6.5 x55 Swede Vs 6.5x 284 Norma

As pretty well stated above;
6.5x55 Swede has pros/cons as follows:
Pros:
- Smooth feeding
- reliable performance on game for over 100 years
- good barrel life
- mild recoil
- good brass life
Cons:
- 140 gr factory ammo limited to 1650 fps due to many military firearms and pressure limitations
- for use in modern actions only, 140 gr factory ammo (Norma) will net 2780 fps
6.5x284:
Pros:
- velocity of 140 gr factory ammo 2960 fps
- improved trajectory and energy
Cons:
- feeding issues
- increased recoil, but still very manageable
- decreased barrel life (keep in mind that the benchrest crowd will rechamber every 1000-1100 rounds to increase barrel life, and they typically start with 30" barrels ands shorten the barrel 2" each time to obtain new chambers and crowns, but if you are a hunter, this level of accuracy isn't necessary, as most are happy with MOA performance and are not putting as many rounds through their firearms.

Main questions to consider in your quest:
- Do you handload, or rely solely on factory ammunition?
- Is it for target use only, or for hunting? Or a combination of both?
- This will result in round count and expectations on barrel life and may influence your final decision
- What scope do you plan to use? Duplex, BDC, or turret?
- If you are using a duplex and are hunting only to 300 yards, than the Swede may be just fine.
- If you are going with turrets and will be shooting long(er) range, than the 6.5x284 may be better suited to your shooting plans

I have owned both, and currently am on my 4th rifle in the Swede. An all-time favourite of mine!
I do not currently own a 6.5x284, but was the platform and not the cartridge that led to its sale.
I would happily own another 6.5x284, although I am in the process of putting together a PRC in order to play and gain experience with this newer cartridge, which will produce similar performance to the 6.5x284.
Of note, I also own a 6.5 Cm, and have also owned the 260 Rem. Love the 6.5's! Great performance and mild recoil, that makes them a pleasure to shoot, and therefore I spend more time practicing with them than many of my larger cased cartridges, due to cost and recoil, that keeps shooting practices sharp. Have put 500-700 rounds/year through the Swede, which I have owned, shot, hunted and reloaded for now for 28 years.
 
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 picked up a T3x and before shooting had it super sized, but also had barrel chopped down to 21" (thx again Guntech!). Some what counter productive I understand but I like shorter handy rifles for hunting. Don't really have a comparison I could make in terms of velocity before and after but I'm not breaking any speed records the way it sits now. I've had best performance with 140 and 156gr projectiles using RL26 or N560.

Had a good stock pile of brass so I"ve only been neck sizing to date and so far so good. My Lapua brass is on 3x fire and it is at the point where I need to do something as the neck uniformity is no longer acceptable for me. All in all been a great hunting rifle and still glad with my choice to AI.
 
I haven't read all the posts in this thread, but I can give you some comparative information.

1. Muzzle velocity: The 6.5x.284 gives about 100 fps more than the x55 at upper-end velocity levels for both cartridges.

2. Top loads: with a 140-gr bullets, the top loads differ by 5-6 grains--(a) 43 gr. IMR 4350 for the x55 and 48 gr. IMR 4350 for the x.284; (b) 46.5 gr. RL22 for the x55 and 52.5 gr RL 22 for the x.284.

3. Estimated barrel life (before loss of top accuracy): top load of (a) IMR 4350: 2285 rounds for the x55; 1834 rounds for the x.284 (assuming 60 seconds between shots); (b) RL22: 1452 rounds for the x55, 1139 rounds for the x.284. So, on average, something like 300-400 more rounds for the x55 than for the x.284. The differences in barrel life between the IMR 4350 and RL22 powders arise partly from the differences in top-end charges for the two powders and partly from the differences between the powders in terms of powder heat potential (KJ/Kg), with RL22 burning at a higher temperature than IMR 4350.

FYI, I got the barrel life information from the AccurateShooter.com webpage: https://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2008/10/spreadsheet-formula-calculates-useful-barrel-life/

So, re barrel life, really not much to choose between them. The 1139 and 1834 rounds of top barrel life for the x.284 would seem to be more than enough for any hunting rifle, and it's a little difficult to see the 6.5x.284 Norma as a "barrel-burner" (at least when compared with the .264 Win. Mag., for example).

4. Recoil. For an 8-lb. rifle and top loads: about 2 ft.-lbs. difference: about 15 ft. lbs. for the x55 and about 17 ft. lbs. for the x.284.
 
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I have owned several 6.5x55 rifles, a 6.5/284, and a 6.5x55AI.
Shot my 6.5x55 Remington "Classic" so much that it is now on
it's 3rd barrel. Just love that "Swede" in it's original form.

With it, I have shot everything from Columbia Ground Squirrels
up to and including Elk and Moose. Always did the job well.

A 140 grain Partition at 2800+ fps will produce very great results.
Dave.
 
Eagleye said:
I have owned several 6.5x55 rifles, a 6.5/284, and a 6.5x55AI.
Shot my 6.5x55 Remington "Classic" so much that it is now on
it's 3rd barrel. Just love that "Swede" in it's original form.

With it, I have shot everything from Columbia Ground Squirrels
up to and including Elk and Moose. Always did the job well.

A 140 grain Partition at 2800+ fps will produce very great results.
Dave.
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Eagleye, I have just started loading for a 6.5x55 and plan on using 140 partitions. What powder are you using and maybe a hint to how many grains to get to 2800.
 
I like 'em both. Not picky, so long as I have the mag length to work with. Pretty easy to drive these guys well above 6.5 Creedmoor power levels (thinking just under and right at 6.5-06 speeds, respectively), and I like that dorky little thing too.
 
As I've alluded to in another thread, it is now possible--with the newer powders--to get 2900 fps safely from the 6.5x55 with the Nosler 140-gr. Partition bullet from a 23"-24" barrel and normal throat. This puts it right into .270 Win., 6.5-06, and 6.5x.284 Norma territory. According to QuickLoad, one such powder is Alliant Re26, with which that velocity is possible at about 60,000 psi pressure (Piezo CIP, not CUP), a pressure level that should be safe in modern actions.
 
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jerrya said:
Eagleye, I have just started loading for a 6.5x55 and plan on using 140 partitions. What powder are you using and maybe a hint to how many grains to get to 2800.
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I like Reloder 22 [26 should be great as well, but have not tried it]
Start at around 44 grains[depending on rifle strength] and work up.
In my modern, strong action, I reach 2800 at 47.8 grains. Dave.
 
Eagleye said:
In my modern, strong action, I reach 2800 at 47.8 grains. Dave.
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That's just about exactly what QuickLoad estimates for Re22, with 57,800 psi pressure. You could probably get to 2850 fps in your rifle with Re22, but not much higher than that. Still, maximum velocity is not always what we're seeking, and 2800 fps with a 140-gr bullet is plenty for most hunting scenarios, particularly if you're getting that along with good accuracy.
 
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South Pender said:
That's just about exactly what QuickLoad estimates for Re22, with 57,800 psi pressure. You could probably get to 2850 fps in your rifle with Re22, but not much higher than that. Still, maximum velocity is not always what we're seeking, and 2800 fps with a 140-gr bullet is plenty for most hunting scenarios, particularly if you're getting that along with good accuracy.
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Thanks, no rl22 here but i do have a good supply of 26. I will give it a try
 
I have Reloder 26 on hand, but it is my go-to powder in my 8mm Remington Magnum
behind 200 and 220 A-Frames. Top velocities and very good accuracy.
I am sure that it will yield close to 2900 in a strong 6.5x55... Dave.
 
Well, I currenrly own the 6.5 swede, an old 6.5x57 that really needs to be redone, 6.5x284. A 6.5-06. Used to have a 6.5 Rem Mag (and have all the bitsnhere to build another, fast twist version sittingnhere) and a 264 Win Mag. Also a 6.5- STW. The smaller two are great killers on game up to and including moose. The rest just buy you more range, in various amounts. - dan
 
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