6.5 x 55 Swede vs. 6.5-284

[Ozarkansas]

In my experience of only one modern 6.5 swede. We were able to get it to outrun a 6.5 creed by roughly 50fps real world. But we didn't do a ton of powder testing

I’ve seen more gain than that over the creedmoor personally. I can just about match 24” creedmoor data from an 18” barrel, for example.

My current hunting load is a 140 grain gold dot going 2650 out of an 18” barrel, and I worked that load up to 2780 without any concerning pressure signs.

With the 127 grain LRX, I was comfortably pushing it at 2900, and it wasn’t until I got above 3000 that I was seeing reduced case life.

 

[Runningwater]

Lots of good options for you. I don't have too much to offer other than the rifle that was my only hunting rifle for a 15 year period was an old Swedish mauser that had been sporterized probably sometime in the 60s or 70s that I bought off a used gun rack for $140 at a local gun store while I was in college in early 90s. I proceeded to shoot coyote, whitetail, mulies, pronghorn, elk, a moose, and a mountain goat over that period with it. I missed a sheep (my fault). Very cool venerable old round. Pretty much everything was shot with factory norma 140s (which were pretty hot at the time compared to US stuff). Have fun with whatever you decide!

 

[112Savage]

I have never heard or read that anywhere, did you happen to have one that did this? Was it an old Mauser action?

It was a comparison between a Sako 6.5x55 22-24” and a Ruger American 6.5 creedmoor 22”

I honestly believe the powder selection for the 6.5x55 could have been better. He was using H4350. I was getting more velocity with less signs of pressure.

 

[NWBLKTAIL]

It was a comparison between a Sako 6.5x55 22-24” and a Ruger American 6.5 creedmoor 22”

I honestly believe the powder selection for the 6.5x55 could have been better. He was using H4350. I was getting more velocity with less signs of pressure.

140 or 130 class bullets?

I ran a 130 TMK with H4350 in a 22” tikka Swede and pushed over 2900 easy.

Felt like I was standing on it with 43gr H4350 in my 24” Creed.

Norma brass for Swede, Hornady for the creed.

There’s definitely a lot that plays into for sure, I’d love to have a Sako in a Swede


Edit: 2830fps for the Creed

 

[112Savage]

140 or 130 class bullets?

I ran a 130 TMK with H4350 in a 22” tikka Swede and pushed over 2900 easy.

Felt like I was standing on it with 43gr H4350 in my 24” Creed.

Norma brass for Swede, Hornady for the creed.

There’s definitely a lot that plays into for sure, I’d love to have a Sako in a Swede


Edit: 2830fps for the Creed

That was 140gr bullets.
I don’t remember the specifics but my friend is a very experienced reloader, and I remember being dismayed that his 6.5x55 is slower than my 6.5CM

My brother has a 20.5” 6.5x55 running 130 sierra HPBT at 2850 using H4350
My ruger shoots the same bullet at 2878fps using RL16

 

[nortac]

The 6.5x55 based on saami load data is at a VERY mild load. Saami set the load data for all 6.5x55s to include older and more suspect to aging military actions. If you are buying factory ammo for the 6.5x55 it will be slow.....If you hand load to saami specs it will be slow. The 6.5x55 shines when you work a load with appropriate powders to where you start seeing pressure and then back off. It is amazing what it can do. When loaded to the same pressure the 6.5x55 will be well over the 6.5CM in velocity simply based on case capacity.

 

[NWBLKTAIL]

The 6.5x55 based on saami load data is at a VERY mild load. Saami set the load data for all 6.5x55s to include older and more suspect to aging military actions. If you are buying factory ammo for the 6.5x55 it will be slow.....If you hand load to saami specs it will be slow. The 6.5x55 shines when you work a load to where you start seeing pressure and then back off. It is amazing what it can do. When loaded to the same pressure the 6.5x55 will be well over the 6.5CM in velocity simply based on case capacity.

That’s basically all I’m trying to say about it. Not that it does anything better than another. But if you are not handloading it to pressure signs and then backing off. You are leaving a lot on the table.

 

[robtattoo]

Hey Rob - Thanks for the info. Those are great velocities for 140 class pills. What barrel length are you using to get into that ballpark?

22"
I was right around 2800 with my 20" Winchester, pushing just over 3k with a 28" bench gun.

 

[Sylus]

A lot of really good info coming through here on the Swede. Thanks guys, I appreciate it.

Has anyone worked up a load with N560? That powder gets some good results in the VV reloading manual. That manual is also nice for the Swede as it has loads for modern actions in the cartridge under the name 6.5 x 55 SKAN.

My initial thought was a 7.5 twist barrel at either 21 or 22" with the hopes of getting the 147 ELDM somewhere near 2800. With the numbers I am seeing above it seems like 2700+ is a reasonable expectation with that bullet/cartridge/barrel length combo.

 

[WI-Carcosa]

A lot of really good info coming through here on the Swede. Thanks guys, I appreciate it.

Has anyone worked up a load with N560? That powder gets some good results in the VV reloading manual. That manual is also nice for the Swede as it has loads for modern actions in the cartridge under the name 6.5 x 55 SKAN.

My initial thought was a 7.5 twist barrel at either 21 or 22" with the hopes of getting the 147 ELDM somewhere near 2800. With the numbers I am seeing above it seems like 2700+ is a reasonable expectation with that bullet/cartridge/barrel length combo.

I am shooting DRT 135s out of a tikka 19” Swede at 2700-2730fps. It is faster than n555 and imr4350 thus far. There is a thread with some load data for you as well. Lapua brass has been outstanding.

Thread 'Let’s discuss the 6.5x55 SE'

Jan 17, 2023

First of all, I love this round, and I don’t want this to turn into a debate. I’m just now getting into reloading. Using Hogden’s online tool, I’m seeing Max loads reaching around 2700 fps in a 140 gr and 2800 in a 120 gr respectively. Curious if anyone here has pushed these weights closer to the 2900 fps range safely. What powders are you using, etc? Fwiw, this will be getting fired from a Tikka T3 Hunter 1-9 twist with a 22.4” barrel. Will be used for Coyote and Whitetail predominantly.

• NinjaVanish
• Replies: 85
• Forum: Reloading

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