You can also get the Sako Finnlight and Tikka in 6.5 SE. I know the Finnlight is stainless synthetic, but I don't remember if the Tikka comes in a stainless synthetic model. Lou

I need some advises. I want a 6.5x55 (just love the cartridge) in a synthetic stock and stainless or nickel plated or some kind of weatherproof finish. The option are somewhat limited. What would be the easier way (cheapest) to achieve that. I like the Winchester m70 so I was thinking:

option 1: get a new Winchester Featherweight in 6.5x55, refinish it with some kind of weatherproof finish and drop it in a synthetic stock.

option 2: get a stainless, synthetic Winchester m70 in some other caliber and have it rechambered, rebarelled in 6.5x55.

option 3: open to sugestions.

I know I could probably get a european model in stainless, synthetic righ out of the box but they go for a couple grand or would that still be cheaper than option 1 & 2??

IMO you've already got a good handle on your options. Which is cheapest probably depends on whether you like the factory injection-molded stock. If you do, I believe rebarreling a factory stainless/syn model would be cheapest, since you're looking at $200 minimum for a quality fiberglass stock, probably similar for a high tech coating, not including a recoil pad or paint job, vs. $260+ for a Shaw rebarrel.

Alternatively, the even cheaper route would be to buy a factory Featherweight then buy a takeoff factory synthetic stock and a case of the rust preventative wonder oil of your choice.

John

Personaly I would purchase a cz 550 in American in 6.5x55 and buy a McMillan "AHR" stock to fit it and then have it black chromed or NP3'd ??

You will have a superior synthetic stock in my view and a great rifle that hold 5 down and will shoot well.

Or go straight to option 3, buy a Sako in stainless synthetic originally chambered in 6.5x55 and be happy.

regards

About 8-9 years ago Kimber bought up a bunch of Swedish Mausers and sporterized them, offering them in .22-250, .243, 6.5x55, 7mm-08 and .308. They had the bolts bent and were D&T'd for scopes, 2 pos. low safeties and were available blued or nickle satin plated.
The 6.5 had the original barrels turned down and were cheaper than the others which needed rebarreling and were available in heavy varminter and fluted versions. This was before the .260 Rem was available otherwise I imagine they would have offered that also.

They had Ramline stocks.

There was some question at the time whether the action was strong enough for the modern loads (.22-250, .243, 7mm-08 and .308), but I was enamoured of the 6.5 anyway so I got one in nickel, still had the Carl Gustavson markings, made in 1900, installed a Timney replacement trigger, Wolf springs and put a Weaver 3x10 on it in Warne rings. I never bothered to bed it since it shot into 1.5" right away.

I actually just pulled it out to have a look as I haven't used it for 3 years. It's not a bad looking gun as plastic and silver go. BTW I never heard of any problems with the modern loads

I haven't seen any offered for sale on the used market, but you can keep an eye out. If you are interested in mine email me maybe we can work something out. I don't use I anymore.



Recoil Rob recoil@optonline.net

I wonder if you can find a Rem 260 in stainless + synthetic, and have it rechambered to 6.5x55? You'd have to be sure the cartridge box is long enough.

My solution was to put a stainless barrel on a blued FN Mauser action. That doesn't get you the rust protection of a stainless action, but it's not a bad compromise.

I've got another project coming along where I intend to bead blast a blued action, so it looks like the stainless barrel, even though the receiver is not stainless. Bluing offers no real rust protection anyway.

The 6.5x55 is one of the nicest cartridges ever designed.

Just to thicken the plot McMillan makes a replacement stock for the Winchester Featherweight. I have a Winchester Featherweight (blued and walnut) in 6,5x55. It is indeed quite sweet. I think your best bet will be to get a new Sako in stainless and composite. The Sako stock design is the best, and now it has panels of an almost tacky substance so it won't get slippery when wet like the other tupperware stocks out there. I have one in 300 Win Mag, and it is flat out awesome, even if it does have one of those dumb little locking thingies in the cocking piece shroud. You will never regret saving up for a Sako, IMO.
JCN

If I would go with a factory Featherweight and have it refinish with some sort of coating, the coating is not applied inside the barrel...right?? I wouldn't get the extra weather protection of stainless.

If I would to go with a stainless, synthetic model 70 and go the rebarell way, is there any starting caliber I should look for the base of the project????

What about the Sako? I've never heard anything bad about them. I would have to look how much they are worth in Canada.

NP3 covering by Robar is a mixture of electroless nickel and teflon. Very durable. Dark gray color.
Robar also makes Rogard. It is black with a bit of an eggshell texture.
Both are expensive. Neither are in the bore.

The 6.5x55 brass is officially .480" diameter at the base, but all American headstamped brass is .474" diameter. Thus you can use any .270, 30'06, 280, etc as a starting point.

The Sako's are simply marvelous. By the time you get a Winchester worked over you will be up to a Sako price anyway.

Just my 2 cents worth.

JCN

I just looked on a Canadian web site (Wholesalesports.com),

Winchester Featherweight in 6.5X55: $870.00
Winchester Stainless, Synthetic standard calibers: $1000.00
Sako Synthetic Stainless in 6.5X55: $1550.00

These are all Canadian prices. I guess I could look for a used Winchester stainless, synthetic to lower the price if I want to go that route,

Does this change anybody's opinion?? Would I save by playing with the Winchester's or just get a Sako.

Thanks for the advises

Heres one on gun brokerhttp://gunbroker.com/auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=20170951

A tad too many characters in that link. Try this: http://gunbroker.com/auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=20170951

Auction about to end, but no one has bid thus far. If noone bids, it is highly likley the auction will be offered again.
- mike

Thanks for the info but I already have a synthetic stocked sporterized M38. I'm looking for a modern action.

Denton, Remingtons in 260 use their short action, which will not accomodate the 6.5x55. Lou

I believe you can buy a Steyr SBS Prohunter in factory guise with stainless steel and synthetic stock in 6.5X55. CDNN investments used to have them for about $425 or so.

I have built myself a 6.5x55 on a Winchester M70 short action and it worked out well. So, if I wanted to build a stainless synthetic 6.5x55 my first step would be to find a M70 SS donor rifle in 243 or 308. I would rebarrel it to 6.5x55 using one of Ron Smith's barrels because the one I used on mine is one of the most accurate huntingrifle barrels I have ever had. I would stock it with one of Mark Bansner's High Tech stocks because they are nicely made and I like the shape. I wouldn't try to make the rifle too light but would try for about 7 pounds scoped. I believe balnce is more important than weight. Just my opinions. Others will obviously have other ideas! Regards, Bill.

I personaly wouldnt use a short action for a 6.5x55. 140/ 160 gr bullets will have to be seated into the case to fit, looseing case/powder volume.

Just my opinion.

Don't get started with a Sako. You won't be able to stop with just one. The stock shape is what makes them so shootable.
That said, if you can find a good price on a Winchester donor action (long), you can put on a quality barrel and have it chambered (and action cleaned up) for $500.00. The Bansner High Tech stocks are indeed well made, and light. How much of the work you do yourself will determine if the finished product costs more or less than the Sako.
The 6,5x55 SM is a bloody marvelous cartridge, I like 140 grain Nosler Partitions and 130 grain Barnes Ringtails (Triple Shock X's).
JCN

PS If you get the Sako, and load Lapua brass you will never wonder "what if?" I would top it with a Leupold fixed 4x, or a 2x7 if you are so inclined. If you want a solid mount use the low Optilock mount by Sako (they make them in stainless). If you think you might want to keep a spare scope handy, think about using Talley bases and quick change (with screws, not levers) rings.
If you will hunt in the wet a lot, also consider the new Bushnell Ultra whiz bang 3200 scopes with "rain-guard". Load up some longish premium bullets and never look back for the rest of your time here on earth.
I fell hard for this cartridge, and all it implies while leafing through a mid-sixties Shooter's Bible/Annual. There were grainy black and white pictures of Finnish troops carefully/smoothly/and adroitly shooting hapless Soviets on clumsy skis in the snow and cold of the winter war of 1939. Many will argue this point, but I believe modern special warfare's charter was was written in Soviet blood on Finnish snow. Leave us raise a toast to those who first told the Dictators "Fuck you, you may not cross my land, or harm my people." "Come here and die, if that is your wish."
JCN

I'm just an average joe so all of the work would have to be done by a gunsmith. How much can I expect to pay for a rechamber/rebarell job on a SS Model 70 long action? Anyone knows a good gunsmith in BC,Canada who could do the job and how much it would cost me? I think I ruled out the Featherweight. It would probably be easier(ie. cheaper)to go with a rebarell job or a Sako. It's a matter of finding a used SS Model 70 at a good price and how much for a rebarell job and comparing with the price of a new Sako.

Another option would me an MRC 1999 stainless. Their short actions are actually longer than most, I think they'll fit a 7X57. Get the barreled action from them and order a stock to bed it in. You can pick barrel contour, they even bead blasted my stainless action N/C.

Rob

Having a Winchester redone would cost about the same as a Sako. Either way will work. Do whichever appeals to you the most. I don't know any BC gunsmiths, sorry.
JCN

Is the featherweight M70 Swede a long or short action?

The Winchester m 70 featherwieght 6.5x55 is a long action. You need it to fit the long bullets.

Mine works great and shoots 1/2" groups

My options are even more limited than I originaly thought...
I just got an e-mail back from a local dealer who advised me that the Sako in 6.5X55 presently only comes in wood and blue. They don't know when the the SS version will be produced again. It sounds kinda weird but that's what he said. Maybe the the rebarell job is going to be the way to go.

I just realized that Bill Leeper posted on this thread. Bill, how much would it cost me for you to rebarell a long action SS Model 70 in 6.5X55??