I'm in a 6.5 dilemma

[Maineboy]

I have an urge to buy another rifle and cost is a factor. My plan to finance this project is to sell a couple rarely used rifles to which I'm not very attached and it's my justification to Mrs. Maineboy "I'm selling two and only buying one." I am set up with 6.5 bullet molds, reloading dies, and an abundance of 6.5x55 brass of various brands and I think a hunting rifle in that caliber would be a great compliment to my M38 and M96 Swedes. However, my research does not reveal an abundance of factory rifles offered in my preferred caliber especially at price I want to pay. There are, as everyone knows, many options for the 6.5 Creedmoor in every price range. I have a Ruger American in .243 I am very happy with it so one in 6.5 Creedmoor is how I am leaning at this moment, but only because I can't find a low-cost rifle in 6.5x55. I would prefer not to get into reloading for another caliber, but it looks like that's going to be the only option if I can't find a budget Swede.

[Shopdog]

Savage,and do a barrel swap would be one way.

[Mr Peabody]

Bite the bullet, Just get a 6.5 Creed

[Winger Ed.]

When you decide, save up, get a part time job, mow a few yards, donate & sell blood--- whatever it takes.

Get what ya really want. I've had buyer's remorse a time or two. I wouldn't wish it onto anyone.

[36g]

Savage,and do a barrel swap would be one way.

This would be my approach (actually the way I did it). it gives you the option of barrel profile and length as well.

[Texas by God]

A Tikka T3 in 6.5x55 can be found and is worth looking for in my opinion.


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[Maineboy]

[QUOTE=Texas by God;5627688]A Tikka T3 in 6.5x55 can be found and is worth looking for in my opinion.


Yes, I've been looking hard at that one, but it's about double the price of a Ruger or Savage. A plus is I wouldn't have to buy reloading brass or dies. Maybe if I sold three guns...

[Harter66]

Buy the CM or even a 260 Rem rent a 6.5×55 reamer and problem solved .

[TNsailorman]

Pictures of a Ruger MK II. . .

[Maineboy]

Pictures of a Ruger MK II. . .

Thank you, nice looking rifle.

[Maineboy]

Buy the CM or even a 260 Rem rent a 6.5×55 reamer and problem solved .

I've given that a thought as well but looking at the two cartridges side by side, I don't think that will work due to the body dimensions and the head diameters of each cartridge is different.

[FergusonTO35]

I totally understand the appeal of less popular cartridges, I'm a big .257 Roberts fan myself. That being said, I love my Remmy 700 6.5 Creedmoor and am planning to get a Savage to go along with it at some point. Unless you actually are itching for a 6.5x55 specifically, I would just go with a Creedmoor and be done with it. The Creedmoor has good genes, the .250 Savage is the parent cartridge.

[beemer]

Savage,and do a barrel swap would be one way.

Took the words out of my mouth. I considered a 6.5 X 55 but went with a heavy 308 in a long action instead, still dancing around about it. In a modern action that Swede would really talk to you. Also get the profile and length you want. The Swede would need a long action too.

[Scorpion8]

Look for an old Howa 1500 in 6.5x55. Wish I'd bought one way back when.

[czgunner]

A Tikka T3 in 6.5x55 can be found and is worth looking for in my opinion.


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My lefty Tikka is indeed chambered in 6.5x55. Its incredibly accurate for even with inexpensive hunting ammo.

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[FergusonTO35]

Look for an old Howa 1500 in 6.5x55. Wish I'd bought one way back when.

My .257 is a 1500 rebarrelled by E.R. Shaw and it is sweet. I wouldn't hesitate to use another one of their barrels.

[Harter66]

I've given that a thought as well but looking at the two cartridges side by side, I don't think that will work due to the body dimensions and the head diameters of each cartridge is different.

You might get a shoulder line left . I don't think there is as much difference as there appears to be .

The .473/.476 rim is only a big deal in a bolt face like the Rem 700 or Savage where the rim is inside the head and it's cut small/tight . That isn't a problem with the Mauser types .
Having a larger or same head dia and longer body moves the shoulder forward and generally removes most of the shoulder. The CM is based on a 300 Savage with a 308 shoulder while the 260 has a little taper left and is a necked 308 length . About a 1/10 inch difference. The CM will move the shoulder out past the end of the neck when reamed 55 and the 260 will go a full .250 longer .

I had a Carcano once that gave me such a quandary once there are more production cartridges now that fit the bolt face than there were 7-8 years ago and brass available has tripled for useable rims . So I waited for a barrel blank to come along and figured out what cartridge to put in it . I ended up with a 7×6.8 SPC but when I get tired of that I can use 30 Rem or 35 Rem and ream it for a rimless 7-30 Waters . There's enough body dia and length to remove all of the shoulder. Same situation different rim .

[tctender]

I have a tikka t3 in 6.5x55 and have never regretted it. It shoots very well and will take the higher pressure loads.

[Mk42gunner]

You are in an unenviable position. You want a 6.5x55, but the affordable rifles are in 6.5 Creedmore.

I don't think anything will detect the difference in the field, if you use it as a hunting rifle. Probably not as a target rifle either. But in the back of your mind, you will be saying to yourself, "I wish this Creedmore was a Swede."

One thing that I question is if you plan to load to the new rifles' potential, or keep it at sane levels for your Model 96 and 38 Swedish Mausers already in inventory? I'm not a big fan of keeping loads around that may be a bit too energetic for some of the guns at home.

Another option would be to find a bubba'd Model 38 and build it like you want as a scoped hunting rifle. Probably be way cheaper to find any of the factory 6.5x55's, not to mention the budget friendly 6.5 CR.

Or you may get lucky and find one of the few Winchester Model 70's chambered in 6.5x55 at an affordable price.

Good Luck in your search,

Robert

[dverna]

Dies are so cheap (relatively) that paying a premium to get a 6.5x55 in the caliber you already reload for is a minor consideration.

It sounds like money is an issue. If that is the case, you are better off selling those two guns you are not "attached to" and buying components for the guns you already have. Of course, this assumes the new gun is just another "toy" and you have other guns to hunt and play with.

I agree with Winger Ed. If you really want the new toy to be a 6.5x55, do not buy something else. It will become another gun you are "not attached to".

Mk42 has a good point about the safety aspect of loads suitable for a new modern gun and what you currently have. Looks like an 'event' waiting to happen unless you stay with lower pressure loads for the new gun.

If I had the itch for a 6.5, I would get a .260 Rem. or 6.5 CM. The 6.5x55 is a great round but holds no "magic" over the others. One thing for sure, there are a lot more buying options with the current 6.5 CM craze.