TXAoudadKlr
Well-Known Member
Agreed, new powders, bullets and faster twist barrels are really bringing back some older cartridges to the front again!
So I’m not the only one... 264 Win Mag
- Thread starter wildcat455
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wildcat455
Well-Known Member
That's the 6.5X55, a cartridge steeped in history! LOL! Over 120 years, and still heavily used in Europe, or UK, or whatever on Red Stag. I don't think there's many cartridges that are still that strong after such a long run.
Probably what Winchester was trying to accomplish here as far as the 6.5 caliber acceptance, but we have had too long in the 30 caliber to look another way. I actually considered getting a 6.5x55, just on nostalgia alone and I'm neither Swedish or Norwegian!
Anyway, I don't think it's ignored as much as it would seem... more like taken for granted it'll always be around?
The following is my take:
See, with capitalism, you have to feed the monster a "New Shiny" every once in a while, even if you are "Reinventing the wheel". Keeps the market from going stagnant, keeps the wheels of industry turning, people spending money, (and not paying attention to the fact that there's already something that'll do exactly what the "New Shiny" will do...
nobody wants yesterday's leftovers, and what they are being fed today, is SOLD to them as STEAK!
THAT SAID, some legitimate gains are being made, but probably not enough to justify all the hoopla and fanfare.
Anyway, hats off to you for having a 6.5X55 Swede. Won't be long and the 30-06 Springfield will hit the 120 mark. But it'll still be behind the Swede for longevity!!
TXAoudadKlr
Well-Known Member
I'm really giving that a thought for my 6.5CMs next barrel. Perhaps even a left hand twist too. I'd like a more radical gain in the twist but I don't plan on just shooting solids.
MTsmith
Well-Known Member
Wildcat.....Yep, special order. It's their Long Range Open Country (modified version of their Model 52). It took about 5-6 months for them to get it for me.
Pretty gun and the carbon barrel makes it just shy 7 1/2 pounds.
Pretty gun and the carbon barrel makes it just shy 7 1/2 pounds.
That's exactly why I only went from an 8 twist to a 7 twist. Originally, I wanted to do a 10 twist to a 7 twist, but after several conversations with guys whom have experience with a 'gain twist' I ordered more subtlety.
My action, parts and reamer are at the smith now. I expect the barreled action to return to me in mid to late October. I am hoping to have a chance to use this rifle during the late anterless deer season in January of 2019.
I had a custom 6.5x55 with a 1 in 8 barrel for a while. It was more than capable for handling most hunting situations. While it was plenty accurate, it's not what I would consider a "fast" 6.5 round. But it wasn't built for speed. It's design was to push big 160gr bullets at slower speeds for good penetration. Much like dangerous game African rifles, but on a smaller scale. This allowed hunting of pretty large game without having to deal with harsh magnum recoil. Most SAAMI 6.5x55 reamers have a ton of freebore to account for those big long 160gr pills used in Europe. Fast or not, it's still a great round that I'm sure will survive for many more decades.
Of course you can throw an Ackley shoulder on the design, take out some of the body taper, and it comes alive with a lot more speed.
Of course you can throw an Ackley shoulder on the design, take out some of the body taper, and it comes alive with a lot more speed.
FYI. I see Browning is offering an X-bolt Western Hunter with 26" barrel in 1 in 8 twist... (limited production) Just saying.
That might end up as a collectable rifle someday
I hope to make it to the range this weekend and start the break in. It does have a somewhat slender contour barrel and it's still over 105 degrees here, so it might not get a lot of action.
wildcat455
Well-Known Member
wildcat455
Well-Known Member
Oh man! You're going to have to let me know how it does!
If you don't mind, can you measure the magazine box length? Please and thank you.
3.680 It would hold a 7stw factory round but the case/neck juncture is too far forward and catches on the feed ramp.
wildcat455
Well-Known Member
Well that settles it!
The only thing I don't like about the rifle so far is the gold trigger!
Seriously interested in one. If yours shoots well, i'll be wanting to go down and pick mine up!
Please let us all know how it does!
Wait, 105? Where you located?
