6.5x55 conversion

[big10hunter]

I am looking at getting a rifle in a 6.5x55 (tikka t3). Can I rechamber this to a 6.5 creedmor or something in a 6.5? or would I need to get a new barrel?

 

[ST52v]

No, the 6.5x55 has a longer case 2.165 vs 1.920. If the barrel could be set back then it may be possible. I would love to build a 264 win mag or 6.5 wsm on a Tikka with a 26" tube.

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[Yellowknife]

Might be able to re chamber to 6.5-06 and certainly 6.5x284. Why though? 6.5x55 is a great round and a fairly rare Tikka chambering in the U.S.


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[mtnwrunner]

The creedmoor is a great round....................but so is the swede. You cannot go wrong with either but if you already have the swede, I say stay with it and go shoot some animals. This buck was taken last year by my buddy who has the tikka 6.5 swede.

Randy

 

[brushape]

Just do the 6.5x55 ai, you can use your same lapua brass with more speed than the creed


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[jwb300]

Why?

 

[big10hunter]

I guess I was thinking the 6.5x55 is an inferior cartridge. Maybe I need to check ballistics?

 

[bhylton]

i would check. a swede in a modern action would out run a crede i bet. especially with the magazine room in the tikkas

 

[robtattoo]

i would check. a swede in a modern action would out run a crede i bet. especially with the magazine room in the tikkas

Yep, it will although not by THAT much.
The ONLY advantage the CM has over the Swede is availability of factory ammo. 99.9% of factory 6.5x55 is loaded for old Mausers.
With reloads you can beat the CM by a couple hundred fps. I'm running just shy of 2800 (2795 with a +/-15 fps SD) with a 140VLD out of a 20" barrel & my 32" bench gun is hitting 3133 with 140s

Honestly, the money you'd spend on a new barrel + chambering & installation would be far better spent in reloading gear, powder, components & range time.

 

[robtattoo]

Also, the Swede is about the worst benefiting cartridge to Improve. Dies are really hard to come by & spendy & you usually only gain 20-50fps. Better powder selection in the standard cartridge will net you better gains than an Ackley conversion.

 

[Runningwater]

Swede


Here's a pick of my old Swede. It used to be my only bolt rifle in my younger/poorer years. It has shot whitetail, muley, pronghorn, elk, mt. goat, moose, and I missed a bighorn with it! And my old 1894 only has an 18.5 inch barrel so I'm giving up a couple hundred ft/sec. Factory Norma ammo or Hornady superperformance are good factory loads, most of the rest are extremely mild. Best to reload or have a friend reload for you! Have fun whatever you choose, but a 6.5x55 will get most stuff taken care of!

 

[jwb300]

I guess I was thinking the 6.5x55 is an inferior cartridge. Maybe I need to check ballistics?

Basically ballistic brothers - slight advantage goes to the 6.5x55 and for ease of brass etc I would run with the swede. Not worth the hassle to modify the rifle in my opinion.