Guys, I'm ready to machine a barrel for my Ruger #1 and have wanted it in 6.5x55.
I have a reamer for it because I have built a couple bolt guns in the past for customers. The thing is I have no first hand experience with this round other than test fireing and what I have read about it. I plan on a 24" barrel + the threads, and will end up as an octogon barrel full length. I think about the most this rifle will see is whitetails but who knows! I'm thinking of a twist rate of 1/8 for the 140 grain bullets, at least that is what I want to start out trying.
So, in short...24.5" barrel with a 1 in 8 twist for 140 grain bullets, am I missing anything?
Thanks!

The twist sounds about right to me.

Terry

6.5x55 ? which one ? Sadly when the American companies started to make it they used the smaller diameter case ,the same as the 30-06 etc while the Europeans always used the larger case.The European ones have come down to the 6.5x55SE. I would use that and of course use European cases.
Reasonable loads will put the 140 gr at 2750 to maybe 2850 fps and 1 in 8" is appropriate.Then you'll undersand why Finn Aagaard called it the perfect deer cartridge ! I used mine for whitetails for 25 years - it worked every time !

It all sounded right in my head,but think I'll hold off until I get clearer headed...
Been on some powerful pain meds all week, I'll have to go back and see what I posted, Hope I didnt buy anything!!!
I go to a specialist today,for what reason...Well, I've been kidney stones. I wouldnt wish this on anyone!

Did Ruger ever offer the No. 1 in 6.5x55?

No, not that I'm aware of. I think Davidsons had a special run made up one year, or some retailer did. One of the reasons I want one in 6.5x55, and I've heard more good than bad about this cartridge. I came about just an action many years ago and found a nice turkish blank and someone to duplicate what I like in a Ruger design. Had a barrel blank at one time but traded it... , time to reorder, and get this one done!

Wouldn't a 26" balance better?
Butch

The 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser is famous for its handling of 160 gr bullets. Do you plan to long throat the chamber to seat the 160 out for powder capacity or just shoot 140's only?

quote:

The 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser is famous for its handling of 160 gr bullets. Do you plan to long throat the chamber to seat the 160 out for powder capacity or just shoot 140's only?

Sorry to be so slow... I plan on pretty much going with 140 grs., thats the intent anyway.

Butch, I was also including the threads but have no )has to be this long). Plan on doing a little intergal barrel work with it also, so may draw it all out full size on paper before cutting. Diameter will have something to do with it also.

This is my 2nd rebarrel of a Ruger #1, the first one was a bull barrel 22/250, so there is no balance in that format of a rifle.
This will be a sporting rifle, so yes I do want a certain degree of balance to it. I like my bolts to have just a little weight forward in the barrel/ just enough so as to be able to keep them from moving all over the place. Like I said, first sporter single, so any sugestions are welcome!

I know you're looking at a full octagon barrel now, but I've just measured my 1/2 oct barrel.

Overall barrel length is a tad under 26" - 25 1/8" from front of the action face to muzzle. The (scoped) balance point is just in front of the action.





Here are the measurements:

cylinder dia. in front of action = 1.20"
length of cylinder before taper begins = 0.57"
dia. distance across the flats at start of octagon section (after transition from cylinder) = 1.05"

length of octagon section (incl. cylinder) - measured to beginning of wedding band = 11 1/2"
length of round section - measured from breach side of wedding band to muzzle = 13 5/8"

length of forearm = 10 1/2"

dia. distance across the flats at end of octagon section (before taper starts) = 0.80"
dia. at breach side of wedding band = 0.73"
dia. at muzzle = 0.538"

This is a fairly heavy barrel. I haven't got good scales but the bare rifle weight is approx. 7lbs 11oz. It's no lightweight.

I hope this gives you some ideas.


cheers,
- stu

I remember seeing this rifle when you posted it. I really like what was done to it and that is as nice a #1 as I have seen.
You went all out to answer my question, and I thank you for all the measurements you provided. Gives me a good starting point...again Thanks!

Enjoy!