I am considering a 6.5mm rifle and am trying to compare the 6.5 X 55 to the 6.5 x 284. Based on the laoding manuals the 6.5 X 284 seems to be the better choice. The 6.5 X 55 loads listed in most of the reloading manuals seem to be loaded to lower pressures than most modern cartridges.What kind of velocity can I get out of the 6.5X55 in a modern rifle? How many grain of water does each case hold?

I'm also wondering how each of these rounds would stack up against the 270 for long range (600 yards) paper punching.

I shoot a lot of 6.5 mms, Swedes, the 6.5 x 57 and the 260 Rem. I did not go any further because I saw the trajectory tables as a case of diminishing returns.

A 6.5 x 55 can give a handloader within 50 fps at the muzzle with several powders and does so with less powder, which translates into less recoil and less throat erosion and longer barrel life.

2800 with a 140 is no problem and they can be pushed higher with the appropriate powders. Also 100 fps more is not going to offer you much at 600 yds, except 2 less clicks in elevation on the rifle scope in the real world.

The only appeal I see to some of the 284 case is that it fills the desire for something new or trendy. I myself prefer older stuff if it was solid, efficient, and has some track record under its belt.

After talking with Sierra also, some of the best accuracy on their match bullets come with a velocity of around 2800 fps. I have been able to push the 107 and 120 grains faster, but the accuracy was not as good as it was at 2800 fps. So once again, who needs the 284 case?

After handloading for the 6.5 Swede, I never built the 6.5 x 284 even after already getting the dies and the brass. Instead that rifle became a 6.5 x 57, as that is an even slightly older cartridge than the Swede. Plus I just neck up 257 Roberts brass for it.

good luck with the project and cheeers

I will second what Seafire/B17G said, I get a little better that 2800 fps with 140 gr Nosler Partitions. I get just about 3000 fps with 125 gr Nosler Partitions. Very good accuracy as well. One of the things I have found out that the swede likes a longer barrel. 24 inchs is what have on my ULA 24.

Norma loads for many years were 139 @ 2788. With later powders that was raised to 2850.That was for 48,000 psi.So a new gun [ not the 100 year old ones] should achieve that without any problems.That's with a 24" barrel.The 140s have high BC and SD so it holds velocity well.Accuracy ?exceptional! And some [including me]consider it the perfect deer cartridge. All without much recoil ,muzzle blast or making it a magnum.

The above are several of the reasons that I have one at my 'smith's being assembled right now. Go, you Swede!

I want a cz 550 in 6.5x55 for an allround rig and am wondering what speeds a 100 gr Nosler Ballistic tip could be driven to ??

quote:

---

what speeds a 100 gr Nosler Ballistic tip could be driven to ??

---

I'd guess 3,100'/sec

Take a look at this http://user.tninet.se/~dvx072o/reloadin.htm

quote:

---

Originally posted by elkhunter:
I am considering a 6.5mm rifle and am trying to compare the 6.5 X 55 to the 6.5 x 284. Based on the laoding manuals the 6.5 X 284 seems to be the better choice. The 6.5 X 55 loads listed in most of the reloading manuals seem to be loaded to lower pressures than most modern cartridges.What kind of velocity can I get out of the 6.5X55 in a modern rifle? How many grain of water does each case hold?

---

These volumes, of course, will vary from one make of brass to the next, but give a basis for comparing the two case volumes:
6.5X284 = approx. 0.272 cu. in. to case mouth; 6.5X55 = approx. 0.205 cu. in. to mouth.

Pretty obvious that the .284 case will hold almost 33% more.

The best I can do is give some samples of what I shoot in my Remington 700 Classic in 6.5x55.

Sierra 85 HP 3200fps.
Nosler 100 Bal.Tip 3094
Lapua 108 ScenarHP 2900
Sierra 120 HPBT Mtch2875
Nosler 120 Bal.Tip 2805
Lapua 123 ScenarHP 2800
Hornady129 PSP 2815
Lapua 139 ScenarHP 2550
Sierra 160 SPSP 2405

These loads show no pressure signs, and none are maximum loads.
All loads shoot from .796" to .404" (5 at 100yds) I'm thrilled with both the rifle and the caliber. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

quote:

---

Originally posted by Cal Sibley:
The best I can do is give some samples of what I shoot in my Remington 700 Classic in 6.5x55.

Sierra 85 HP 3200fps.
Nosler 100 Bal.Tip 3094
Lapua 108 ScenarHP 2900
Sierra 120 HPBT Mtch2875
Nosler 120 Bal.Tip 2805
Lapua 123 ScenarHP 2800
Hornady129 PSP 2815
Lapua 139 ScenarHP 2550
Sierra 160 SPSP 2405

These loads show no pressure signs, and none are maximum loads.
All loads shoot from .796" to .404" (5 at 100yds) I'm thrilled with both the rifle and the caliber. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

---

Thank you

If you take a look at http://www.lapua.com/index.html
target shooting cartridges you will find 108gr scenar at 900 m/s = 2952 fps
123gr at 870 m/s= 2853 fps
But it is with test barrel lenght 740 mm

quote:

---

Originally posted by PC:
I want a cz 550 in 6.5x55 for an allround rig and am wondering what speeds a 100 gr Nosler Ballistic tip could be driven to ??

---

PC:

I know you are smart enough to work up to this.
I am not sure if the CZ is long throated or not.

However, try IMR 4064, 44.4 grains with a 100 grain Ballistic Tip. Try the same thing with IMR 4895. The accuracy with the 4064 is excellent in all 3 of my Swedes ( one Ruger, one Custom Barrel Model 70 featherweight and one Carl Gustav 1919 Sniper Model).

With the Ruger, and it's 22 inch barrel, I have chronographed these loads at 3350 fps. The 4064 load in the Model 70 with a 27 inch barrel clears 3400 fps.

These are done with Remington or Winchester cases and also using just regular Large rifle primers. Winchester, Remington Federal or CCI primers had no changing effect on velocity or accuracy.

I worked these loads up with info published on the 260 Remington. Some of the Winchester cases have been reloaded and full length resized 10 plus times so I gather pressure is not exhibited as too high.

For anyone else out there reading this, definitely work up on this especially in the older Swedish Mauser military rifles.

Small deer at 300 yds are a chip shot and the recoil is so low in the Ruger and Winchester that on 4 power on the old Leupold scope each one wears, I can watch the deer drop in the scope instead of loosing sight picture because of the recoil.

Cheers
Seafire

quote:

---

Originally posted by PC:
I want a cz 550 in 6.5x55 for an allround rig and am wondering what speeds a 100 gr Nosler Ballistic tip could be driven to ??

---

I like the 6.5x55 and I like the CZ 550. But that does not mean I like the combination.

The CZ is awfully strong, but too heavy for a 6.5x55. Get a lighter gun ( with long barrel if possibble ). A Steyr Ultralight or SHR Alpine ( both have short barrels regrettably ). Consider a single shot rifle or a custom ultra light.
A Blaser K 95 or Sabatti ( don´t know about accuracy with those ).

A 6.5 is a fine hunting tool to be used with precision and skill.

Good shooting! H

Hello Hunter61,

I got the VihtaVori reloading manual last year. It seems their listings are very conservative. But I'm still leery of exceeding their maximum loading listings. I use their powders in several other calibers as well and am quite satisfied with them. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

In my CZ 550 6.5 Swede I easily get just under 3100 fps with the Barnes 120 gr XLC and RL 15. Prints 3 shots in less than an inch at 100. I took a sheep with this load at about 300......dropped straight down. I really haven't messed with too many other loads as this is about as close as an all arounder load for the Swede that you can get IMO.

Gary B.

Thanks for the data garby...I really need to add a cz 550 6.5x55 to the Kit !!

It must be considered that there are a lot of old military rifle around, and the people who write manual, even if disclaims any responsability, to avoid any problem, often remain lower than real maximum possible.

Some friend of mine used in Norma cases, 49/50grains of VVN160 using 120grs bullets but they did it in a MODERN RIFLE! It is a hot load, it is a High velocity load.

By my opinion, I'm slowly changing idea on 6.5x284, I admit that it is a good cartridge, and it could be a good choice, but I already have a 6.5x55SE, and it does all that 6.5x284 does at my normally hunting distances ... why have I to change it?

STEVE, YOU'RE NOTE ABOUT PRESSURES IN MILITARY SHOULD BE GIVEN THOUGHT. THATS WHY THE VV MANUAL HAS SUCH CONSERVATIVE LOADS.

IN NEWER RIFLES GO AHEAD AND LOAD 'EM UP. BUT FOR THE MODEL 96 KEEP THINGS CONSERVATIVE. I HAVE TAKEN SEVERAL DEER AND ANTELOPE WITH MY STANDARD SWEDE AND THE GAME NEVER NOTICED THEY WERE HIT WITH A SLOW 6.5.

IT IS A GREAT ALL AROUND AND I WOULD NOT TRADE IT OR MY 35 WHELEN FOR ANYTHING CURRENTLY AVAILABLE.

Seafire/B17G as you can tell is a Swede lover along with the other posters. I am one also and consider it to be one of the finest cartridges around. I am also a big fan of the 6.5 bore and have various wildcats that I hope to build in the not too far distant future. Among those on the drawing board are the 6.5x55 BJAI, 6.5/06 AI and the .260 AAR (6.5x257 AI).
At the present time I have a Springfield '03 in 6.5x06, a CZ550 American in 6.5x55, a Ruger 77MKII and a Husqvarna 38 all in 6.5x55. My best load so far in the CZ is a Nosler 120 BT, Lapua cases, 48.0gr of RL-22, WLR primers. This particular load as recommended by Ken Waters in the 6.5x55 update in his book "Pet Loads" chronographed at 2770fps from a 22" bbl.
My first 3 shot group measured C-C..0.548"! I doubt seriously that you will be unhappy with the 6.5x55.

Ol' John

Stinger I absolutely agree with you, even if I have a 9.3x62 instead of a 35Whelen.
In fact I use normally a recent rifle, leaving at home a modified 96-38. The first works better.