6.5 x 55mm?

[Brad09]

Hey again everyone,

Curious about a caliber I stumbled upon while rifle shopping. Saw a Remington box of Swedish Mauser 6.5 x 55mm rounds, 140 grains, in their Core-Lokt line. So I got home and googled it. Came up with a little basic information: Standard weight range 100-155 grains, supposed to be a good round out to 700-800 yards, relatively low recoil, originally designed in 1891 in Scandanavia. Apparently in Northern Europe guys hunt elk, moose, and brown bear with it. Other than that, I don't know squat about it. I'm curious to know if anyone out here uses it, and what they use it for. Are different ammunition types pretty common, or is it a lesser-known cartridge in North America? Would anyone recommend it to a novice, or is it better off in the hands of an experienced shooter?

Thanks, any info you can offer is great.

Brad

[wayne]

I shoot a 260 Remington which has nearly identical case capacity as the original Swede. Had a friend who used to shoot a 6.5 X 55 military rifle, took a few deer and a moose with it. I just use my 260 for deer with 120 grain Ballistic Tips, but prefer lately to use 140 Core-Lokts. They pack a little more wallop. Very mild recoil and accurate.

[CaberTosser]

Scandanavia's answer to the .30-06. Its just that the Swede had been popular for 15 more years than the 103 year old North American design, so maybe the .30-06 is actually the wanna be?.....

I've got one in a Husqvarna (a sporterized '96..... I think... my registration is elsewhere for confirmation). I bought it to practice gunsmithing on.... but paid more attention to my other firearms once I cleaned the bore and saw how shot out it was. I still have yet to put any rounds through it, but am curious what a barrel that ugly will shoot like..... who knows? Istill want to get it a new barrel... I think I saw some available for these on Trade-Ex.

My reading on the calibre seems to indicate that most factory 6.5 x 55 ammo will be loaded to lower pressure levels so that it can be safely chambered in the numerous older firearms whose actions may be of questionable strength with lower grade steels than we see these days. One hunting buddies wife uses an old 6.5 x 55 Krag. She usually tags something every year with it. I've seen her down a few mulies, but am not aware if she's taken elk or moose with it. One nice feature is that the mild recoil allows lots of practice so that round impacts where you intend. The sectional density of the 6.5 mm bullets available lends to very good penetration and ballistic coefficients ( they're long for weight, so they have less frontal resistance to both air or flesh compared to similar weight .30's)

[catnthehat]

Originally Posted by Brad09

Hey again everyone,

Curious about a caliber I stumbled upon while rifle shopping. Saw a Remington box of Swedish Mauser 6.5 x 55mm rounds, 140 grains, in their Core-Lokt line. So I got home and googled it. Came up with a little basic information: Standard weight range 100-155 grains, supposed to be a good round out to 700-800 yards, relatively low recoil, originally designed in 1891 in Scandanavia. Apparently in Northern Europe guys hunt elk, moose, and brown bear with it. Other than that, I don't know squat about it. I'm curious to know if anyone out here uses it, and what they use it for. Are different ammunition types pretty common, or is it a lesser-known cartridge in North America? Would anyone recommend it to a novice, or is it better off in the hands of an experienced shooter?

Thanks, any info you can offer is great.

Brad

great caliber, it's my first choice for hunting big game.
Shoots flat and kills well.
I use 160 grain SMP Seirras when I am handloading...
Cat

[Brad09]

Cat, have you ever used factory loads with yours? If so, what is your pick? I did some research online in the Russell and WSS catalogues, and both seem to be pretty slim on 6.5x55 selections. Also, what do you shoot with it, and at what kind of range? What make/model rifle is it that you use(predominantly)? I don't know why, but my more recent research for my first rifle(I test next month) has led me away from the .30-06/.308/.270 line of thinking, and this one sticks with me a little. My understanding from a gent at Canadian Tire I spoke with is that I can get a Tikka T3 Lite for a south-paw like myself in pretty well any caliber I so choose.

So I guess this opens up to T3 remarks. The unit I looked at(synthetic/blued, .270 Win) fit me nicely, and I thought the action felt pretty smooth. The trigger felt nice to me, with little to compare it to, but the pull on the dry-fire felt alright. It seemed like a reasonable weight, too. Actually, my only complaint with it was that the chamber, safety, magazine, and action housing(I'm not sure what the technical term is) were all made of plastic, which felt quite cheap to me. Now, the guy I was talking with said that for a south-paw, there was no better gun out there, especially for someone looking for a first rifle. For $729 brand new, it didn't seem bad to me. He said he's sold about 300 a year for the past couple years, and that he'd never had one come back with problems. He suggested a Burris scope and Leupold rings(he didn't specifiy an exact model scope), and I'd be out the door for less than $1000, ready to kill anything that walked.

I'm curious about your experiences with your 6.5x55, Cat, in a little more detail. Also, you can probably tell me. 6.5x55 Mauser, Swedish, Krag, SE(C.I.P.), they're all the same round, right? That is my understanding, anyway. I'm curious about recoil with this caliber, and whether you'd recommend it to a guy like me(just starting out, wants to shoot deer and antelope for sure, maybe elk a little later down the road, and potentially interested in learning to shoot longer ranges), or if this is best left in the hands of someone experienced. Also, is handloading pretty well necessary with a cartridge like this, or is there enough ammunition commonly available to keep your average hunter satisfied? I'd like to experiment with some handloading later on down the road, after I get my own gear and put some experience under my belt, but for the first 2-3 years I'd just like to go out and hunt, and use factory loads.

Thanks to Cat and all else who reply.

Brad

[Faststeel]

Brad

This would be a great gun in a Tikka, mine is in a Steyr Pro Hunter. The recoil in this round isn;t much more than a 243 if you ever shot one on those. I reload for mine as selection of factory ammo is definitely limited. Most factory ammo is in either 129gr ( Winchester) or 140gr ( Remington ). You can do some long range shooting with this caliber, I think Sierra make a match grade selection of bullets as well as Hornady and some others.
There are many older 6.5's that were military rifles that have been sporterized and work well. Newer actions like the tikka will be able to handle a higher velocity load, than the military actions. FS

[straight]

Hi Brad09.

6.5x55 is one of the best cartridges around. My favorite and very accurate. It is a real pleasure to shoot and lots of fun to reload. I have Tikka T3 and Sako M-995 in this caliber. And I sold .308 and .243 because swede, when properly re-loaded, just makes all their job.

straight

[catnthehat]

Here's mine, a safari model made by F.A.I.R. of Italy.
it shoots well , but unfortunately I have not killed anything with it yet.
At the Spruce Grove rifle rodeo last year, off my elbows , it regularly hit the 200 meter chicken with the open sights, with either barrel.

I've owned about 10 6.5X55's over the years, maybe more,l and have eother killed or seen killed quite a few animals with the 6.5X55.
Most were bought ( '96 Mausers) and worked up into hunting rifles for kids then sold to their parents, and ALL were nice, accurate rifles.
I also had a 6.5X55AI that I bought from JDS precision that Butch had built, and it was a stunner in the accuracy department.
I have seen the big 160 grain bullet tip over moose, and white tails with boring regularity, and a friend of mine who I built one for has three elk with his now.
Most fellas like the 140 grain bullets, but I use the big 156 Normas, or the 160 Seirras , and keep the shot inside 250 yards.
I have shot factory 140 grain Hornadys, but prefer the European ammo ( Igman) for factory ammo, it is that much faster .
Every now and then there is a M70 Winchester on the exchange on CGN ( and here) in 6.5X55
( featherweight) They are fine , light rifles that are very sought after.
The T3 is a good rifle, as is the Sako TRGS, I have shot both in 6.5X55 and they are tack drivers.

Cat

[rembo]

I have a 6.5 Swede in a Sako 75 and a friend had one in a T3...the T3 was one of the most accurate factory hunting rifles I've ever seen...3 shots went under 5/8 quite regularly.My Sako is not quite that accurate..yet..but it shoots very well. With a 140 at 2700-2800 it's the equal of the 260 and the 7-08. I have both of those too.

[Cal]

I'v seen quite a few people using them for moose and deer up here. I would imagine even the 140 grainers should have enough penetration for moose. A decent 130 will do the job out of a 270 and thats way less sectional density. You can sometimes find pretty cheap 6.5 rifles ones on the internet. Other than that I would probably opt for a 7mm 08 instead as the performance and recoil are similar and I think that 7-08 amo is going to become more redily availible over the years while I cant see that happening with the 6.5.

[bobinthesky]

I've seen that rifle before Cat and I wondered where it ended up!


I've had a 6.5x55 in a 96 Swede for a few years and it's one of my favourite plinkers. Almost no recoil, acurate and easy to load for. A very popular hunting caliber in Europe.
I've been tinkering with the idea of getting one in a CZ 550!

[Booner Sniper]

We have 4 - 6.5 x 55s in the gun room. My target/long range is a M98 VZ 24 action with a Shultz & Larson barrel in 6.5x55. Without a doubt the most accurate gun in the entire collection. I shoot 140gr Sierra's out of it and it will cloverleaf all day. We have a M96 which we have loaded with 120 Rem Core lokt for deer and Yotes, shoots great, and does fine on deer. Recoil on them is very mild, and they are very capable of shooting long distances for target. With the right bullet and the right bullet placement you could take Moose and Elk, not my choice as I like a little more energy for them.

[catnthehat]

[QUOTE=bobinthesky;254884]I've seen that rifle before Cat and I wondered where it ended up!


QUOTE]

I had that gun( along with its 20 guage barrels) special ordered from Will last spring, it was the first one brought into canada apparantly.

Cat

[bobinthesky]

[QUOTE=catnthehat;254958]

Originally Posted by bobinthesky

I've seen that rifle before Cat and I wondered where it ended up!


QUOTE]

I had that gun( along with its 20 guage barrels) special ordered from Will last spring, it was the first one brought into canada apparantly.

Cat

Yes, Will called me to come look at the first order that came in and I remember your rifle/shotgun combo. Nice gun!

I ordered (and got) a 20/28 guage combo Tartaruga Gold. I like it.

[Traps]

6.5x55 or the 260 Remington, the 260 has a higher pressure rating but if you hand load with the right brass the 6.5x55 will outperform it. 6.5x55 is one of the best guns out there IMO, bigger isn't always better and if you can take an elephant with it then everything else should be good too with proper bullet placement.

[bobinthesky]

Originally Posted by Traps

6.5x55 or the 260 Remington, the 260 has a higher pressure rating but if you hand load with the right brass the 6.5x55 will outperform it. 6.5x55 is one of the best guns out there IMO, bigger isn't always better and if you can take an elephant with it then everything else should be good too with proper bullet placement.

Whats a .260?... never heard of it...

[Grizzly Adams]

Still lots of surplus 6.5 Swedish rifles kicking around. Top quality manufacture and never fired in anger. Built by companies like Huskvarna.
Grizz

[wayne]

The 260 is "a 243 with a better bullet".

[catnthehat]

[QUOTE=bobinthesky;255307]

Originally Posted by catnthehat

I ordered (and got) a 20/28 guage combo Tartaruga Gold. I like it.

I've got a Tartaruga in 410 for practise, great shotguns!
Cat

[Chung66]

Originally Posted by Brad09

Hey again everyone,

Curious about a caliber I stumbled upon while rifle shopping. Saw a Remington box of Swedish Mauser 6.5 x 55mm rounds, 140 grains, in their Core-Lokt line. So I got home and googled it. Came up with a little basic information: Standard weight range 100-155 grains, supposed to be a good round out to 700-800 yards, relatively low recoil, originally designed in 1891 in Scandanavia. Apparently in Northern Europe guys hunt elk, moose, and brown bear with it. Other than that, I don't know squat about it. I'm curious to know if anyone out here uses it, and what they use it for. Are different ammunition types pretty common, or is it a lesser-known cartridge in North America? Would anyone recommend it to a novice, or is it better off in the hands of an experienced shooter?

Thanks, any info you can offer is great.

Brad

I used the 140 core-lokt on a nice mule buck this year.
It was about 20 yard shot, but there was a nice wound channel and complete pass through. I have used mostly 140 nosler hand loads with great results.

[HuskyM38]

I have used my old Husqvarna to harvest several moose and many deer over the past 15 years. None of these animals travelled very far after being shot, so I suppose it does the job. As I don't reload (yet) I have found that my rifle prefers Remington 140gr factory ammo. It has very low recoil, shoots tight groups and so far has killed every animal it has shot at-not bad for a rifle with '1942' stamped on it! I would highly recommend this cartridge for beginners and experienced shooters alike. The only problem you may run into is ammo availability depending on where you live. I usually shop at P&D or Wholesale and have never had a problem, but others I have talked to have said they have trouble finding ammo for their 6.5's at their local shops.

[Jason Balesdent]

All I can say is, if you have a chance to get your hands on one in good shape, buy it! I have a Remington 700 Classic in 6.5 Swede and absolutely love it. Tiny little groups with 100gr Sierras (gophers at over 300 yards, no problem) and easily sub 3/4 in. groups with 140 gr Sierra's. Very easily handled recoil. Only downside is factory ammo avalability but that can be handlel by handloading. Have fun if you get one.