The 6.5x55 Swede Club, Are you there?

lejarretnoir

lejarretnoir

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The first centerfire bolt action I ever bought was a milsurp M38 Husky Swede back in the 1980's. The love affair for that cartridge never stopped. Since then have owned several guns in that caliber including in my possession a Rem 700 Classic and lately a full blown target rifle I custom made. I've even restored some bubba'd Swedes that went back to collectors.

I've noticed we have quite the following here in Canada with the Swede 6.5x55. Should I post some pics? Chime in, I want to hear what you brought you to it.

I need some better pics, but this will do for now and add more later

Husky 1943 Sporter[Rescued from Bubba]

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Rem 700 Classic

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Rem 700 Converted to 1000yd shooting

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Swede 6.5's

Here's the last and best of my Swede Mauser's. This is one of the last M96 rifles made from the 20,000 1942-44 run made by Husqvarna. Sold only to civillian shooting association members (FSR).
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Kind of crappy pic. Should take better ones.
 
I had a 6.5x55 in a Tikka T3 Hunter. Last year I had it rechambered to 6.5-06. :cheers:
I like it better for the kind of hunting I do, but I have been on the lookout for another 6.5x55 for playing around with. If I could find a m70 fwt or a 1640 husky in 6.5x55 I'd snap it up!
Good cartridge.
 
I recently "snapped up" a Win. M70 featherweight in 6.5 X 55. Had a little trouble getting some factory ammo for it (none in Rocky Mountain House).

Have not had a chance to fire it yet.

It will probably go to my daughter as her new hunting rifle to replace the .243 she has been using.

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I have played with this cal for years once i got hooked on a M38 carbine. I have owned several different makes and models over the years but currently only own this one that I built years ago using a pristine 96 barrel and action and doing the stock myself. The stock was supposed to be a work in progress to see what i liked and disliked and then use it as a pattern for a good one but I like the fitt so much I deceided to keep her. She has a groove cut out on the left side of the pistol grip and a palm swell on the right side to fit my hand and a cheek piece. Currently she is topped off with a Bushnell Legend 3-9x40mm and has a side safety and a large bolt handle for cold weather and I find it a lil faster.
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YT
 
I had several over the years, sporting and military ones. I personally really like the FSR M/96 and CG 63.
Since many years I use a T3 Varmint as my go-to varmint rifle - I also shoot bears with it.
The HVA/FFV/CG 1900 (and possibly the Zoli, too - I didn't try it) are very hard to beat in that caliber.
 
I bought my 1st 6.5x55 in 1960 - a Norwegian Krag carbine. I couldn't stand the muzzle blast! I bought a M96 Mauser with a 29" barrel and was OK with that for years until Winchester came out with the M70 Featherweight in 6.5x55. I sold off a bunch of guns and "stuff" and bought the M70. Beautiful rifle!

One friend bought a Mauser 6.5x55 carbine at the same time I bought my Krag - he had George Pohle of GUNCO put a 6" hollow extension on the barrel to lessen the muzzle blast. He also had a gorgeous new stock put on by George Pohle.

Another friend had a Norwegian Krag 6.5x55 rifle re-blued and re-stocked, barrel shortened and new sights installed. Very accurate and good looking rifle.

Yet another friend has a sweet little Mannlicher stocked Swedish Mauser 6.5x55 with the stock carved in the German manner.
 
I'm here as well.
Picked one up in a Mauser 98 with a bull barrel and it is a tack driver.
Too bad it's just over 13 pounds or it would be my deer rifle for sure.
Great rifle to take to the range.
Makes one's self esteem go waaaay up after looking at the paper target.
 
I bought my first 6.5x55 in the early '90s, a military M96/38 from a mail order outfit from Ontario, "King" something? for $140. I had ordered the bent bolt model but came with a straight bolt. I had also bought a synthetic stock for it. Got the local gunsmith to cut and re-weld the bolt and tap it for a scope. Shot my first whitetail buck with it. Later bought a Winchester FWT in 6.5x55 which I sold without hunting with it. I now hunt with it's modern cousin, the .260Rem in stainless synthetic. Still my favorite deer caliber.
 
I have owned several but now I have only one. Commercial FN98 by Parker Hale. 24" barrel with front fire site and rear FP98 Williams peep. It is deadly with a stock of Imperial 160 grain RN rounds I have. I would not be without a 6.5X55

Darryl
 
6.5x55mm club....

Yes, I'm in the club....

I have an old Carl Gustaf military with the long barrel & straight bolt. And a 'Mauser Oberndorf' military with the shorter barrel & straight bolt. And a Husqvarna military M38 with the turned bolt.

My current sporter is a factory Tikka 695 stainless/synthetic bought NIB a few years back. {keeper}

Pics:

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In the past, I've also had a couple different 'sporters' done off military Swede actions, a NIB Ruger Model 77 MkII blued with wood stock, and an as NIB Rem 700 Classic, all in 6.5x55mm before.

My Ruger 77 MkII when I had it:

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My Rem 700 Classic when I had it:

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Still waiting for a Win 70 f/w in 6.5x55mm to come my way.... :rolleyes:

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NAA.
 
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I might be a contender for membership. I only own 4 now after giving away one as seed to my brother to get him started. I have a Carl Gustaf m96 full military, a Husqvarna M38 full military, and two Llugmanns full military. I have used them for deer, moose, rabbits and bear. The M38 Husky was my go to rifle for years when I was hired by outfitters to hunt and finish bears poorly shot by clients. It handled very well in the thick stuff and with the 160 gr Hornady had all the penetration needed.

I had one bad experience where the bear came out of a water hole at me and I put a round into his neck into the top of his spine shooting between his ears as he charged. Yes he was that close. his forward momentum knocked me down although he was dead, spraining my ankle. I bought a 338 win mag right after that even though the 6.5 did its job.

Head shots on rabbits and grouse are more than possible and 100 yd groups with the mill spec sights are all 2 inches. I have never really considered a commercial rifle as the M38 is so handy.

Randy
 
I own a husqvarna 1600 in 6.5, very nice rifle for the money, and the most accurate rifle i've owned. Never had a chance to hunt with it, I have funny shoulders so the rifle doesn't fit me, it's a shame. Rifle will probably end up being sold, or continue to sit in the safe..
 
I also have a m96 1917 in very nice shape that I picked up a few years ago and 2 boxes of ammo I got right after. Haven't fired it yet but would rather have a sporter as I can't see sights too good anymore. Maybe use it as bargaining power. It's numbers matching except barrel band, nose cap and cleaning rod. The hand guard is almost numbers matching. All numbers except the second number are the same as the rifle.
 
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