To all those in the land of my ancestors:

How popular is the old 6.5 x 55 still in Scandanavia? Wondering if it has been " replaced" by more trendy cartridges.

What weight of bullets are popular for hunting and for target shooting.

Just would be interested in your input.

Thanks from the USA.

In Norway 6.5x55 is one of the big sellers together with 30.06 in new rifles. All of the European rifle manufactures make rifles in that calibre. In competition shooting 6.5x55 is leading.

For target shooting Lapua Scenar in 108, 123 and 139grs are common. For hunting 140grs Nosler partition and 156grs Norma Oryx are both best sellers.

seafire

For Sweden the same is very true, the 6,5X55 is VERY popular for target shooting mostly, the bullet weight is the same as in Norway

Most hunter have a 6,5X55, but not all. 3006 is very popular in Sweden and the 6,5-284 has sold a few rifles. I would still say that 6,5X55 is one of the most popular rounds, it not THE.
I know of a few huters who have their 6,5X55 has been recamberd to 6,5-284. The 6,5X284 have been slow to catch on

I thinks it's a fine rifle for birds, deers, fox etc, but not ideal for moose. I have never owned one but used my cousins on few occations

/ JOHAN

The three most popular "moose-calibers" in Sweden are 6.5x55, 308Win and 30-06, and 6.5x55 is either the most popular or the second most popular (sorry, can't remember any figures).

6.5x55 is legal for all Swedish big game, including moose, bear and boar.

Hi Seafire

The 6.5x55SE is still very popular in Sweden. I have myself used this caliber for target shooting at 300 meters and at field target shooting (various shape, size and unknown distance (approx. in the range 125-625 meters)). The ballistics is good or even exellent. The trend in sweden is today to pick a gun slightly larger than the 6.5. Very common are .308Win and .30-06 Springfield.

For hunting roe deer my brother uses 140 grains soft-point Sierra bullets. They do the job.

Target ammunition I used was from Norma (www.norma.cc). You find the info there.

For elk and the growing population of wild boar many pick the 9.3x62 or similar. My first choice was the .375 H&H mag., but my next rifle will probably be a 6.5x55 for smaller game and plinking.

/Roland

Thanks for the Replies from my Scandanavian hunting brethren.

While not as popular here in the USA I find the 6.5 x 55 as an ideal balance. I compliment the Swedes and Norwegians who got it right so long ago. Accuracy, recoil ( or lack thereof) and the quality of the Mausers and Krags make this a very capable caliber.

Good luck to all of you in the upcoming Hunting seasons in Scandanavia or wherever you chose to hunt. I hope to be able to make a trip someday and be able to hunt in Scandanavia.

John Christenson
Grants Pass, Oregon USA