Have been doing some study on the 6.5 cartridges, and ran across some interesting blurbs on the 6.5x55 Swede.....

According to several writers, the 6.5x55 case can be safely loaded with enough powder, in new-and-stronger-bolt-actions, which allow it to exceed the velocity in a 6.5 Creedmoor on the 140-grain bullet (and larger)

If this is true, it makes the old 6.5 Swede a very reasonable choice of cartridge in the 6.5-arena. (even though it puts you into a long-action)

For those of you who have newer, stronger-action rifles, and load for the 6.5x55, do you agree or disagree with some of the claims I've been reading online?

Your thoughts?

Cheers.

It's quite simple: More capacity with appropriate powders at the same pressure will produce more velocity. Nothing has changed about that.

I’d fully agree with that. I like my Swede and RL26 makes me like it a little more. The Lapua brass doesn’t stink either.

Absolutely. It can beat the .260 Remington as well in velocity at same-same pressures, although not by a whole lot.

Being a long action with a 55mm case, you can load those High BC bullets as far out as needed without magazine limitations.

My Swede is a strong action with Shilen barrel. I’ve loaded 147 ELD-M over RL-26 in Lapua brass. When it quits raining, I’ll check’em out and report.

Best load so far is with 139 Scenar and MRP. It likes heavier bullets. Some have reported 50 gr RL-26 as a good load. We’ll see. Because the Swede has such a pressure cap compared to its 6mm Rem cousin, I don’t mind running a bit over book.

DF

FYI Bullets.com has or had the factory Lapua 6.5x55 ammo with 123 and 139 scenars for sale at around $1.20/round.
Shoot em up and then have great brass....

It was a "..very reasonable choice of cartridge in the 6.5 arena..." in it's original guise before the 6.5 Creedmoor was ever conceived and it remains so today.

Yes, you can crank it up in modern actions, although in my Sako 85 I only run 130 grain bullets at a modest 2700 fps. At that speed it is bughole accurate and easily kills deer to 400 yards (far enough for me), is very pleasant shooting and very easy on that expensive Lapua brass.
In my jack knife sporterized Swedish Mauser I shoot the old Hornady 160 grain RN at 2300 fps and, IMO, there is nothing better for shooting deer in the woods.

O C

What you've read is true. Go to the Reloading Forum -- Big Game Rifles-- Campfire Pet loads on P 1
THEN select P 3 scroll down to - Good 6.5X55 loads--

There you will find many pages on modern loads for the Swede.

Good Luck


Jerry

Thanks to all for your replies and advice.
Have a super weekend!

I agree however the rumour that the increase comes with the 140 and above class bullets is a bit of a myth in that the increase is across the board with all bullet weights. I think the barnes bullets crowd likely can appreciate the added gain when pushing a 120 ttsx hard as barnes bullets seem to like extra velocity

Personally I rather am liking running a midsized case in a long action. No more deformed bullet tips nor bullets being seated deeper from hitting the end of the mag box. Also at some point when they come up with an .800 BC 6.5 bullet I will have room where the Creedmoor might start to experience some difficulty 😁

The Swede has a more tapered case that IMO feeds like a hound dog lapping up sausages.

Comparable brass seems to be a lot less dollars for the Swede compared to the Creedmoor and I've also found better deals on dies. The Creedmoor is toughted for its longer case neck versus the 260. The Swede has a slightly longer neck than the Creedmoor.

Everybody knows the Creedmoor is an excellent deer round while the Swede on the other hand has slain thousands apon thousands of moose. Giving the capability of the Swede to more effectively handle 140 - 160 class bullets I would think it is possible this might have a ring of truth

IMO there is little doubt that for the hunting minded enthusiast the 6.5X55 is definitely more Swede than the Creedmoor ☺☺☺



Trystan

Th 6.5X55 loaded as cra1948 stsed in the 2700 fps. range is really all you need to kill all the deer/ elk in the world to 400 yards. If you have a penchant for speed perhaps a 6.5 Remington Magnum, 6.5X284 or .26 Nosler is your huckelberry. The 6.5X55 wasn't designed for hot rodding and yet kills way beyond its ballistics even in its benign factory loadings. Just a thought!

This is a good article on the 6.5's

http://www.chuckhawks.com/case_capacity_matters.html

"The 6.5x55 case will hold approximately 57.9 grains of water, the .260 case will hold approximately 53.5 grains of water and the 6.5 Creedmoor case will hold approximately 52.5 grains of water. (The precise capacity of different brands of cases will vary, due to different wall thickness, etc.)"

Loaded to the same pressures the case with the largest capacity will send the same bullets the fastest. The 6.5x55 is faster than the 260 which is faster than the 6.5 Creedmoor if all are loaded to the same max pressure. Simply fact.

The 6.5x55 and the 6.5 Creedmoor also are short enough in case length to seat bullets out far enough to not impinge on case capacity like some bullets can in the 260.

They ALL are good rounds I like the 6.5x55 and the Creedmoor better just because I do. :-)

The 6.5x55 case surely isn't short enough to seat bullets out far enough to not impinge on case capacity in a short action. In a long action, this issue isn't germane for any of these three cartridges.

The case lengths and capacities of the 6.5 Creedmoor, 260, and 6.5x55 are as follows:

6.5 Creedmoor - 1.920" (48.8 mm) 52.5 grains of H2O

260 Remington - 2.035" (51.7 mm) 53.5 grains of H20 (1.9% greater than the 6.5 Creedmoor)

6.5x55 Norwegan/Swedish - 2.165" (55.0 mm) 57.9 grains of H20 (10.3% greater than the 6.5 Creedmoor and 8.4% greater than the 260 Remington)

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.

The 6.5x55 isn't a short action round. Good info from Jim in Idaho about the one exception.

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 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.

140 ABLR at 2920 22.5 barrel. love the 6.5x55

If I were worried about speed in a long action 6.5 the 6.5x55 wouldn't make my list of possible cartridge choices.

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!

I have always been saying that. In a modern rifle, the Swede will come very close to a 6.5mm-06.

What rifle and powder are you using???

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.

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...

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

Thanks for that info - always nice to have real data.

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

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

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.

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

Cool stuff G..

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. .

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

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 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.

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.

Tikka T3x 21.5 inch barrel and Norma MRP with Lapua brass

Thanks magnum44270..
I'll have to give Rl-22 a try in my new T3x..

I built a 6.5 x 57 ( use 257 Roberts Brass, Winchester stamped)... on a model 70 Long Action
and it has a 28 inch Pac Nor barrel in a heavy magnum contour...

Just wanted to have something to shoot longer distances with...

bullets seated out... and according to my chronograph and his...

depending upon load, mine will run with his 6.5/06 pretty much most of the time
and occasionally exceed his...

he also has a 6.5/06 AI....both my rifle and his 6.5/06 will beat it for MV...

must be the barrel on that rifle that slows it down.

I have multiple 6.5 x 55s also...but I prefer the 6.5 x 57 from the reloading point
of 257 Roberts brass and the .473 bolt face...

my other pushfeed Model 70, has to use Rem 6.5 x 55 Brass to reliably extract...
its hit or miss with other brass...

a Carl Gustaf 1919 Made Mauser, with full military furniture on it, I use that for
160 grain RN or 140 grain Rem SP bullets..( which are accurate as hell by the way)

the charge is 30 grains of RL 7, which will duplicate the old military velocity...
and between the load and the stock shape, it kicks a whole lot less than an off the shelf
30/30 ever does.. with the MV in the same arena... 2350 fps...

Glenn ol Chap... you don't have a rifle arsenal... you have a "Museum of Fine Rifles" my friend...

of the pics you post,

any of the best stuff I might have, all looks like I got them at the KMart Blue Light Special Close Out...
when compared to your stuff...

My Sako 85 Swede easily outdoes the 6.5 Creedmoor.

if one is wanting speed,

http://www.browning.com/products/fi...tion/x-bolt-hells-canyon-long-range.html

he/she could always opt for the 26 Nosler!


ya!


GWB

^^^+1^^^

I don't see why it wouldn't exceed Creedmore velocities in all bullet weights for those who wanted or needed it to. But also not that it needs to. The 6.5 has been a known killer longer than it's had the powders and actions to increase it's velocity.

The two Tikka Swedes I own are remarkably accurate, too.

I got my 6.5 x 55 Fieldcraft dialed in yesterday. The load iI want to use anyway. I had tried loads with IMR 4350 and RL 19 soon after purchasing it and thought the IMR 4350 was going to be the load I stuck with. Chronograph showed 2660 fps for 42.5 grains of IMR 4350 with the 130 gr. Scirocco and 2740 with 45.5 grains of RL 19. The 4350 group better, but velocity was not what I was hoping for, especially since I have an abundance of 4350 powder on hand. The 45.5 load of RL 19 grouped a little over an inch but the 4350 was a .5 inch shooter. I loaded up some more with 46.0 gr. of RL19 and headed back to the range yesterday. That load produced a group size of a little under.75 inches. I didn't chronograph it but I will in the next couple of weeks. Then it will be time to lay some pigs and sheep out!

According to IMR, your 4350 load is pretty much their suggested starting load. Seems you have some room for improvement velocity wise if you want it.

Yeah, I saw that load data for 4350, but that was for the 129 gr. Hornady. I got my max load data for 4350 straight from Bill at Swift. I may have to call them back and see if maybe I misunderstood and he gave me the starting load.

Swift bullets are "grabbier" than gilding metal jacketed ones, so maybe he's giving you a large safety factor.

Yep, and they have a long shank with lots of bearing surface.

DF

I have owned several 6.5X55's, bought a Sako Finnbear in the mid 80's before most knew what a Swede was. I Won several "Hunter" rifle matches with the Sako. A M38 original Swede rifle, and a Steyr 6.5X57. The advantage that the 260 Remington and the 6.5 Creedmoor have is that they are "Modern" cartridges with a SAMI pressure much higher than the older ones. The 260 and 6.5CM are fine rounds, but do nothing anymore than the Swede can do, as long as you don't get heavier than 140g bullets. Any heavier then the old Swede shines. In a Modern rifle, the Swede can take the same pressure and seat long heavy bullets. Something the others can not. I have never figured out the attraction for "short" actions that limit you in COL, perhaps a few ounces?

Prexactly ! ! 1/2” shorter and +/- 4 OZ >>> Big Deal
The limitations outweigh the ? advantages ? IMO

Jerry

A short action cartridge gives you a 5% increase in bore to barrel ratio....roughly.

I have found this with the 100gn Scirocco in the .257 Roberts. I load 46gn H4350/100gn Scirocco to get the same velocity (3 100fps) as other 100gn bullets with 47gn H4350. The Swift seems to give higher pressures than other similar weight bullets.

Sorry to get off track.

I always thought one of the advantages of the Swede was the good performance at modest velocity and pressure. Cranking on it, except maybe for an occasional special "occasion", even in a stronger action, seems like a contradiction. I've been having good success with other rounds (.270, .308, .30/06) throttled back a bit from max in recent years, and expect it will pay off in the long run with better barrel and brass life.

Yup. If I get to 2600 with a 140 I am happy with that and my shoulder and wallet and brass all thank me

I see nothing wrong with letting the Swede out of the barn, letting it run with the fast dogs...

I agree with it being especially suited for heavier bullets. I have some loaded in Lapua brass with 147 ELD-M bullets over a healthy charge of RL-26. There have been promising reports on that combo.

My Swede also likes the 155 Lapua Mega and 139 Lapua, both over MRP (pretty close to RL-22).

DF

I like to have two loads on both spectrums of any cartridge, I cal it Old School and "Modern". OS will usually be the heaviest, preferably round nose cup n cor I can get ( like a Hawk 190FN in the 30-30 ala .303 Savage) and then a lightweight Ballistic Tip or Barnes ( I haven't tried the GMX) going fast at least 60K (except for the 30-30, I keep its pressure SAAMI but like the Speer 130FN or 125 etc.) A 30-30 Ackley will never ( almost never) show any signs of pressure until you are in danger, ha!

Different stroke is what makes this stuff so much fun.

Both to do,





and to palaver about!




Best,

GWB

That's exactly what I'm saying. The Scirocco's generate higher pressures for sure. I too load them in the .257 Roberts, but haven't had much luck in the accuracy department with them. What's your recipe for the 257? I see you use H4350, but what primer, case and COAL?

My 257 is a Model 70 Featherweight.

OK I just have to ask what the heck is this about and what does it have to do about short and long actions? A simple mind I guess, isn't the bore, chamber, and barrel in front of the action?

A short action cartridge gives you a 5% increase in bore to barrel ratio....roughly. (DollarShort quote)

Not too unlike VLD's and other long ogive bullets, SSII's can be COAL sensitive.

If they don't shoot, jump them more. I'm thinking if you find their sweet spot, accuracy may surprise you.

DF