Author Topic: The Swede (Read 4240 times)

Capt Hamp Cox · « **on:** January 06, 2004, 02:22:53 PM »

Guess Huntsman and I are the only ones who feel strongly enough about the 6.5 x 55 to even comment on it. I seem to recall that Graybeard also has experience with the round. Mine started in the late '50s (that's 1950s) with a M94 carbine that that had the soldered barrel extension to bring the barrel to the then legal minimum of 18". I had it drilled and tapped and mounted a Weaver (made in El Paso, TX, USA) K4 scope. Only ammo available at that time was Norma's 156 gr load, which consistently dropped our Central TX whitetails with one shot (that bullet invariably kept traveling, since I never had one stay in the deer). This caliber was what I cut my reloading teeth on with an RCBS Jr. press and dies. The Sierra 120 gr spitzer with H4831 (WW2 surplus), and CCI primers would consistently group 1-1.5" at 100 yds, and was deadly on our relatively small whitetails. Was also pretty effective on jackrabbits. Eventually gave that carbine to a cousin. Have had four more over the years (all M96 versions), three that I sporterized, and one that I set up for local high power rifle matches. All have been extremely accurate and pleasant to shoot. My current deer load is Nosler's 125 gr Part. over H414 and CCI 200 primers in Norma cases.

I also currently have centerfire rifles in .300 Win Mag, 7mm Rem Mag, .308 Win, 7.65 Arg., .303 Brit, .45-70, and .22-250, all of which (except for the .45-70) I've taken whitetails with, and I was fortunate to have collected a Dall sheep in Alaska with the 7mm. I have to admit that I have more of an attachment to the little 6.5 Swede than to any of the other calibers, although the 7mm and .300 mags probably tie for a pretty close second.

huntsman · « **Reply #1 on:** January 06, 2004, 03:29:44 PM »

In contrast to the Cap'n, my history with the Swede is less than a year old, but I am happy as a bear in a honey pot with my two Swedes. I only wish I had known about this caliber when I first started hunting. To me it is the perfect medium game caliber, and will also handle elk and moose, or so I have read repeatedly. The way my guns have dispatched the two hogs I have shot with them, I have no doubt that a Swede could handle anything short of a large bear in North America.

Both of my Swedes are sporterized M96s, and they are consistently accurate and easy to handle and shoot. I'd love to shoot a 6.5x55 in a modern rifle just to see how they compare. Yes, there are many very good calibers out there, and everybody has their preferences, but I would put the 6.5x55SE up against any caliber for combined effectiveness, accuracy, and easy of shooting.

tominboise · « **Reply #2 on:** January 06, 2004, 05:49:01 PM »

Agreed, I am a newcomer to the swede, too. Mine is a Winchester M70 featherweight. I have yet to score with this setup, but just shooting and handling it, leads me to think it'll be a hard combo to beat.........

John Y Cannuck · « **Reply #3 on:** January 07, 2004, 12:48:46 AM »

Year before last, I shot the smallest group in deer camp with my 96, off the roof of my Jeep.
I was using issue sights, against scoped rifles!
Group size was just under an inch for five. (I could not be talked into firing another group

)

Mikey · « **Reply #4 on:** January 07, 2004, 05:27:51 AM »

Fellas: all of you need to read the latest Shooting Times magazine article on the 6.5 Swede - it lays it out as the awesome caliber it is. It provides some extremely interesting load data that sets me to droolin' about what I can do with my sporterized M38, which is wickedly accurate already. Honest guys, if you like the 6.5 as much as I do you have to read that article. Just my 2 cents worth. Mikey.

Lawdog · « **Reply #5 on:** January 07, 2004, 11:03:09 AM »

I built a Swede for my wife two years ago on a civilian M98 action. Super accurate and has handled everything from deer and hogs to Moose in Alaska. I intend to build one for myself but it is going to have to wait until after I finish my .35 Whelen. Lawdog

Graybeard · « **Reply #6 on:** January 07, 2004, 04:25:22 PM »

Nope Dan my experience was with the 7x57. The only 6.5 anything I've ever owned was the 6.5 TCU in a VVCG Custom TC barrel. I've often toyed with the idea of getting a 6.5 rifle either the 6.5x55 or the .260 Rem but haven't done much about it. I did buy a set of .260 dies and 100 cases from someone who listed them on my Classifieds too cheap to pass up. I have a few hundred 6.5 bullets laying around left over from the 6.5 TCU project. So who knows some day I'll likely have one or the other depending on what I happen to see one day and decide I can't live another day without it.

GB

Mikey · « **Reply #7 on:** January 08, 2004, 04:58:46 AM »

Greybeard: lotsa folks seem to think the 260 is the ballistic equivalent of the 6.5 Swede but man, after reading that Shooting Times article on the 6.5 I sorta thunk not. Anywho, if you've got dies for the 260 (which, I think the article referred to as the 6.5x308 and provided that it was an accurate and powerful competition and hunting round) and a whole buncha 6.5 boolets hanging around, you may want to look at the 260 for a choice in one of your Rem. Mountain rifles (??????????????). Just a thought. Mikey.

Graybeard · « **Reply #8 on:** January 08, 2004, 05:52:41 AM »

Perhaps Mikey. Perhaps. But I got way more rifles now than time to use them and I have to in particular I have a burning desire to own neither of which is a 6.5mm anything. Just ain't enough $$$$ to go around for all of my wants. :-D

I have a 7-08 Mtn. Rifle now and for the life of me I can't see a single thing the 6.5 will do for me it won't whether the 6x55 or .260 rem. So I'll likely just wait until someday I run across one that really calls my name and take it home with me.

GB

Capt Hamp Cox · « **Reply #9 on:** January 08, 2004, 06:11:35 AM »

My son has a Rem Model 7 in .260 that I developed loads for. It doesen't seem to be at all temperamental in the powders it likes. He collected his best ever whitetail last year with that rifle and a 125 gr Nosler Part. hand load. I really don't see a whole lot of difference between the .260 and the 6.5 x 55 (in modern firearms), other than the Swede being more versatile in its ability to handle the longer heavier bullets, and the .260 being available in shorter actioned rifles. I think they're both keepers.

Graybeard, my mistake regarding you and Swedes. Seems the older I get the less I remember and the more I have to make up. Seriously, was thinking we had talked 6.5 Swede several years ago on your original forum.

Graybeard · « **Reply #10 on:** January 09, 2004, 05:35:58 AM »

Wal Dan it is a round I've considered many times and had I found more rifles chambered for it on the shelves over the years I likely would have owned one. I think the only rifle I've actually held in my hands chambered to that round is a Win. Model 70 Featherweight from long ago. I sure liked it and came darn close to owning that one but couldn't get the store to agree on a trade. They only wanted to straight sell it and I just didn't have the bucks with me. It was a long way from home and I never went back for it.

I'm thinking a Rem. Model 7 in it or the .260 Rem. would be a nice choice. I've long wanted one of those custom shop Model 7s with the laminated full length stock. Just never have figured what caliber I'd be willing to part with those kinda dollars for. Now if they'd make that stock of the gray laminated wood for me and make the metal SS I'd likely make a decision and get one.

GB
GB

Siskiyou · « **Reply #11 on:** January 09, 2004, 07:45:25 AM »

:agree: , I read the Shooting Times article about the 6.5 Swede. I also noted the rifle had a 29.+ barrel. Clearly with a normal length barrel it is not a hot rod. But it is a great deer round. I was impressed with the first deer I shot with it. The 140 grain Nosler PT did a great job.

I keep trying to convince a hunting partner who has a nicely made, modern, American manufactured 6.5 x 55 to trade me for my M96. I think the round is great and has far more potential in a stronger action. My sportized M96 with a 24 inch a barrel is far more suitable for a young guy. Clearly he should make the trade. :wink: Yep, I am jealous, he has a neat, light weight sporter 6.5X55 in a modern rifle.

But! I would not trade away a trusted .270 Win for it. While the 6.5 Swede is famous for it performance with the 156/160 grain bullets. The 160 grain bullet Nosler PT in .270 shots flatter and delivers more energy to the target. Energy to the target(deer and black bear size game) is what I am interested in. I feel very confindent about hitting a deer at 300 yards with the 6.5 Swede, but I want to deliver more energy to the target. I shot two Mule deer in recent years with frontal shots. Deer one was with the 6.5 using the Nosler bullet at about 150 yards. Great performance. I shot another with the .270 using a 150 grain Win. PP bullet. The range was a little over 250 yards. What was interesting was the bullet performance. It was very similar, and I rather doubt that I would have recover the .270 bullet if I had been using the more expensive Nosler PT in that caliber.

Siskiyou

razmuz · « **Reply #12 on:** January 11, 2004, 05:35:08 AM »

It's not right to compare any caliber to the W-270. You can compare any caliber with the 270 and that caliber would lose. Anything bigger or hotter is overkill and unnecessary. With that said the 6.5X55 is my favorite deer rifle. Last season I got two deer with this round, complete penetration which I don't necessarily like. Next season I'm going to try Balistic Tip neck shots. My stuff:
Rifle: CZ
Barrel: 23+
Bullet: 140 S. Game King
Powder: 47 H-4350
C.O.L. 3.0

My only complaint is that the CZ is a little heavy.

crow_feather · « **Reply #13 on:** January 17, 2004, 11:11:05 AM »

Razmuz,
you should try RL19 and RL22 with this caliber. My wife shot a 5/8" group at 100yds with a sporter 96 mannlicher using Rl 22 powder and 129 grain bullets. She has always hunted with the 140 gr Nosler ballistic tip and of all the deer and antelope shot, none have taken another step after the shot to the heart lung area.

C F

kirkwhitaker · « **Reply #14 on:** January 22, 2004, 06:43:04 PM »

i can say from experiences i have had the 6.5 swed is a about all you need...i have worked up 1/2 at 100 yd loads with 120gr ballistic tips and 3/4 to 1 inch loads with 120 and 140 gr sierras, hornadys and barnes x bullets...and takes game with all of them. I shot a 185lb whitetail with a 120gr ballisic tip through the shoulders...complete penetration...but not a large exit wound...and a 140gr barnes X and 140gr sierra and 140gr hornday on four other deer..all with great results...what makes the 140gr and the swede so nice is that it has the sectional density to go through anything i could ever want to shoot...the 85lb doe i shot this year with a 140 barnes was a complete penetration with a large exit wound...
accuracy and low recoil make it a super round..
it and the 260, 7-08 are all equals...paper ballistics don't mean a thing...i have seen all three in the field and they all are kissin cousins...
mine loves 4350 and 4064....have not tried rel 22 but know some who have and get simlar results....since it is not a high pressure round it and if you load it to specs...(2600 to 2700 fps with 120 and 2500 to 2600 with 140...) it does exactly as it should...i have even loaded 85 gr sierra hps at 3300 fps and gotten 1 inch groups...you can't ask for better from a 6 1/2 pound rifle....
if i had to choose one rifle outta my rack to shoot anything..that m94 customized rifle i have would be it. an elk at 200 yds or less has a big problem and deer out to 300 yds are dead...
i can't praise it enough.........
kw

Siskiyou · « **Reply #15 on:** January 24, 2004, 10:00:12 AM »

For those that reload the 6.5 Swede. I purchased 500 of the 140 grain Rem. bullets for the Swede. Because of the case capacity vs. bullet diameter I am thinking of trying Winchester Magnum Powder and/or H4831. These two powders appear to give safe, high velocities, with lower pressure then some others. I also have these powders on hand which would reduce overall cost.

I take note that Capt Hamp Cox has successfully used it with the 120 grain bullet and H4831. Capt. have you tried it with the 140 grainer?

I normally spend a fair amount of time in load development. I test my loads at a 1000 foot elevation on 90 degree days and then again at 6800 foot elevation. My wife was kind of enough to buy me a Chrony some years ago so that I do not need paper ballistics. Then again I have always enjoyed Ballistics and have a couple of Ballistic Programs.

Over the years I have validated a lot of deer tags, looked at the effect different bullets have had on deer, black bear, and antelope. But, the only dead game I have encountered that had been taken with the 6.5 was either taken by my brother or myself. A rather narrow data base in my case, in the case of my brother a large number of deer in the last 30 or so years. Most of the brothers loads have focused around the 156 grain Hornaday, 140 grain Nosler PT, and the 129 grain Remington. I suspect that most of his loads are pushed with 4895. Oops I forgot a few that were taken with the .264 Win. Mag. No bullets recovered with that round.

Siskyou

Capt Hamp Cox · « **Reply #16 on:** January 25, 2004, 05:24:22 AM »

Siskiyou said:

Quote

I take note that Capt Hamp Cox has successfully used it with the 120 grain bullet and H4831. Capt. have you tried it with the 140 grainer?

My experience has been almost entirely with the 120 gr from Sierra, Nosler and Remington; the 125 gr Nosler Part.; and the 160 gr Hornady. If I were to work with the 140 gr, I'd definitely try H4831 in its short cut (SC) version. I've had real good luck with that powder. Only real negative I can think of regarding 4831 is if you are shooting a Swede with a short (18"-20") barrel in low light conditions (dawn/dusk). The muzzle flash will be brilliant, to say the least.

Siskiyou · « **Reply #17 on:** January 25, 2004, 09:49:05 AM »

Thanks:

My Swede has a 24" barrel. My stock of H4831 is the long grain type. I'll use a little patients filling my cases. The WMR ball powder I have on hand just might over come the powder flow probem. I'll try them both and see what happens. H4831 has been such a great preformer in the .243 and 270 (6.8 Winchester) that I have high expectations for it in the 6.5 Swede.

I need to wait for a lot of snow to melt before I can do some field testing.

Siskiyou

saltydog · « **Reply #18 on:** July 31, 2007, 03:24:04 AM »

It is the time of the year to pull the 6.5 out of the safe and get ready for fall deer hunt. Great caliber - flat shooting with minimal recoil.

Graybeard · « **Reply #19 on:** July 31, 2007, 04:37:13 AM »

I see this thread has now been brought back to the top after a very long period of dormancy. I've still not got a 6.5 anything but still have a lot of 6.5 mm bullets. I have been looking again at both the Remington Model 7 CDL and the Kimbers. Both come in .260 Remington but neither in 6.5x55. It still might happen yet.

james · « **Reply #20 on:** July 31, 2007, 10:40:00 AM »

Bill, you need a 6.5. The mild recoil and lack of muzzleblast make it a pleasure to shoot. My 14 yr old daughter shot a 4" group at 300 yds last Sat. using my 24" Encore 6.5 x 55. It has a Leup VXII 3X9. She was shooting 95 gr b-tips & Varget powder. I took it and got a 4.5" group using 120 gr Sierras & Varget . The wind was gusting but it probably will be blowing harder when we are antelope hunting. I have a Kimber sportered Swede but some of my reloads may be a little warm for it so I am also looking for a bolt 6.5 or 260. I have it narrowed down to a Rem 7/700 laminate in .260 or a Tikka in 6.5x55. The CZ was omitted because of its weight. I am tired of being out bid on the Win. featherweights and 1994 Rem classics on the auction sites so I am considering selling my matching 96 Swede and the Kimber to finance a new 6.5.

Brithunter · « **Reply #21 on:** August 04, 2007, 08:22:21 AM »

Hi All,

The 6.5mm in moderate cartridges is a really nice rifle to shoot.Pleasant is not too poorly a way to describe it. Presently I have 4 rifles of 6.5mm bore chambered for 3 different cartridges. Tow are chambered for the 6.5x55 Swedish one of which is a Sporterised Swedish Mauser the other a moder Mauser 96 Slide Bolt. The others are a Mannlicher Shoenauer Model 1903 which of course is the 6.5x54 MS and the other a Steyr Mannlicher model 1892 chambered for the 6.5x53R cartridge.

All are a joy to shoot.

crow_feather · « **Reply #22 on:** August 04, 2007, 10:48:59 AM »

I had a 6.5 x 54 years back and became felony stupid and sold it. Don't make my mistake. But if you do, give me a call.

C F

Cheesehead · « **Reply #23 on:** August 04, 2007, 05:12:17 PM »

I have four guns chambered in 6.5x55. An original model 38, an original model 96, a finely sporterized model 96 and an Encore pistol. I have been shooting the original model 96 lately, it is dated 1899. It shoots very small groups at 300 yards. This fascinates me.

Cheese

crow_feather · « **Reply #24 on:** August 04, 2007, 06:37:14 PM »

Which is more accurate? the 38 or the 96?

Brithunter · « **Reply #25 on:** August 04, 2007, 10:27:33 PM »

Quote from: crow_feather on August 04, 2007, 10:48:59 AM

I had a 6.5 x 54 years back and became felony stupid and sold it. Don't make my mistake. But if you do, give me a call.

C F

Sorry but there is not much chance of my parting with it. I have too much invested in this particular rifle ............................ and it's not over yet. I picked the rifle up fairly cheap at a gunshow at Bisley and on firing it found out that it had a fairly severe chamber problem witht eh chamber being lobed and almost triangular. The barrel had been re-lined soem time in the distant past and it was not not much good. The stock had been heavily altered to suit a small women or child.

Well it now wears a brand new Steyr made barrel and yes it's still in 6.5x54 MS and hasow I just need to save up and get a new stock for it. As it's now longer original I thought I would stock it to suit myself and have a "new" Mannlicher Shoenauer so to speak.

Cheesehead · « **Reply #26 on:** August 05, 2007, 03:57:06 AM »

Crow Feather

The original 96 is more accurate than the 38 due to the longer sight radius, in my experience.

Cheese

DTE · « **Reply #27 on:** October 14, 2007, 03:16:12 AM »

I got a Tikka T3 last year in 6.5x55 swede. Excellent rifle great trigger. Mounted a burris II 3x9 scope it will consistantly group 1MOA at 100yds (which for me is about the limit of my shooting ability). I also have a winchester 30.06 and black shadow 30-30 both of which have been collecting dust in the gunsafe since I got the swede. Great rifle wish I had heard about it sooner.

Davemuzz · « **Reply #28 on:** October 14, 2007, 03:29:13 AM »

I just bot a Savage Model 12 single shot bolt action. (Just the action). I am going to get my butt up to E R Shaw (not far from where I live) and chat with them about putting one of there barrels on this action in 6.5x55 Swede.

The only reason I want to talk with them is I want the free bore to be as little as possible. So, when I have my OAL of a Nosler bullet at 3.0" it will just be touching the lands. I dunno if they will cut me a chamber like that...but it never hurts to ask.

Dave

Larry Gibson · « **Reply #29 on:** October 16, 2007, 06:10:58 AM »

I have is a M38 Swede I've put into a sporter glass stock with a blind magazine. The bolt handle is also forged for better shoulder mounted manipulation. A Leuplold 2X scout scope is in low rings on a modified one piece base mounted on the rear sight base. An old style Redfield pop up aperture rear sight is affixed to the rear of the one piece base. The barrel is still original length. by not using the issue trigger guard/magazine the rifle makes weight. It has also been converted to cock on opening and a commercial trigger installed. This is a very nice rifle and accurate too. It shoots MOA or less with the below loads.

WW 6.5 Swede cases and WLR primers used with all loads.

Sierra 100 gr HP/47 gr Varget/ 3235 fps/ sd 7, ES 18 for 5 shots. This is a varmint killer supreme, great for rock chucks and coyotes. Tried the Hornady 100 gr bullet but it lost accuracy above 3000 fps, probably due to fast twist creating high RPM for that thin jacketed bullet.

Sierra 120 SP/44.2 gr Varget/2926 fps/ SD 10, ES 29 for 10 shots. Excellent all around load or the load for the "one load" man. Kills varmints well and not too destructive on deer.

Hornady 140 SP/49 gr H4831SC/2709 fps/ SD 10, ES 27 for 5 shots. This is my big game load. Excellent performance on deer and elk.

Lyman 266455 cast of WWs with Hornady GC and javelina lube/6 gr Bullseye/ 1155 fps/ SD 12, ES 26 for 15 shots. I use this load in well fire formed cases. The 15 shots went into a .9" group at 50 yards. Great for grouse or other small game. Very pleasant to shoot also.

I also have a pristine M38 and a very nice M96 in original condition. Both have the "target" style rear sight with the wheel for elevation that replaced the ramp rear sight. Excellent shooters also. I also picked up a new, in the white, M38 barrel and put it on a sporterized SR Mexican M98. It shoots the above loads at MOA or less also. Hard to complain about the 6.5 Swede.

Larry Gibson