I noticed a CZ on one of the local gunracks chambered in 6.5x55 Swede a few days ago. I had never seen a loaded cartridge before, and the gun shop didn't have any ammo or brass, so I promptly headed home to look up information on the caliber.
If I am not mistaken, I read that the 6.5x55 came out a year before America's .30-30 wcf? Gun rags and men of all ages here will tell you that the .30-30 has accounted for more dead big game in the U.S. then any other cartridge.
Was/is the 6.5x55 just as popular in Europe? Also, what size game would you say the 6.5 is most prudent at taking?

I don't remember the exact model of the rifle, but it had the full length "Mannlicher I think" stock and was a CZ. I like how the cartridges look with what seems to look like the bullet is either really long or seated far out

It's an old Scandinavian (Sweden, Norway - possibly Finland?) military caliber. It is still very popular in Scandinavia, and moderately popular on the Continent and in the UK. In Sweden, the 6.5x55 with 140 grs bullets represents the minimum for moose hunting - and the Swedes are pretty serious about their moose... Otherwise it is just about perfect for deer sized game, although some claim it kills out of proportion to its size - in particular with long heavy bullets.

It is generally considered a very accurate caliber and produces very moderate recoil. As such, it is often used in competition (Lapua produces excellent brass). I personally like it with 120-130 grs bullets, which I think are about optimal for the case size. Otherwise bullets from 100-160 grs are used.

There is a ton of information here on the caliber, use the search function. Then pick one up and enjoy an accurate caliber with low recoil.

- mike

P.S. the long factory ammo (bullets loaded out) is a testimony to chambers cut with a long freebore. Presumably, this is done to accommodate the long RN 160 grs bullets. The caliber manages to produce good accuracy in spite of this.

Our very own "1894mkII" is a bit of a 6.5x55 aficionado....

The 6,5x55 was a Norweigan/Swedish coop, the Kraag-Jensen rifle and for the M96.

Yes is somewhat old a cartridge.

Disregaring what Mho says 160-175 grain bullets are what made the 6,5 famous.

Bullets with great SD made for good long range shots, here in Sweden it has taken more moose and bears than all other rounds combined, I might be stretching it, but it´s close.

With a 6,5x55 one has bullets from 95 grains up and till 175 grains, to work with.

Used with a bit of common sence and perhaps not for all driven hunts, there is no need for another caliber.

BTW- it still holds some 300 meters records and is a great round för tactical work.

Lapua and Norma makes some of the best brass.

Well thats it for starters,

Best regards Chris

the CZ you seen is the CZ 550 FS (full stock). I have a Tikka T3 in 6.5x55 and think it is perfect for the deer that we have in Ireland. in the Rep of Ireland it is by far the most popular caliber. I know a guy who has an origonal 1908 Carl Gustaf 6.5x55 Swed and it will put any modern rifle to shame out to 600m

quote:

Originally posted by 308mate:
I know a guy who has an origonal 1908 Carl Gustaf 6.5x55 Swed and it will put any modern rifle to shame out to 600m

Found one not far from where I live...

* Carl Gustafs Stads 1905 6.5 x 55 mm - $350

The cartridge was called "the perfect deer cartridge" by Finn Aagaard. I have to agree.I think the 140 gr at 2750-2850 fps is the best load. The old factory Norma listed 139 at 2788. Sadly the factory loads here are reduced about 250 fps at this time in consideration for old guns.These loadings are not of interest to me. Get a modern rifle and handload to the original specs.The 140 has high SD and BC so it does surprizingly well at longer ranges. It's a winner ,providing great performance with little recoil or muzzle blast.

it is a better cartg. than the 6,5 MS which has accounted for quite a few elephants etc. with bullets in the 160 grns. class you will have a hard job finding an animal where you wont find an exit wound.

for a lot of hunting in the world they are all you need.

peter

The 6.5x55 is a classic and still very much alive in Scandinavia! I use my own for deer sized game using Lapua Mega bullets -as long as the speeds are kept down it´s a great combo.

In my opnion the 6.5 is a bit light for moose but as I prefer the 9.3x62 as a minimum for any game larger that deer I may be biased...

quote:

Originally posted by Buglemintoday:

If I am not mistaken, [b]I read that the 6.5x55 came out a year before America's .30-30 wcf?

if the .30-30 came out in 1895 then you're correct.

quote:

Gun rags and men of all ages here will tell you that the .30-30 has accounted for more dead big game in the U.S. then any other cartridge.

just swap U.S and .30-30 for scandinavia and 6.5x55.

for moose hunting it's quite controversial.
you either hate it or love it, or like me you don't got one.

quote:

I like how the cartridges look with what seems to look like the bullet is either really long or seated far out

it's a combination of both.
as you can see on this pic(160gr woodleigh PP) they are quite long:

and they need to be seated far out to still have some powder capacity



to put it this way: the .270win has 10% more of everything(except SD)

I don't know what your rifle situation is, but if you "need" an accurate, light recoiling rifle for deer and perhaps elk, this cartridge that will fit the bill. I have a sporterized M96 "Swede" with a 20" barrel and love it. It's easy to carry and easy to shoot. I think this is the same length as the full stock CZ 550. I'm using Nosler Accubonds in 130 gr. I took a white tail buck and large cow elk with it this year. One shot kills on each.

The 6.5x55 is a great deer cartridge, is it the best deer cartridge as Finn Aargard said? Well, I'm not quite convinced that it's better than the 7x57, but then I'm not quite convinced that the 7x57 is better than the 6.5x55. Were I pushed to choose and heaven forbit, then for here in New Zealand I'll plump for the 7mm. Were I living in Europe and the Roe deer were the most likely quarry then I'd plump for the 6.5.
One of the things I keep telling myself is to take into account not only the quarry but the conditions the stalking is undertaken. In our dense New Zealand native forests the heavier and extra 1/2mm diameter of the 7mm bullet gets the nod.
Both cartridges are accurate enough and have enough energy to despatch deer.
Some AR members might point out that actions made to day for the 6.5x55 and the 7x57are made suited to 30-06 lenth rounds and therefore these two old cartridges do not take full advantage of magazine space, so what!
Buy a 6.5x55 and you will have, if not the best, then in my view, one of the two best cartridges for deer stalking.

As oldun outlines above it is quite popular here in the UK as a do-it-all deer cartridge. Big enough to go after red stags during the rut, yet won't tear huge holes in roe deer.

Buglemintoday,
buy the CZ and leave the CG there.

My suggestion is dued to the fact that in a modern rifle, when reloaed on the hot side, 6.5x55 is a superb caliber.

CG is GREAT, no doubt on this, I also have one of them, but you must be prudent with the loads.

In my Sabatti I load, using Lapua cases 46grs of VV N160 behind 140grs bullet with some sign of pressure. Some people load 47grs, but they uses norma brass.

It is one of my preferred calibers.