Best barrel length for the 6.5x55 swede cartridge

A

axemaster8

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A new project I added to the barn.
So far I have put a complete CG63 barreled action (without sights) and bottom metal into a CG63 stock (without buttplate and upper handguard).
Since I already have a nice example of a CG63, I had the idea of creating a more versatile rifle from this awesome action setup. The long heavy barrel of the CG63 doesn't lend itself well to be being carried around in the bush. The idea was to have a barrel length that would make the most out of the caliber being accurate out to longer ranges but be a little lighter and more versatile.
What would you figure to be the ideal barrel length of the 6.5x55 swede cartridge?
Does it having a heavy target barrel affect the ideal length much?
 
The CG63 stock is still massive, cutting 6" of barrel off won't really make it handy. Locktime on a '96 is pretty bad as well, which will also affect long range accuracy.
If you read up on the history of the CG63 and the later CG80, you will see the Swedes did everything they could to make these rifles competitive against other ISSF teams because they were always coming up short. In the end, the only thing Swede left on the CG80 was the bolt/receiver...barrels and triggers were mostly Danish (S&L) made, the laminate walnut stocks were American made, even the bolt shroud and cocking piece were shortened to improve lock time.
They are a fun iron sight bench gun, to try and turn it into anything you can mount a scope on is just throwing money away. Bending or replacing the bolt handle, D&T, plus cutting and crowning...you would be better just grabbing a nice '96 sporter for $300 already done up from Tradex. Guarantee it will shoot very well.
 
I have often thought of doing the same thing ,, Using a CG80 and mounting a scope ,, So I guess I will save some money .. So ARE YOU SAYING A model 96 with a scope is more accurate than a CG 80
 
had one cut down to 18.75 inches with a choate stock and was better off with a remmy 700 or winny 70, it was terrible to carry, didn't loose much fps chrony was around 2550 fps
 
mike Crawford said:
I have often thought of doing the same thing ,, Using a CG80 and mounting a scope ,, So I guess I will save some money .. So ARE YOU SAYING A model 96 with a scope is more accurate than a CG 80
Click to expand...

There is only so much accuracy you can wring out of the '96 action no matter how much money you sink into it. Whether it's a $300 sporter '96 that shoots MOA or a bit better, and already has $200 worth of smithing done to mount a scope. Or a $600 CG80 that needs another $200 to get a scope on it that might shoot MOA or a bit better... it's up to you to decide if it's worth it.
 
Your question was on "BEST" barrel length... that question can't be answered, as "best" is subject to more than simple accuracy, but also function. I have owned and shot a dozen 6.5X55 Swedes over the years, it is one of my favourites, but I came to the conclussion that for me it is a deer cartridge and it might as well be chambered in a rifle that I will actually carry while deer hunting... as such, my only 6.5X55 rifle at present is a Ruger M77 MKII with 22" R-Sporter barrel... it is one of my most accurate M77R models and loaded with 130/140 bullets it is a very fine harvester of venison.
 
The M94 barrels are 17.75 and they can be very accurate. In the development of the M94, you can probably assume the Swedes determined that to be the minimum. We're comparing 2 different barrels though.
 
I've had Swede 96's in barrel lengths from 18"-29" and all shot well, but I prefer the 29" version the best as far as offhand shooting & still hunting are concerned. For stalking, I like 22-24" tubes on the Swedes.
 
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