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Author Topic: Model 70 6.5X55 Work Rewarded  (Read 1794 times)

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Offline Rangr44

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Model 70 6.5X55 Work Rewarded
« on: July 03, 2007, 10:47:58 AM »
I just love it, when a plan works out !

I bought a Model 70 Featherweight 6.5X55 last Fall, complete with a Leupy 2-7X, cheap !

I tried shooting it, just before a planned out-of-state hunting trip, but found out why it was so cheap - It wouldn't group very good.
I didn't have any time to fool with it then, so left it for this Spring, and ordered some Norma ammo.

Well, when I took it apart, I found that someone had done an improper job of glass bedding. The bedding was tight where it should have clearance (like the front & sides of the recoil lug) and clearances where it shoulda been tighter.

Soooo, I got out my files and scrapers, cleaned out around the front & sides of the recoil lug a few thousandths, flowed a little AccraGlas into some voids, and glued a small piece of a plastic credit card in the barrel channel about 1 1/2" in back of the tip of the forend.

I was rewarded at the range today, with several 3-shot groups @ 100yds that I could cover with a nickel.  Best of all, one of my friends was even able to shoot quarter-sized groups with it - the best he's ever shot, he said.
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Offline TribReady

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Re: Model 70 6.5X55 Work Rewarded
« Reply #1 on: July 03, 2007, 12:43:11 PM »
Sounds like you have a tuned-up rifle ready to go!!!  :)

And in an awesome, versatile caliber!!  :)
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Offline Rangr44

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Re: Model 70 6.5X55 Work Rewarded
« Reply #2 on: July 03, 2007, 02:42:42 PM »
Yeah - I figure, it's a poor man's .270 !  ;D
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Offline Sweet 6.5

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Re: Model 70 6.5X55 Work Rewarded
« Reply #3 on: July 03, 2007, 06:55:46 PM »
???

No - the .270 is the poor mans 6.5x55

 ;D
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Offline benchracer

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Re: Model 70 6.5X55 Work Rewarded
« Reply #4 on: July 04, 2007, 08:35:33 AM »
I'm jealous.
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Offline Slamfire

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Re: Model 70 6.5X55 Work Rewarded
« Reply #5 on: July 04, 2007, 07:26:31 PM »
The .270 is a 7mm.  ::)
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Offline Sweet 6.5

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Re: Model 70 6.5X55 Work Rewarded
« Reply #6 on: July 04, 2007, 07:50:02 PM »
Quote from: Slamfire on July 04, 2007, 07:26:31 PM
The .270 is a 7mm.  ::)

We know - not all calibers can be perfect.
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Offline Mikey

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Re: Model 70 6.5X55 Work Rewarded
« Reply #7 on: July 05, 2007, 12:59:10 AM »
Wait a minute!  The 270 is a .270, the 7mm is .284. 

Good job on that Model 70!  Mikey.
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Offline Cement Man

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Re: Model 70 6.5X55 Work Rewarded
« Reply #8 on: July 05, 2007, 02:10:53 AM »
Good job!  Happy for your success.  That's got to be a nice rifle - 6.5 Swede and a Featherweight with those nice lines - nice combo.  If I could find a good one, I'd buy it!  Congrats.
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Offline handirifle

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Re: Model 70 6.5X55 Work Rewarded
« Reply #9 on: July 05, 2007, 05:28:37 AM »
Nice work.  Shows what a little know how can do for ya.

I assume the credit card part is for a little pressure on the barrel at the forend?

Let me ask hopefully, without stepping on toes.  Why the Swede and not a 260 Rem.  Aren't they the same caliber?  Is the Swede better or is it a romance of the cartridge thing?
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Offline Siskiyou

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Re: Model 70 6.5X55 Work Rewarded
« Reply #10 on: July 05, 2007, 08:29:22 AM »
I am jealous; while I admire the 6.5x55 round I accept its limitations in the Swedish M96 action.  Accuracy, penetration, and light recoil are three of its attributes.  I made a one shot kill on a buck at about 150 yards with.  So I was duly impressed after checking out the damage done by the 140 grain Nosler PT.

I have killed numerous deer with the .270 Winchester (6.8MM), and no way do I consider the 6.5 Swede as powerful.  Using the Sierra Ballistics program I have dialed in the velocities that I have obtained from three different .270’s and my 6.5.  My standard of comparison is the Hornaday 140 BTSP in .277, and the Nosler PT 140 in 6.5.  Using data collected using my Chrony under the same conditions the .270 out shoots the Swede when it comes to velocity, energy, trajectory, and bullet drop out to a thousand yards. 

Those like Rangr44 who have M70 Winchesters and Ruger 77’s in 6.5 Swede and are in another class because they can take advantage of the fine 6.5 Swede case capacity.  And they can be loaded to a higher pressure.  Some would argue that I could load beyond the published data for the 6.5 Swede without risk.  But in my case I am unwilling to take that risk because I want my grandchildren be able to shot the rifle without losing an eye.

I believe that one of the reasons my brother gave me the sporterized M96 is to keep from mixing the loads for his M70 in 6.5 Swede with loads for the M96.  He is a devote follower of the 6.5 diameter bullet.  And three of his 6.5 rifles will clearly shoot with or out shoot the .270 Winchester.  All three rifles have strong modern actions.  One of them is .256 Newton AI. (Basically a 6.5-06). Another is a 6.5-.284 Norma, and the last but not least is his 6.5 Swede M70 Winchester.  All three of these can be loaded to higher pressures.  In fact the 6.5-284 has a major following in the competitive shooting world. 

I compared my loads for a bolt action .300 Savage using a 165 grain Hornaday B.T.S.P. and publish maximum charge of IMR4064 for a velocity of 2630 f.p.s. at 6700 foot elevation.  I also obtained a velocity of 2600 f.p.s. with a maximum charge of H4831 pushing a 140-grain bullet at the same location.  Using the ballistics program I compared the 6.5 Nosler PT, and the 165-grain Hornaday.  From a velocity stand point the 165-grain bullet started to fall behind at 150 yards.  But the energy developed by the 165-grain bullet exceeds the 6.5 out to beyond 800 yards.  Taking a look at the drop comparison the 6.5 path was flatter after 500 yards.

From a practical standpoint most of my deer are taken at a range less then 200 yards.  A 300 yard and beyond shot is rare.  So all the rounds I have mention will do the job.  While I truly appreciate the M96 that my brother gave me I would appreciate more the +P+ ability of the 6.5 Swede in the Model 70 Winchester.

I am glad you have tuned your rifle, I have found the round to be very accurate, in fact more accurate then the .277 Winchester.


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Offline james

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Re: Model 70 6.5X55 Work Rewarded
« Reply #11 on: July 05, 2007, 09:27:58 AM »
Some guys have all the luck. Congrats on a good find.   I've been looking for a used Rem, Win, Tikka, or CZ and looks like you found one. I first acquired a 96 Swede then a 38 Swede, then a Kimber sportered swede but I still needed a modern 6.5 x 55. The hotter the loads the better they shot but I didn't want to press my luck.  I ran across a 6.5 x 55 barrel for my Encore so I put a VX II tactical on it and thought I was set.  WRONG.  I let my daughter shoot it and now I only get to use it when she is not.  I took a couple of 120-140 lb whitetails last year with the Encore and was very impressed.  We have antelope tags for Wyoming this year and she will use the Encore and I have to use something else. My goat load is a 120 gr Sierra and 39 gr. of Varget which is near max for the old Swedes. Unless I can come up with a modern 6.5 by Oct, I may bloody my safe queen,.... a Tikka Whitetail hunter deluxe in .270 with the fancy wood on it.  For deer and antelope sized game, I've decided I will leave the .30 calibers at home.
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Offline Rangr44

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Re: Model 70 6.5X55 Work Rewarded
« Reply #12 on: July 05, 2007, 10:04:05 AM »
Thanks, all !

[I assume the credit card part is for a little pressure on the barrel at the forend?]    Yep.

[Let me ask hopefully, without stepping on toes.  Why the Swede and not a 260 Rem.]    Not to worry -

This gun purchase was for several reasons.

1) I wasn't shopping for a gun - I went to the gunstore for some Tru-Oil.   ::)

2) I saw this Featherweight on the wall, and since I had liked/owned a few in the past ( .30-06, .338), I asked the shop owner to hand it to me, what caliber, and how much, etc.

3) When the seller mentioned the caliber, 6.5X55, to me - I couldn't help but think about all those Scandanavian hunters, who drop their Moose (Elg) with the caliber.

4) I never gave the 260 a thought, either before, during, or since. YMMV, but I feel it's just another .308 clone, like the .243 - with nowhere the charisma or history the 6.5X55 has.

5) When I inspected it, and the Leupy scope - I gave the man his $525 and took it home as fast as my fat little legs could get it out the door.



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Offline fordisto

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Re: Model 70 6.5X55 Work Rewarded
« Reply #13 on: July 05, 2007, 03:14:06 PM »
$525 :o :o, Thats a steal. I got the same gun last February, but in the stainless configuration. I didn't get that good of a deal though.  It's hard to beat that setup for accuracy, ample power, and good looks.
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Offline Sweet 6.5

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Re: Model 70 6.5X55 Work Rewarded
« Reply #14 on: July 05, 2007, 07:35:41 PM »
Quote from: Mikey on July 05, 2007, 12:59:10 AM
Wait a minute!  The 270 is a .270, the 7mm is .284. 

Good job on that Model 70!  Mikey.

The 270 = .277 inches = 7.0358 millimeters
The 7mm =    .284 inches = 7.2136 millimeters
The 6.5mm well is 6.5mm (not really = .264 inches = 6.7056 millimeters)

 :D
I know the 270 is faster and I know the 7mm is heavier .... but, I love my 6.5x55 (96)
at 2550 fps and no recoil. I love the fact that I can go to the range and shoot until I have to stop because I don't have anything left to shoot, and not because I am too sore to shoot.
I know it will work from blue wildebeest down. 

PS : the fact that it is my only rifle might also help with this liking in the Swede.

 


 

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Offline Brithunter

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Re: Model 70 6.5X55 Work Rewarded
« Reply #15 on: July 07, 2007, 12:13:35 AM »
Actually in a modern rifle design if loaded to similar pressure the 6.5x55 Swedish pretty much equals the .270 Winchester. When developing a load for his Ruger M77 in 6.5x55 using the 125 Grn Partition bullet for Hunting Whitetails in Missouri. A friend found a load which gave him just over 3,000 fps with that Partition bullet and showed no excessive pressure signs and would stack those bullets into nice round 1 inch groups at 200 yards. So he stopped looking there and then and used that load for several years. For the last few years he has been using a custom .243 AI which he uses for 600 yard shooting as he spends so much time shooting it through the summer that as he says he might as well take it afield as he is so used to it despite it's extra weight. Most of his hunting is from a stand so.....................
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Offline Slamfire

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Re: Model 70 6.5X55 Work Rewarded
« Reply #16 on: July 07, 2007, 06:27:40 PM »
Quote from: Mikey on July 05, 2007, 12:59:10 AM
Wait a minute!  The 270 is a .270, the 7mm is .284. 

Good job on that Model 70!  Mikey.

Actually, 7mm works out to .276. Ain't that just like them Europeans, trickin' you like that.   :D
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