New 6.5x55 barrel, rechamber action, or Seekins 6.0 or 6.5PRC?

[DeuceIsWild]

I currently have a 2015 6.5x55 Tikka T3 hunter that has been bedded in Manners EH-T which has served me very well over the years (roughly 2500 rounds). It has been a tack driver out to 800 yards but has begun to lose some accuracy but still shoots sub 1 moa (pics are from 2 years ago to show what it used to be capable of). I had a local shop scope it and they advised it has some relatively significant fire cracking and throat erosion.

Question is should I:
1) Just put a new pre-fit 6.5x55 barrel in it
2) re-chamber it in either 6.0 creedmoor or 6.5 PRC (realize it will need a new bolt)
3) buy a new seekins ph2 in either 6.0 Creedmoor or 6.5 PRC

Note this rifle would be used for whitetail, mule deer, lopes & coyotes. There is a chance of an elk hunt in the future but also have a .270 BDL as an option for that hunt.

Interested to hear thoughts.

 

[ARK_Ginger]

If it were me I would probably just put another 6.5x55 barrel on it since you likely have components already.

If you don't have components, a prefit in 6 creed or 22 creed would be high on my list.

 

[DeuceIsWild]

If it were me I would probably just put another 6.5x55 barrel on it since you likely have components already.

If you don't have components, a prefit in 6 creed or 22 creed would be high on my list.

I do reload exclusively and expect to do the same even if I switch to a 6.5 prc or 6 creed so your point is valid but certainly not a deal breaker.

 

[Runwilderness]

Watching. Curious to see others inputs.
I own a T3 6.5x55 that I’m more than happy with, but there is a part of me that is always frustrated by the anemic load data, ‘am I loaded to hot above book’ concern loading for the tikka action. …and another part of me that just wants to hop on the tikka switch barrel build bandwagon.

 

[LeftyWilbury]

i'm fond of the 6.5x55. i wouldn't turn it into something different.
i'd just buy another rifle, after putting a new 6.5x55 barrel on the current one...

might even be able to find a tikka barrel. looks like one sold last summer on rok

 

[DeuceIsWild]

I have been on the lookout for a factory take-off but haven't had any luck. Just can't decide which way to go. I am leaning toward buying a separate 7 PRC and then using my manners stock and tikka action to build a 6 mm.

 

[BCsteve]

I have a T3X in 6.5x55 as well. Contrary to most tikkas I've had a hard time finding a decent load for it. After spending way too much time and components I decided to cut my lost shirt and ordered a new barrel for it. I was contemplating an easy rechambering to 6.5-284 or 6.5-06 for a few horsepower.

While waiting for the barrel I found some 143 ELD-X and against my better judgment decided to give them a try. Easy sub MOA! The new barrel is now sitting g on the bench and will stay there for a while. With some Redding comp dies and a good supply of Lapua brass on hand, I think it will stay a Swede.

 

[gerry35]

I have a T3X in 6.5x55 as well. Contrary to most tikkas I've had a hard time finding a decent load for it. After spending way too much time and components I decided to cut my lost shirt and ordered a new barrel for it. I was contemplating an easy rechambering to 6.5-284 or 6.5-06 for a few horsepower.

While waiting for the barrel I found some 143 ELD-X and against my better judgment decided to give them a try. Easy sub MOA! The new barrel is now sitting g on the bench and will stay there for a while. With some Redding comp dies and a good supply of Lapua brass on hand, I think it will stay a Swede.

What loads did you try? My wife's T3 6.5x55 has shot pretty much everything well.

 

[DeuceIsWild]

Mine was sub 1 MOA with almost every bullet I tried as long as I was using 4381sc or H4350, but it absolutely LOVED the ABLRs and Bergers.

 

[BCsteve]

What loads did you try? My wife's T3 6.5x55 has shot pretty much everything well.

50.5gr of H4831sc and 143 ELD-X was the final load. Before that I tried RL17, RL22, RL26, Staball 6.5, H4350, IMR7828sc with 127gr LRX, 130gr Accubond, 140gr Accubond, 139gr Scenars, 130gr Berger and a few others. As well as factory Nosler Accubond, Federal Fusion, Federal blue box, Hornady GMX, and Sako Deerhead 156gr.

Now that I have a powder and/or a bullet that shoot well I'll be trying the 143 ELD-X with some of the powder that give higher velocities to see if i still have the accuracy.

 

[gerry35]

50.5gr of H4831sc and 143 ELD-X was the final load. Before that I tried RL17, RL22, RL26, Staball 6.5, H4350, IMR7828sc with 127gr LRX, 130gr Accubond, 140gr Accubond, 139gr Scenars, 130gr Berger and a few others. As well as factory Nosler Accubond, Federal Fusion, Federal blue box, Hornady GMX, and Sako Deerhead 156gr.

Now that I have a powder and/or a bullet that shoot well I'll be trying the 143 ELD-X with some of the powder that give higher velocities to see if i still have the accuracy.

Yikes that is a list. Good you found a load it likes though. I'll try that H 4831sc 143 gr loading in ours.