Rifle Cartridge Review: 6.5 x 55 Swedish
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- Опубликовано: 8 сен 2024
- I do a cartridge review on the 6.5 x 55 Swede from 1894. I compare it to the 6.5 Creedmoor which came out 2 centuries later.
#rifles #shooting #hunting
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You get almost all newer European hunting rifles in 6.5x55, at least in Europe. Tikka T3, SAKO, mauser, Sauer, Blaser and bergara. You also get Remington 700, Howa Hauge.
That’s awesome, I wish we did here in the US as well.
@@hopefulballistics yeah, in scandinavia 6.5x55 is the second most commong cartridge. 308 has taken its spot since the 90's but still hundred of thousands of 6.5x55 rifles in swedish hunters hands. Also, new rifles are made for the caliber - I was going to order a Bergara B14 in 6.5x55 but it was out of stock, so i went for a 6.5 CM.
Modern 6.5x55 rifles can take pressures identical to the 6.5CM and when it does, the 10% larger case volume and throat makes it overshadow the CM by a large margin. The Sauer 200 STR is the goto competition rifle and its only made in 6.5x55 - allthrough you can get a 308 barrel to it to. They are loaded after the 6.5x55 SKAN data, a bit tigher tollerances and higher pressure then classic x55 loads. Also factory loads from SAKO, NORMA, LAPUA, often have higher peak pressures then similar loads in USA. We dont have so much surplus rifles like the states, but Norwegians still use Krag rifles for competitions and hunting.
I hunted with a USRAC model 70, Featherweight in a 6.5 Swede.
Pure sweetness!!! (Or "swedeness"!)
Don't chamber the Swede in a short action!! Too short to enjoy a more powerful load.
@@jmkhenkayou are talking about how great the sweed is and how it will over come the creed when you jam more powder in the case when the are not even close to the same. The sweed is a long action cartridge, the creed is a short action cartridge.
In the mid 1990's a firearm knowledgeable friend talked me into buying a near mint Swedish Mauser M38 short calvary rifle made by Husqvarna in 1943 from some very fine Swedish steel. Best $90 I ever spent. At first I didn't realized what a great rifle I had. After a bit of cleaning and having a good gunsmith do a few minor tweaks I added a aftermarket scope mount that nondestructively mounts to the original rear iron sight with a long eye relief scope and it shoots like a $2,000 dream gun and its 80 years old. At 100 yards my shots often overlap on the targets. I've been slowly buying tools to start reloading and I like my 6.5 X 55 caliber. And because of all the 6.5 calibers there are many very good bullets available.
That’s awesome!
A rifle that would cost 3000 today with the price of materials and craftmanship. Congrats
I also have an M38 that is in excellent condition though I paid about 3X’s what you did (still a bargain). The M38 is universal short rifle like the Springfield 1903 or the SMLE. It was designed for infantry as well as other troops. The Swedes adopted a short cavalry carbine, the M94, in 6.5X55 as early as 1894. Two years after the cavalry carbine was issued the Swedish infantry were issued the M96 long infantry rifle. The M96 was shortened to the M38 much like the Germans transitioning from the long Gewehr98 to the K98k. The Swedes were so ahead of the game with their flat shooting 6.5mm cartridge in the 1890’s.
The rimless 6.5X55 Swedish cartridge developed in the 1890’s was, in my opinion, the best of the early smokeless military cartridges. Compared to the 8mm and 30 calibre rounds the Swedish cartridge was flat shooting with mild recoil and more than enough terminal ballistics for military purposes.
Thanks!
The Norwegian and Swedish case. It was a joint effort. The «6.5x55 Swedish» is an american creation, thus the english name. SAAMI messed it up and did not keep the original fast twist.
Imagine how many dinners the 6.5 Swede has brought to the table!
That’s right.
Thanks for your post. I've owned a 6.5 x 55 model C96 Swedish rifle for about 20 years. It shoots great and is one of the best constructed military surplus rifles I own.
Thank you for watching!
Interesting story about the Swedish Mausers: Mauser sent 500 to Sweden for their testing. They were chambered in 7x57, Paul Mauser was hoping that the Swedish military would adopt that cartridge. It would have been a lot easier for Mauser. But the Swedish military wanted their 6.5x55. Back in the late 1990’s, I had a chance to shoot one. It was a 1894 Swedish carbine in 7x57 made in the Mauser factory in German. I wanted to buy that rifle so bad, but the owner told me that he would never sell it.
That would have definitely been a great rifle
@@hopefulballistics It was and it was in very nice condition. The owner also had the paperwork from the Mauser factory with the serial numbers that they made and set to Sweden for the testing. He also had some of the documents from the test trials in Sweden. It was a real treasure!
Talk about a small world. In the early 2000's I picked up what appeared to be a 96 Swede artillery carbine that was chambered in 7x57. It had excessive headspace, so the barrel had to be set back and iron sights silver soldered back in place. Sweet little rifle.
The 6.5x55 Swede is very capable, with low recoil and excellent ballistics. Pressures are held back a bit (compared to contemporary cartridges), but the Swede does it all. A "polite" no hype performer.
Interesting, thank you. I've hunted with the 6.5x55 for many years and taken more than a hundred deer with it, it just works. If you want to compare it to the Creedmoor have a look at Norma ammunition. They're ballistically identical except the Swede does it at CIP 53,000psi and the Creed at 63,000psi. The Creed was a marketing victory that perhaps will be left behind by the 6.5prc but I know which I'll stick with!
I appreciate you watching and commenting
I have a Howa 1500 in 6,5x55. it shoots great. taken lots of blacktail deer, hogs & coyotes with that round. started with a 96 mauser when i was a kid. im in my mid 60's now & still shooting one. im a true fan.
Right on , thanks for watching!
Do you hand load it, or just shoot factory ammo?
hand load mostly. ammo can be hard to find.@@eugenegress5896
I have a very nice Model 96 Swedish Mauser in this caliber and have lowered for it. Through the magic of tool and die men where I used to work I made a scope mount that utilized the sight mount without alteration to the gun. This old gun is wonderful and shoots at about an inch at 100 yards. Loads not extensively developed either. Truly very nice! Impressive for 1896 era weapon. I love it!
That’s awesome! Thanks
I like both groups. I own 2 creeds, .270, 6.5 prc ,30.06,7.o8 and a 1915 Carl Gustav in 6.5x55. My favorite is the Swede with a nice sporterized stock and short barrel. Shoots as good as any modern rifle and less recoil than a Creedmoor.
Awesome, very balanced perspective, I like that
6.5 swede mauser is a moose slayer, bro. People in Alaska drop em from hundreds of meters, like you can look up rn 6.5 swede vs moose, 550m shot, drops it like a sack of taters
I have Carl Gustaf 1900 in three different calibers: 6,5x55, 30-06 and 9,3x62. My favorite is the 6,5x55. Shot moose, deer and wildboars with it effectivly same as the 30-06 but lesser meat loss.
3 great cartridges!
I have both and enjoy shooting my Model 96 Mauser more than my modern chassis 6.5 Creed. There is something about shooting a gun, built in the early 1900's that makes me smile.
Awesome!
I believe tikka still chambers it in the t3x hunter. It’s still a great cartridge with modern powders. Thanks for the video
That would be a sweet rifle. Thanks for watching
and the varmint
I have one of these rifles and it’s a tack driver. But I need to find a longer range. At 100 yards it’s shooting .75 inch groups but I think the zero for the Swedes was 300 meters
Here in scandinavia 6.5x55 are almost more commen then 308.
I wish that more brands made rifles in that caliber
I agree
The 6.5x55 is still around because it's a great cartridge and there are many old Swedish Mausers still in circulation and being used. The 260 Creedmoor is just a modernized version of this cartridge - higher operating pressure so of course, gives another 100-150 fps velocity. To me, that's great. It's a huge compliment to the Swedish round really. I just found and ordered a M38 (1907 vintage so is a re-configured 1896) - I love the rifles and cartridge. The Swedish Merchant fleet kept these rifles on hand and there are accounts of them dispatching polar bears with the original 156 grain round nosed loading. Polar bears are huge and have a reputation for being hard to kill. Probably because it's hard to aim and shoot when your pooping your pants lol
Awesome, thanks!
The Swede is a very effective hunting cartridge. Personally harvested Canada moose, elk and deer with this caliber. I use customized 38, 96 and 98 Mauser rifles and have a Tikka T3 in this caliber. One of the 96 Mauser's consistently shoots half MOA at 100 metres, with the original barrel. Great cartridge that I am very fond of as a hunting or target rifle.
Awesome! Thanks for your comment.
C&Rsenal has a LONG video on how the Swedes arrived at this cartridge. Long range precision rifle shooting is an important part of Swedish history. A Swedish general was told his army was outnumbered two to one. When asked how he'd handle that issue, he replied, "We will shoot twice and go home." LOL. It would be interesting to see a 6.5 x 55 AI....
Side note: just bought a box of 143gr Nosler Accubond long range for my 6.5PRC. Going to be interested to see how it shoots.
Great comment! I’ll bet it will shoot lights out
Have a sporerized M96 that is probably one of the nicest looking hunting rifles you will ever see. It is a CG with a 1912 receiver date and with Federal 140gr Power-Shok (moly coated looking ones) and the Nosler Trophy Grade 140gr AB, under 3/4 MOA all day long. All this comm ammo is loaded at 2650fps which is not a problem for this old man. Deer and hogs drop in their tracks and felt recoil is barely noticeable. Love this gun and rarely hunt with anything else. I don't need 2800fps but I know there are hunting conditions where folks do. Bore is still bright and shiny and is a dream to shoot. If I were ever to replace it, it would be with the 260 remington, not the creedmore.
Awesome!
I had Pac Nor put a 6.5x55, 26" on my Rem 700. I shoot the 127g Barnes ttsx at 3150 with R#26 and cci 250 primers, groups are 3/8", and 3200 fps is what I consider a max load but the load at 3150 is a tad more accurate. I am using Lapua brass.
In the long-throated Swiss guns, the 140g Sierra btsp is a stone-cold killer on deer and hogs.
Awesome! Thanks for watching
Good load never had to use all copper I run the 120 s s pro hunters and 129 Hornady rl22 7828 rl23 I like the tiny groups it shoots
6.5 Swede is better! I don't care about either one... but if I was forced to get one I guess I will get the 6.5 Swede
It’s a great classic cartridge that still holds up.
Good but I’ve only seen 2 boxes of ammo for the cal in the last 3 years compared to hundreds of different kinds and types of the creed that would be the biggest gap between the two
@@titomish5914 Don't get me wrong.... I will never buy a 6.5 Swede or a 6.5 Creedmoor. And I would never buy factory ammo for a 6.5 Swede. Hence my RUclips name.
@markgrant3653 good point
I have an 1896 Swedish Mauser VFR which had a shot out throat. I suspect that it was a really accurate target rifle which probably had almost 100k rounds shot through it. I happened to have a CG80 target barrel with beautiful rifling. They are extremely accurate but that 110 year old high grade vanadium steel was some of the toughest steel that I have ever worked on I had to machine some off the original barrel which actually chewed up a Chinese made carbide bit so I could remove that barrel. I was greatly impressed by that Swedish steel on a rifle made in 1907. They were heavily used in Swedish competitions with the target style apertures and globe sights. My sights are like something off an Anschutz.
That’s really interesting
If you buy factory ammunition pressure kept low so it can be shot from old military riffles. For loading for 6,5x55SKAN which is made for modern CIP tested Guns with higher pressure rating. With SKAN loadings one gets 900+m/s velocities for 8-9g bullet. It is absolutelly screaming. Due lager case volume one can get much otter loads with 6,5X55SKAN compared to 6,5Creed
I appreciate it, thanks
I love my Swedes. I have 2. First zero group was one ragged hole.
Awesome!
4:11 "Is it a round today?" Yes it is.
The Swedes were way ahead of their time. Superior steel for their actions. A real sweet shooter.
Definitely
The Swede is one of six cartridges that I routinely hunt with.
I happen to be a great fan of 6.5mm catridges.... with 35s and 30s being second and third place holders!
I’m fond of the 6.5s myself.
My father have a heavy Husqvarna piece that take 6,5 x 55. It's the best gun I've ever hunted with and the bullet has never strayed from the crosshair
That’s cool
I have two 6.5x55 rifles. One I turned the bolt handle down. Added a scope. Put a pope crown on the barrel .put a sorter stock on it. It shoots beautiful. A friend used it and killed his first buck deer.
That’s great!
I have the Norwegian model 1897, 6.5×55, same as the 30 40 Craig ,side magazine ..... Shoots very well....nice iron sights.... And stabilizes a heavy 156gr round nose, I haven't used it for 20 years ... Bought it for $100..... I was considering it for deer season....I think it has a 1:8 rifling twist.... thanks for the video
Thanks for watching and commenting
There are so many older cartridges like this one that would definitely benefit from modern research and development.
I agree
Oldies but goodies!
Absolutely
Mine is a Mexican Mauser (SR, 98 pattern), with a 6.5 Swedish Mauser barrel.
Awesome!
I load the sweed for my styer sm12,,hand loads are far more on par with 270 ,blows 6.5 creed out of water without any case stretch. Will not pub my data but start at snipers hide ,a Lotta data their.
Sweet, thanks!
It's staggering that the US market hasn't taken the 6.5x55 in a modern rifle, to its heart. Negligible recoil, brilliant accuracy, and enough clout to kill everything up to moose at any sensible distance. But a modern action is very different an army surplus Swede. This is the magic round. For one rifle owners - look no further. My Sako Classic 6.5x55 is it, and all about it.
I agree!
I just had a 1903 springfield chambered in 6.5x55 sweede. I had the choice to build a 6.5 creedmore instead. I am happy with my chhoice.
Right on!
It’s a great cartridge, for sure.
Thanks
You can buy ammo for the modern 6.5x55 in scandinavia, they sell different ammo for the old wepons here. You can reload to 61-63k psi before you run into pressure signs.
That’s interesting, thanks
@@hopefulballistics the handload i use for my browning 6.5x55 is 123gr bullet 2920fps in a 21inch barrel with a silencer, that same bullet loaded at a factory you can buy of shelf @2850fps, but you cant use that in the old krag or mauser.
@@kimetang that’s awesome
I love the sweed, built one with a Broughton barrel in 26 inches on a BRNO ZKK 600 action, ( its the modern control feed CZ . CAN LOAD much higher pressure than old sweed mauser, equal to 6.5-284 speeds and modern-day bullets like 143ELDX OR BERGER just make me smile. Half inch 5 shot group the whole day long.
Awesome, thanks
I got an older Winchester 70 XTR in 6,5 Swede, it's an awesome rifle in an awesome caliber. I will have a 6,5x55 in my gunsafe for the rest of my life.
Awesome!
Ruger came out with a Ruger Hawkeye African in 6.5X55 and I was lucky enough to get one about 5 years ago. Beautiful rifle. I also have a Winchester M70 Classic Featherweight in 6.5 X55 that shoots little cloverleafs with RL22 and 120 grain Barnes TTSX bullets. Crazy thing is that it shoots Nosler 140 grain AB in little cloverleafs same powder charge just an inch higher at 100 yards. Talking under 1/2 “
Very cool
I have one 1898 13:43 action left in my chest, it’s going to receive a 6.5 x 55 barrel. In the early days, there weren’t any decent hunting bullets for it., my dad had a Swede. He read my audit, and 308. I have heard him say on several occasions he wished that he hadn’t done it and just hold onto it, but we never know. Oh, and by the way, the recoil isn’t very bad.
I appreciate the comment, thanks
Did someone miss the memo? The 6.5 Creedmore is now obsolete, having lost it's position as "Cartridge De Jour" with the advent of the highest of the high, the 6.5 PRC. The PRC is now the official cartridge de jour, thus relegating the 6.5 Creedmore to the dustbin of greatest cartridges past. Let us all worship the highest of the high, the 6.5 PRC...until next year, when the next "greatest round of all time, now and forever" arises.
Thanks for the update, lol.
I have a barreled action in 6.5 x 55 Swede, Mauser action and E B Sawyer barrel, never been in a stock. This winter I hope to stock it in curly maple and the use it. Once I became knowledgeable about the cartridge it will be my choice for many applications. Thanks for the review.
Thank you for watching!
👍
My 6.5CM is the perfect deer cartridge. Accurate and very effective out to my max range (400yds), it has a mild recoil that makes it fun to shoot. If I want "more," I'll use something actually "more" like my 280AI. The difference between the 260, 6.5CM, & Swede isn't worth a plugged nickel. There is nothing that cannot be killed by one of them that cannot be killed by the other.
Very well said
My whitetail rifle is a 6.5 x51mm (aka .260 REM). Savage did the Model 11 right by giving it a 1:8” twist and a magazine that will accommodate 2.880” c.o.l.. It is an excellent whitetail choice. With StaBall6.5 powder and a 130 gr Swift Scirocco II bullet I can get 2,860 fps MV.
Very nice
I have just bought a 6.5x55 tikka t3x super varmint and being reloading s.k.a.n loads and I'm up 100 to 200ft on the Creedmoor luv it. 300m 130grain pill vaporize a roo,s head, and the reason we have the kangaroo and emu on our shield is they cant walk backwards but they do when they are hit with this 2 steps backwards and ass over neck stump 😄😁
Nice
i became interested in the swede in about 2010. Build a Savage target rifle and then proceeded to build another hunting rifle and then stumbled on a tikka. I'd count in among my favorites
That’s cool, thanks for sharing
6.5x55 is always based on standard action….never in a short action….which is great for loading heavy long target bullets
Good call by the way. Short action would hold it back.
I've been hunting with the 6.5x55 in a Tikka T3 Hunter since 2007. It's put a lot of meat in the fridge, and several racks on my walls.
Definitely, thanks
I`m a proven and trusted kind of guy. The Swede all the way for me.
Thanks
Thank you for this video celebrating this cartridge. I have a m/96b made in 1922 - beautiful and accurate. I wish Sako made their S20 in 6.5x55.
Thank you for watching
I love these old rifles.
Love my M94 Norwegian Krag, M96 Swedish Mauser, and Tikka T3 in 6.5x55SE. Need the Tikka T3 Varmint version now, may just do a rebarrel. Good luck and stay safe!!! 😉😉😉
Sweet! Same to you, take care!
I started with a creedmoor, but since I already had most of the reloading components, I picked up a sporterized M94 carbine and put it back in a military stock. Just recently picked up a sporterized M96/38 and did the same, with an old Pecar Berlin 4x scope. Kind of a mix and match WW2 sniper inspired build, not really an M41B clone or anything. Swedish Mausers and Swiss straight pulls are by far the best condition, and best shooting milsurps out there.
Awesome, have fun!
I wouldn't change anything about my sako finnlite 6:5/55 swede pushing 140g sp,flat hard hitting and does exactly what it says on the tin👍
Awesome
I had one it was trash but I loved the cartridge. Found a nice one for my wife and bought it for her.
Whoops a .243 and is a nice round.
Nice
Hm. Plz take to heart that since like 30yrs back our volunteer movements made a deal with Sauer to produce the STR. STR for Scandinavian Target Rifle.( The CG-63 et al before it)
Mainly focused for 300m shooting using diopter only. This due tradition more than anything really. However..
This a modern take rifle though will withstand pressures our old Mausers did not, leaving the CM left in the water end of story.
The STR in turn, for long range and extended long range, is to this day a formidable rifle. A true competition rifle right out of the box, price of it kept within realms by the common Scandinavian NRL´s.
Yep. Keep one me too...
One of the attributes that often gets ignored when comparing cartridges such as these is case design regarding ease of feeding. The newer cartridges employ straighter cases in order to bump case capacity. This is fine but it makes feeding more difficult/ less reliable.
Cartridges such as the Swede, 30-06, 300H&H, 270 Win, 208 Win, 243 Win, 300 Savage, and etc, all chamber easier, offering silkier, more reliable feeding because their case walls taper, the shoulders are shallower and the case diameter-to-length ratio results in a “longer” cartridge form. Modern cartridges such as the 7x61 S&H 1952?), Super Short Magnums, the 6mm bench cartridges, and etc. suffer from binding and reliable feeding round after round because their case walls are straight, shoulders abrupt, and the diameter-to-length ratio is akin to a cube or dice.
When hunting dangerous game, if necessary, I’ll sacrifice 100 fps for a cartridge that feeds reliably every time. This is why the 300H&H, 375H&H, and etc are still prolific in the world-wide hunting community to this day. There’s nothing worse and more dangerous than a cartridge that will hang up because its straight walls and fat case-to-length ratio won’t let it slick into the chamber like butter.
Does a short, fat case (powder column) offer more reliable and consistent burn? Yes. Do I care when hunting at ethical ranges? No. Do I care when shooting F-Class? Yes.
Great comment, thanks
The 6.5x55mm is indeed the first (successful?) 6.5mm round. And it's great. The original loading with a 160 grain bullet at a muzzle velocity of around 2200 fps (in 1894) did a really good job on belligerents and game. When developed it didn't mean much, but two factors spoiled the harmony: the head size didn't match up with other rifles and the early Mauser bolt action was and is perceived as weaker than the later Mauser '98 action. So reloading data was kept low, to prevent disasters in surplus '94s and '96s.
In 1997 Remington announced the .260 Remington cartridge. It could be called - and probably was in the wildcat period - a 6.5-08. The .308 Winchester case necked down to 6.5mm gives performance at a par with the 6.5x55mm AND can be fitted to a 'standard' head size bolt without alteration. My biggest complaint is Remington decided most would prefer the lighter (140 and below) bullets and so made the rifling twist a bit slow for the 160 grain bullets.
The Creedmore is pretty much the same as the .260 Rem: the case is shorter and the neck is longer.
Frankly, the .260 Remington is the offspring of the Swede. In a medium to short action, and a faster twist, it would be useful for most any game animal in the world, save some large carnivorous types.
Odd you mentioned - in your paragraph about 6.5mm - the 6.5(x52mm) Carcano and the 6.5(x50mm) Arisaka rifles. Just for fun, look up the schematic drawings for those two rounds and compare them with the 6.5x54mm Mannlicher-Schonauer and the Mannlicher designed 6.5x53.5Rmm Romanian or Dutch rifle. Know the head and head spacing are different but look at the main body dimensions. Rather odd it is.
Yes, I have a "94 Swede, a '96 Swede, an 1891 Carcano, a Mannlicher-Schonauer, and a Mannlicher designed 1905 Dutch rifle. I don't have a type 30 Arisaka yet, but since I collect rifles of WW1, it's just a matter of time. Oh, i have a CZ (modern sporting) rifle in 6.5 Swede as well. Rather appreciate them all.
I did like your discussion. You know what you're telling at least. Keep it up.
Great comment! Thanks for the information!
@markgrant3653 You are correct about the bullet weight. It was properly 10 grams (European, you know). 'Wiki' gives the M94 carbine as having a muzzle velocity of 2150 fps, the M96 rifle had muzzle velocity of 2380 fps.
My testing of various rifles and handguns suggest most 'official' pronouncements of the sort are often optimistic. Also, seldom do two arms of the same caliber and model exactly show the same velocity.
I love the 6.5x55. Mine is a River M77. Super accurate and flat shooting with all bullet weights from 100 to 160 gr. Best with hand loads. Not so easy to find cases and head diameter can vary by brand. European cases work best in my experience. If I didn’t hand load I’d probably get a Creedmore or a 260 Rem. But the Swede still rules!
Awesome, yes it does!
Thank you and Id LOVE to have more Swede videos! I want another rifle but want to try and find a modern gun where I can spice up the loadings over US factory loads.
Thank you for watching
and if you shoot 6.5 x 55 (a.k.a 6.5 Sweedmoor) from my 1916 Carl Gustav there is damned near 0 recoil.
That’s great, sweet rifle
I running a Tikka T3x Sporter with 6.5x55 and its just a beast :)
Right on!
had sporterised 96 mauser many years ago, I never felt under gunned with it, accurate and hit pretty hard to.
Awesome!
It took Hornady listening to some of its employees and their competition shooting friends to develop a medium cartridge in 6.5 caliber. This cartridge was specked for an AR platform, with features seen in "improved" cartridges and chambers tolerances kept close to minimum. The bullets intended for the cartridge were the 140-147 grain zone and everything was optimized to make that bullet/cartridge pairing to work as well as possible. The round performed as designed and intended and as it move from the realm of match rifles to the broader public it caught on because you could buy a factory rifle and factory match ammo and it shot incredible groups. Now any Joe could buy production ammo and hardware and make hits at 1000 yards. Now if Remington put the same amount of care and thought into their 260 Remington we would have never heard of a thing called the 6.5 Creedmoor. Yep you can handload a 6.5X55 at slightly faster MV but not many shooters want to handload. When Winchester came out with the 270 and Remington with the 25-06 any chance the 6.5X55 of gaining a following was just eclipsed. Many fine cartridges have not done well for missteps in initial design details or just timing. 6MM Rem had to slow a twist, the 280 was loaded as a low pressure cartridge to safely run in a pump action. The 270, 243 and 7mm REM MAG all sucked the oxygen out of the room so to say and not many other cartridges gained the attention of the average American shooter.
I appreciate the good comment! Thank you for watching
Consider this.. A pre 64 M70 Winchester in 300 H&H holds 4 rounds in the magazine and it will feed empty cases without a hitch. Try that with a WSM cartridge that only hold 2. The 300 H&H like all calibers is throttled by the 1925 velocity to keep point of impact the same. Since that time of introduction all calibers maintain that velocity even though pressures are less with modern powders. Easy to duplicate 300 Win Mag velocities if you hand load. The 6.5 Swede is the same. In a strong rifle you can safely exceed the original velocities with today's reloading components.
New chamberings are a marketing ploy. The casing is just a brass bottle we burn powder in. We would all be better off with maybe 20 different chamberings and that is it. We could now find ammo for any rifle made years ago. Too many new ones sideline great old ones. It is a race to the bottom.
You make some good points, and yes they are trying to sell us new stuff. However I disagree that we shouldn’t have new cartridges. I like new cartridges, new cartridge designs, and the like. To me, it’s just fun and interesting to see innovations and new ideas come to fruition. But from a purely practical point, the 300 HH and the 6.5 Swede are definitely good enough for whatever you want to do.
@@hopefulballistics Try and find factory ammo for the 300 H&H... btw divide out powder charge and velocity and you will find it is the most efficient of all the 300 Magnums.
It dominated 1,000 yards shooting from 1925 till the mid 60's as well. I have government match target ammo from Western in 300 H&H. I dare say it has taken more game over the years than all other 300 magnums. It was very popular in Africa because of magazine capacity and ammo feeding so well. But it takes a magnum length action, and marketers have told you that you should only buy a short action because it is stiffer LOL...
Individual calibers sound so good for so many who want to be different. Yet they all have to put name tags on their black rifles to know who owns what. Don't get me started LOL!!
Model 70's and I believe Browning rifles, chambered in a wsm cartridge hold 3 rounds in the magazine.
I've got a Tikka T3X that thinks it's a target rifle and I've got absolutely no reason to shoot anything else..... It just works 👍
That’s awesome!
I have the surplus mausers sporterized 3 of them they are great for the SQUEMISH!!!!!!!!!!!!!
the only downside to the swede is that it has a weird head size. Unless you're going to get the bolt machined, you have to re-barrel with the 6.5 swede. Not a down side really. I never turned down a 6.5 swede, and still own three.
I have a 1918 M96/38 it has a shorter barrel as it is a converted 96 sometime late 30s I shot Hornaday Superformance and it is a tack drive with those. The only factory ammo it will fire well.
Right on. Sounds like a nice rifle
The 6.5x55 with a 140 g bullet at factor loads balistics are on par with a 30 06 with a 180 g bullet. It has the sectional density to penitrate deeply enough for big game. The 120g bullet is great for white tail deer. It can shoot a heavier bullet than the 6mm and .243 with much milder recoil than the .308 or 30 06.
I appreciate the comment
I love the 6.5 but that is laughable.
In euroupe factory loads for the 6,5x55.and 8x57IS are loaded with higher pressures and for modern rifles.
Good to know, thanks
@@hopefulballistics Just as a information and not to criticise the US system.
In Europe you do not need to inform the consumer for what a product is not intended for .
So if you are buying modern ammo in an old caliber it is you as a consumer that has the responsibility to inform yourself if it can be used in an old rifle.
Another reason is that if you are into vintage weapons on this side of the pond you are into shotguns or double rifles.
I am sold I am going to get 1 in a standard length action maybe rebarrel and chamber an old Remington 721. I want it Classic in a safari style rifle But I don't wanna shootUncomfortable cartridges.270 recoil or less is ideal
Awesome!
The 6.5 *55 is the smalest legal cartrage for moose here in norway.They just updated the law for copper bullets.(120gr 2200J @ 100m) Tikka Sako and Blaser chaber for it.I just got a Tikka T3X. Its like our 308. you will find ammo all over here.Go to VV homepage and see 65.55 SCAN and you will get loaddata for modern actions.
Awesome, thanks
Tikka started making a super varmint, gotta look for it. I think it's a 26" heavy barrel. Thats what im waiting on is them to be available. And 6.5x55 swedish is offered.
Sweet
just bought one in 6.5x55 its a 600mm heavy barrel still a tack driver
History
6.5 x 52 Carcano rimless 1891
6.5x57 Mauser rimless 1893
6.5x53R Dutch/Romanian 1893
6.5 x 55 Swedish rimless 1894
6.5 x 50 Japanese semi rimmed1897
Note Sweden and Norway made slightly different cartridges.
The 6.5x55 was round nosed until 1941
Thanks for the information!
3:00 I would like to make a clarification here. The 6.5 x 55 Swedish would not get a spitzer bullet until 1941. Up until that point it was round-nosed ball.
Thanks
The working pressures for the Swedish is much lower because of many older rifles. New rifles and Norma
Brass you can really turn it up.
You’re correct
I think many of the velocity hypes from the USA should try the Swede with 156 or 160 grain round nose or semi spitzer bullets, loaded to modern pressures they hit like a hamner at bushvelt ranges.
Good comment, thanks
I ended up picking up a 1914 m96 for $400 and didn't really know what I got until I started doing research and I honestly think that I won the lottery getting it now I just need to find a diopter for it and I'll be golden
That’s awesome!
The 6.5 Swede is among the top competitors among militaria rifle competitions.
The 6.5 Creedmore is a necked down .308.
The Japanese discontinued their 6.5 Arisaka because the Chinese had 8mm Mausers. In response, the Japanese took a necked down 8 Mauser case to chamber a .303 bullet.
I appreciate the comment
🇦🇺😎👍🏁6.5x55 Swede🏁
What holds the sweed down is saami speck pressure . I own a zastava LKM70 and load to approx max pressure of 60k . I'm loading 100gr copper and lead and have a load with Vargent at 3268fps . No pressure signs . My next move is to AI it
Yeah, for sure. Handloading is the way to go.
Up date .. vargent not consistent as presure rises .. H4350 is the go 3400fps with book specs .😮... 3150fps may be the sweed spot .
me Personally i have an old mauser/Kongsberg K98/M67 chambered in 6,5x55 that I use for Moose hunting, and for competition shooting I have a sauer 200 str
@@emilandovr4720 very nice!
The ammo is still available an made by Remington , Winchester and Norma at $1.20 a round with 140 , 150 grain bullets
Love the 6.5 x 55 and it is a true classic. You can do a video on the 35 calibers. Great calibers that we seem to be losing. The 35 whelen and the 358 winchester are great non magum hunting rounds that are getting harder to find. Both are great for anything in North America. Hate to see us lose these calibers.
Thanks!
The 6.5x55 «Swedish» is the SAAMI name. Not the official name. The correct name is just 6,5x55.
When considering the cartrigde the criteria formed by the Norwegian/Swedish comission was its ability to hit and kill enemy soldiers - and horses.
Initially the swedes wanted a rimmed cartridge, but the Norwegians managed to get them on board with a rimless case, luckily.
Thanks
It also wasn't called a Swedish Mauser until the mass surplus importation in the 1990s. The old importers and old books referred to them as m96 cavlary rifle and m38 infantry rifle.
But, language changes, and now i literally have ammo that says "6.5 Swede" stamped into the brass.
The original baseline for the cartridge requirements from Sweden was that it would be able to penetrate a steel helmet at typical infantry rifle distances. So, "people and horses" is definitely going to fall under that .
Perhaps the end is coming for the 6.5x55. The lighter non-lead amunition does not reach the minimum legal weigt for class 1 (Swedish regulation). Unclear if there will be an exemption or how it will work. Some shops advice to chose other caliber. I hope it will be ok also in the future. Thanks for a interesting video!
Thanks for watching!
Just FYI Sweden conquered Norway from Denmark 1814 and forced it into a union. After a referendum 1905 Norway was granted independence. So when the 6.5 55 was created Norway didn't really have a choice in being involved or not.
I appreciate the info, thanks!
They should make up loads for modern rifles for the Swede
They are both great cartridges for their intended purposes.
True
I think you will find the data for the 6.5x55 se a bit light now with the strong modern actions you can really ramp it up. I have the 6.5x55 and the Ackley version and it's right up the ass of a 6.5x284 in performance.
Nice!
Vihtavuori has load data for modern rifles (6.5 x 55 SE/SKAN) separate from old school Swede that will display exactly what it's capable of.
And if you have a modern rifle you can load the Swede alot hotter than that.
I have no doubt
I liad my swede with 4350 at 44 gr to get 2880. I load the creed the same way. The creed results in a compressed round. Just barely.
Interesting, thanks
A kind of parallel story, one of the reasons the .357 was invented is because even though .38s could conceivably be loaded much hotter (even hotter than "Plus P") the older guns for which they are chambered couldnt handle it. So a new cartridge came out that cant be chambered in an otherwise identical gun unless it was new enough (and designated as such, of course).
This may have been part of the reason for the invention of the 6.5 creedmore size, alongside its easier use in semi auto and shorter actions.
One of the most repeated analysis of the 6.5 Swede cartridge is that it doesnt have mich recoil. While this is true, it may not be AS true as people think.
One of the reasons for the infinite reports of low felt recoil is that these bullets are usually fired from the 100 year old cavalry guns, weighing close to 9 pounds, equipped with original 30" barrels.
Compare that to a pawn-shop, post-64 winchester 30-30 at 7 pounds with a 20 inch barrel.
Ive always felt those 30-30s had very manageable recoil. I wonder how much less felt recoil theyd have, with 2 more pounds and a 30" barrel?
I've seen sporterized m96 and m38s, with shortened barrels and synthetic stocks, but I've never fired one.
Would be interesting to see an apples to apples test.
I regret not taking the chance to purchase the Ruger No.1 chambered in 6.5x55. It was at a show and i told myself I'd get it "next time, because nobody buys those". Well, somebody sure did.
One more advantage the 6.5 Swede cartridge has: gun shops occasionally have mil surplus ammo for cheap.
Good information here, thanks for the comment.
8,5x55 Blaser
The swedish cartridge is just sexier
I can’t disagree.
In a Mauser 98, loaded to max, it rules.
Absolutely!
When I hear this man explain how effective the 6.5x55 is I understand how effective the creedmore is
Yep the creedmoor is effective. More modern and popular. As well it should be, coming out 113 years after the Swede. Surely you can give a little respect to another cartridge
Swede still beats it in all aspects when loaded to modern pressures. Plus you don’t need a man bun to own it 😂😂
The 6.5x55 was rather a minority taste in America for a long time. One of the best known early adopters was Chuck Hawks. I commend his level headed and realistic articles on the subject to you. Most were written before the Creedmore was available or known.
I like Chuck Hawks
The original swedish military rifels had a barrel twist of 1 and 7.5. You will never get the high velocity in a barrel with 1 and 7.5 twist rate, the pressures are to high. Unless the barrel is wore out. 1 and 8 twist is good for 140 grain bullets and 1 and 9 twist is good for 130 grain bullets or less. Trying to push 140/130 grain bullets over 2500 fps in a barrel with a high twist rate like 1 and 7.5 in a sweede rifle will prematurely destroy the brass. I've built many many 6.5 x 55 rifles for customers. Keep velocities between 2400 and 2500 fps and the old sweede will do what it's suppsed to do. Start hotroding the old girl and things go to hell in a hury. Federal 140 grain ammo is just about perfect velocity for the 6.5 x 55, it usually runs 2450 fps in a 22 inch barrel sweede.
Thanks for watching and commenting!