Thread: 6.5x55 barrel length

Geeze @Happy you had that operation? I'm gona cut mine down to twenty inches, taking Happys advice!

wouldn't go any shorter than 20 with a 55

Originally Posted by rambo-6mmrem

wouldn't go any shorter than 20 with a 55

based on what exactly

Originally Posted by dogmatix

18.5" is too short for a 6.5x55 in my mind, prob okay for a .260.

this doesn't make sense either

M94 Swedish mauser had a 18" barrel.
I used to use a selection of swede mausers cut to between 19" and 21" for a number of years out to 400m. Sure they are slower but 300m is still well achievable so long as you know the drop.

Originally Posted by gimp

this doesn't make sense either

What?
That a 6.5x55 shooting a 140gn projectile with ADI 2209 through a 18.5" barrel might only be doing 2200fps, going to a faster powder away than the 2209 burn rate is not ideal for the cartridge.
Versus a 260, which could use a faster powder such as 2206H for the 140gns, so you could go with a shorter barrel and make up for lost velocity with tweaking the loads more.

Seems pretty basic to me.

Originally Posted by dogmatix

20" seems a good compromise Tim.
18.5" is too short for a 6.5x55 in my mind, prob okay for a .260.

Why too short? :3000fps with a 120TTSX, you're not gonna stand in front of it at 300, are you? Tahr don't, they tumble over a couple of times and say goodnight.
:2800fps with a 140 VLD Berger, you willing to stand in front of that at 500? Deer don't, they tip up and say goodnight too.

I have to do a load development on a 7mm Mag with a 17" barrel next week, now THAT, is too short!

Originally Posted by dogmatix

What?
That a 6.5x55 shooting a 140gn projectile with ADI 2209 through a 18.5" barrel might only be doing 2200fps, going to a faster powder away than the 2209 burn rate is not ideal for the cartridge.
Versus a 260, which could use a faster powder such as 2206H for the 140gns, so you could go with a shorter barrel and make up for lost velocity with tweaking the loads more.

Seems pretty basic to me.

It's just not correct

More like 2600 with 2209 dude

2745 with 2209 and 140gr from 20 inch 6.5x55


a bigger case = more speed, always. the difference between a bigger case and a smaller case decreases with a shorter barrel, but bigger pretty much always = faster


2206H sucks shit in a .260, it's never faster than 2209 with a 140 down to like a 4 inch barrel if loaded to the same pressure

I'd own and shoot shit out of an 18 inch 6.5x55, got a 19 inch .260 and it smokes things

Tim has already said his factory length T3 22 7/16" barrel is doing 2670fps with the 140gn AMaxes and 2209.
So explain to me how he is going to get 2600fps with a 18.5" barrel with 2209 and the same projectiles and not be silly with pressure?

PS, I own and load for a 24" 6.5x55 and load for a 22 7/16" 6.5x55, so I'm not talking out of my arse.

Originally Posted by dogmatix

Tim has already said his factory length T3 22 7/16" barrel is doing 2670fps with the 140gn AMaxes and 2209.
So explain to me how he is going to get 2600fps with a 18.5" barrel with 2209 and the same projectiles and not be silly with pressure?

Was quoting my load from 20 inch, which was safe, his would be doing about 2550 which will still absolutely kill shit dead??

I think if Tim can get 2550 with 18.5", 2209 and the AMaxes in his T3, he will be well chuffed.

PS Tim, you should have kept your pretty wood stocked .308 T3, chopped that to 18.5" and kept the 6.5 standard length.

Everyone here has good points. @dogmatix yeah I know I should have kept that one, would have looked great short and can'd - I am really thinking I will lob her to twenty inches which leaves room in the gun cab for a bush pig like that Marlin 45-70 Guide Gun. But yes if I can get 2500 @ 18.5 w/ 140's I will be over the moon
@gimp cheers for your help, I love me short guns and understand that a man with one gun will shoot better with it than someone with 100 guns.

Mine has a 16" bbl and the goats and deer are still just as dead as the 22" bbl shot, just a lot handier to carry now!