Specific calibre...what rifle?

[Dorset Guy]

Evening all,

As a newbie, what are people's experiences with their 6.5x55 rifle choice?

I'm 99% set on the calibre for putting holes in paper and stalking and it would be great to hear opinions on what rifles? Also, heavy or light barrel? What are your thoughts on choice?

I appreciate same rifle can be different calibre etc

Thanks in advance.

Cheers

 

[topscots1]

if it is for target shooting heavy barrel, remington with some custom work done. If it is for stalking a nice light used Sako or tikka. One rifle for two applications is not great. Yes they can both jobs but how much will you enjoy stalking with a heavy cumbersome rifle ? equally on the range your groups will open up drastically on the range with a shorter barrel. Have a think at your budget don't be afraid to buy used always use the right tool for the job.. If you can achieve it i use a sake finite, 375 used for stalking the barrel will outlast me. Target rifles 223 cheap to ffed and accurate out to 600, 308 for 6-800 300 wm and 6.5 creed more for anything else. Not the answer you are after I'm sure, trust me it will save money in the long run.

 

[big ears]

For stalking a tikka or sako.

 

[ChesterP]

Lovely shooting calibre, great cal for deer and if reloading, great for long range target. You haven't mentioned range for target. 100m, then any barrel length will do. 800 plus then 24 inch or longer have the advantage in 6.5.

Consider 6.5 CM (24 to 26 inch), 260 Rem or 6.5 x 55 in at least 24 inch barrel and all will be good for accurate long range (1000 yd) target and equally adept for stalking. If you're not shooting comp, then a heavy barrel just isn't needed. It has advantages for rapid target ( ie a shot per minute or two or less) but for the odd foray and taking your time, any 6.5 capable of utilising 140gr bullets will shoot to at least 1000 without having to use especially hot loads and allow you a good variety of hunting bullets too.

 

[User00003]

Argh, 6.5x55,,,,,really!??

Can I just be straight up, unless you reload and can put together some 140g partitions pushed fast, you need to get a deer dog as well.

Factory ammonia is too heavy and slow for the swede; resulting in runners, seen in MANY times.

Do yourself a favour and if you haven’t submitted your calibre request yet, change it to 30-06

I LOVE my 7x57 too but that’s also a reloader and there’s very few offering rifles I that calibre/chambering

As for makes, well, it depends on budget,,so you need to specify an approx price range to get any quality feedback

 

[Tom D]

The swede isnt that slow is it? Never used one but with the right bullet it should be plenty enough gun for U.K. deer I would have thought.
I would avoid a heavy barrel if it’s a multipurpose gun, a good sporter barrel should fire 5 shots one after the other without getting so hot it looses accuracy.

 

[Dorset Guy]

Thanks for the input all.

Range will be out to 600yrds and I've probably got a budget of around £1000 for the rifle, appreciate scope, mod etc are whole different cans of worms so let's not go there!

 

[User00003]

The swede isnt that slow is it? Never used one but with the right bullet it should be plenty enough gun for U.K. deer I would have thought.
I would avoid a heavy barrel if it’s a multipurpose gun, a good sporter barrel should fire 5 shots one after the other without getting so hot it looses accuracy.

Yes, right bullet, trouble is if you don’t reload, most quality factory ammo offerings and heavy and/or slow.

 

[User00003]

Thanks for the input all.

Range will be out to 600yrds and I've probably got a budget of around £1000 for the rifle, appreciate scope, mod etc are whole different cans of worms so let's not go there!

Ok, personally I’d say if you actually want to shoot long range AND stalk, but the Mauser m18 In 6.5cm (you’ll need to order it, and yes it’s available despite most rfd’s saying it’s not...I know it is as I asked the importer directly two months ago).

It’s £750, then consider having the bolt and receiver rails polished up and stock full length bedded and you’ve got a smashing £1k rifle for stalking and range shooting.

If you’re going to shoot to 600, I
can only imagine you will be reloading, so that brings your 6.5x55 back into the game..just make sure you load it with those 140g partitions

 

[big ears]

Thanks for the input all.

Range will be out to 600yrds and I've probably got a budget of around £1000 for the rifle, appreciate scope, mod etc are whole different cans of worms so let's not go there!

I shoot my tikka T3 out to 600 easily. As to the sceptics ignore them. You do not get any more runners with 6.5x55. In fact I had more runners with 30-06 shooting partitions. I use gamekings in 140 and 120 pro hunters and have never had a runner of more than a few yards. That’s for roe, fallow and reds.
Love my 6.5x55 you won’t go wrong.

 

[User00003]

... In fact I had more runners with 30-06 shooting partitions

That’s because you couldn’t handle the recoil of a mans gun obviously...lo

 

[gonzo]

I'm not sure I'd want to do any serious target work with a 223rem over 300yds, but great up to that range. But as said, relativly cheap to shoot for target work. And easy to reload.
But I'd recommend 308win. Probably the easiest chambering to find factory ammo and with the widest range of loadings, in your average UK shop. Great for target work, and was my choice for the deer rifle too. (Though, it's not seen much action so far!)

But a rifle for both target and deer is going to be a compromise.
Idieally, a heavy barrel for target work, and no need for a moderator.
Lighter sporting barrel with a moderator, when you are having to carry and use it in the field.

 

[NigelM]

If you home load there is nothing the uber trendy 6.5 Creedmoor will do that you will not be able to do with a 6.5x55. Load a 142 ABLR or a 143 ELDX at 2750 fps and you will stretch to 1000 meters on steel targets. More than enough energy delivered for reds at 300 meters. Not too quick for Roe or Muntjac. Great option for UK species.

If you don't home load then options are more limited.

 

[Konnari]

Went to the range today and shot some groups with a Mauser M12 in 6.5x55 loaded with sierra 120gr. Prohunter. Here is a three shot group at 100 meters


Lovely rifle

 

[Muir]

Argh, 6.5x55,,,,,really!??

Can I just be straight up, unless you reload and can put together some 140g partitions pushed fast, you need to get a deer dog as well.

Factory ammonia is too heavy and slow for the swede; resulting in runners, seen in MANY times.

Do yourself a favour and if you haven’t submitted your calibre request yet, change it to 30-06

I LOVE my 7x57 too but that’s also a reloader and there’s very few offering rifles I that calibre/chambering

As for makes, well, it depends on budget,,so you need to specify an approx price range to get any quality feedback

This has not been my experience. Nor my son's. Nor the man who spends a lot of money coming west to hunt large whitetails with us. My son and I handload for the X55 using 129 grain Interlocks (him) and 140 Game Kings for me. The gentleman who comes out to hunt uses Federal Classic 140 exclusively. Collectively, we have never had a deer go more than 100 ft. Most fall in their tracks.~Muir

 

[big ears]

That’s because you couldn’t handle the recoil of a mans gun obviously...lo

No the bullet was too tough and went through without dumping enough energy. Bullet was always in the right place. It’s not machismo it’s science!

 

[big ears]

Watch this if you ever doubt the 6.5x55. 1500m- look at the group.

 

[macfarlane]

I'm not sure I'd want to do any serious target work with a 223rem over 300yds, but great up to that range. But as said, relativly cheap to shoot for target work. And easy to reload.
But I'd recommend 308win. Probably the easiest chambering to find factory ammo and with the widest range of loadings, in your average UK shop. Great for target work, and was my choice for the deer rifle too. (Though, it's not seen much action so far!)

But a rifle for both target and deer is going to be a compromise.
Idieally, a heavy barrel for target work, and no need for a moderator.
Lighter sporting barrel with a moderator, when you are having to carry and use it in the field.

Seriously there's hundreds of guys shoot 223 way out past 300 yards every week. 1/8 twist heavy bullets do a 1000 yards no bother it's the wind you need to watch but that's the same for most calibres.
I agree on the get a 308 as I've just got a tikka t3x varmint for both deer and range use bare rifle weighs 7.9 lb that's not to bad when scoped for stalking and range use.

 

[gonzo]

Probably just my experience, with slower twist barrels and lighter bullets.
1in12 seems to only work with 55gn. Above that I have to back the charge off so far from the book values to get them to group. I found 223 dropping off dramatically at 600yds.

Though I'll admit to not being much of a long distance shooter. It's mall about the engineering and mechanics for me. And my local 50mtr range is good enough to try stuff. Trips to bisley are very rare for me.

 

[Millerich]

Watch this if you ever doubt the 6.5x55. 1500m- look at the group.

As an M12 owner (in .243, not the Swede) I can heartily recommend them.