6.5x55 Improved
- Thread starter deerfarmer
- Start date
I'm glad you did it and are happy with the results.
You didn't do anything new, but you did do something different from most, just because you wanted to. Liberals hate that. (couldn't resist)
It's all about having fun at it. Lots of folks get into a rut and often lose interest in the sport because they don't tweak their curiosity.
Now, you have a rifle that is UNIQUE to your interests and it says something about your personality.
More people need to experiment. Even if it's been done before, so what?
Nice looking cartridge. Did you have to open the guides on the magazine to get it to feed properly?
You didn't do anything new, but you did do something different from most, just because you wanted to. Liberals hate that. (couldn't resist)
It's all about having fun at it. Lots of folks get into a rut and often lose interest in the sport because they don't tweak their curiosity.
Now, you have a rifle that is UNIQUE to your interests and it says something about your personality.
More people need to experiment. Even if it's been done before, so what?
Nice looking cartridge. Did you have to open the guides on the magazine to get it to feed properly?
^^^ this , please , wondering myself
Definitely not new, but fun for sure!
I'm hoping feeding remains good, but I haven't loaded any of the FF brass yet to be sure. It's a Tikka so I'm thinking it should be good but never know.
As for speeds, I never ran any through the chrony for a pre comparison, but I'll likely fire a few through once I find a load it likes. The range I have been shooting at isn't very conducive to setting up a chrony unfortunately.
So are you just shooting 6.5x55 to fireform the brass then using a 6.5mm neck sizing die?
I'm thinking of going down this road for long range prairie dog hunting. I'm thinking an M96 should do.
Either that or I can get my hands on a 6mm CHeetah for under a grand.
Or both...
I'm thinking of going down this road for long range prairie dog hunting. I'm thinking an M96 should do.
Either that or I can get my hands on a 6mm CHeetah for under a grand.
Or both...
So are you just shooting 6.5x55 to fireform the brass then using a 6.5mm neck sizing die?
I'm thinking of going down this road for long range prairie dog hunting. I'm thinking an M96 should do.
Either that or I can get my hands on a 6mm CHeetah for under a grand.
Or both...
That is correct. I’m using a Lee collet die for now. I’m hoping I can get a few firings in before having to purchase a set of AI dies but it’s all new to me right now
I'm Interested too ! I have a Tikka T3 6.5 x 55 and 150 New Brass all ready to play ! RJ
I used the original barrel. Dennis (aka Guntech) did a fantastic job of it! Turned barrel so old markings are under stock and re-stamped. Highly recommend his work
Yes and hes the FASTest there is in turn around time ! RJ
Last edited:
1:8" twist then, correct?
Pretty SURE ALL Tikka and most ? other brands 6.5 x 55 were 1-8 twist Never heard of any other ! RJ
Just making sure I didn't miss anything.
I believe the Remington "Classic" had a 1-8 twist rate. The Remington 700 I had, from the Remington Custom Shop had a 1-9 twist rate. It was superbly accurate with 140 grain flat base bullets and would shoot some brands of boat tail bullets well.
Remington used to offer an offhand, target rifle chambered in 6.5x55. It was basically a commercial Swede Mauser with a free floating barrel. It had a 1-9 twist rate as well, according to the old Herter's catalog. I believe it was actually a 1-8.5 twist rate, especially for the match grade 140 grain bullets available at the time.
My Tikka T3 has a 1-7.85 twist rate
The Winchester Mod 70 FW I once owned also had a 1-7.85 twist rate.
Remington used to offer an offhand, target rifle chambered in 6.5x55. It was basically a commercial Swede Mauser with a free floating barrel. It had a 1-9 twist rate as well, according to the old Herter's catalog. I believe it was actually a 1-8.5 twist rate, especially for the match grade 140 grain bullets available at the time.
My Tikka T3 has a 1-7.85 twist rate
The Winchester Mod 70 FW I once owned also had a 1-7.85 twist rate.
Hunt&Hook, I used to have a 6.5-06 that I purchased from "eagleeye" close to twenty years ago. I loved that rifle and shot a lot of game with it. Everything from coyotes to black bear to deer and moose.
Eagleeye had it barreled with a 1-9 twist barrel and it would stabilize 140 grain boat tails, IF I LOADED IT HOT. I sold that rifle and gave the fellow I sold it to all of the info I had on it.
The chamber was tight and yes, that does make a difference accuracy wise, as long as the other parameters are good.
It liked W760/H414 and H4831. IMR4350 worked as well.
I tried IMR3031 and IMR4064 but they were to fast for consistent performance with 140 grain bullets. They worked well with the 129 grain bullets I bought in 2500 count, bulk boxes from International.
This rifle also had a long throat. That didn't bode well for the best accuracy but it was still very good as it was tight as well, just like the throats in moder Tikka T3 rifles chambered for 6.5x55.
I'm including this information to give you an idea of how twist rate can influence accuracy. Some of the extreme efficiency bullets may not stabilize in your rifle. For general off the shelf hunting bullets, you will be fine.
Last edited:
I have only ever read - heard and seen Tikkas in 6.5 CM - 260 Rem and 6.5 x 55 Swede as having a 1-8 Twist NEVER heard of a 1-7.85 before . Not that it matters RJ
