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Okay, I've got two 260 Remingtons, which should cover me pretty well in the 6.5mm range.
BUT...Swedes are more oddball in these parts than 260s are so there would be novelty attached to owning one, I've got a 110 laying around as a potential donor, and I've heard in a modern barrel/action (ie. not Mauser) you can push the Swede harder than a 260.
I'm curious to see what kind of velocities Savage 6.5x55 shooters are seeing with 120-123 and/or 139-142gr bullets.
Something else to consider is that the 6.5x55 really gains a lot from an AI chambering. Lots of body taper there. You won't find a lot of data for it but it is certainly worth a long look.
Also, Shaw has a group buy going on now- $158 for 26" stainless 8 twist varm. contour. It would go nice on that 110 action
That was kind of my thought...that and Lapua 6.5x55 brass being (comparatively) cheap.Quote:
Originally Posted by savageboy
I love my 6.5x55. Mine is in a mauser and you sure wouldnt know it was an old military gun by the way it shoots. It has very little recoil and is VERY accurate. Im not sure how much you will gain in a 110 action versus the mauser action, The mausers are very tough, The old military barrels are a 1in 7.5 twist and do a great job. Either way Im sure you will be happy building one. great all around caliber for most anything you will encounter in the lower 48. the 85gr. bullets do a number one groundhogs and the 140gr dropped my brothers hog in its tracks.
Velocities??...Ummmm....between U 'n Me.....my 6.5 Swede can push a 140 VLD Berger 2800fps with NO signs of pressure. This is using RL-22 and just a tad above the max. Now.....this is in a modern action Savage M-12 single shot action with a Shilen barrel. I would not (and I mean never) recommend going above the max for a military action. I also have a 100 year old Swede Mauser that shoots very accurately with mid-range loads...and I don't plan on increasing 'em.
However, if you decide to push your loads, do this in .5gr increments, and at the FIRST sign of pressure, stop and back off. And remember.....each rifle is different. There will be some that simply will not do this no matter what.
Dave
First - There IS a difference in "Mauser" actions. K98's are tough, but not ALL of them have the same pedigree. At this point in time, if using a K98 action, I would HIGHLY recommend having the hardness checked. These can be soft AND too hard.
M96 Swedish actions are NOT in the same class as a good K98 action....so don't build on a Swede if looking to bump up the speed.
As stated previously, every barrel is a little different, so, work up your OWN loads in YOUR rifle.
My 6.5x55 AI runs 3100 with 142 gr Sierra HPBT match bullets with H4831 powder without pressure issues. I would be running 140 gr AMax's, but might throat is not cut for these. Of note, I see no difference in accuracy between Win, Rem, or Lapua brass. I do fully prep brass though.
Of note, barrel length on my rifle is 31".
Lapua gives reload data for the 6.5x55 in modern rifles.
http://www.lapua.com/en/products/rel.../relodata/5/98
Rather than go with an 6.5x55 AI why not just go with a 6.5x284?
I made up a 6.5x257 Roberts AI and really like it. I'm still deciding on 6.5x55 or a 260 and ream it out to 6.5 Rob AI for my next project. Both are great and I don't know if the fire forming thing is worth the extra performance. I have ran 140 Bergers at 3000 but usually shoot 130s @ 2700-2800 for .5MOA and a sweetheart load. My brother runs a 6.5 Swede about the same in a modern action with very good accuracy. Was going to ream a barrel to 6.5-06Asq AI but thought i would stop short and see how the 6.5x257 AI or (6.5x57AI) would perform. I'm glad I did, just about a perfect round from 75s to 156RN. Hope this gives you a little more to concider for your ?.
The 260 operates a lot more pressure than the other 2. Good Luck, Idahojoe
I have a 6.5x55AI and enjoy it very much. 130gr Berger VLD's with RL22 running right at 3050fps. Lapua brass is relatively inexpensive compared to other similar calibers. Nosler is also running a special on their custom brass. I picked up some and it looks nice however haven't loaded any yet.
This caliber makes a sweat 600yard rifle. A friend of mine is planning a new build and is trying to decide on a caliber so he tried it out this past weekend. Just had to share this group he shot at 600yds. No Kidding, I thought my 4.25" group was good and he shot this......
BTW, disregard the far left hit, that was my first shot getting on target!
[img width=600 height=450]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/Toobuilder/9-24-11600ydsTerans3.jpg[/img]
Makes a sweet 1000 yard rifle too. Great shooting!Quote:
This caliber makes a sweat 600yard rifle.
Excellent cartridge. Steeper shoulder and slightly longer neck than a .260. It actually looks more modern. My hunting load in a 22" barrel was a 140 Gameking over RL22 @ 2750 fps. I found out RL22 does not like temperature changes, so switched to VARGET pushing a 123 A-max to 2700 fps. Very little recoil in a lightweight rifle, and I'm confident out to 400 yards on game. In the rifle I just sold, I was getting over 2800 fps with 140's in a 26" barrel. H4831SC is slow enough that I wasn't getting pressure signs at that velocity. You could probably get up to 2900 in a 26" barrel, but it wouldn't be good for brass life. Lapua brass is relatively cheap in this cartridge.
My old rogue swede with a 26 inch barrel was getting 3100 and beyond with little pressure