best 6.5x55 out of the box precision/target rifle?

LeeEnfieldNo.4_mk1

LeeEnfieldNo.4_mk1

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I have been wanting to get started in precision/ long range shooting for a while now. However I am finally going to pull the trigger in a few weeks on my first precision/long range rifle. Ideally I want to build something on a CRF Winchester M70 receiver but figure starting out on a factory rifle while I am learning is probably a better first step.

I want something in 6.5x55 as I like the history of the round as well have read it can keep up with pretty much all the modern rounds out there in its caliber range. I know that Tikka makes decent rifles in the Swede, but who else makes a descent out of the box target rifle in 6.5x55?

Thanks.
 
I am not sure if there are many options out there for the Swede outside of the Tikka option you already mentioned. I had a Tikka Varmint in the Swede several years ago and you are right, it will keep up handily with any of the non magnum 6.5s out there, I shot the Lapua Scenar 139 from Lapua brass, H4831SC with Federal GMM primers that gave bang on 2800fps, which was just under 10 mils to get to 1000 metres.

My shooting partner still has a Tikka Sporter in the Swede and he is not parting with that rifle any time soon, he has shot several groups that were legitimately in the 0.1s MOA and it is a regular sub 1/4 MOA performer.
 
LeeEnfieldNo.4_mk1 said:
I want something in 6.5x55 as I like the history of the round as well have read it can keep up with pretty much all the modern rounds out there in its caliber range. I know that Tikka makes decent rifles in the Swede, but who else makes a descent out of the box target rifle in 6.5x55?
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None which are easily available. Just stick with the best quality factory offering out there. Lots of folks around here have been down this path and few have been disappointed.

With the new Alliant powders, the 6.5SE can run close to 2900fps with a 140gr class bullet or 3k with a 120/123gr. With the contemporary powders like H4350, 4831SC, or 7828SSC, both classes are only 100 fps slower. If you need anything more than that, you need to move to 7mm.

Do some more reading, but you won't find any bad news on the Tikka or the cartridge. It's as close to a sure thing as it gets. Good barrel, good trigger, good action, upgrade options, 70 degree bolt throw- there just isn't a whole lot else to ask for at the price point.
 
Schultz & Larsen M69 from Tradex, 6.5x55 heavy target rifles built on K98 actions with very well made 27" Dane target barrels. Some have S&L adjustable triggers which are a very nice 2 stage set up, saves having to replace with Timney. EGW makes a rail for these as well (d&t) have the bolt handle bent and you are off to the range. Stocks are good to go as is which is nice as well.
They are under $500 and I would far sooner one of these then a Tikka.
30257.JPG
 
Hitzy said:
Schultz & Larsen M69 from Tradex, 6.5x55 heavy target rifles built on K98 actions with very well made 27" Dane target barrels. Some have S&L adjustable triggers which are a very nice 2 stage set up, saves having to replace with Timney. EGW makes a rail for these as well (d&t) have the bolt handle bent and you are off to the range. Stocks are good to go as is which is nice as well.
They are under $500 and I would far sooner one of these then a Tikka.
30257.JPG
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And I assume they must shoot 1/4-1/2" groups like the Tikka as well??
 
Underthegun said:
And I assume they must shoot 1/4-1/2" groups like the Tikka as well??
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With irons even....at 300m. And not a spec of plastic on the entire rifle lol.
Tikkas are way over priced for the quality you get. I honestly have no idea why people like them.
S&L rifles like above were used for close to 3 decades successfully in club competition in Denmark. The Swedes were so fond of the S&L barrels they had them made for their CG63 rifles at one point. Civilians took marksmanship much more seriously over there.
 
The CG63 or CG80 is a great starting point as well. Mine both have iron (diopter) sights, and are capable of fine accuracy. I'm still learning the sights, but I believe they are easily capable of sub moa groups.
They were designed for 300M competition.
What type of shooting are you planning on, F Class I imagine?
 
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Underthegun said:
And I assume they must shoot 1/4-1/2" groups like the Tikka as well??
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salarguy said:
Iron sights-- 1/4"-1/2" @ 300--- BULL! to Tikka and S&L! Just doesn't happen!
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Underthegun said:
I don't think I said the Tikka would do it with irons at 300 yards, but it will do it with a scope at 100 yards.
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2" at 300m with irons is what European issf shooters are doing. Most people can't do that with high powder optics here lol.
http://www.accurateshooter.com/competition/300m-competition-guide/
 
Underthegun said:
But not with the 6.5x55 or the S&L. The guns and cartridges they are using are a far cry from the gun you suggested.
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Not really...they were used from the 70's right up until early 2000's in many cases and in Sweden/Denmark the 6.5x55 was the only cartridge allowed. Many of these guns come with stickers from the year the owners shot matches, I have a few as late as 2003. Hell there are probably still some people shooting CG63/CG80's and M69's in issf matches in Europe today. Anschutz replaced most of the CG's and S&L's in mid '90's but you are looking at guys that were trying to cut groups down by 1/4" at 300m, not some vast improvement.
Maybe read up on the history of the issf 300m competitions in Europe, the history of the 6.5x55 as a target round, the history of the CG63 and S&L as target rifles and get back to us. Kinda hard to explain things to you when you haven't got a clue.
 
Hitzy said:
Not really...they were used from the 70's right up until early 2000's in many cases and in Sweden/Denmark the 6.5x55 was the only cartridge allowed. Many of these guns come with stickers from the year the owners shot matches, I have a few as late as 2003. Hell there are probably still some people shooting CG63/CG80's and M69's in issf matches in Europe today. Anschutz replaced most of the CG's and S&L's in mid '90's but you are looking at guys that were trying to cut groups down by 1/4" at 300m, not some vast improvement.
Maybe read up on the history of the issf 300m competitions in Europe, the history of the 6.5x55 as a target round, the history of the CG63 and S&L as target rifles and get back to us. Kinda hard to explain things to you when you haven't got a clue.
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I'm not arguing against the use of that rifle in matches, but you used that article to say that the 6.5x55 and S&L rifle were capable of outstanding accuracy. Neither of which were mentioned in the article. The original poster was asking about common factory rifles.
 
Underthegun said:
I'm not arguing against the use of that rifle in matches, but you used that article to say that the 6.5x55 and S&L rifle were capable of outstanding accuracy. Neither of which were mentioned in the article. The original poster was asking about common factory rifles.
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And I gave him an option, that will be more accurate then the Tikka, and half the price.
I'm not even a very good shot, but I can do this all day at 100m with irons on any of my S&L M69's. If me eyes were better and I had a 300m range I'd probably get better results.
 
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Hitzy said:
And I gave him an option, that will be more accurate then the Tikka, and half the price.
I'm not even a very good shot, but I can do this all day at 100m with irons on any of my S&L M69's. If me eyes were better and I had a 300m range I'd probably get better results.
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That's more like it. Now you posted what he can expect from that rifle.
 
Hitzy said:
Schultz & Larsen M69 from Tradex, 6.5x55 heavy target rifles built on K98 actions with very well made 27" Dane target barrels. Some have S&L adjustable triggers which are a very nice 2 stage set up, saves having to replace with Timney. EGW makes a rail for these as well (d&t) have the bolt handle bent and you are off to the range. Stocks are good to go as is which is nice as well.
They are under $500 and I would far sooner one of these then a Tikka.
30257.JPG
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This. I scoped one of these for a buddy about twenty years ago, a very good shooting rifle. - dan
 
I have one I'll probably get a rail put on, bent bolt, in the next few weeks. I want to try it with irons at 700m first for fun. Just looking to hit a 12" gong at that distance and I'll be happy. The Boyds stock isn't really geared for irons anyway, pretty high comb. No shortage of aftermarket stuff for a '98.
 
I was looking at those rifles from Trade-ex. Probably there selection is slim now, missed the boat on the ones with the good rear site and target stock.
 
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