Have a look at the 6.5 x 55 AI or the 6.5 Archer. - dan
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Modern rifles/platforms in 6.5x55
- Thread starter peterpolarpickedapepper
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Have a look at the 6.5 x 55 AI or the 6.5 Archer. - dan
The 6.5x55 I have in a factory model 700 didn’t chamber Lapua brass. I used W-W successfully. The case head of a 6.5x55 is .480 whereas the US ammo makers make it .473. Ultimately it was a piss around that leaves me forgetting about this case all together. Especially considering it does nothing special, out of a medium length case, which can’t be really shoe horned into a short action. Imo it is the most over rated of what should be the most easy hunting cartridge choices.
dan belisle said:
Thanks Dan! Will do.
The Classic I had was able to use PPU and Norma at least. Never had Lapua brass for it so not so much an issue. I can see the prob if one wanted to use it exclusively.
Shoehorned into a short action in the 6.5 Creedmoor works great, I just prefer the handling and internal magazine loading of longer action rifles, and find the 6.5x55 is definitely a ballistic sweet spot in terms of bullets pushed at relatively low pressure and a pretty economical use of powder.
That said, the Ruger M77 Hunter in 6.5 CM is a really tempting, ready to roll option too.
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Perhaps.
270 starting loads (and some max loads, depending on the bullet weight) come pretty close to 6.5x55 alright, I have always just found that what is commonly available offer no extra capability at a lot more recoil and blast.
65 CM is def. more efficient though, yes. A 127gr bullet at 2850+ FPS with 44gr or less powder is great. Just don't like short action, internal magazine rifles that much.
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I've recently become somewhat enamored with the 6.5x55. I currently have two, both on the HVA 1900 action--a Viking Arms (pictured below) and a Schultz & Larsen.
With the right handloads, using the right powder (Alliant Re26 is the best for velocity), the 6.5x55 will equal .270 Win. factory loads ballistically, and do it with less powder and lighter recoil. As just one example, consider the 130-grain bullet in each. 3000+ fps MV is attainable from the Swede (using the 130 Nosler Accubond, for example) at safe pressures in a modern strong action and a 24” bbl.; .270 Win. factory loads show 3060 fps for a 130-gr. bullet and probably deliver less. However, because of the better SD and BC of the 130-gr. 6.5mm bullet than the .270 130-grainer, downrange wallop will slightly favor the Swede. And the Swede will whack the shooter with about 2 ft.-lbs. less recoil than the .270 in equal-weight rifles.
And, of course, the 6.5x55 easily outclasses the 6.5 CM ballistically—all things being equal, particularly pressure. These results for the 6.5x55 are not obvious from reloading manuals, as this cartridge is regularly tabled with lower-pressure loads in deference to all the older 6.5x55 military rifles out there. However, in a modern action with higher, albeit safe, pressures, it is a very potent round. The figures I’ve given were arrived at via a careful analysis using QuickLoad.
Edit. I know this goes without saying, but when reaching for those higher velocities with the 6.5x55, be sure to start low--like near the starting loads given in the manuals--and work up carefully in 1/2-grain or similar increments watching for any signs of pressure.
With the right handloads, using the right powder (Alliant Re26 is the best for velocity), the 6.5x55 will equal .270 Win. factory loads ballistically, and do it with less powder and lighter recoil. As just one example, consider the 130-grain bullet in each. 3000+ fps MV is attainable from the Swede (using the 130 Nosler Accubond, for example) at safe pressures in a modern strong action and a 24” bbl.; .270 Win. factory loads show 3060 fps for a 130-gr. bullet and probably deliver less. However, because of the better SD and BC of the 130-gr. 6.5mm bullet than the .270 130-grainer, downrange wallop will slightly favor the Swede. And the Swede will whack the shooter with about 2 ft.-lbs. less recoil than the .270 in equal-weight rifles.
And, of course, the 6.5x55 easily outclasses the 6.5 CM ballistically—all things being equal, particularly pressure. These results for the 6.5x55 are not obvious from reloading manuals, as this cartridge is regularly tabled with lower-pressure loads in deference to all the older 6.5x55 military rifles out there. However, in a modern action with higher, albeit safe, pressures, it is a very potent round. The figures I’ve given were arrived at via a careful analysis using QuickLoad.
Edit. I know this goes without saying, but when reaching for those higher velocities with the 6.5x55, be sure to start low--like near the starting loads given in the manuals--and work up carefully in 1/2-grain or similar increments watching for any signs of pressure.
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I've recently become somewhat enamored with the 6.5x55. I currently have two, both on the HVA 1900 action--a Viking Arms (pictured below) and a Schultz & Larsen.
With the right handloads, using the right powder (Alliant Re26 is the best for velocity), the 6.5x55 will equal .270 Win. factory loads ballistically, and do it with less powder and lighter recoil. As just one example, consider the 130-grain bullet in each. 3000+ fps MV is easily attainable from the Swede (using the 130 Nosler Accubond, for example) at safe pressures in a modern action and a 24” bbl.; .270 Win. factory loads show 3060 fps for a 130-gr. bullet and probably deliver less. However, because of the better SD and BC of the 130-gr. 6.5mm bullet than the .270 130-grainer, downrange wallop will slightly favor the Swede. And the Swede will whack the shooter with about 2 ft.-lbs. less recoil than the .270 in equal-weight rifles.
And, of course, the 6.5x55 easily outclasses the 6.5 CM ballistically—all things being equal, particularly pressure. These results for the 6.5x55 are not obvious from reloading manuals, as this cartridge is regularly tabled with lower-pressure loads in deference to all the older 6.5x55 military rifles out there. However, in a modern action with higher, albeit safe, pressures (≤ 60,000 psi), it is a very potent round. The figures I’ve given were arrived at via a careful analysis using QuickLoad.
Thats pretty cool, SP. I didn't know you could reach those speeds with the 6.5x55 without being over pressure. And a very nice rifle for sure.
This isn’t specific to a 6.5x55 but shows the similarities between new cartridges like the 6.5 CM PRC and the older ones. I found it a good read.
https://www.rifleshootermag.com/editorial/270-winchester-modern-use/468583
https://www.rifleshootermag.com/editorial/270-winchester-modern-use/468583
Quoted for truth. Relax one evening an read a reloading manual comparing 270 win to most other options in the same caliber range. It does very well.
Sure.
Most of the loads that I worked with for the 6.5 Swede were taken from the Nosler and Barnes manuals current in 1994-95 when I acquired my first Rem 700 Classic.
In the end, the two best loads with both brands of bullets were the max loads of IMR 4350 in Norma brass with Federal 210 primers. Trimmed cases and loaded to manual listed case lengths and COALs. Worked uploads in 1/2 gr increments to max, testing for accuracy. I did not have a chrony, or access to one at that time, so do not know what actual velocities were.
That particular rifle would put 5 140 gr X Bullets into an inch at 200 yards and allowed for consistent hits on the small gong that was hung on the 400 yard stand at my local range then, The 140 gr Partitions averaged about 1/4" larger groups. I shot one young moose with the X bullet but was not as happy with the ongame performance as I was with the Partitions. So I shot a lot of the X Bullets for practice, and used the Partitions for hunting.
I also had a decent load with IMR4350 and the Hornady Interlock bullet (sorry do not recall if it was max or not from Hornady manual. It wasn't as accurate as the other loads, but as the bullets were less expensive, I used them for practice.
The Hornady Light Magnum (Euro Spec) loads shot very similarly to the Norma 140 gr Partition ammo (both rated for 2780 fps), and both shot sub-MOA groups, as tight as 1/2" @ 100 yards, when I did my part. Shot some deer with the Norma ammo.
So far, I haven't yet taken the time to work up a load with the 140gr AccuBond in my LH Sako 85, but it does shoot 1/2" groups with the Nosler factory ammo with this bullet. I have some Re-26 to work up a load. Looking forward to seeing what it does.
The HSM ammo with the Berger bullet shot groups of just under 1/2" right out of the box, and I have taken a caribou with it at 150 yards. Hit a rib going in, bullet split with the smaller chunk passing through both lungs and found just under the hide on the far side, while the larger chunk veered a hard right and penetrated through the abdominal cavity and exited in front of the offside rear quarter. The caribou ran for over a quarter mile, with very little blood at first and then lots of spray at the end. It was done when I got to it. Won't be shooting any more game with this bullet. I know one sample isn't great proof of performance, but I have much better results with AccuBonds on several calibers and cartridges, so will be sticking to it.
