Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles New 6.5x55

Call me curious….. why would your wife buy you a 6.5x55 when you already owned a Creed?

Unless you’ve voiced an issue with the Creed, I’d think something smaller for varmints and plinking or bigger for “whatever”…. Would have made more sense…….

I went through a box plus of 120gr Hornady bullets in the bolt gun and nothing worked. I tried different primes, powder, seating depth anything I could think of. Called the smith and told him what was going. When I commissioned the build he asked me what bullet weight I was going to use and I said 140. The gun just won't shoot the 120's worth a damn but will bug hole the 140's so I'm happy with that.
I have no idea the twist rate of the Dakota therefore I'll experiment with the rest of the 120's I have on hand.
Rifles are like women some are more finikey than others.

He did say he had been interested in the cartridge for a while.

I don't find a problem with having two rifles in very similar cartridges. I have eight rifles in 308 that I can quickly think of.

If common sense, practicality & logic ever become requirements for acquiring a new rifle, I'm in serious trouble...

The funny thing is I own a pair of 375 H&H Magnums. I'm seriously considering getting a 375 Ruger. The thing that makes this humorous is that I don't "need" any of them. I just like shooting them a lot. I have several hunting buddies who I know would tell me that this doesn't make any sense. I would just smile & nod my head in agreement.

Having said that, when I saw the OP's original post, one of the first thoughts that popped into my head was "Interesting! Two very similar cartridges...and where do I find a wife like that?"

She just has good taste in rifles.

I have had a 6.5x55 for 40 years, and I have shot a shyte pile of deer from 20ft--300yds. 140sp Speer or Hornady 140 sp is all I ever use, personally, I dont like a lighter bullet....... Varget, IMR4064 are 2 of the powders I use regularily.
This buck from this year.

You would just have to know me. I like the “different” and older cartridges. She knew I’ve been wanting a 6.5x55 for a while and At my house need has nothing to do with gun purchases.

I bought a Rem 700 Classic in 6.5 Swede the year it came out. My load was the Nosler 125 gr. Partition and RL22 at ~2950 fps. Shot several deer with that load, all within 300 yds, and all were bang flops. Never did recover a bullet.

Believe it or not , I do understand.....
In short action rifles alone, I have two .223’s, a .243, .260, 6.5 CM, 7-08, .308 and a .358.
The only long action rig in the house is my old .270.
If I had to start over again for some reason, I just snag a fast twist .223 and a 6.5 CM.
Rock on with your 6.5x55. It’s a great cartridge.....

Congrats on the Tikka.

I shoot several Swedes, several 260s, and a 6.5 x 57.

A lot of times when I feel like taking one of the Swedes hunting, I just use 260 Rem data it seems.
I shoot the 260 more, but I certainly like to get nostalgic and take the Swedes out at times.

Congrats on your deer 673...That is a nice one.

a Swede with a load of 4064 and a 140 grain SP.. not much it won't take down.. even with some of the bigger game that BC offers.

Hi Clockwork, My wife did the same fore me about 4 years ago at Christmas. It is a Browning X-Bolt Hunter in 6.5 Swede. She is a special lady and has always supported my outdoor passions. I hope the rifle puts a smile on your face every time you pick it up just like mine does.

Kill anything in North America with these in the 6.5x55…

https://ravenrocksprecision.com/norma-6-5mm-264-156gr-oryx-bullets-100-ct-box/

Killed 3 whitetail this year with my 1885 Swede using 129 grain Hornady Interlocks. Uneventful all the way around.

The last one was stopped on the far side hide.

Congratulations. That is a great cartridge. Very deadly on game.