6.5x55 Howa

[nodlenor]

I finally found a Howa in 6.5x55 Swede. I've been wanting one for quite a while now. I bought a barreled action because I have a plastic stock I can use until I decide what I want to replace it with. I haven't got it set up yet so I can't give a range report on it but I will as soon as I can. I hope the cartridge lives up to what I've read and heard about it.
I would like to hear some suggestions on what scope to use on it. I'm very limited on funds so don't recomend one that is very expensive. The gun shop where I bought the rifle has a NC Star 3-9x40, anyone know anything about these. I was told they are made by the same company that makes Simmons and Tasco.
Also I'll be reloading for it in the future, what powders & bullet combinations have you used that gives good accuracy.

[james]

First, I would pass on the NC Star.   An older Tasco or Bushnell Banner will probably cost less and be better quality.  Rem. 700 or weatherby vanguard bases should fit your Howa so you might pick up some used ones cheap.  Watch ebay and gunbroker for cheap used scopes and mounts.  I saw an old Weaver V7 sell on ebay a few days ago for about $45 which was a buy.
I don't know the twist in your barrel but I've had good luck with Privi 140 grain soft points and Varget powder in my Swedes, Encore, and McGowen barrels which are about 1:8.    I load 120 or 129 gr Hornadys for my daughter to use in the Encore and they are accurate and have less recoil.   
Good luck with your 6.5.   

[Huffmanite]

For your Howa 6.5, you may want to consider the Federal Intensity Optics scopes that Natchez Shooters Supply or Sportsmans Guide has available to sell.  This line of scopes are by ATK and discontinued under the Intensity brand, but still available under the Weaver brand (also ATK) at much higher prices.  Intensity scopes from Natchez/Sportsmans Guide are a real bargain and optics on them are pretty good.  Anyone else still selling the Intensity scopes have them for a much higher price.

Also, from June to Dec, Simmons has a 25% rebate for any scope of theirs over $25 in price.  So, a $100 Simmons scope costs you $75. Once again, check the Simmons scopes that Natchez has available in their internet catalog you can find on the right side of opening page of their website.  I have a few of the Simmons Prohunter line of scopes (with decent optics) on centerfire rifles chambered in cartridges similiar in recoil to the 6.5 Swede and they have given me no problems.

Expect at least a $12 or higher shipping price from these companies.

[glazer1972]

Weaver Japanese K4 or K6.  About $125.

[Slowpoke Slim]

Cameraland of NY has Vortex viper 2-7x scopes on closeout for 179. That is a great price on a very good scope. They also have free shipping on purchases over 100. I would jump on one if I were you.

They are a paid advertiser here.

The Howa takes the same scope base as the Rem 700.

I don't have a Swede, but I do have a 6.5x284. I've only shot match bullets in mine. What kind of use are you looking for? Deer, elk, varmints, or targets? That will modify the bullet advice you get. For my big game rifles, I tend to prefer the Nosler partitions and ballistic tips, depending on the size and weight of the game.

[the jigger]

For your scope choice let me suggest a 3X9X40 Nikon ProStaff. I have four ranging in age from
six years to a little over a year and I can see no difference in any of them. I have said it before on this site,
"IMHO there are better scopes out there(maybe) but none are better for the dollar spent".
GOOD LUCK and GOOD SHOOTING!!

[nodlenor]

I put a Tasco World Class Plus 3-9x44 on it for now. I have two of these and like them very much. I bought a Federal Intensity 3-9x44 & a Pentax Gameseeker 4-12x40 but I'm going to use the Tasco for a while. I also bought a Boyds thumbhole stock for it (which I really like). After loading some loads for it I finally got to the range to try it out. My best load turned out to be 45gr of H4831 behind a Sierra 140gr SP. It made a 1 1/4" 5 shot group with three of them touching. Not bad for me as I'm getting old a a lot shaky. I'll be tweaking it some more in the future but this load will work for whitetails this season.
Thanks for all your suggestions for a scope. They were all good suggestions but unfortunately I can't afford them all.

[mcwoodduck]

Weaver Japanese K4 or K6.  About $125.

+1
Or a 3-9X38  V9
Midway has them.

[TLARbb]

I put a Tasco World Class Plus 3-9x44 on it for now. I have two of these and like them very much. I bought a Federal Intensity 3-9x44 & a Pentax Gameseeker 4-12x40 but I'm going to use the Tasco for a while. I also bought a Boyds thumbhole stock for it (which I really like). After loading some loads for it I finally got to the range to try it out. My best load turned out to be 45gr of H4831 behind a Sierra 140gr SP. It made a 1 1/4" 5 shot group with three of them touching. Not bad for me as I'm getting old a a lot shaky. I'll be tweaking it some more in the future but this load will work for whitetails this season.
Thanks for all your suggestions for a scope. They were all good suggestions but unfortunately I can't afford them all.

That's pretty good results for first time out.  It'll get better after you shoot it some more.  I can certainly relate to the older and shakier part myself.  I find I need to be happy with a 1" group when my son is shooting bugholes on the same day, same gun, same loads.  So, older and shakier certainly plays a part. 

EJ

[Lloyd Smale]

those world class tasco are bad scopes. I had one given to me that i ended up giving away but compared it to the couple nikon prostaffs i have and in my opinion the tasco did a better job in low light. Ive got a mental block when it comes to putting a scope with tasco on it on one of my guns but thats just a personal thing. Ive got a freind that has one of there euroclass scopes on his deer rifle and I have to admitt its a pretty good piece of glass.

[nomosendero]

Weaver Japanese K4 or K6.  About $125.

+1
Or a 3-9X38  V9
Midway has them.

In that price rang I would say you made a good call.

[gunner69]

My sons 6x5x55, with Zeus Scope, will shoot less than an inch at 100 yards any day of the week.   He shoots 5/8" groups or better on a regular basis.   Spend more for the optics if you want to optimize accuracy. 

[nomosendero]

My sons 6x5x55, with Zeus Scope, will shoot less than an inch at 100 yards any day of the week.   He shoots 5/8" groups or better on a regular basis.   Spend more for the optics if you want to optimize accuracy.  

Are they still made on Mt. Olympus?  

[gunner69]

Sorry about the spelling........ the other comments still stand. 

[nomosendero]

Sorry about the spelling........ the other comments still stand. 

Gunner, thanks for your good nature, I knew you meant Zeiss, but it was New Year's Eve & I decided
to joke around on the internet & stay home. My Wife & I decided it was safer & I would feel better
the next morning. 

Yes, they are nice scopes. I would kinda like to get one for my 264, but I have a 6x18 Leu. to use.