About to take the plunge into my first savage build - 6.5x55

[n10sivern]

I've been lurking and reading and have decided to take the plunge. Looking to build a 6.5x55 off a long action 112 BVSS. Stainless action with a stainless criterion 28" bull barrel. Hoping the BVSS stock will do unless somebody has some other suggestions. If anybody has built something like this post pics so I can drool til I build mine.

[RyanG]

I too have been thinking about a 6.5 55 off of a long action. Do you think that you will get feeding issues with so much room left? What I really want to build is a 260 Rem but....

Let us know how this goes. Would love to see pics!

I just got my action torn down yesterday. Looks like I will be building a few of these. I am waiting on parts for a 65.x284 for a buddy right now... Think I am hooked!

[wbm]

Do you think that you will get feeding issues with so much room left? What I really want to build is a 260 Rem but....

No feeding issues. I think you will find that there is not "so much room left" when you seat those long 140g bullets out to where they need to be. The "draw back" to the .260 on a short action is that there is not enough room!

[airdale]

Must be something going around. I've been thinking of the same build. Might consider the 6.5 creedmoor depending on the donor I come up with (SA/LA).

[n10sivern]

I'm already set up to reload for 6.5x55 so it was a no brainer. I should be able to push the bullets faster in a modern action compared to what they are listed at for older Mauser actions. Think a zeiss conquest 6-20x50 would be a nice piece of glass to top it off.

[mattm0812]

I'm already set up to reload for 6.5x55 so it was a no brainer. I should be able to push the bullets faster in a modern action compared to what they are listed at for older Mauser actions. Think a zeiss conquest 6-20x50 would be a nice piece of glass to top it off.

Well someone has the $$$$$$$$$

[n10sivern]

Nah, not so much. I just think that a rifle is only as good as the glass. For the money I think the conquest line is the most bang for the buck. I've had Nikons, leupolds, ect and the zeiss is hands down better glass. I can see deer after dusk through my scope I can't see with my naked eyes. Plus I get dealer scope discounts so that makes it even better. I don't know yet, just have to see. May go with a Burris or leupold or weaver or whatever. The main reason I mentioned the zeiss is I have one sitting on my 300 wsm that I could swap over. For that matter I have a cheap mueller tactical scope in a drawer somewhere in my office not being used.

[davemuzz]

Heres my 6.5 in a short action M-12 single shot with a Shilen barrel. Accurate? You bet. 46.5 RL-22. Careful about your load....this is over the max. It's easy to push a 140gr bullet to 2800fps. With this load I get my 140gr. to 2725fps.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a212/davemuzz/b2a228fa.jpg

[n10sivern]

Nice rifle. What type of scope and stock are those?

[davemuzz]

The stock is a Bell & Carlson Medalist, and the scope in the pic is a Leupold with target turrets. But since the pic I have since put a Vortex Viper 6-24X 50mm PST SFP on it.

[wareagle69]

Swapped the factory 308 barrel on an F/TR for a Criterion 6.5x55 28" bull from NSS. The single shot short target action handles the Swede just fine and I'm extremely happy with this configuration. As it happens, my scope is the Zeiss Conquest 6.5-20. The Conquest is excellent value for the money and I also second the comment above about the Vortex Viper PST 6-24. It's a fine scope too. The old Swede might not be as glamorous as the newer 6.5 options, but it sure is accurate.

[stinkitup]

I just fired and formed some 6.5x55 AI cases for the first time last Sunday here in Australia. Mine is built on a lrpv action, RBLP singleshot, shilen ratchet barrel and the stock is from Wayne Young over in the states. Sorry no pics yet but my AI has a short throat 200 though this means a loaded pill easily fits in the loading port and ejects with the sierra 142 proj. Looking at a stevens I have an oal of 2.9 should fit in the mag and should be doable with my reamer.

[n10sivern]

Well, all the parts are ordered. Jim happened to get a barrel in stock since I talked to him last so everything should ship out at once. It's gonna be mated with a sightron SIII 10-50x60 scope. All stainless on a BVSS stock for now. Should be a shooter!