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All my cartridges I hunt with are 30 caliber and above. I want to do a classic, wood stocked 6.5x55. Questions: 1. Which Mauser 98 actions are suitable? I'd really like to find a nice BRNO 21 or ZG 47, but any good quality action will do. 2. What about M96/38 actions? 3. Barrel length and profile. Thinking a #2 at 22-24". Maybe split the difference at 23" 4. Bullets? Planning on trying 140 gr Gameking and Partition For the setup: 1. Nice walnut 2. Probably aftermarket bottom metal and will have it engraved 3. Probably something nicer than standard Talley bases 4. Rust blue finish 5. Reasonable scope - no more than 9x, no more 38mm objective. 1" tube. Maybe a Leupold 2.5-8x36 or 3-9x33, or 2-7x28. 6. Barrel band for sling, maybe. 7. Undecided on buttplate - I like metal ones, but I can use the rifle for a walking stick then, so maybe just a red pad, but thinner than my standard 1" or just a hard rubber pad. "Evil is powerless if the good are unafraid" -- Ronald Reagan "Ignorance of The People gives strength to totalitarians." Want to make just about anything work better? Keep the government as far away from it as possible, then step back and behold the wonderment and goodness. | ||
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I have 6.5x55's built on 96's, Milsurp std 98's, Mexican SR 98's, and Commercial 98's. My favorites were/are those built to be light and handy. The 96's are fine for standard 6.5x55 loads and make fine light weight rifles. For those wanting to utilize "commercial" rifle loads, I suggest a 98 action. 23" barrel would be perfect. I have barrels ranging from 16.5" on my youngest son's Mexican SR 98 to 25.6" on one of my Mk X's. I tend to prefer 23-24". My son's 16.5" was plenty to drive 100 gr BT's at 2700 and harvest a beautiful 250 lb PA Whitetail. One shot was all it took. He was 8 yo at the time. IMO, the only reason to use a recoil pad on such a rifle is because you want one. Recoil even with the heaviest loads is mild. Decide how heavy you want the finished rifle to be, then start subtracting the weight of the components from that to arrive at your barrel weight. Then select a profile that will balance properly.  Aut vincere aut mori | |||
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Get a barrel with a faster than a 1/9 twist. 1/8 will handle bergers and Nosler Accubond LR better than a 1/9 twist, which used to be the go-to twist for commercial barrels.
Dave | |||
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Mine is an Oberndorf '43 rehardened . I think the 140 is the best weight with a powder burn rate similar to 4350. Mine is chambered for the 160 if I need it. Easy 2750 with no pressure signs. 24" barrel but pick weight for end rifle weight. Scope 1x4 or 1x6. Sweet !!  | |||
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Thanks. I have all sorts of rifle, mainly pounders or hot loads. Want to "relax" a bit when hunting. My daughter's previous load, 120 gr 2,650 fps 7mm-08, was always nice to shoot. So thinking a 140 gr in the 2,500 - 2,600 range would be perfect. "Evil is powerless if the good are unafraid" -- Ronald Reagan "Ignorance of The People gives strength to totalitarians." Want to make just about anything work better? Keep the government as far away from it as possible, then step back and behold the wonderment and goodness. | |||
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I had an old friend that used a swede rifle cut the barrel to 18 1/2 " reduced mag to hold three rounds, bent bolt handle drilled out on back side of knob, modified trigger, full length stock, scope was a weaver J-2.5 cross hair post. First time he showed in Colorado to hunt all the guys laugh at him, but after that rifle killed the first three in camp, he took orders. The old ranch verified this me that he had killed a elk at 600 yds with that rifle using Hornady 158 gr. round nose bullets. I know most of these guys will make a joke of this, but with 22 trips to Colorado he killed 19 elk..... . | |||
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I think a HVA 1600 action would be a great choice. | |||
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I've got similar ideas dancing around in my head. A BRNO 21 would be my top pick but hard to come by and pricey. I have a Mexican Mauser that's presently a .243 truck gun and I plan to use it. I'm considering using Alaska Arms BRNO bases and rings. Also considering a Kreiger barrel with a intrigral full rib and front sight base. Also considering a integral sling mount on the barrel. I've got a couple Serengeti English walnut blanks in my closet waiting for me to make up my mind. Duane Wiebe posted pics of a beautiful 6.5x55 on a Mexican action that he built a while back in the custom guns forum. All We Know Is All We Are | |||
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Yes I also think a Mexican Mauser would be a fine choice for a medium length m98 action that would really suit the cartridge. I have a 96 Swedish Mauser that I like a lot. I use both reloads and factory ammo with no problems just like the swedes do. Either way it's a great cartridge that gives a lot with little recoil. Roger ___________________________ I'm a trophy hunter - until something better comes along. *we band of 45-70ers* | |||
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thanks for all the feedback. I just need to start piecing one together now and not get tempted to buy a Howa barreled 6.5x55 action! "Evil is powerless if the good are unafraid" -- Ronald Reagan "Ignorance of The People gives strength to totalitarians." Want to make just about anything work better? Keep the government as far away from it as possible, then step back and behold the wonderment and goodness. | |||
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I built mine on a VZ-24 action.....I like 120 grain bullets but that's just me.....It'll do nearly 3,000 fps with the 120s and kills deer like magic!       /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// "Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery." Winston Churchill | |||
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That's what I was thinking. I bought this from a forum member a few years ago.    GOOGLE HOTLINK FIX FOR BLOCKED PHOTOBUCKET IMAGES https://chrome.google.com/webs...inkfix=1516144253810 | |||
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Perfect "Evil is powerless if the good are unafraid" -- Ronald Reagan "Ignorance of The People gives strength to totalitarians." Want to make just about anything work better? Keep the government as far away from it as possible, then step back and behold the wonderment and goodness. | |||
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Vapodog. A truly gorgeous rifle. velocity is like a new car, always losing value. BC is like diamonds, holding value forever. | |||
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Ideally I would choose the G33-40 Mauser, or the Brno mod. 21 (same action)...The 6.5x55 is ideal for a small case like the 6.5x55 or the 6.5x57 is even better IMO...I would much prefer the small ring, but if that's a non issue the any good 98 action will work. I would opt for a 22 inch Douglas #1 fwt. and decorate it with a Leupold 4X, Such a gun should be a light weitht gun IMO,as you have a room full of 30 calibers that most are std. wt. I assume. Im building the same basic gun, but in a 7x57. I went with the proven 1x9 twist and test firing shows it to shoot with all bullets from 130 Speer to a 175 gr. Nosler. In a 6.5x55 Id opt for a twist to handle the 140 to 160 gr. bullets and Im betting it would shoot the 120 gr. bullet as well. Ray Atkinson Atkinson Hunting Adventures 10 Ward Lane, Filer, Idaho, 83328 208-731-4120 rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com | |||
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Thanks Ray! I'd like to optimize for 120-140 gr. I thought about a 6.5 x 57 also, a bit more room, but I'm not looking to beat myself up - I'd do a 6.5x68 if that was the case! "Evil is powerless if the good are unafraid" -- Ronald Reagan "Ignorance of The People gives strength to totalitarians." Want to make just about anything work better? Keep the government as far away from it as possible, then step back and behold the wonderment and goodness. | |||
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The other option is a 6.5 x 54 MS. I have a 1903 Carbine and a bunch of Norma brass and 160 gr Hornady bullets doing nothing (and a bunch of low pressure ammo loaded up -seating long for perfect feed in the 1903 and rotary mag). I obviously don't want to scope the 1903, so I would need a bolt action chambered in it. "Evil is powerless if the good are unafraid" -- Ronald Reagan "Ignorance of The People gives strength to totalitarians." Want to make just about anything work better? Keep the government as far away from it as possible, then step back and behold the wonderment and goodness. | |||
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As has already been said. Get a 1-8 twist barrel for the 140's. I also think the 120 bullets are the sweet spot. | |||
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Since you are not trying to push the velocity envelope, and there is no need, any of the actions that have been mentioned will work just fine. Mine is a Model 70 Featherweight. In my personal experience, if you are not trying to hot shot the 6.5s, the 1:9 twist works just fine, even for the 140 grain bullets. I shoot either 140 Partitions in mine or 140 Sierra SBT. This 6.5x55 rifle has a Douglas #3 barrel at 23" long. I only have one 6.5 barrel (out of 6 different 6.5 rifles I own) that does not have a 1:9. It has a 1:8 because that is what Jim Kobe had at the time. They all shoot everything I put in them very well. Larry "Peace is that brief glorious moment in history, when everybody stands around reloading" -- Thomas Jefferson | |||
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I used to like the Norma 156gr factory round nose in my custom 6.5x55. Here in the Eastern woods shots are fairly close, and it was a lightning bolt on Whitetails. | |||
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That's what I load kills things just fine. | |||
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Here is a link to a twist rate calculator. You can get the pertinent data to input from the bullet manufactures websites. A barns 120 grain TTSX is borderline at a Swede velocity with a 1 in 9 twist. http://www.bergerbullets.com/twist-rate-calculator/ | |||
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Nosler uses 1:9 for all of their .264 bullets. Since that is what I mainly use, that works for me, along with real experience. Larry "Peace is that brief glorious moment in history, when everybody stands around reloading" -- Thomas Jefferson | |||
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Anybody wanting to build a 6.5mm and use the High BC bullets, will be doing themselves a favor by using at least a 8" twist. Traditional cup and core, as well as bullets like the Partition are shorter and 140's will stabilize in a 9" twist. But Berger's 130 requires an 8" twist. Aut vincere aut mori | |||
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What do you think the twist is in a Husqvarna 46B circa 1942? | |||
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I would guess 8". An early 60's Tradewinds catalog lists an 8" twist in their 6.5x55's. I suppose I could measure mine tonight. Aut vincere aut mori | |||
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A member has offered me an unaltered 1909 action (except for bolt handle which I will replace with a butterknife) and a new 22" 1:8 barrel. I think this will work nicely. I have a lot of Hornady 160 gr 6.5 RNSN bullets, so will start there with my load efforts. Should be a good thumper at 2,400 fps or so. "Evil is powerless if the good are unafraid" -- Ronald Reagan "Ignorance of The People gives strength to totalitarians." Want to make just about anything work better? Keep the government as far away from it as possible, then step back and behold the wonderment and goodness. | |||
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In this day and age of "Premium" bullets, I believe you would be happier getting an "American" style of chamber, neck, and throat. Maybe 0.200" freebore, 1.5 degree leade angle, and optimized for a 140-grain bullet. CIP manufacturers are compelled to utilize a "European" style throat with a very gradual lead angle. Those are optimized for extra long bullets with flat bases.  | |||
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HEY Austin, I just remembered, the Brno mod 21 AND 22 COME IN 6.5X57, I one some years ago, and Ive seen them for sale on occasion..I prefer the 7x57 and they are easier to come by in a 21 or 22..The Brnos also have a 30-06 box and a long throat to match.. Ray Atkinson Atkinson Hunting Adventures 10 Ward Lane, Filer, Idaho, 83328 208-731-4120 rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com | |||
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I have to disagree with wanting an Americanized chamber. If you have a 6.5x55 made the way it was intended to be made you can utilize the full range of brass and bullets, both American and European. In my mind it was false economy for American manufactures to use a .30-06 diameter chamber & brass which automatically limits it to US only brass. Besides I really like those Norma 156 grain loads. Roger ___________________________ I'm a trophy hunter - until something better comes along. *we band of 45-70ers* | |||
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It's dumb to have two different sets of dimensions especially as there is the 260 Rem, For the sake of accuracy , if you have a European chamber then use European cases . | |||
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All Nosler rifles made in 6.5mm are 1-8" twist. EVEN their long range Model in 26 Nosler. | |||
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 10-4  rogerOld age is a high price to pay for maturity!!! Some never pay and some pay and never reap the reward. Wisdom comes with age! Sometimes age comes alone.. | |||
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Sorry, I should have said for all of their loading data in the manuals, but you win Slider. 40 years of reloading 6.5 for more that 20 rifles means nothing next to your keyboard wonders. Be sure you go to some estimate of a guess calculator before any real experience. No biggie here. Larry "Peace is that brief glorious moment in history, when everybody stands around reloading" -- Thomas Jefferson | |||
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No win here I'm just stating facts. | |||
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1x8 is time proven, why experiment..Ive pretty well disprove the old wives tale that short bullet won't shoot in long throats, I have Never experienced that in bolt action calibers, only slow bullets in lever guns.. Ray Atkinson Atkinson Hunting Adventures 10 Ward Lane, Filer, Idaho, 83328 208-731-4120 rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com | |||
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I have always used a 140 in my 6.5x55 but it's throated for 160 if I should need it .No accuracy problem for mine !! Maybe it depends exactly how it's been cut .I can't remember the details on mine other than minimum throat length for the 160. No deer have complained ! | |||
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There still plenty of Husqvarna Model 46 and 146 rifles around that make great customs. For bottom metal Duane Weibe has the right hole spacing for the Model 46 '96 based action (intermediate 98 length) and the 146 is based on the FN 98 action. Both can still be had for $375-450 but not in that caliber. Both are made near to and sometimes at the fit and finish level of Oberndorf Mausers at a fraction of the price and side safeties or trigger safeties are available for either. "Experience" is the only class you take where the exam comes before the lesson. | |||
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The 146 was only made in 9,3x57. Only the M46B was made in 6.5x55. Aut vincere aut mori | |||
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Some Swedish friends  Off the shelf milsurp with some home brew mods such as a off the shelf drop in stock, cock on opening sear and the bolt ground down to clear the scope. Its heavy though but is a decent shooter      | |||
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