I have the opportunity to purchase one of these rifles. Does anyone have any experience with this rifle, in this caliber?
Thanks,
Regards,

No, but from what I've heard of that round, it's quite a performer. I know that the 7.5x55 is a good one, I would imagine that the 6.5x55 version would be just as good.

Could be quite a find.

mike

a4m1d6

I had one 4 years ago I bought brand new and it was an absolute dog. It just would not shoot a consistent group of any sort. The Ruger agent gunsmith here bedded and floated and checked it out and it still did not group. I gave it to a friend of mine who is very fastidious with his handloading and he could not get it to group either.

I then gave up and traded it on a Tikka T3 which shoots wonderfully. I know not all Rugers are like this and I can only assume it was a poor barrell but after 2 of then that did not shoot ( a 7mm Mag as well) I personally avoid them now.

Sorry to be a bearer of bad news but that was my experience with a Ruger in 6.5x55. However I know some guys have great shooters in Ruger so I guess I must have been unlucky.

The 6.5 X 55 is indeed a splendid round. If you are a handloader, it'll make you smile with results.

The Ruger may or may not shoot.....some swear by them...some at them.

I'm not a good person to ask about Rugers....I owned three bad ones in a row.

Thanks for the info. I have a choice between the ruger (right now) and ordering a cz550. I have been leaning more towards the cz550. I have heard nothing but good things about the rifle.

Thanks,
Regards,

quote:

Originally posted by a4m1d6:
Thanks for the info. I have a choice between the ruger (right now) and ordering a cz550. I have been leaning more towards the cz550. I have heard nothing but good things about the rifle.

Thanks,
Regards,

I like the CZs - That is a good choice - You can get a full stocked mannlicher style in that caliber from CZ if you are interested.

a4m1d6,

Cross-posting the same question to different forums at the same site should be avoided.

Jaywalker

I have had a Ruger in 6.5X55 for a number of years and have had great luck with it. I was trying to think how many deer it has taken and can't remember ever firing more than one shot at any of them. Out of the box it would regularly shoot 1 to 1.5 inch groups with about any commercial load. I put in a canjar trigger and a stock with the metal bedding built in(both modifications were basically drop in) and it shoots regularly under an inch with commercial loads. Some hand loads are more consistantly under an inch. I can't fault the rifle at all. My son ended up with it and has shot every deer he has killed with it. The job this cartridge does is all out of proportion to its size. If you think about it, there might be a reason there aren't a lot of aftermarket products and gunsmiths that make a living blueprinting these guns. It might be because they aren't needed. I find it odd that there are so many people making a living rebuilding a particular rifle but you don't hear that many people complaining about them. I'll take a Ruger any day any where(already been to Alaska, New Mexico, Wyoming, Colorado, Texas and going some more).

I had one I bought used. It would shoot MOA with anything I handloaded for it. I never fired factory ammo through it. I gave it to my kid and he used it for a few years then he sold it to buy a "more powerful" rifle.

I have a Ruger 77 MKII in 6.5x66. Only taken to the range once. Used Win and Rem 140 gr factory and both grouped 1 1/4", two close together and the third about an inch away, straight horizontal. Then tried 120 gr from Georgia Arms and grouped about 4". Looks like I need to try something a bit heavier. Overall, I am well pleased.
GeoW

I have one and it's my go to rifle. I had it bedded and installed a Timney trigger and it will shoot any 140 gr. bullet inside 1". Like another poster I haven't had as good of luck with lighter bullets but they still shoot minute of deer. I think the 6.5x55 is just perfect for 99% of the deer hunting most folks do.