6.5x55 query

sauer

Well-Known Member
Hi folks

Query ....
Can a .25-06 be re-chambered / re-barreled into 6.5x55 ?
Bolt faces compatible ?

I'm no gunsmith or have no knowledge of compatibility

Cheers
Paul
 
Barrel is the wrong size , .257 instead of .264. Not sure if it could be rebooted to a larger calibre but I suspect its not worth it given the cost of a new tube. Bolt face similar enough to work

Edit: just noticed you said rebarrel so highly likely yes.
 
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I've a Sauer 202 in 6.5x55 and the magazine has a list of suitable calibres on the side. I believe you can swap the barrel for any on the list without replacing the bolt and magazine.
The list I think is 6.5x55, 6.5x57, 270, 25-06, 30-06.

So it might be possible, I hope that helps.
 
Sorry didn't mean taking barrel " out"

Example , I shoot out my .25-06 barrel ... If I fancy rebarreling can I use existing action & bolt / bolt face to go to 6.5x55
?

Paul
 
A Sako 75 Action IV covers both .25-06 and 6.5x55mm (along with .270, 7x57mm, .30-06 and 9.3x62mm) so yes in that rifle

Can't see why not in others, so check on the website for all calibres in your action size.
 
It will depend on as to if you bolt face was made to fit the case head of the 25-06 case. The 6.5x55 case is slightly larger even if the Americans do not think so. The Swedish round is 0.480" diameter the 25-06 is 0.473" diameter. Some bolt heads have a recess for the case head to fit into others are flat.
 
It will depend on as to if you bolt face was made to fit the case head of the 25-06 case. The 6.5x55 case is slightly larger even if the Americans do not think so. The Swedish round is 0.480" diameter the 25-06 is 0.473" diameter. Some bolt heads have a recess for the case head to fit into others are flat.

yes the 6.5x55 has the slightly larger case head, but most with recessed head actually are quite a bit bigger the the .473 diameter. I know my Heym sr20 easily accommodates the 6.5x55 head. I can't speak for Sako's.

If it were a problem then I would look at the 7x57. I know one old Sako TRGS in 25-06 that was successfully rebarreled into 7x57. You could also do the 260 Remington, but that is a much shorter cartridge and you may have feed problems unless you put a spacer in the rear of the magazine and a new spring and follower.
 
Cheap to feed
Good barrel life
Good choice ammo & match ammo

Long while before I need to change my .25-06 ...& I like the calibre 👍
Just pondering
 
Depends on your description of "potency"

I guess

Yup more loopy but that can be catered for

140gr ammo and time at the range is all that's needed... There's a lot to be said for "heavy and slow"


No, not commenting on trajectory
I was meaning energy but...

I had assumed the 25-06 was shoving lighter things out significantly faster than the .270 but looking at the stats it appears not.

120gr at 2900
115gr at 3000
100gr at 3200

that doesn't add up given my .270 pushes 100gr out at almost 3500 and upwards! and 130gr at 3100


seems its out energied by the 6.5x55
 
From what I've read not much difference in .25-06 & .270

I'm probably wrong but I was told each caliber had its own " sweet spot" & the .25-06 is around 100grns ... Yes a lot of folk shoot 75grn. Or 120grn and accurate ... Just what I heard
140grn in 6.5 meant to be very good in general .

I love my .25cal ....
Long way till I'm ready it requiring a rebarrel but just a hankering for something a tad bigger with good ammo choice ... Good range of match ammo for plinking is a bonus.
& it's akin to .308 on cost for feeding & general lack of fussiness I'm reading

Paul
 
There's a fair difference between .25-06 & .270. The recoil is far greater with a .270, but it's still an excellent cartridge, just difficult to instantly see quarry reaction to bullet impact.
Using a .25-06 even with a heavy bullet allows easy viewing of reaction to impact.
I push a 110gn Accubond at 3,130fps from my .25-06 & a Sierra 100gn @ 3,300fps. Both bullets are man enough for all UK species of deer, though I only use the AB now on stags.

No idea why you'd rebarrel to Swede, although the 6.5 cartridge is excellent my solution is to have both in the cupboard. Keep the '06 it's a wonderful cartridge.
 
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