I traded for a very nice CZ 550 FS in 6.5x55 Swede.

The barrel has a 1 in 9 rate of twist. I would like to shoot the heavier 155 gr norma and lapua bullets.

Will the CZ stabilze these longer slugs?

Any prior experience and load suggestions would be most appreciated. I have most of the medium/ slow powders on hand...IMR 4350, RL 19, 22, H4831 and IMR 7828

Cheers and thanks in advance.

Mike

It will probably work as they are rn bullets. I have used Lapua mega on moose and roedeer and are happy with them (about 70% retained weight). Norma Oryx (bonded)is the bullet that is most used for moose in cal 6,5 in Sweden ~90% retained weight.

there's some excellent suggestions on loads in this very forum (http://www.accuratereloading.com/reload.html), just see the 6.5x55 page. In my experience RL19 and RL22 seem to be the ones that you may have better luck with.
Mine (Sako IV hunter, with McMillan sako stock, Zeiss Victory 2.5-10x50T* scope and an 1:8 LWalther magnum sporter barrel) stabilizes the 140gn bullets well, haven't tried any heavier (have the 7x57 for them )

Welcome to this fantastic calibre!

best wishes,

Finman

Uh...so I'm having one being built as we speak. For the last two years I have wanted one and have thought of nothing else, but saving for this rifle. It's now in the works at the gunsmith as we speak. Today I was off and looking for info on the 6.5X55. I was looking for all sorts of data and it hit me....I started wondering why I picked this round? I could have basically picked any round...but I picked this one.

Sure there are people who post on all sorts of forums including those from Norway, Sweden, and other European countries that tell you all the fantastic stuff about the round and how it will bring down game up to and including moose. Today I looked at ballistics tables, reloading books, brass, powder and bullet companies....I went back and wondered why? Kreyten, Nordic2, Finman and anyone else...why the 6.5X55?

A little background might help. Two years ago a friend of mine had one of the older M-96's that were offered for sale here in the US for less than $100. So he told me I needed to shoot his rifle. Of course there wasn't stellar accuracy, but I was amazed at the accuracy it had for such an older rifle. PLUS, there was almost not recoil. I liked the rifle, but he wouldn't part with it.

Based upon that, the be somewhat nostalgic, and to be different I set out to have one. But I never really dig deep into the round itself until today. And just so everyone knows....I don't care. I WANT a rifle chambered in 6.5X55. I just wondered why/what everyone else saw in the round? So then can you just have a rifle in a caliber because you want one?

By the way...thanks for the info. I can't wait until mine gets done and sent to the man who is going to put a stock on it. Then back to me....I've waited a long time for this to come to fruition (sp?).

Hi RenegateRN

for some unknown reason the US has ignored .264 calibre rounds for a long while. there have been some attempts (the most recent-factory supported one- being the .260Rem, I guess...), but the calibre has remained largely unoticed. Probably because the Japanese and the Italians fought with this calibre against the US troops in WWII...

I think the reason is that the majority of rifles available were old military ones that would not shoot to the speeds that modern hunting cartridges can attain and have most hunters mesmerised with...And, consequently, factory ammo was also loaded for such actions.

But, in a modern action and with modern ammunition or handloaded rounds, the rifle is a different animal. I'd stay clear of the old military rifles, much as they may appeal, and build one on a modern action or buy a Sako or Tikka.

Where shall I start? inherent accuracy, little recoil, low pressures (even in modern guns), amazing knockdown power, very good SDs, and excellent ballistics come to mind. Not too bad for a round that is almost 120 years old...You hear people shooting the rifle hot and have still 4-5000 round barrel life. I bet the 6.5x284 can't do that.

I got it because I wanted something with a bit more power than my 6mmBR, and could handle 100gn and over bullets. Never looked back. It was also one of the reasons that I stuck to classic rounds for my next rifle, in 7x57. I've taken deer to 200yrds and, had I been a better shot, I would shoot them further with confidence. If you think about it, loaded with a 120gn bullet doing 2900fps it is similar in trajectory with the .243 with 100gn bullets. And it doesn't wear your barrel down the same way, plus you have better BCs and SDs.

enough reasons for me! I do hope you will enjoy yours and have something your mates will look at with envy!

best wishes,

Finman

The 6.5 cartridges are good. The Swede being the more popular of the older military ones.

I feel Americans don't care for the 6.5's, even the 8mm's for that matter, because they weren't American calibers and plus we fought against those calibers in more then one war. The 8mm hasn't caught on that great here and it's one of the all time greatest cartridges ever made.

The 6.5's do have a really good ballistic trajectory and deep penetration. I wouldn't say they are any better or worse then some other cartridges close to them, like the 257 Roberts, 250-300 Savage, and 25-06 and some of the 7mm's on the other side of it. I own quite a few 6.5's like the 6.5 Grendel, 6.5 Japanese, 6.5x54 Mannlicher Schoenaur, 6.5x55 Swede, and the 260 Remington. Hunting deer with my 260 didn't feel any different to me in performance, recoil, etc, then my 243. I do like my 7mm-08 much better. The 6.5/284 has a pretty good following.

All in all it's good caliber that you can't go wrong with.

Are you certain it is a 1in9 twist? Reason I ask is because I am almost certain that CZ puts a faster twist (1in 8?) in their 6.5's.

Yep...it is 1 in 9 according to the CZ manual and the website...

1 in 9 twist is what CZ states it to be on their website.

It is interesting that you both mention that .264 caliber not catching on in the US. I see that too, except maybe the .260 or 6.5X284 barrel burner. I'm not sure why either. Could be it breaks the difference between the .243 and .270 in size or 7mm in size. I dunno. As far is we fought against those cals in war? Maybe true in the past but, not sure considering the 7.62X39. Around where I live everyone has one in some form or fashion much like everyone has a .22LR! I may be wrong, but I honestly think that for the vast majority of people that hunt/shoot only have one rifle. (I have a friend who is one of the hardest core hunters I know and only has one rifle in his house: Rem 7600 in .30-06. No need for anything else he says.) Someone might have two rifles if grandpa passed his down. The prevailing though where I am is you can only shoot one and they stick with what they know.

I just needed reinforcement of why I am having one built in 6.5X55. All I need is 'coz I want one. I'm having mine built on a KKale Turk Mauser action of 1941 vintage with a new barrel of great fame. I hope it can handle the more modern ammo or handloaded rounds! We gonna see...but no older actioned rifles in the house yet. Can hardly wait to work up some 120grain loads or 130gr or 140gr and see what it does.

Had to really think this out coz that new Win70 Supergrade in .270 has been calling my name for awhile now. LOL! And VZ-24 and something in 7X57. Heck the Turk was in 8X57JS and almost kept it as is.

Too many calibers and so little time!!! I just have to be careful because now I am comparing the calibers I own to women...sleek and trim, long and tall, beautiful.... That might not be a good thing with women I know or at home.

quote:

Originally posted by RenegadeRN:
It is interesting that you both mention that .264 caliber not catching on in the US. I see that too, except maybe the .260 or 6.5X284 barrel burner. I'm not sure why either. Could be it breaks the difference between the .243 and .270 in size or 7mm in size. I dunno. As far is we fought against those cals in war? Maybe true in the past but, not sure considering the 7.62X39. Around where I live everyone has one in some form or fashion much like everyone has a .22LR! I may be wrong, but I honestly think that for the vast majority of people that hunt/shoot only have one rifle. (I have a friend who is one of the hardest core hunters I know and only has one rifle in his house: Rem 7600 in .30-06. No need for anything else he says.) Someone might have two rifles if grandpa passed his down. The prevailing though where I am is you can only shoot one and they stick with what they know.

I just needed reinforcement of why I am having one built in 6.5X55. All I need is 'coz I want one. I'm having mine built on a KKale Turk Mauser action of 1941 vintage with a new barrel of great fame. I hope it can handle the more modern ammo or handloaded rounds! We gonna see...but no older actioned rifles in the house yet. Can hardly wait to work up some 120grain loads or 130gr or 140gr and see what it does.

Had to really think this out coz that new Win70 Supergrade in .270 has been calling my name for awhile now. LOL! And VZ-24 and something in 7X57. Heck the Turk was in 8X57JS and almost kept it as is.

Too many calibers and so little time!!! I just have to be careful because now I am comparing the calibers I own to women...sleek and trim, long and tall, beautiful.... That might not be a good thing with women I know or at home.

One of the great attractions of the 7.62x39 was the super cheap ammo which Bill Clinton took care of. Couple that with the legendary fame of the AK 47 made a great appeal for the 7.6x39. The SKS's were dirt cheap at first too.

Another millimeter that didn't fare so well too was the 8mm Remington Magnum. I believe the Nazi's and the Japanese instilled a lot of hate in Americans.

True...very true. And prolly a lot of other peoples as well. Somethings in life just do not make sense to me. Anyhoo...I just planned on loading my own from the get go, plus all the info is why this post holds my interest.

kreyten: Since no one is going to give you facts on twist I guess I will step in and save the day. Norma site lists no 155gr but two 156gr hunting bullets and they are the Valkan HP and the Alaska,they had a Oryx but don't list it now. Both of the bullets listed are 1.268" long and will work in a 1/9" down to 2400fps. Lapua's site lists one 155gr bullet the Mega 1.248" and 1/9 @2274fps. I hope this helps. You should have asked the "Fat Albert" first and save all that time.

I have loaded the Horaday 160gr Round nose in my Remington Mod 7 260 Rem with a 20" barrle 1-9" ... not sure how fast they were going but at 100 yards was able to get 5 shot .78" groups with it..

What made the 6.5x55 and 6.x54 rounds famous as a hunting round was the 156gn bullet they used to shoot. Hence, traditionally, they are offered with fast twist barrels. Sako and Tikka offer them with 1:8 and when I replaced mine in my Sako I replaced it with a 1:8 Lothar Walther. Hence, it would seem to me that this is the twist for the calibre and it will handle all bullets its designed to shoot.

Hope this helps,

Finman

Just ordered a 6.5x55. What is a good charge for a 140 grain bullet using h4350 or Hybrid 100V? I'll be using a CZ 550 so it handle more pressure than an old mauser.

All the books are loaded to 45,000 CUP.

quote:

Originally posted by scottfromdallas:
Just ordered a 6.5x55. What is a good charge for a 140 grain bullet using h4350 or Hybrid 100V? I'll be using a CZ 550 so it handle more pressure than an old mauser.

All the books are loaded to 45,000 CUP.

I shoot the 120s.....so I can't help but I'd pick the IMR-4831 and start at about 46 grains.....work up 1/2 grain per time.....you should make 2,800 FPS at about 48 grains or so

If you must use H-4350 start at 44 grains and work up to about 46 grains.....you'll get about 2,700 FPS.....You get very roughly 3,000 CUP per grain if that helps.....

I'm shooting the 120 grain bullets at a bit over 3,000 FPS from a 21" barrel....

The 6.5 X 55 is a real fine deer killer.

All of my 6.5x55's are 1:7.5. Military and commercial. 4064 works great w/ light bullets. For 140..160gr I use 4831, both are IMR. 2700fps I'm good with. Of course the 160's are much slower.

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:

quote:

Originally posted by scottfromdallas:
Just ordered a 6.5x55. What is a good charge for a 140 grain bullet using h4350 or Hybrid 100V? I'll be using a CZ 550 so it handle more pressure than an old mauser.

All the books are loaded to 45,000 CUP.

I shoot the 120s.....so I can't help but I'd pick the IMR-4831 and start at about 46 grains.....work up 1/2 grain per time.....you should make 2,800 FPS at about 48 grains or so

If you must use H-4350 start at 44 grains and work up to about 46 grains.....you'll get about 2,700 FPS.....You get very roughly 3,000 CUP per grain if that helps.....

I'm shooting the 120 grain bullets at a bit over 3,000 FPS from a 21" barrel....

The 6.5 X 55 is a real fine deer killer.

It helps Vapo. Thanks.

it should do good

Thanks to all for the suggestions/experiences.

I will remember to go to you first Fat Albert fo 6.5 questions!

I shot some 140 gr Hornady's on Friday over 46 gr of Rl22 and H4831...very pleased with both..
Rifle shows real promise.

What a pleasure to shoot and trigger is great.

Have ordered some Norma Alaskan's from Graf and some 140 gr AB's to play with.

Norma alaska is soft and lose a lot of weight oryx is much better for big game.

quote:

Originally posted by Nordic2:
Norma alaska is soft and lose a lot of weight oryx is much better for big game.

How does the Vulcan compare?

Vulkan has tapered jacket with lead lock it`s in between Alaska and Oryx in age an qvality. Vulkan has the best BC of them.

You haven't enjoyed life to the fullest until you own a Swede. It is so capable in so many areas that I now own only the Swede.

Just a quick update...

I have had no luck getting the 156 gr Alaskans to shoot out of my CZ. Have tried H4831, RL22 and IMR 7828...still get a random grouping with approx 2-3 inch spread at 100 yds with all powder ladders and a couple of seating depths.

I am pleased with the 140 NAB's...showing some promise with RL22...at 48 grs I had a nice random 5 shoot group at about an inch...will play with seating and tweak the charge to see if I can tighten it up a bit. Of course..for the hunting I intend to use this rifle for..it is fine right now... Guess I still think I can shoot as well as I used to before progressive bifocals and dimming eyesight..oh well... Getting old ain't fer sissies!

I ordered the QuickLoad program..will be fun to play with that as I am also going to work 140 gr Partitons and 140 Game kings up.

Cheers!

I've been using the 6.5 for deer the last to seasons in a 700 rem. classic in a plastic stock and a tikka t3 stainless had to fire my tracker.using 120 grain bt's and sierras, 51 grain r22( work up you load its hot).Building a 32 peruvian with custom barrel into a synthetic stock, and probably a 36 mexican in a month or so. So I'm sold on the 6.5.

Just a PS...feel you should ditch the plans of a 9 twist. Go 8" please. You'll regret a 9..honest. Then you'll blame the caliber or the smith and it'll be your fault for specifying the 9. Heck, choose 7.5 if you want strictly heavies like 155 Megas. That'll do the trick.

quote:

Originally posted by Bill6.5:
Just a PS...feel you should ditch the plans of a 9 twist. Go 8" please. You'll regret a 9..honest. Then you'll blame the caliber or the smith and it'll be your fault for specifying the 9. Heck, choose 7.5 if you want strictly heavies like 155 Megas. That'll do the trick.

I would go with an 8" twist if I was building. I have a CZ550 FS. I love the rifle but it has a 9" twist which limits longer bullets. Mine would not stabilize the 160 Woodleighs but it did work extremely well with the 155 Megas because it's a flat point design and much shorter. Berger also says their bullets need an 8" twist.

The 9" twist isn't bad but you won't be able to shoot some of the heavier or longer bullets.

To the OP, I used 38.5 gr of R15 with the 155 mega. COL was 2.95. That should get you a little over 2500 fps. Not sure you get more velocity using slower powder in a 20.5" barrel. At the bench, I was getting right at 1 moa. In the field, I killed a nice 8 point this year. Hit him quartering to me. The bullet blew the ribs to shrapenel and was probably lodged somewhere in the rear ham. When we gutted him, we saw a lot of damage on the opposite rear tenderloin. It was dark, so i never recovered the bullet but I was pretty impressed with the results.

I've been trying to see if I can go to one powder on all my big game rifles. So far, R15 works great with my 9.3x62, 338 Fed, 308 win and 6.5x55. I'm trying it this weekend on 257R.

My barrel is a 21 1/4" Sako 8" twist. It does fair with Megas, about 1", tollerates 140's at 3/4", loves 120's always 1/4-1/2" but just shot some 130 Barnes Triple shocks (TSX) and shot two equal groups of .385" first trial. This may just be the optimum weight for 8" & Swede. I'm using N160 or RL22 and lots of it. Most data is for old Mausers written by lawyers. My accuracy nodes seem to be 1.8 gr below max and about .8 gr over max. YOU will start low and work up. Now what deer woundn't just die to get it's very own 130gr TSX !! They chrono at 2835fps out of my rifle. Oh yeh, it's on a Win Mod 70 long action. No problems with long bullets and magazine function. Get that Swede! Would not be afraid to take on elk.

amazing accuracy in a 25.5 inch barrel....1:7.5" twist and shoots 155 megas into 1.5" at 305 yards.