6.5 x55 Swede Vs 6.5x 284 Norma

remington jim

remington jim

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Ok Boys ! 6.5 x 55 Swede VS 6.5 x 284 Norma - Whats your preference and WHY ? Do NOT wanna hear about the 6.5 PRC or any others - KEEP to the title Please ! Thxs RJ




I AM a 6.5 Cal fan - i OWN a 6.5 Grendel - 6.5 Creedmoor - 6.5 x 55 "AI" Swede - 6.5 x 284 Norma - 6.5 PRC
 
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The Norma is faster of course, not a lot comparing modern actions but enough. Better shoulder angle on the 284 for brass life, 6.5x55 AI would be almost the same thing.
My only gripe, and it's for all these types of cartridges, is the rebated rim.
I'll never be a fan of rebated rim cartridges.
If I had to have anything based on the 284 built, I'd have the bolt face opened up for 7.5x55 brass and size that down to use for it.
I'm a fussy ##### though, others will have different opinions of course.
 
A couple of long range target shooters told me that the 6.5x284 is a barrel burner and will likely be shot out after around 1100 rounds. Probably not that big of a deal for your average hunter, but something to consider.
 
Of the two, I’ve only had the Swede and only for a short time at that. A 700 Classic as mentioned in the 6.5Swe makeover a few threads below.

A Swede in a modern action with the newer high bc projectiles and powder advancements in recent years would leave little to be desired IMO

The 6.5x284 does however interest me and it is on my list of possible future builds.

Yet, with the new breed of 6.5s out there, I’d probably be more inclined to go with one of them solely based on the current availability of factory ammo over the 6.5-284 as I’m not a hardcore reloader or bench shooter personally.

Barrel life of the 6.5-284 is roughly on par with the Swede and other two non-mentionables (give or take), so that kinda negates that argument also. Your certainly not worried about barrel life if your into the 6.5 realm and like pushing speed.

I almost bought a Savage LRH in 6.5-284 (there’s on on the EE currently at a decent price) but figured I could rebarrel my SA 700 to that or either a 6.5Cm (gasp.. yes it was a brief moment folks :) ) or 260Rem just as easily.

What is it your planning with either of these?
Field, Bench or a hybrid of both?
 
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I have the brass, dies and reamer in my shop for a 6.5-284 build... but like a fool I shot the 6.5X55 donor rifle and true to form, it is a laserbeam! Don't know where to go with the 6.5-284 at the moment, but I am NOT butchering this 6.5X55. May try to find another rifle or may just abandon the 6.5-284 all together.
 
284 because its faster push heavy further flatter. Ill rebarrel if it burns. I have a savage lrh. I don't shoot it much cuz i only have a 200 yard range. Needs more space cuz I think I've shot one group that measured over 1 moa since i got it. Its a accurate round and Norma sounds mean!!
 
Buckmastr said:
Both are long action material. Both almost as good as a 270 Win.
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Which is kinda where I’m at.. a #3 taper 24” bbl or 22” bbl threaded with radial brake at or just under 24” just screams an all-round/do-it-all build.

hoytcanon said:
I have the brass, dies and reamer in my shop for a 6.5-284 build... but like a fool I shot the 6.5X55 donor rifle and true to form, it is a laserbeam! Don't know where to go with the 6.5-284 at the moment, but I am NOT butchering this 6.5X55. May try to find another rifle or may just abandon the 6.5-284 all together.
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There’s several 700 LAs on the EE that could start to make that happen… ;)
 
ShrtRnd said:
Which is kinda where I’m at.. a #3 taper 24” bbl or 22” bbl threaded with radial brake at or just under 24” just screams an all-round/do-it-all build.



There’s several 700 LAs on the EE that could start to make that happen… ;)
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A valid suggestion... but I am not a 700 guy...
 
I was always a real fan of the 7 x 57, and the first chance I got, I sold my surplus swedes and bought one. Kicked my ass ever since. Not that 7 x 57 is a bad; on the contrary, it's record speaks for itself; but the little 6.5 x 55 was just better for me all round. I only ever got around to replacing those early guns I had in the last few years after some 30+ years without a 6.5. I have three, an M98, a M38, and a Zastava 6.5 x 55 SE I bought new. Even though the Zastava is designated SE I have never had to load beyond standard pressures to attain accuracy and the shooting performance I need. This also allows me to used my ammo in what ever rifle I chose.

Such cases as the 6.5 AI, 6.5 -.284, 6.5 -30-06 are interesting ways to to gain some performance; performance I don't presently need.

If I was going to play with something different (in keeping with the "Euro" theme, I would give a 6.5 x 57 a go. This cartridge was developed by Paul Mauser as a sporting round, and actually predated the introduction of the 6.5 x 55 by 2 or 3 years. I likely will never do that either. LOL
 
I had a 6.5x55 build on a rem 700 a couple years ago absolutely love the cartridge used a lapua match reamer suitable for 120/140 hunting bullets. Have 2 very accurate hunting loads 120 nosler ballistic tip doing about 2940 and a 140 hornady SST load doing about 2680 but extremely accurate. Pleasant chambering for hunting/plinking off the bench I think I would go with the longer barrel life and the mild recoil over the 6.5x284 personally.
 
remington jim said:
NOW does any one have a Super Swede as I call a 6.5 x 55 “ AI “ ? RJ
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I had a 6.5 Arch or Archer (cant recall) I bought off a guy in the 70s. A very improved swede. Only load data I ever found was in Ackley's book and some sheets I got from the previous owner. I recall 2900 fps over the old Ohler with 140 gr bullets though. - dan
 
With a 6.5 I get the urge to try to run the heavier eldx or vld bullets above 3000 fps. This gets me into a 6.5RM or PRC territory.
For the smaller cases, 6.5x55 260 etc, the 120’s are the sweet spot imo.
3000+ fps flattens trajectory inside of most hunting distances. Add a bit of BC and it’s a bonus.
 
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