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SAKO75 Offline OP
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looking at these and curious which yall prefer.

does the swede have enough extra case capacity to warrant a larger action?


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Today, I'll give you four for the price of one.


Smartass Answer: Chevy!


Flippant Answer: Flip a coin.


Logical Answer: .260 - you'll have no problems selling it later here on the 'Fire.


Personal Answer: Swede. I dig cartridges that require words to describe them. Saying "Swede", "Whelen", or "Roberts" just sounds so much cooler when you're talking to the ignorant masses at the range. > than century's worth of history is cool, too. And do go for the long action.

See - four answers! Too bad none of them were worth a _______...


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For the difference in performance, I'd prefer the .260 and a short action. If you were talking about a 6.5-06 vs a .260, might be worth going to a long action then, but then again, I prefer short actions so would probably still go with the .260.

John


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That is basically a long action vs. short action decision. If you are wanting to shoot the 160g bullets frequently then the Swede would be better. However the brass situation is easier with the .260. I like the short action better as they make up into a shorter, handier rifle imo. Either is a great cartridge. PH

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Either round benefits substantially from handloading. Lapua brass is only available in the Swede. Thus, the logical choice is the Swede and, as is often not the case with logical choices, it's the coolest choice, too. wink


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SAKO75 Offline OP
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any real velocity differences?



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Alot of (all?) reloading manuals give the edge to the 260, although that is likely due to the higher pressure spec. If you were willing to use the 'equally strong rifle and brass' argument to justify higher than spec pressures for the Swede, the greater capacity might well give it the edge. Ultimately, for reloading prospects, availability / cost of brass is a key. That would generally favour the 260, with the caveat mentioned in a previous post.

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As far as brass goes the 6.5x55 can be had in Norma, Lapua, Winchester, Remington, Nosler and Prvi that I know of. The .260 only in Remington and Nosler (correct if wrong). Unless you want to neck up or down and deal with the headstamp issue the Swede is much more accessable. These days loaded ammo is just about as easy to come by, if not more so, for the Swede as well. The Swede is still on top of all the 6.5's component wise mostly because it's been around about 120 years and used around the world, unlike the 6.5 De'Jours we see these days. Having said all that we have each caliber and there's probably not a dime's worth of difference out the muzzle.


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Originally Posted by Folically_Challenged

Personal Answer: Swede. I dig cartridges that require words to describe them. Saying "Swede", "Whelen", or "Roberts" just sounds so much cooler when you're talking to the ignorant masses at the range. > than century's worth of history is cool, too. And do go for the long action.


Agreed. And ".260 Rem" is especially tough for me to say--------6.5-08 would be a step in the right direction (for me anyway).

The Swede has the history, a sexier look to it, and a little more capacity. The .260's name sucks, has a bit less capacity, but would work better in a short action.


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The Swede has a cool factor of 9.23. This is a full 5.1 higher than the .anything Remington.

When it comes to caliber selection cool factor trumps ballistic gack and logic every time.


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Coin flip.

Ballistically - figure 50 fps - 1.5-2gr powder - more w/55.

Long vs. short is the BIG decision, UNLESS you want 156-160s, best in swede, though seafire here throated one or both his SS/MKII Ruger 260s long for them, and it has a tad longer box for a short action.

Lapua - GREAT stuff - in 6.5x55

260 = NOSLER/Norma -Same Same, diff stamp. EQUAL quality at least as far as accuracy IMHO as Lapua 55.

Yep, Swede's are Cool, but NOT usually 'short' though I believe Charlie Sisk did a few short Swedes throated for lighter bullets, BUT it may negate some or all factory Swede ammo from chambering - something to think about - or answer before doing a short 55.

I would ask yourself OP:

Do 'I' like short actions, or no preference?
Do I WANT to shoot the 156-160?
Do I want/need factory ammo? Both made, Lapua via NORMA is loaded to safe max pressures, others not.

Beyond that, if wanting a short action, and bullets 142gr and under, I'd strongly recommend a 260, and if you want better rifle options factory made - w/ammo, then the 6.5 Creedmoor needs included - about equal the 260 in speed - same bbl length.

Lastly, if a short action, and it's a custom build, the 6.5x47 Lapua is a SWEET round, ONLY source of mfg. brass is LAPUA, inc. ammo, across the pond if that does not bother you, gilt edged accuracy, but best w/120/123 - 130s, will run 139-142s but not quite with a 260 or Creedmoor w/o running what some say are very warm/hot loads, and perhaps in longer bbls.

Preference? I like both, AND nothing bad about the Creedmoor or 47, but I like to K.I.S.S.

That said, my newest 6.5mm is a Borden Alpine in 260 no neck turn, NON - ackley, match reamer - has a .100/less leade), custom built, 23" Bartlein, using OUT the Box Rem brass - .5-.6" easy at 100 yds.

When I used Norma mfg. NOSLER brass - I shot my last 4 shots into .196 using a modest 10x scope.

I am happy with it, but ALSO love my 6.5x55 in Ruger #1 K1-A (shot 1/2 MOA at 200 yds) and would never say no to a custom in it, OR a good rifle like a Sako or Blaser though the latter in single shot IS pricey...out of reach for me.

For the dough, you can get a Tikka T3 if found, in 6.5x55 and often get .5 moa or better, using Lapua and quality bullets.

Few 260 factory rifle options, BUT the model 75 I had in a Grey Wolf, shot VERY well.

What RIFLE do you want it in really should determine as they are two close to allow your choice to be made for a mere 50 fps. BOTH are great, but a little different in options.

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A T3 in a Swede would be a rock star in this house hold. Side from that, I'd go 260 if on a short and 6.5/06 on a long unless one just really wanted the Swede.

Or you could just make life easy and build a .270...grin

Dober


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Long action vs. short action

6.5x55 has slightly more case capacity, but not enough to make a meaningful difference, assuming that all other variables are equal.

The most useful advantage of the 6.5x55 is the ability to use longer/heavier bullets, over 140 grains. However, it was recently posted that Hornady has dropped the 160 grain .264" RN, so that longer than 140 grain COAL advantage may have gone away.

I was a happy 6.5x55 shooter until I wanted a stainless rifle that required less frequent maintenance, so I bought my 1st 260, a Remington 7 SS, in 10/97 and have bought around 30 more since then. I can get by with bullets in the 95 to 140 grain range, so the 260 works fine for me.

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Dober - your bad, we ALL know a 270 is equal a 6.5/06 or near a 264 in like bbls.....and simpler! OH and factory ammo.

Never thought when a kid, my beloved 270 round would later be viewed by me as BORING.....that said it never stopped doing what it does well.

Norma does make 156 and 160s IIRC.

I DO agree, not much the heavies will do outside the 'It's so COOL looking w/long bullets' thing as the 130 TTSX shows to outperform all by good margin.

85-100s have good utility, BUT I'd just as soon run a 120 BT on yotes for wind, etc. Lights fly flat a ways, but then fall out and drift. Not so good on larger game either.

I feel 129-142 make any 6.5 shine. Good results are had on either side of that, but most/none do it much better.

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Lapua makes the 155g Mega.
Norma makes the 156g Oryx, Vulkan, and Alaska
Woodleigh makes a 160g (Weldcore?).

Some good choices in there if you did want to shoot 155-160's out of 6.5x55. If you don't think you'll shoot the 155-160's there isn't much difference between the two. Except that whole panache thing the Swede has going for it. wink


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I don't have a clue which is best. I think it's a situation where there's a name distinction but no performance difference. I found a near new Ruger M77 in 6.5x55 not too long ago and have really been pleased with the round. It's very accurate with several different loads, has little recoil and muzzle blast. With the 120gr Nos.BT it shoots as flat as my 30.06 with 165gr bullets, which is not too far behind my long time favorite .270. As I get older, I'm less and less fond of hard kicking rifles so I'm using my Swede a lot. I think that if some computer nurd set about designing the perfect antelope/mule deer round, it wind up looking a lot like the 120 year old Swede.

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Originally Posted by super T
As I get older, I'm less and less fond of hard kicking rifles so I'm using my Swede a lot. I think that if some computer nurd set about designing the perfect antelope/mule deer round, it wind up looking a lot like the 120 year old Swede.


+1.

I'm in the process of putting together a 6.5x57 on a MK X action. I got a Lothar Walther prefit barrel, 80 oncefired RWS cases and a set of dies in a very well priced package so that was enough reason for me build something a little bit out of the ordinary.
I'd go the Swede for the same reason.

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Quote
we ALL know a 270 is equal a 6.5/06 or near a 264 in like bbls.....and simpler! OH and factory ammo.


Speak for yourself after revisiting the 270 recently it left me wanting and wanting another 6.5.

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"As I get older, I'm less and less fond of hard kicking rifles".....that's kinda been the catalyst for this decision...

sometimes, LESS is MORE


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Originally Posted by super T
I don't have a clue which is best. I think it's a situation where there's a name distinction but no performance difference.


I have one of each and I just cant discern even a hair's bit of difference between them.

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