6.5mm caliber (6.5x55 cartridge)

You can buy Swede milsurps and sporters on M-96 and M-38 actions from Tradeex which are quite adequate for hunting needs, also some Husqvarnas on commercial actions, and Tradeex has all the 6.5x55 components you could want if you reload. Check the metal disk on the butt stock on milsurps. If the # s match the action then look at whether the pie slice with 123 has a mark over a # indicating degree of wear, and the rest of the circle indicating size of bore +/- 6.50mm. Though the M-96s and M-38s are good Swedish steel, don't put hot loads down a tight pipe. Personally I've never had problems buying commercial ammo locallyBut it's getting harder to find the 160 grain round noses that penetrate like crazy. If you are willing to pay more, Win 70s, Ruger 77s and other modern bolt actions turn up for sale on CGN every once in a while. You can't really go wrong with this friendly caliber. Just get started accumulating components and you'll be happy with what it can do.
 
The swede 6.5x55 doesn't seem picky about ammunition either-I got 10 boxes of Century ammunition years ago and it shoots fine,and nothing I hit with it went far-maybe 20 yards at best.The only complaint I have about the 6.5X55 is I really don't ''need'' another hunting rifle,this one does the job very efficiently
 
If you are willing to pay more, Win 70s, Ruger 77s and other modern bolt actions turn up for sale on CGN every once in a while.
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As far as new (or slighly used) rifles go, Winchester was still carrying it in their Featherweight line a few years ago, along with CZ, Howa in their Lightning model, Ruger 77 (as cg pointed out), Sauer, Steyr and Tika. Remington chambered their Classic model in 6.5 quite a few years back.
 
In new the only thing Im finding (commonly available) is Tikka, Sako and CZ and the odd Ruger no.1

Its mostly snubbed by the north american producers these days and that kind of irks me because I would probably buy another if I had more options.
 
because I would probably buy another if I had more options
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Yup, me too. Very difficult to find a maunfacturer that puts out those old calibers in a nice, affordable package. If Savage or Remington or Winchester had 6.5s and 7 x 57s in their Classic, ADL or Featherweight lines, I think there would be a market.
 
Calum said:
What action are you reloading for?
A milsurp or a modern?
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Both, but the win brass in question was fired exclusively in a M94 carbine. No special fireforming technique used as this chamber is quite tight, 'specially for a milsurp.

The problem I've encountered in some swede milsurps is that the chambers are at or past max length specification. So the brass has to expand a LOT to fill the void upon firing. For these I expand the case neck to 7mm, then size just enough of the neck back to 6.5 that the cartridge will chamber. This makes the cartridge headspace on the false 7mm shoulder and not the actual shoulder. Fireforming then bumps the shoulder ahead to fit the chamber. Expansion is at the shoulder, where it does little harm, and not at the web where it will weaken the case. Neck size only after that and your brass lasts a long time.
 
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Kodiakmac said:
Yup, me too. Very difficult to find a maunfacturer that puts out those old calibers in a nice, affordable package. If Savage or Remington or Winchester had 6.5s and 7 x 57s in their Classic, ADL or Featherweight lines, I think there would be a market.
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I think Winchester should of chambered their new M-70 in 6.5x55 . I think a nice featherweight would make a nice addition to any safe. A 700 CDL or classic would be great too.
 
I have a FWT model 70. An a Husky 1942 an my son a T3 SS.Favorite moose round with 42gr of either IMR4350 or N204 and a 156 SAKO or 160gr Hornady.Never found a bullet yet.In hole out hole dead moose!Harold
 
Looks like I've hit the right thread and connected with Canadian 6.5X55 shooters. I currently don't handload but would like to get the most out of my Tikka T3 6.5X55 and lay in a good supply of hunting ammo at the same time. I've always had great success with norma brass when I used to handload and I am now thinking of trying Norma factory hunting ammo (130 or 140 gr), but I don't know where to buy it - nothing in Calgary that's for sure.
Is there any place in Canada that has Norma Factory (130 or 140 gr) on the shelves as we speak??
 
PSE said:
Looks like I've hit the right thread and connected with Canadian 6.5X55 shooters. I currently don't handload but would like to get the most out of my Tikka T3 6.5X55 and lay in a good supply of hunting ammo at the same time. I've always had great success with norma brass when I used to handload and I am now thinking of trying Norma factory hunting ammo (130 or 140 gr), but I don't know where to buy it - nothing in Calgary that's for sure.
Is there any place in Canada that has Norma Factory (130 or 140 gr) on the shelves as we speak??
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Check out the canadian tire on macleod trail and southland drive. They have a good gun counter at the back and they sell Norma ammo. Pretty sure I've seen it in 6.5x55.
 
Does anyone have any idea what the rate of twist is in a 1913 Carl Gustov 6.5x55?
I have one that the barrel was cut back to 19 inches to make a bush deer gun.

I have 80 rnds of Yugoslav 139gr SP and about 120 empty brass. I would like to try reloading a lighter varmint bullet, but I suppose it would depend on the twist rate.
 
Rick65Cat said:
Does anyone have any idea what the rate of twist is in a 1913 Carl Gustov 6.5x55?
I have one that the barrel was cut back to 19 inches to make a bush deer gun.

I have 80 rnds of Yugoslav 139gr SP and about 120 empty brass. I would like to try reloading a lighter varmint bullet, but I suppose it would depend on the twist rate.
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Rick

I have some 85gr bullets in 6.5, we could load up a few and see how they shoot. FS
 
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