Author Topic: 6.5x55 Swede question  (Read 3501 times)

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Offline sja384

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6.5x55 Swede question
« on: August 01, 2012, 10:18:15 AM »
Hello to everyone on here. I got a new Sako 85 Finnlight in 6.5x55 swede today and noticed that it has a 24 1/2" barrel. Is a longer barrel necessary to acheive the advertised velocity from this round? I was also wondering if anyone who shoots this round could tell me if heavier bullets are better for a 1 in 8 inch twist. Thank you very much

Offline Don Fischer

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Re: 6.5x55 Swede question
« Reply #1 on: August 01, 2012, 12:44:09 PM »
Heavy bullet's are supposed to handle better with 140gr and up and work for lighter bullet's also. I have two 6.5's, one a 6.5x55 on a mod 70 ftr wgt. the other is a 6.5x06 on a 700 Rem. The 6.5x55 handles 140 gr bullets well but the 6.5x06 gets a bit fussy with them. @04gr Hornady's and Sierra MK's shoot very well but I talked to hornady and sierra both about bullet's. Hornady is not claiming it will handle the 140gr well, but it does. Their 123gr match they say won't shoot either without the 1-8. Sierra claims their 140gr MK will handle well in my 1-9 twist, that is an understatement. But their 142gr MK they say won't. I really like the 129gr bullet in both of them. I think in my reloading manuale, the velocity's are taken in a Sweed with a 29" barrel. I don't recall velocities I get with my mod 70 but it will give the 6.5x06 a real run. Had one made for the ex on a Parker-Hale action with a 23" Shilen barrel and it got close enough to the 6.5x06 that the difference wasn't worth noting.
The 6.5x55 is an absolutely awesome cartridge!
:wink: Even a blind squrrel find's an acorn sometime's![/quote]

Offline sja384

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Re: 6.5x55 Swede question
« Reply #2 on: August 01, 2012, 03:03:16 PM »
Thanks for the reply Don. I didn't realize that velocities were taken fron a 29" barrel. I guess that explains why the barrel is the length that it is. I ordered a couple of boxes of Nosler custom ammo loaded with 140 gr. accutips, so hopefully they will shoot well.

Offline nomosendero

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Re: 6.5x55 Swede question
« Reply #3 on: August 01, 2012, 03:43:11 PM »
Hello to everyone on here. I got a new Sako 85 Finnlight in 6.5x55 swede today and noticed that it has a 24 1/2" barrel. Is a longer barrel necessary to acheive the advertised velocity from this round? I was also wondering if anyone who shoots this round could tell me if heavier bullets are better for a 1 in 8 inch twist. Thank you very much

Congrats for owning a great rifle & a great cartridge. Your velocity will be good in the 24" barrel, as the capacity is not large. In fact, my wife's rifle is a 24" and does very well. I don't know what advertised vel. you are seeing, but alot of it is for the 95 action, you have a very strong action & loading data for that action is in the newer Speer manual and others. It is a wonderful round & my Wifes rifle has accounted for a big Hog, an Elk & a couple of truck loads of Deer.
You will not make peace with the Bluecoats, you are free to go.

Offline Mikey

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Re: 6.5x55 Swede question
« Reply #4 on: August 02, 2012, 12:41:34 AM »
I have 3 Swedes:  a tack driving sporterized bolt M38 and two AG42b's - both Ags have better barrels than my bolt wears and all 3 have the same twist, a 1:7.5".  The Swedes will run 1:7.5 or 1:8 and either twist will get you excellent accuracy.  I would not even consider the difference in velocity between a 24.5" bbl and a 23.5" bbl (M38 Swedish Mauser) in rifles in that caliber as the dog-gone thing will shoot through most anything edible on the continent. 
As for the ehavier slugs:  if you are referring to the 140 gn and lighter- yours should shoot them very well; if you are talking about the heavier 155-160 gn, you will just have to get some slugs and roll your own to find out - I don't believe anyone currently loads a 160 gn slug into that round and sells it commercially.  I might be wrong though - check Norma, they might but otherwise, for the $ of just one box, you could probably get a shellholder, dies and bullets.....

Offline shot1

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Re: 6.5x55 Swede question
« Reply #5 on: August 02, 2012, 01:19:30 AM »
The 6.5X55 is a great round. As to the velocity claim of factory ammo it all depends on what barrel length was used at the factory. In a 24" barrel you should get between 2450 and 2550 fps with 140 gr bullets. Most 6.5X55 ammo is loaded to be under 46,000 CUP which is safe for the small ring Mauser 96 action. You can hand load for your much stronger action and get close to 200 more fps. I have always had great luck using one of the 4350 powders but others get more velocity and as good accuracy with slower powders like H4831 & RL22. Your 8 twist barrel will shoot any weight bullet just fine but will really shine with 120 through 140 gr bullets. I have killed a number of deer with a sporter 96 Mauser which I left the 29" barrel on. The 120 gr Sierra or Nosler Ballistic tip is perfect for deer size game. It shoot flat and hits hard. I get 3000 fps with a max load of AA 4350 given in their data that is safe for that action. I also have killed deer with the 140 Sierra and Hornady bullets with a max load of AA 4350 as given in their data and get 2800 fps. Can't really tell any difference between the 140 and 120 gr bullets as far as killing effect on deer. Both will drop a deer in their tracks most of the time and exit even through both shoulders from close to really far away. Those looooooooog bullets expand well and just keep on trucking through. The 100 gr Sierra HP pushed to 3100 fps with Varget is a BOMB on ground hogs. That thing just comes unglued and will red mist a ground hog. If it were me with your great rifle I would for sure be reloading for it. Like has been said you can get into reloading for the price of a few boxes of ammo these days. I also shoot this round in vintage military rifle matches. The Sierra 140 match king with the accuracy load from the IV Sierra manual of 37.8 grs IMR 4895 and I use CCI BR2 primers in Remington cases gives outstanding accuracy and it a mild load. Have fun that rifle will kill anything from a mouse to a moose.

Offline BBF

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Re: 6.5x55 Swede question
« Reply #6 on: August 02, 2012, 05:26:54 AM »
My Husky needed a replacement barrel and I had a new military ( step down) unit installed.  The only two bullets tried in a handload ( never used factory) was the Sierra 140 gr SP and the 160 gr. Hdy RN.  Both shoot well with the Sierra edging out the Hdy.
 
Re barrel lenghts
It has been a very long time, I recall seeing a military carbine with a short barrel and a straight pull bolt action.
 
Added 14-10-2012
I've got some NORMA MRP powder left from years ago and that is the powder I use for the 160 gr Hdy bullets.
What is the point of Life if you can't have fun.

Offline gunnut69

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Re: 6.5x55 Swede question
« Reply #7 on: October 12, 2012, 08:59:32 PM »
The swedes fielded 3 basic models of the same rifle the M94 (16.? inch barrel) M38 (24 inch barrel think?) and the M96 with a barrel length of a bit over 29 inches... This is a great caliber and I've had good luck with 120, 140 aand 125 grain bullets from several makers.. The 125 Nosler is a great deer bullet from my featherweight..
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Offline redclay33

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Re: 6.5x55 Swede question
« Reply #8 on: November 04, 2012, 10:56:58 AM »
I think you will enjoy the 6.5x55.  I'm shooting 140 horn.,but it groups well with pretty much everything. After I use up my 140s, I'm switching to 129's. R22 my powder of choice.

Offline jdt48653

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Re: 6.5x55 Swede question
« Reply #9 on: November 04, 2012, 03:55:55 PM »
norma makes a 156 gr for the swede

Offline anweis

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Re: 6.5x55 Swede question
« Reply #10 on: December 04, 2012, 05:20:32 AM »
I can now answer your question well, because i have purchased the same rifle, but mine has a nice wood stock.
First, have in mind this: there are two kinds of 6.5x55 rifles. Older military ones, where pressures must be kept low for safety, and newer stronger rifles, such us the Sako, Sauer, Winchester, Ruger, etc. Because of this reason, you can only buy American made ammo which is loaded midly, for older rifles with weaker actions. As far as published reloading tables, most were developed with 28" barrels, but with low pressures in mind, for safety when fired in older rifles. Handloading tables for older rifles are named "6.5x55 Swedish Mauser". Handloading tables for stronger modern rifles are usually named "6.5x55 SKAN or SE".
Your Sako has a shorter sporting barrel and a long freebore, to accomodate long heavy bullets. Combined with loads safe for old rifles, this will give you some slow and whimpy velocities in your rifle. For example, maximum loads at 2,800 fps advertised in several handloading books, but tested in 29" tubes and kept at low pressure for safety, only gave 2,400 fps in my Sako. With 129 grain bullets, Lapua brass, and IMR 4350, i went 4 or 5 grains over maximum published loads and i got 2,800 fps, safely. And accurately. My Sako shoots 5-shot groups of Speer 120 grain and Hornady 129 grain bullets into less than 0.5" ragged holes, on cold days. On warm days shots 4 and 5 wander a bit (0.5" off the main hole). Also, the best powders for 29" tubes are not the best in your shorter barrel, they are too slow burning and you will not achieve great velocity. If you handload, you should use slightly faster powders.
To simplify, if you want full power loads, buy ammo made in Europe by RWS, Lapua, Norma, Sellier and Bellot, maybe also Prvi Partizan. If you handload, use good quality brass (Lapua) and load data for modern rifles, from the Lapua web page or elsewhere. 
As far as rifling twist in your Sako, it is 1:8", to stabilize 160 grain bullets. For this reason, the freebore or throat area of your rifle is also rather long, to allow chambering rounds loaded with those long bullets. If you handload, use a COL gauge and fit your bullets 0.020" off rifling and be ready to be amazed. My Sako shoots any bullet very accurately, from 100 grain to 160 grain. So will yours.
Here is a sweet shooting load: Lapua brass, CCI BR 2 primer, 34 grains of H4895, Speer 120 grain Hotcor, COL= 2.97",  2,450 fps, almost zero recoil, noise or blast, kills deer like lightning and it has a fairly flat trajectory (less than 3" up and down from muzle to 200 meters).  Grouping was practically one hole, slightly oval, at 100 meters.
Also a word of caution: because of the long throat designed to accomodate long bullets, if you shoot a lot of high velocity high pressure loads with shorter, lighter bullets, on the long run (over 1,000 shots), you will experience faster than normal throat erosion/barrel wear. This is because a lot of gass will escape around the bullet before it has the time to seal the bore. To prevent this, allow the rifle to cool between shots, keep it cool. Also, use a COL gauge to seat short bullets closer to the rifling and fire them with Vihtavuori powders. Use hot high pressure loads only if needed, say, if you expect 300 yard shots. That will significantly extend barrel life.     
 

Offline T.R.

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Re: 6.5x55 Swede question
« Reply #11 on: December 11, 2012, 02:39:31 AM »
My wife hunts with a custom Browning in 6.5mm Swede featuring 22 inch barrel.  It shoots 140 grain bullets with outstanding accuracy. 
 
TR

Offline boarhuntr

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Re: 6.5x55 Swede question
« Reply #12 on: December 11, 2012, 05:24:04 PM »
I have two rifles in 6.5 Swede, a Mauser and one with a Sharpshooter Supply stainless barrel on a Savage action. The Savage barrel is medium contour, too muzzle heavy for my liking.  So I want you guys's opinion, if I bob the barrel down to 18.5 inches, will it make a huge difference in velocity ?
I'm reading that many AR's are being chambered in 6.5 Grendel in 16 in. barrels and shooting tremendously, even one guy downed a big bull elk at 400 plus yds.
What do you guys think ?  I'd like an answer soon as I plan to take that rifle to my smith's to get bobbed, so I went answers beforehand. He's the kind of smith that doesn't read up on ballistics, so he wouldn't give me an opinion.
I just hate the feel of the longer barrel, and I'd rather have the gun bobbed or barrel turned down than have it stay a safe queen
Thanks,




Michael :D

Offline RevJim

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Re: 6.5x55 Swede question
« Reply #13 on: December 11, 2012, 06:11:17 PM »
 I have no experience with the 6.5 Swede, but I have shot a lot of game with a .260 Remington and later the same rifle rechambered for the 6.5/284. I  shot the 129gr Hornady in the .260 but the Nosler 125PT and 120BT in the 6.5/284. I also handloaded the speer 140 for my friends .264 Win Mag years ago.
All this is to say that the 6.5 bullets (even in those light weights) penetrated like crazy, and I never recovered a single bullet in either caliber! I don't think bobbing your rifle will hurt its killing capacity at all. I say bob it first, and if it still seems too muzzle heavy, have the barrel fluted. I had a 6mm/284 fluted and it really helped, but I hedged my bet by having the barreled action Cryogenically treated afterward. I like Cryo a lot, my favorite baby, my 700 classic in 35 Whelen was Blueprinted/cherried  when I had it rechambered to the Ackley Improved, and it too was Cryoed. I also had a moly something waterproof coating baked on last. I still get bughole groups 12 years later! Have fun, and for heavens sake, don't let that rifle languish in the safe! ha

Offline boarhuntr

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Re: 6.5x55 Swede question
« Reply #14 on: December 11, 2012, 07:18:40 PM »
I have no experience with the 6.5 Swede, but I have shot a lot of game with a .260 Remington and later the same rifle rechambered for the 6.5/284. I  shot the 129gr Hornady in the .260 but the Nosler 125PT and 120BT in the 6.5/284. I also handloaded the speer 140 for my friends .264 Win Mag years ago.
All this is to say that the 6.5 bullets (even in those light weights) penetrated like crazy, and I never recovered a single bullet in either caliber! I don't think bobbing your rifle will hurt its killing capacity at all. I say bob it first, and if it still seems too muzzle heavy, have the barrel fluted. I had a 6mm/284 fluted and it really helped, but I hedged my bet by having the barreled action Cryogenically treated afterward. I like Cryo a lot, my favorite baby, my 700 classic in 35 Whelen was Blueprinted/cherried  when I had it rechambered to the Ackley Improved, and it too was Cryoed. I also had a moly something waterproof coating baked on last. I still get bughole groups 12 years later! Have fun, and for heavens sake, don't let that rifle languish in the safe! ha


Hey, thanks for your input. I think I will go ahead and have mine bobbed to 20 in. and if it still too muzzle heavy then maybe another in. off. Then turn the barrel to a thinner contour if that doesn't work out. I've heard the 6.5 at moderate velocities still penetrate like crazy and after some distance still retains a lot of velocity vs say 30 calibers. 
My other gun, the Swedish Mauser, shoots like a house afire. It likes the long military ammo made in Sweden. But those 165 gr. bullets won't load in my Savage.

Michael

Offline BBF

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Re: 6.5x55 Swede question
« Reply #15 on: December 12, 2012, 09:19:35 AM »
Why not do it the other way around. Change the contour and leave the lenght. You can still cut that if it doesn't feel right.
What is the point of Life if you can't have fun.