Most accurate 6.5 x55

[rodkayak]

I have a Tikka heavy barreled varmint 6.5 x55. It's 18 years old and after about 5000 rounds its accuracy is diminishing. I don't really care about the cost or weight but want something really accurate. Any suggestions please?

 

[Cranborne]

I'd consider having it rebarreled and fitted with a PSE stock.

 

[Selous]

Get your existing rifle rebarreled and bedded by a top notch Gunsmith like Ronin or Callum Ferguson.

 

[Stevie/P]

It's 18 years old and after about 5000 rounds its accuracy is diminishing.

Have you cleaned it

 

[palo]

Id just buy a tikka t3x supervarmint .

 

[NickJ]

Get your existing rifle rebarreled and bedded by a top notch Gunsmith like Ronin or Callum Ferguson.

This

 

[rodkayak]

Id just buy a tikka t3x supervarmint .

That's what I have with a set trigger

 

[rodkayak]

Have you cleaned it

It looses accuracy after cleaning and takes 15 shots to tighten up again

 

[palo]

That's what I have with a set trigger

The new model is nice with the green stock and cerakoted barrel and action.
You could rebarrel your own with a length and profile of your choice and have the barrel and action cerakoted and put it into a nice stock or chassis.

 

[rodkayak]

Is 5000 fairly hot rounds a lot for this heavy barrel. I use 44 grains N550 behind 127 grain LRX Barnes

 

[norsk]

Sauer STR if you are looking for out of the box accuracy.

 

[Border]

Is 5000 fairly hot rounds a lot for this heavy barrel. I use 44 grains N550 behind 127 grain LRX Barnes

Yes. I would imagine that it is nearing the end of it's accuracy life. N550 is a double based powder that burns quite hot.

 

[75]

What do you consider "really accurate"? Were you happy with your stock Tikka? What are you trying to achieve; benchrest or stalking accuracy? If you were happy with what you had then I'd go with another (or rebarrel) and drop it into a PSE stock. Pretty much any off the shelf rifle will outshoot pretty much any stalker under field conditions do probably need a bit more info on your expectations.

 

[palo]

Is 5000 fairly hot rounds a lot for this heavy barrel. I use 44 grains N550 behind 127 grain LRX Barnes

I think you done quite well to get 5000 out of it.
I don't think a custom barrel will last as long

 

[NP435]

I think you done quite well to get 5000 out of it.
I don't think a custom barrel will last as long

Why would a custom barrel not last as long?

 

[palo]

Why would a custom barrel not last as long?

Just going from what I read over the years.
Sako hammer forged barrels have a reputation for outlasting a lot of button and cut rifled barrels.
My own sako trg 308 barrel is showing very little signs of wear after over 4k rounds .

 

[rodkayak]

What do you consider "really accurate"? Were you happy with your stock Tikka? What are you trying to achieve; benchrest or stalking accuracy? If you were happy with what you had then I'd go with another (or rebarrel) and drop it into a PSE stock. Pretty much any off the shelf rifle will outshoot pretty much any stalker under field conditions do probably need a bit more info on your expectations.

It used to group 5 shots under 1/3 inch at 100 m but this has opened up to 1 inch and takes 5 shots before it tightens up

 

[ashray]

yes thats a lot of rounds down the tube BUT before you get rid of the rifle get the crown recut and try it again ,might be the best £60/£100 you have spent . good luck.

 

[TringSaint]

I have a Tikka heavy barreled varmint 6.5 x55. It's 18 years old and after about 5000 rounds its accuracy is diminishing. I don't really care about the cost or weight but want something really accurate. Any suggestions please?

Steyr Sm12sx is what I have and it’s a lovely piece of kit.

 

[Jagged77]

All good things come to an end, you could try a really deep clean (potential carbon ring / copper build up) or try seating bullets closer to the lands if you reload. However sounds like a great opportunity for a new barrel if the action is sound.