
Joined: Jun 2012 Posts: 971 NewEngland USA F fourbore Campfire Regular
fourbore Campfire Regular F Joined: Jun 2012 Posts: 971 NewEngland USA	Originally Posted by Nrut Originally Posted by Orion2000 I have a 6.5x55 Swede on a long action MRC 1999. Custom order before MRC would build a Swede on short action. I did a test with 8 different bullets. Could get every bullet but two to kiss the lands at COAL less than the MRC 1999 Short Action magazine length of 3.125" The two exceptions were a very pointy Berger VLD bullet (no surprise). And the Hornady 160gr RN. Seems that the Hornady 6.5mm 160gr RN bullet actually has a certain amount of taper, apparently to reduce bearing surface. It does not become "full bore diameter" until at least half way back to the base. OTOH, the Norma 154gr RN fills out to full bore diameter very quickly and would not have any trouble touching lands in the MRC SA 3.125" magazine box. Long story short, not all RN's are created equal... Years ago I bought a bunch of heavy Hornady RN's to fill the throats in my 7X57 and 6.5X55 .. No luck as both cal. RN's are dual dia. I just measured the Hornady 160 gr RN and it is tapered. Now for the surprise, I measure the exact same taper on steel jacket RN bullets pulled from old Swedish surplus ammo! That makes the Hornady bullet an exact substitute for the bullet the old 1896 rifles were designed for.

Re: 6.5x55 Swede performance Old_Crab #12801374 04/16/18
Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 128 WY W wwy Campfire Member
wwy Campfire Member W Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 128 WY	In my T3 sporter with 50 grains of RL 26 and 143 eld-x I consistently get .5 moa five shot groups at an average 2812 fps. It's a wonderful combination. Last edited by wwy; 04/16/18.

Re: 6.5x55 Swede performance Nrut #12801583 04/16/18
Joined: Mar 2017 Posts: 714 Gillette, Wy M magnum44270 Campfire Regular
magnum44270 Campfire Regular M Joined: Mar 2017 Posts: 714 Gillette, Wy	Originally Posted by Nrut Originally Posted by magnum44270 140 ABLR at 2920 22.5 barrel. love the 6.5x55 What rifle and powder are you using??? Tikka T3x 21.5 inch barrel and Norma MRP with Lapua brass

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