I just bought a new Ruger M77 MkII in 6.5X55 for a pretty good price locally - $489. I didn't, and don't, really need it, but writer John Barsness had such success with his that I thought I'd give it a try.



It weighs 7 pounds 5 ounces, and has an attractive (to me) stock that's slim and straight-grain walnut. The wood to metal fit is reasonable and the trigger pull isn't as awful as I'd heard. It's probably around six pounds pull, with a trace of creep and no overtravel. The bolt throw is a little grittier than a Winchester M70 and significantly worse than a Sako's. The blueing is awful, but since I view it as a project rifle, that might be considered a benefit, since I'd hate to practice amateur gunsmithing skills on something pretty.



From that description, it sounds bad. It really isn't, but each point is something that I'll attempt to learn about and fix. If the trigger is too difficult, for instance, then I'll install an aftermarket brand, Timney, maybe. I'll try some minor epoxy bedding, if necessary. I'm considering different approaches to smooth up the bolt throw. If everything else works out I'll likely get someone else to reblue it, since while it needs it, it's not a skill I'm interested in learning.



Oh, yeah, I do intend to shoot it from time to time.



Jaywalker

Well, I don't know about the Ruger rifle, but I think you'll find yourself well-served by the little Swede. It sure is a well-mannered, nicely balanced little cartridge. I have a Sako L691 chambered in 6.5X55 that I would not trade for just about any other rifle I've seen or shot. If your's is like most other 6.5X55s (and I've heard Rugers are bad), it will have a long throat that will require the use of long bullets. I've had very good luck with 140 grain Barnes XLCs, which are particularly long and reach the lands in my rifle with no trouble. Have fun shooting your new project!

Thanks. I suspect the throat's set up for 140 grain bullets, given Barsness' 0.5 - 0.75-inch groups with them, but maybe I'll learn this weekend!

Given the good bullets available - including your Barnes - I don't see much reason to go any heavier, so if necessary, I'll have the barrel set back.

Jaywalker

Hello Jaywalker,

Welcome to Accurate Reloading. I love your comment about not needing the new 6.5x55. Get back to me
in a few years, okay? Not being a Ruger fan, I got mine in a Remington Classic. I already had 3 old
Swedish M96 rifles. The Scandanavians had the right idea on this one. I use mine for moose as well as
deer and bear. The 160gr. SPSP will enter a moose and proceed to tear up the boiler room much better
than a lot of the heavier and speedier calibers that often pass on through the animal. It's also an accurate
rascal. The Finnish Lapua and affiliated VihtaVouri powder company make excellent reloading components for
the 6.5x55. It's not unusual to get groups in the .4" range (5 at 100yds). Your first steps should probably
be to glass bed the action and float the barrel, and by all means get the trigger down to around 2 lbs. or
switch it out. Recoil is mild in the 6.5 enabling you to shoot it even better. Many in N.America shied away
from the 6.5 for years, but it's now catching on after 100 years. It seems we no longer have a dread of
things metric. Bullets range from 85grs. to 160grs., an amazing spread. I think your rifle has a 1 in 8" twist.
That will shoot them all accurately. My Remington unfortunately is a 1 in 9". I wish you well with your old
Swede.

Cal - Montreal

Cal,

Thanks. I shot it the first time this afternon, and it was okay - about two inches, and was stringing. I got the trigger out this evening and polished the face a bit, and most of the creep is gone. Tomorrow, I'll work on the pull weight, and glass the fore-end tip - that should fix the stringing.

You're right - it was nice to shoot.

Jaywalker