6.5x55 bolt guns guns - your pick?

Another vote for the Husqvarna.

Rifles made in the 60's were made with way more care and attention to detail that those made now.

I bought a 1640K Husky in 6.5 x 55 and it is accurate with iron sights.
The barrels are the best and it will take a lot of shooting...
 
i own a tikka t3 in 6.5 blued wood with iron sights as a back up its what my wife uses amazing rifle and amazing caliber, if you are looking used i would look for an older brno,husky,parker hale, winchester or even a browning a bolt aka eurobolt
 
Well - I own both commercial rifles, and sported milsurps in 6.5. There were some very nice sporters made up years ago by the likes of Epps. I have one with all the bells and whistles - I like it but its relatively heavy and has a fixed floorplate.
I have a Ruger in 6.5 and also a Tikka 695 (Deluxe). The two rifles couldnt be more different. The Ruger is a petite rifle with a slim stock and thin barrel. In contrast, the Tikka is chunky and heavy. The one advantage the Tikka has is a detachable mag, which I prefer.
 
For new rifles I think the stevens 200 is very hard to beat, but it's not available in 6.5x55. If you were willing to go with another caliber like .270 win or .308 or 30-06, then you're good to go. And they're light and very customizable. Accuracy is superb.

The other choice is a nice trade ex rifle in 6.5x55. They do have some very nice sporters with nice stocks and triggers, and they won't set you back more than about $350 for a nicer one. And I personally find that a fellow simply cannot enough mausers...

EDIT...I just read back and saw that scoped sporter for $425. Just buy that and lock the thread already!
 
Wally, hold out and get yourself a BRNO 21H in whatever cal you find it in. You'll be able to get your money back out of it and have the strength of a 98 action with an amazing trigger etc, etc. I picked one up totally mint for 900 took 6 months of looking but you got a year till next hunting season so it should'nt be problem. I also found a 6.5x55 BRNO 21H refinished with shortened LOP on a replacement stock on the EE a few years ago with steel rings for 250 shipped. Just take your time and you'll find a quality rifle. The BRNO 21s are 100x the gun as that 1600 and if your happy with a POS scope I am sure you can replicate one like that on fleabay for 25 bucks.

It is better to have one amazing rifle then a bunch of mediocre rifles. Sell a few of those milsurps and get yourself the one rifle that does'nt compromise.

For a strictly hunting utility rifle watch the EE for a lightly used stevens no one has ever complained about accuracy and again you can get your money back as they seem to sell for within 50 bucks of new price easily. 300 for the rifle and then shop carefully for a Kahles scope. My last two cost under 600 each. IMHO the rifle that lies under the scope is a secondary consideration to the optics. Those blacktails standing back 30 yards in the cedars 100 yards across a cut at dusk are not going to be targets with a POS scope but with quality glass you will see em clear as a bell. Heck I 'd go so far as to say spend the whole 850 on binouclars and make do with what ever shootin iron you have.......
 
david doyle said:
The BRNO 21s are 100x the gun as that 1600
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I wouldn't go that far. And yes, I have owned 3 Brno 21H's. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the 1600 - it is a great rifle. They 21H also has two flaws which do not afflict the 1600. The first is a very heavy trigger pull unless you use the set trigger and the second is the requirment to mount the scope quite high.

Edit - after you edited your post - Brno never made the 21H in 6.5x55 - only 6.5x57.
 
Milsurp OK

I have a Winchester M70FW and a M38 sporter both bought through the EE. I prefer the Winchester, as it is lighter, fits me a bit better, and looks good.

That said, the milsurp shoots tighter groups with factory ammo and has a smoother action.

It intrigues me to think that 70 some years ago the Swedes were making better rifles than North Americans are currently.

Got a bear this fall with a milsurp 6.5. It is just as dead as if it had been hit with a .308 (or a semi-truck for that matter).
 
1899 lay em side by each and tell me there is not 100X the care and attention in a 21H as in the 1600! Not saying the 1600 is'nt a decent rifle but I would'nt trade one 21H for two of those tradex guns (don't think you would either).

Wally keep in mind that there is ALWAYS a 6.5 sporter on a 96 action available for 200-400 dollars (often less). You can always find one easily so don't rush out and buy one until you know exactly what you want.
 
manitoba said:
I have a Winchester M70FW and a M38 sporter both bought through the EE. I prefer the Winchester, as it is lighter, fits me a bit better, and looks good.

That said, the milsurp shoots tighter groups with factory ammo and has a smoother action.

It intrigues me to think that 70 some years ago the Swedes were making better rifles than North Americans are currently.

Got a bear this fall with a milsurp 6.5. It is just as dead as if it had been hit with a .308 (or a semi-truck for that matter).
Click to expand...


I feel the same way about the M38 I had and M65 Tikka I have now....the newer rifle doest shoot any better....I do prefer it because I can load the cartridge to its full potential and the Detachable magazine is handy but impossible to replace.
 
I must be odd because I would pick a mint Husqvarna Crown Grade 6.5x55 over a mint Brno any day!! That is a better comparison than the standard 1600s that Trade Ex are selling. I love the old Brno rifles and would admit they are perhaps a slightly higher quality gun compared to a Husqvarna 1600. BUT.... the horrible scope mounting situation would cause me to pick the Husqvarna everytime! My personal Husqvarna Crown Grade 6.5x55 needed the trigger replaced and it was ready to hunt. It's a shame that a well balanced, nice handling rifle like the Brno has to have the scope in the clouds like they do!!
 
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A factory sporter Husqvarna in 6.5x55mm in nice shae would be a great one to get.

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NAA.
 
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