Whats better than a 6.5 x 55?

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petew

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I ended up with an extra 6.5 x 55 with a very nice sporter stock, but I already have a good 6.5 M38 in a good sporter stock , so I was thinking I might look at a re chamber to a diferent 6.5 cal. for the longer barrel one. It seems that there are not any better calibers out there that are suited to the M96 than it's original 6.5 x 55 chambering. What am I missing here ? Are there no better choices in over a hundred years of improvements and advancements for the 6.5 cal. that are suited to a m96 ??
 
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petew said:
I was looking to use the original 6.5 barrel and re chamber it.
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I found the old 256 Newton to be a step up from the 6.5X55, about like a 6.5 - 06.
It didn't take long for me to part with my 6.5X55 after playing with the Newton for a while.
And despite the fact that the Newton is slower than the 264 Win. Mag., I parted with that too..
 
Anyone who thinks a 308 is superior to a 6.5x55 is illiterate...or possibly blind.
If you stuck to the 96 and a 6.5 your limiting factor is the action strength- most cartridges designed in the last 70+ years operate at pressures beyond the 96's reach.
In a modern action with any tube available the options are plenty...but I still chose a 6.5x55 (among others mind you).
 
A 6.5-284 reamer will clean up the 6.5X55 chamber nicely without setting back the barrel. Brass and dies are readily available. You can throat it to seat the heavier bullets way out and still fit in a standard length magazine.

The 6.5-06, which has practically the same case capacity as the 6.5-284, but is longer, requires the barrel to be set back about 0.250".

The choice seems clear.
 
Andy said:
A 6.5-284 reamer will clean up the 6.5X55 chamber nicely without setting back the barrel. Brass and dies are readily available. You can throat it to seat the heavier bullets way out and still fit in a standard length magazine.

The 6.5-06, which has practically the same case capacity as the 6.5-284, but is longer, requires the barrel to be set back about 0.250".

The choice seems clear.
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X2....6.5x284 is a winner.
 
Not much. Wanted one for years and except for a full military M96 never got one for hunting.

Buddies have given me two 270s, a 300 Win. Mag, a 7x57, a 30-06, a .22 and three 30-30 rifles over the years, and not one 6.5x55 the buggers.
 
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