Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles 6.5x55 Swedish

Cousin of mine has gone full dive into 6.5 creedmoor, custom rifle, hand selected bullets, same lot powder, primers, cases, etc.

I never was interested in the Creed, but I have some interest in the 6.5x55 and its higher case capacity.

Who makes hunting rifles in the caliber today along the more budget oriented category, tikka? I don't think any of the american manufacturers do at any reasonable price. Was thinking a lightweight hunter might be fun.

No one, really. At least not stateside. The Tikkas are really hard to find. The Howas, I've been told, had serious seating/accuracy issues. And the Ruger Africans pop up now and then but are pricey. I don't think Winchester has done one in years?

That said, you can find some solid barreled actions (Husqvarna) online if you don't mind doing the stock rehab yourself.

Added: maybe Sauer 100s? I know they do 9.3x62. Can't remember if I've seen other, old metric chamberings.

FYI: https://rivertownmunitions.com/prod...40-grain-partition-soft-point-20-rd-box/

100% legit. Several guys have bought, including me.

I'd add one to that list. The Kimber's that were built off of military rifles. M96's that were pretty nice. I almost bought one last year, but the price was too much. The LGS thought since it said Kimber on it, it should be priced high. If I were the OP, I'd look for any of the rifles you list. But they are going to be used. It seems like there is a large group of people that are dead set against buying used though. That is where the best deals are IMHO.. There was a nice Tikka listed here a couple months ago. Wonder if that one sold?

Agree 100% on combing used market. If OP tries Simpsons, call and chat in person about the bore and metal condition. I've had really good luck with them.

Define reasonable?? I don't think this is to bad.

https://www.eurooptic.com/JRTXA351-Tikka-Tikka-T3x-Hunter-65x55-SE-224--barrel-MPN-JRT.aspx

I bought a one 10years ago for $550 plus shipping and transfers.

Only problem is that it's not in stock and probably isn't gonna be...

Nothing wrong with that round….keep up your search

Seems like a lot of trouble to not press the 6.5 Creedmoor easy button.

I had a Remington 700 Classic in 6.5x55. Don't remember it being expensive.

Ruger still lists the African

https://ruger.com/products/HawkeyeAfrican/models.html

If you have an existing Rem 700 long action rifle that you are not using regularly, for less than $700, you could send to Douglass barrels and have a new SS 6.5x55 barrel fitted with desired length, contour and twist. For less than $400, you could get a 6.5x55 Remage barrel and barrel nut from NSS and DIY.

Go Tikka. Buy once. Cry once. Mine T3 shoots lights out with 139 Scenars. Good luck!

Sako if they don’t actually discontinue the 85.

The larger case capacity of the 6.5x55 isn't all that large and might add around 3% more velocity potential.

Given the extra cost and aggravation associated with the 6.5x55 verses the 6.5 Creedmoor in today's market, you have to ask yourself if the juice, around 3% more muzzle velocity potential, is worth the squeeze, the extra cost and aggravation. It might be for you.

I shoot an aggravating 6.5mm bore cartridge, the 256 Newton, that hasn't been factory loaded for over 80 years and requires 100% of the cases to be made from other brass. I do it because I like the cartridge, I have a 1st Model Newton rifle that I wanted to shoot and factory ammo and component brass was never an option, definitely not pushing the easy button.

I have 10 rifles chambered in 6.5x55 including a Howa 1500 that has the throat cut long for 156/160 grain bullets. It is the least accurate Howa 1500 that I've owned. I own 5 Howa 1500s chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor and the 3 that I've shot are all capable of making MOA or better groups.

Sauer 100

The used market is where it's at. If you should stumble onto a Winchester 70 Fwt 6.5x55, snag it. Ditto a Ruger 1A. I lucked into a Lipsey's 1A 6.5x55 and so endeth my search.

The 700 Classics in 6.5x55 were cataloged in 1994, different times and different prices. I've had several of them since 1994, but sold them all for between $500 and $780 from between 2003 and 2020.

I thought that a 700 Mountain Rifle in 6.5x55 might have been a good seller for Remington.

Unless you handload you’ll never beat std 6.5 Creedmoor commercial ammunition as the 6.5x55 suffers the same fate as the 7x57 Mauser. To many old firearms and SAAMI loading specifications for both at 51,000 psi. Even handloaded and staying within some sane pressures, you’ll still be well below the 6.5 Creedmoor at 62,000 psi.

So I doubt you’ll ever climb much if anything over the Creedmoor velocity wise due to acceptable loading pressures. The other thing is, other than the romantics of a 6.5x55SE, it’s a long action cartridge. I once thought of owning a 6.5 Swede and said why, as the 270 WCF on the long action pretty much bests it by leaps and bounds with commercial ammo and handloading. I still think the 270 WCF is the best non magnum bang for the buck considering availability, power level and recoil. Ballistically it demonstrates magnum velocity and keeps up with many bigger .284s in the field. However there is nothing wrong with the swede, it kills very well with light recoil.

140 grain anything @ 2,700 fps MV based on a 24 inch barrel will put you in dinner of anything you care to kill.