6.5x55 Tikka shortage.

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Jelen

Well-Known Member
So I went into my local RFD for a mooch and while there asked about him about ordering a Tikka in 6.5x55 as nobody seemed to stock them anymore. Plenty of 6.5 Needmores about. I'd e-mailed GNK but didn't receive a reply.
I wanted one in a Laminate stock, Stainless Steel, 20" barrel with a set trigger. They're advertised on the Tikka website.
He said that Tikka had stopped taking orders 'till April 23 and, as it was a special model, if I ordered one it would probably be here in 2024!
:( I said I'd probably be dead, or in a care home by then. So I asked about a bog standard 6.5x55. No joy.
6.5 Needmore in a variety of camp (sorry auto fill - meant camo) stocks and configurations no problem!
What's wrong with the old 65x55 Swede?
 
Jelen said:
So I went into my local RFD for a mooch and while there asked about him about ordering a Tikka in 6.5x55 as nobody seemed to stock them anymore. Plenty of 6.5 Needmores about. I'd e-mailed GNK but didn't receive a reply.
I wanted one in a Laminate stock, Stainless Steel, 20" barrel with a set trigger. They're advertised on the Tikka website.
He said that Tikka had stopped taking orders 'till April 23 and, as it was a special model, if I ordered one it would probably be here in 2024!
:( I said I'd probably be dead, or in a care home by then. So I asked about a bog standard 6.5x55. No joy.
6.5 Needmore in a variety of camp (sorry auto fill - meant camo) stocks and configurations no problem!
What's wrong with the old 65x55 Swede?
Click to expand...
Nothing, it’s just fashion.

Get a donor and get a new barrel out on it
 
I ordered a stainless synthetic T3X 6.5x55 with a 22.5" barrel in 2018. It's also listed as a standard option, but took 7 months to arrive. I ordered a Winchester M70 Extreme Weather at the same time....it arrived from Belgium within a week.
 
I had exact same problem about 10 months ago. I wanted a Sako 85 synthetic in 6.5x55. Couldn’t find one anywhere but as you said , there was loads of 6.5CM about.

In the end it turned out Sportsman gun centre had one in stock but it was the model with the wooden stock. Decided to buy that and then managed to source a near enough new Synthetic stock off a Facebook page. Was a bit of a faf around trying to get the different recoil lug from GMK but got there in the end.

I was told if I wanted to place an order for a synthetic stocked rifle from new, it would be around a year wait.
 
Get a proper Swede 6.5x55
Lots of older M96 in military trim, or an M38 carbine - plus a lot of sporterised options of some of the older guns around....

A lovely cartridge, seems to be brushed aside for the ponytail crowd 6.5 chamberings
 
Jelen said:
So I went into my local RFD for a mooch and while there asked about him about ordering a Tikka in 6.5x55 as nobody seemed to stock them anymore. Plenty of 6.5 Needmores about. I'd e-mailed GNK but didn't receive a reply.
I wanted one in a Laminate stock, Stainless Steel, 20" barrel with a set trigger. They're advertised on the Tikka website.
He said that Tikka had stopped taking orders 'till April 23 and, as it was a special model, if I ordered one it would probably be here in 2024!
:( I said I'd probably be dead, or in a care home by then. So I asked about a bog standard 6.5x55. No joy.
6.5 Needmore in a variety of camp (sorry auto fill - meant camo) stocks and configurations no problem!
What's wrong with the old 65x55 Swede?
Click to expand...
Ballistically, nothing. Not as marketable as the Creedmoor.

I shoot both, in multiples, (6 or seven of each) and there isn't a spit's worth of difference in the field. In a practical sense, however, you can get the Creedmoor in about any weapon configuration from a 12-inch handgun to a 26 inch full-blown target rifle, in all price ranges. and ammo is widely available in a multitude of varieties.

If you want an accurate rifle that kills what it is pointed at, it is in front of you.
Of course, if you feel it's too faddish and insist on a new modern rifle in a 125 year old chambering, you can continue to wait til someone thinks it might sell on more than a special order basis.
Our ranch store in rural Montana has Tikkas in Creedmoor....... ~Muir
 
Muir said:
Ballistically, nothing. Not as marketable as the Creedmoor.

I shoot both, in multiples, (6 or seven of each) and there isn't a spit's worth of difference in the field. In a practical sense, however, you can get the Creedmoor in about any weapon configuration from a 12-inch handgun to a 26 inch full-blown target rifle, in all price ranges. and ammo is widely available in a multitude of varieties.

If you want an accurate rifle that kills what it is pointed at, it is in front of you.
Of course, if you feel it's too faddish and insist on a new modern rifle in a 125 year old chambering, you can continue to wait til someone thinks it might sell on more than a special order basis.
Our ranch store in rural Montana has Tikkas in Creedmoor....... ~Muir
Click to expand...
Yes, the RFD's here have got Creedmoors, but I've been using a 6.5x55 for over 40 years, out to 300yds on game and 600yds on gongs, without complaint from either me or the game. The gongs make a satisfying noise however. But why should I ditch all my reloading dies etc to satisfy a fashion? You get to an age where speedos don't look good and tweed feels comfortable :lol:
 
Jelen the 6.5 55 is better, its a shame tikkas are not available as they have a modern twist rate of 1:8 and can give good performance at modern pressures. Don't know about the magazine length. Who'd have thought that such a well established, old, cartridge would be future proof unlike so many at the moment. O'h I have CM and x55 in R8 and the specs are better for the x55 but not quite not ideal.
 
Jelen said:
Yes, the RFD's here have got Creedmoors, but I've been using a 6.5x55 for over 40 years, out to 300yds on game and 600yds on gongs, without complaint from either me or the game. The gongs make a satisfying noise however. But why should I ditch all my reloading dies etc to satisfy a fashion? You get to an age where speedos don't look good and tweed feels comfortable :lol:
Click to expand...

Fashion?
It is crazy to me that a chambering for which makers can't get into production fast enough across their model line is a "fashion" when a chambering that is dropping off of standard production at an increasing rate is something to hang your hat on.

I'm sure coopers thought plastic totes were a fad as well.

The X55 is a good round. I hope you find your rifle. ~Muir
 
stevenedwards said:
Jelen the 6.5 55 is better, its a shame tikkas are not available as they have a modern twist rate of 1:8 and can give good performance at modern pressures. Don't know about the magazine length. Who'd have thought that such a well established, old, cartridge would be future proof unlike so many at the moment. O'h I have CM and x55 in R8 and the specs are better for the x55 but not quite not ideal.
Click to expand...
....and the twist rate of the old Model 96 Mauser was what?
1:8 is not new or modern....it dates back to 1894 with the M94 carbine models
 
I have a 6.5x55 Tikka 695 in walnut and blue sporter brl light weight stalking rifle may part with it
 
Utectok said:
I’m a big fan of x55 but @Muir is correct the 6.5 cm is just as good a cartridge and the deer won’t notice… maybe time to get some more dies and brass?
Click to expand...
Maybe not quite the best time to start load testing and familiarisation with the shortage of components etc. It's over £350 to just replace my brass and dies (like for like) and both are on backorder. LoL
 
Jelen said:
Maybe not quite the best time to start load testing and familiarisation with the shortage of components etc. It's over £350 to just replace my brass and dies (like for like) and both are on backorder. LoL
Click to expand...
I hear you buddy I’d be loathed to change my 6.5x55 and like you say you can’t buy anything either… good luck
 
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