Question regardin 6.5x55 in a 110

[dolomite_supafly]

I was calling around to local shops and found a Savage 110 in 6.5x55. I did a search and could not find any factory rifles chambered in this.

I was wondering if this was indeed a factory loading or did someone change the barrel? The person on the phone didn't really have that great of knowledge about firearms so I didn't want to get too in depth with them.

Thanks
Dolomite

[dolomite_supafly]

I thought about it some more and called back. It is indeed in 6.5x55 and has a lightweight barrel without the accutrigger.

I was almost considering it but I don't really want to spend $325 on a new rifle right now, especially a LA. I am saving for a SA/DBM to build.

Dolomite

[okie2]

IF YOU DON'T WANT IT THEN TELL US WHERE IT IS SO WE CAN BUY IT YOU WILL BE MISSING OUT ON A GREAT RIFLE NO ONE CHAMBERS FOR THAT CALIBER ANY MORE.

[pdog06]

Yeah it is definately not a factory rifle, unless maybe the Custom Shop will chamber for that caliber. For 325 it is worth consideration, or phone number for us...LOL

[dolomite_supafly]

I am going to swing by Monday just to look at it. If I don't buy it, which I doubt I will, I'll post the contact info here.

It is a small shop but seems to have a nice selection. They also had a 340 in 30-30 for $250.

Dolomite

[davemuzz]

;D I post this pic alot....but I'll post it again.....I built this a few years ago. The Shilen barrel is chambered in 6.5 x 55 Swede. The single shot bolt action is smooth and the gun is more accurate than I am. I have two excellent loads for it. One for the Berger 140gr. VLD and the other for the Barnes 120gr. Triple-X. Both using RL-22.

Here's a few pics of the gun....and a pic of a 5 shot group when I first built the gun. This was with the Berger bullets. It shoots better now that I've got the barrel broke in 'n stuff. ;D

[img width=600 height=450]http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a212/davemuzz/DSC00610.jpg[/img]

[img width=600 height=450]http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a212/davemuzz/DSC00611.jpg[/img]

[img width=600 height=450]http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a212/davemuzz/DSC00660.jpg[/img]

If you reload, the Swede is one heck of a cartridge. Look at the ballistics and compare 'em to the .308. You will find that the 6.5 Swede has more downrange energy than a comparable weight bullet in the .308 30 caliber, and you have much less recoil with the Swede.

If I handloaded 30 years ago, my first rifle probably would have been the 6.5 Swede and not the .308.

Dave

[USAFA71]

The custom shop does not chamber in 6.5x55, because I tried that already!

[davemuzz]

I just read an article in Shooting Times that they are shipping a new one in 6.5 x 284. That's just a bit faster shooter than the Swede. If you like the 6.5 bullet and don't want to build it yourself.......I would think they could build you one in 6.5-284.

[desertdog]

is that on a short action davemuzz? if it is ? how does it work? 8) dd

[dcloco]

My rendition of the Swede (but of the AI flavor).

First group at 700 (working up loads - not kidding)

[img width=600 height=450]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/dcloco/700yd65x55AI.jpg[/img]

Rock Creek stainless barrel with a 1:8 twist. 110 action bedded in a BVSS stock topped with Burris scope.

[img width=600 height=450]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/dcloco/65x55AIA.jpg[/img]

Kissing cousin to mine. Shooting buddies...built at the same time as mine (short a trigger guard for the picture shot!).

[img width=600 height=450]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v245/dcloco/65x55AISa.jpg[/img]

[dolomite_supafly]

As promised:

Shylock's Pawn
1204 Clinch Avenue, Clinton, TN
(865) 457-2960?

I never got a chance to go look at it today. Health issues kept me home today.

Dolomite

[USAFA71]

The 6.5-284 that Savage is currently chambering is the Norma version, which has an cartridge length of 3.310"(Nosler Reloading Guide #6, p.238), so it is on the long action. The Winchester version uses the same case, but loaded to fit the short action with a length of 2.800".(Hornady Reloading Manual 7th Edition, p.317)
While the Norma version does offer some improvement in velocity over the Swede, the brass is noticably more expensive, and the reloading dies are nearly twice the price of the 6.5x55. I am still thinking about having the custom shop make me the left-hand stainless in 6.5-284 Norma.

[davemuzz]

USAFA71......I'm glad you chimed in on the details! Your right!! I read this about 3 weeks ago. ( A mind is a terrible thing to......now....how did that saying go??)

Thanks for the correction!!

Dave

[bajabill]

Does anyone have the USA Loadbook for the 6.5x55? Does it have higher pressure data? Or, is there any published "+P" flavor data for the swede?

[Blue Avenger]

I thought the Swede was just seated much longer then the US spec

[aggie99]

What velocities are you guys getting out of the swede and with what barrel lengths? I would like to build a 6.5 but cannot make up my mind between the 6.5x55 and the 6.5-06.

[davemuzz]

With Berger 140gr. VLD's I'm getting 2875fps across my chronograph using RL-22. This shows no signs of pressure in the fired brass. (IE: No sticky case's, no loose primers, no cracked necks or head space separation.)

Dave

[Stu]

I'm getting about the same velocity as Davemuzz with the 140 vld and rel 17 out of a 26" mcgowen 8.5 twist.... And shoots .5 moa to atleast 800 yds.
That's as far as i've shot it to date. ;D

[aggie99]

Thanks guys. I was leaning towards the swede because with the slightly shorter case I would think you could reach the lands and still be able to load from the magazine, but all the load data I looked at was pretty anemic.

[awp101]

but all the load data I looked at was pretty anemic.

Because it's primarily geared towards the Swede Mausers, the newest of which is pushing 60 years old IIRC. :)

[aggie99]

I realize that most of the load data is published with the old Mausers in mind. Is there a manual that list loads specifically for modern actions?

[pa_wdchuckhuntr]

I realize that most of the load data is published with the old Mausers in mind. Is there a manual that list loads specifically for modern actions?

I'm having the same problem. New 6.5 project, old data.

The 48th edition Lyman manual is terribly anemic with their data. The data available from hodgdon is better but of course only their powders. I'm starting with the Hodgdon data and bumping up my loads a couple of grains above max and watching for pressure signs. Thus far in the cold even a couple grains over max shows no pressure signs.

[dcloco]

Buy or borrow a BARNES reloading manual. They have reloading info for modern actions in the 6.5x55.

[Stu]

I started with published load data and worked up from there. I am well above published max, but with no pressure signs. I stopped with the load i use now as i was satisfied with both velocity and accuracy.
An interesting side note is that 142 smk's shoot almost exactly the same as the Berger's. Same load, same distance off the lands(.005) same p.o.i., and same drop. At least out to 700 yds. ???

[wbm]

Have shot the 6.5x55 for several years in the M96, M38, a Shilen barreled Savage 110 and most recently a CZ-550. Did the usual proven loads with R-22, H4350, and IMR 4064 but after reading the thread below I began to experiment with Reloader 17 and found that the data PathFinder has posted is accurate. Since I started using R-17 with 130 Berger VLD's I don't shoot anything else in the Swedes. I am impressed!

http://forums.gunboards.com/showthre...461#post578461