Hi all. Im just waiting for my variation to come through for 6.5mm and Im interested in purchasing a 6.5mm x 55 swedish. With a budget for the rifle of £1k max just wondering what rifles others are using in this calibre and what they can recommend together with factory ammunition they have found works well in their rifles. Im looking at the Tika T3x lite at the moment which is in my price range so any experiences of this rifle in this calibre greatly appreciated. Many thanks.
6.5mm recommendations
- Thread starter Layton
- Start date
I. Farticus
Well-Known Member
Keep an eye on here and Guntrader for a Sako 75.
There will be other, differing responses I'm sure, but this is what I've got in Synthetic Stainless, and it's fantastic. I'll shoot it out eventually I'm sure, and will then just rebarrel.
Can't speak for factory ammo, as I've always had HPS-TR load my ammo for me, but currently use Hornady 143gr ELD-X which works as treat.
EDIT:
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There will be other, differing responses I'm sure, but this is what I've got in Synthetic Stainless, and it's fantastic. I'll shoot it out eventually I'm sure, and will then just rebarrel.
Can't speak for factory ammo, as I've always had HPS-TR load my ammo for me, but currently use Hornady 143gr ELD-X which works as treat.
EDIT:
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I wouldn't get too hung up on which 6.5. Swede, Creedmoor, Lapua, 260 are all very capable. If factory ammo only then Creedmoor and Swede are the only options. If you want to play Long Range plinking with factory ammo then Creedmoor is better than the Swede. If deer only it makes little difference.
I thought I was very impartial in my advice to a member who asked for help.
Of course the 6.5x47 Lapua is far superior to any other 6.5 chambering, but I didn't want to start that argument - but as you bought it up...
There are lots of options around that budget if looking for a bare rifle, new or second hand. In the new front the tikka t3x lite would be a great choice (I had the t3 lite stainless in 308 and shot around 6 or 8 other t3s and all were excellent). Other options would be a sauer s100, maybe a remington or I know mauser make a nice rifle for under £1000. My personal pick would probably be the sauer s100 but all would be good and there will be other options available.
If you are looking for second hand then as mentioned earlier sako 75s are brilliant, I have had one in 243 and shot a few others and again, brilliant rifles. Staying with sako you might also pick up an 85 in that budget, still a fantastic rifle but in my mind not as good as a 75. The Sauer 101would be another good choice and not much over a grand new, or if you are exceptionally lucky you might find a sauer 202 in your budget but typically they would be a bit more than you are looking to spend. My choice would be and is the sauer 202, I now have two and I can't see me switching again (other than barrels as I may change calibre). There is a lot of choice out there now and a lot of very good quality rifles available, the biggest thing I could suggest is to go to a few shops and pick up as any as you can, you will probably find something that just feels right. Good luck with your purchase,
Dave
With that budget I’d hold out for a nice Sako 75. Lovely! As for factory ammo, I found it pretty weak, apart from Hornady 140 SSTs, and these were expensive and hard to get hold of. That’s what started my reloading. Reloading for a x55 really brings it to life.
cjs
cjs
stephentri
Well-Known Member
6.5x55 is a great choice, but don't get one with a 20 inch barrel, I had one and was only getting 2400 fps with 140g factory ammo you may find it not deer legal. I reloaded for mine and got better results.
Yes, the 6.5 Swede can really sing when matched with a longer barrel... My 24" Tikka t3 in that caliber is giving me a measured 2,850fps+ with 139gr Scenars. There is a bit more case volume than with some other more up-to-date 6.5s and with the right, slow burning powders that can make the difference i.m.h.o.....
ATB ...... and shoot safey
ATB ...... and shoot safey
If you like wood and blue steel, look for a used Ruger M77. Remington ammo, ,140-gr SP, great accuracy, velocity, and performance on deer.
Tikka T3X is nice, and shoots.
You may find a Remington 700 Classic with a 24 inch barrel, by chance.
CZ 550 is a bargain.
Sako Bavarian is top drawer.
Tikka T3X is nice, and shoots.
You may find a Remington 700 Classic with a 24 inch barrel, by chance.
CZ 550 is a bargain.
Sako Bavarian is top drawer.
Well their are a couple others that are fairly easy to get factory ammo for if you don't reload. The hard hitters like the 264 WM, the 6.5 RM and of course the 26 Nosler. Not everyone's cup of tea but great LR shooters. Still my favorite is the 6.5x55 Swede and I'm currently building it's big brother the 6.5x55 BJAI.
What is that name laid out in full please 'Muley'?
I have been interested in getting my 6.5Swede "improved" at some point down the line, probably once this current barrel starts to show its age and time of abuse?!.. Was thinking the 6.5x55Ai was the simple option, but now you have raised another option it seems, and if I get your drift fully, is one with even MORE case volume and hence potential... What is the full name of that cartridge and what are the regular stats for it please my friend??
Thanks & Kind Regards,
Blobby159
6pt-sika
Well-Known Member
I’ve got six rifles in 6.5x55 of which five are unmessed with Swedish mausers and the others a CZ 550-FS . I have five in 260 REM two REM’s two Savage’s and an AR-10 . Have three 6.5 Grendel’s a Howa a CZ 527HB and an AR-15 . One 6.5-06 on a Remington 700 , one 26 Nosler on a Remington 700 . A 6.5 Jap on an unmessed with Arisaka and finally a Mannlicher Schoenauer model 1903 carbine in 6.5x54 MS . Hmmm 18 total 6.5’s I’d say I like the caliber . I like the 7mm and 6mm calibers almost as much .
6pt-sika
Well-Known Member
You want a 6.5x55AI , a lot less trouble would be a plain old 6.5-06 and you don’t have to deal with forming the damn shoulder . My 6.5-06 with a 24” barrel shooting the Berger 130 VLD at Max was within 100 FPS of a Ruger #1B in 264 Win Mag (26” barrel) I had shooting the same bullet at max load . I had been vascillating to build a 26 Nosler and when I saw my 6.5-06 was almost the equal of that 264 I sold the 264 to a friend that collects number #1’s and built a 26 Nosler . My 26 has a barrel of 26 3/4” . I wanted it finished at 26” but initially I wanted to be able to thread for a muzzle break then if I didn’t like it remove the threaded section and recrown at no less than 26” . Never messed with the break and kept as is , this rifle with the loads from the Nosler manual actually exceeded published velocities on my chronograph . I’ve not had that happen to many times .
6pt-sika
Well-Known Member
I knew I left one out ! I have a 6.5mm Sherman Short Magnum . This is made by taking SAUM brass pushing the shoulder back and make the shoulder more like an Ackley shoulder also straighten the case side walls and make over all case length a bit shorter . https://shermanwildcatcartridges.com/6-5-ss Built this one six months ago but had die problems and had to wait for the manufacturer for six months to make a replacement sizing die . FWIW I have a Winchester Model 70 factory rifle in 243 WSSM , this gun was bought with intentions of rebarreling to 6.5mm WSSM but as of yet I’ve not been able to talk myself into tearing it apart .
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CerebralDistortion
Well-Known Member
I aint muley, but...
6.5 BJAI = Bob Jourdan Ackley Improved 40° shoulder with almost no case taper. The increase in case volume is negligible. Use what reamer your smith have. I he ain´t got none, order a BJAI.
I was looking into this when rabarrelling a shot out 6.5x55. Got a 280 AI instead. Still got three 6.5x55 though.
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