Anybody here shoot 6.5x55 Sweede??

trashcan

trashcan

New member
Planning a build with the 6.5x55 Sweede on a Stevens 2oo action. Looking at going with a 1 in 8 twist E.R. Shaw barrel and cutting the barrel around 20 inches or less. I'm thinking mostly 120 grain to 140 grain bullets. This thing will take me a while to build due to money issues (I don't have any) but I'm trying to get my ducks in a row before it's completed.
I have the stock, donor rifle/action and hopefuly with you guys help I can get primers, bullets, powder and maybe dies this coming weekend. All info is greatly appreciated.

Trashcan
DCC
 
You have hit upon one of my favorites. I've owned a Swede in one shape or another since I was in school. The only area that a 6.5x55 has given me trouble was with my current Ruger M77. Some rifles have wicked long throats and won't shoot anything short of 140's to full potential. I have read that the original military Mausers had a two step leade that allowed them to shoot bullets of varied weights successfully. Wiser shooters than I can refute or confirm that but, my old military Mauser would shoot 120's pretty darned well.

The Ruger I mentioned above really likes the Sierra 140 SPBT. Pushed along by maximum dose of Rl-22 and a Federal LR primer that rifle will shoot sub-MOA when the stars are aligned properly and 1 3/8" no matter what, when or where.
 
Unless you are going to cut thread and chamber the barrel your self, the cost for smithing, it probably wont beat the performance of a Tikka T3.
I have one in 6.5swede, and it is extremely accurate - all holes touching. Accurate enough I wish there was a hipower silhouette range close by...

I have never onwed a shaw barrel, dont personally know anyone who does, but shaw barrels get no respect on the internet.

Barrel makers with more "respect" only charge about $100 to $150 more, thats not much over the lifetime of a firearm.
 
I shoot a Sako L691 chambered in 6.5x55. I've killed a number of deer, antelope, and hogs with it. I flirted with 140 grain Barnes bullets for a while, but have now settled on 129 grain Hornady SSTs, which seem perfectly matched to this mild-performing cartridge. I've shot a couple large mule deer, hogs, and a antelope with them and have yet to recover a bullet. I think you'll pleased with this old Scandinavian veteran.
 
I have a Ruger 77 in 6.5x55 and love it for deer. I've never had a problem with any ammo that I'm really aware of; but, I'll admit that I've never shot it off a bench for accuracy grouping.
 
I had one and it was a great deer rifle. It was a K98 larger ring action, with a military barrel turned down to sporter weight built in Clackamas, OR. But I couldn't get the varmint grade accuracy I was looking for so I let it go. I have always loved the 6.5 bullet and now have a .264 LBC built by Scott that is every bit as accurate as I was looking for.
 
Originally Posted By: TimberToesUnless you are going to cut thread and chamber the barrel your self, the cost for smithing, it probably wont beat the performance of a Tikka T3.
I have one in 6.5swede, and it is extremely accurate - all holes touching. Accurate enough I wish there was a hipower silhouette range close by...

I have never onwed a shaw barrel, dont personally know anyone who does, but shaw barrels get no respect on the internet.

Barrel makers with more "respect" only charge about $100 to $150 more, thats not much over the lifetime of a firearm.

You can buy the Shaw barrels pre-threaded for savage. They show up at your door ready to screw on. Some of the chambering's even come with the go/no-go gauge, & barrel nut wrench; depending on where you buy, for under $250
Are these barrels bench rest quaulity, no. But are they gonna shoot MOA or better, you betcha. The ones I have been around have all shot great, with some shooting 1/2".
 
Good info guys. I AM the smith on this project, start to finish.

There will be no sending it here or there, that is why I bought the Stevens. If it ends up shooting crappy, it's on me, if it is a tack driver, it is because the stars lined up and I was able to do a bunch of little stuff right....hopefully.
Keep the info coming!!

Trashcan
DCC
 
I've got some fond memories out of the old Sweede. Some thirty years back one of my brothers sporterized an old military Mauser and gave my dad the gun for his birthday, the gun must be close to a hundred years old by now. I shot my first moose when I was 12 with it. No idea what the bullet or load was. When I got married and left home the gun was religated to the safe where it stayed till about two months ago, my dad has been bit by the preditor hunting bug and decided to use the 6.5 for his coyote gun. I helped him mount a Nikon coyote special on it and the first time I put it on the bench I could hardly believe it, after sighting it in it proceeded to shoot several half inch groups. And that was with that wierd circle reticle that scope has not to mension the 5 pound trigger pull. It makes some of my expensive guns look bad. Looking at the balistics you can see that for a calliber with such mild recoil the heavier bullets with the high BC pack some really good down range numbers. I don't think you can go to far wrong. Good luckon the build.

T
 
Northland shooters supply lists a shilen pre fit in stock, 26" - Stainless Match - Small Shank - Varmint - 6.5X55 Swede - 8 Twist - $289.00
 
I have an old winchester pre war M70 with a douglas 22" barrel chambered for 6.5x55 Ackley improved. Very near the 6.5x284 in performance and sub 1/2" with most 140gr loads. It is a cool little round capable of more than it gets credit for. I will not hesitate to add more 6.5x55 stuff to my collection. Try it you will like it!!!
 
At this point, you need to order that barrel
smile.gif
 
Trying to sell a 1981 Yamaha SR500 so I can order it asap. Talked to a guy at E.R. Shaw and he said about 12 weeks from order time. I'm looking at the magnum sporter profile cut to 18" but untill I sell the bike I'm dead in the water.

Trashcan
DCC
 
I'm wanting a medium range (80-400 yds)rifle that won't kill me to carry around walk hunting in the brush country of Central/West Texas.

I chose the 6.5x55 because when I was younger, my dad had one and it was a sledge hammer on deer at all ranges and had very little recoil. The round also seems to have a great track record from those who shoot it...namely the Swiss.

I guess I just like the shorter barrel stuff,a preference from a handling standpoint. I'm quirky that way.

Maybe you guys can talk me out of having it that short, I value all info on the subject. This is my first rifle build and I'm flying blind. Gimme what you got!

Trashcan
DCC
 
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Many, many years ago I bought a 6.5x55 in the M94 Mauser. Made a stock for, had the profile of the barrel changed, and it was a very nice rifle. Even killed a couple of mules with it. I sold it long ago, in fact I don't remember where it went. It truly falls in "sorry I sold it" category.

Had a 260R since and it is gone. Now I'm playing with a 6.5 Grendel.

IMHO, you can't go wrong with a Swede for mid-size game.
 
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