Tikka 6.5x55 Swede

[TxxAgg]

I've owned Tikkas in 4 or 5 different cartridges but never a 6.5x55.

I saw one in stock locally, and I'm interested.

I'd like to hear some feedback from those that have 'em.

 

[Customweld]

An old cartridge that never got the attention it deserved. It's as capable of any of the 6.5's. Just doesn't require a man bun.

 

[Fatcamp]

If I knew I was gonna reload I would have got it instead of the Godmoor.

 

[TxxAgg]

A creedmoor might be easier, but sometimes it's fun to be old school

Any experience with real word velocity from factory offerings?

 

[Rifles And More]

Most factory offerings are pretty tame due to the surplus market of rifles. If you reload you are in for a treat.
I have a few M38 surplus rifles and a Tikka. The magazine on the Tikka works great for using the longer bullets as it is 30-06 length.

 

[DJL2]

It's a perfect fit for the Tikka action. Really a reloader's cartridge in many cases, though. Good factory ammo can be tough to find. If you can catch a sale on Lapua or Norma loaded 6.5x55 ammo you should be in good shape. You just need to find ammo loaded to decent pressures, not neutered-lawyers-run-our-company pressures ;-). The best thing about the Lapua ammo is the smoking deal you get on the brass once you eject it.

 

[Fartrell Cluggins]

Handloaded, the 6.5x55 will give marginally better velocity than the Creedchrist.

 

[Sgtusmc14]

Godmoor you say!

 

[robtattoo]

I wouldn't be without a Swede! Up to elk size stuff (sorry, I'm still in the .30s for elk mindset) it's THE perfect American game cartridge.
100gn varmint bullets at 3200fps right through to 160s at 2700. I'm running 140 Bergers & 129 Hornadys at 2820 & 2950 respectively from a 20" barrel.
Stock up on IMR 7828SSC & you'll find a fast load for every bullet weight. If you're primarily a whitetail hunter, the 123gn SSTs designed for the Grendel are devastatingly effective. Splashy, inside of 75yds, from my experience, but for longer range work (300+) they're are absolutely money!
True, it needs a long action to work properly, but I've never seen that as a disadvantage. 1:8 or 1:8.5 twist will stabilize anything that fits down the hole. Cheapest good brass comes from buying loaded Prvi Partisan ammo & recycling. Lapua brass is exceptional, though spendy.

It's flat shooting, hard hitting, inherently accurate, low recoil & if the soy boys are to be believed....... far superior to the manbun.

 

[Jim1187]

It is the cartridge and rifle combo that keeps tempting me to consider a medium capacity 6.5, locally the difference in price on a t3x for 6.5x55 vs the creedchurch makes the first factory box of 50 Lapua 6.5x55 free, it doesn't hurt that Lapua brass is roughly $45/100 cheaper for the 6.5x55 up here if you handload.
Of course already having a 7mm08 the temptation never lasts long.

 

[Decker9]

I have a handful of years with a swede in a T3, I can’t ask for anything more out of it. Super accurate with any 130-140 gr bullet, and in any load it seemed. I ended up chopping the barrel to 19” and put it in a wildcat composites stock. Highly recommend if your looking for a fun 6.5.

 

[Truck24hr]

Awesome cartridge, but it's hard to find full power factory ammo here in the states (or used to be). For a handloader, it's the perfect 6.5. More capable for velocity that the other 6.5's, unless you're going the 6.5x284, 06, etc.

My opinion it's the perfect cartridge up to mulies, and very capable up to elk with the right bullet selection and skilled hands.

For elk in 6.5's, we've used the Berger 140 VLD Hunting bullet with excellent results. So far 100% one shot kills out to 710 yards, none moving more than a few yards, some never moving.

 

[TxxAgg]

I appreciate the feedback. I'm not a handloader so that puts a damper on things

 

[Fatcamp]

I appreciate the feedback. I'm not a handloader so that puts a damper on things

Ya, when I looked at my local stores for factory .260, 6.5x55, and the other one there was a clear winner. The new kid had a dozen offerings while the others were very limited. Who knows now. Based on availability I should have went with .458 Lott.

 

[TxxAgg]

I ended up buying a T3x 6.5x55 Hunter in stainless. Should get it any day now.

 

[gerry35]

Have a LH T3 Lite for my wife (I have a 260) and it's been really accurate. It was our first Tikka that has now spawned two others to go with it. For a handloader it has a bit more case capacity than the Creedmoor and even 260 Rem. It's a nice set up in the Tikka long action mag, you have tons of room to load any bullet you want. Feeds flawlessly too.

The Hunter Stainless is a beauty, you'll love it.

 

[TxxAgg]

 

[Pharmseller]

I wouldn't be without a Swede! Up to elk size stuff (sorry, I'm still in the .30s for elk mindset) it's THE perfect American game cartridge.

With all due respect, and I know I’m not going to change your mind, but honor compels me to respond.

7mm Rem Mag, so maybe he didn’t count.




7mm-08


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You get the idea.





P

 

[kkp005]

Txag that’s a mighty fine tikka

 

[robtattoo]

With all due respect, and I know I’m not going to change your mind, but honor compels me to respond.

7mm Rem Mag, so maybe he didn’t count.

View attachment 530323


7mm-08
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7mm-08

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You get the idea.





P

Oh no sir! I'm completely aware that I really don't need a .30 for elk! I've seen what a .223 & several 6s, 6.5s & 7mms will do to an elk & I'm in complete agreement that with the right bullet & the right shot, all are more than adequate.
But having spent most of my life learning that bigger is better for bigger critters (try saying that after 4 stiff bourbons!) is taking time & effort to retrain my brain.

For the last 2 years hunting deer & hogs (unfortunately other than the ONE occasion i actually killed something last year) I've been toting my .223 & I'm 99.9% convinced I'll be taking my Swede out to Wyoming this fall. I'm activity thinking real hard about just getting rid of my ought-six, since i never ever use it.