Thread: An oldy but a goodie - 6.5x55 Swedish

In my teens I first got to shoot a swede when my mate bought an old ex-army Carl Gustav package which back then were being bought in by the hundreds and sold for bugger all, you could get then with either a wooden stock or a plastic stock.

That rifle shot well as he used it emphatically shooting a tonne of goats but I was always captivated by the cartridge itself having a long sleek look to it, so I guess in some ways it left an impression on me.

Fast forward a few years and more recently @buzzman put up a post advertising a swede being sold up north in a gunshop which was a little too tempting for me.





The rifle cost $1250 with postage, I sold off the suppressor and rings so in the end the rifle cost me $850 as I had a spare scope and suppressor at hand.

I managed to get some dies, brass and some tips from @Ingrid 51 re his experience with his 6.5x55 so I figured I'd start off with some 143 gr ELDX projectiles.

Initial loads with AR2209 and AR2213SC with the COAL set at 79 mm wasn't great so I tried again with COAL set at 80 mm and what a difference that made, final load was 47 gr AR2213SC however the 47.5 gr was also a great load but figured I'd stay on the south side of pressure.

Generally, I like to run 4 shot groups but components especially primers are a bit scarce, so I was being tight when it came to loads until I at least got an idea of what the rifle liked where I then retest at least twice with 4 shot groups just to make sure it wasn't a one-off fluke.



After some rounds were loaded my youngest son (16 yrs) started shooting the rifle and likes it a bit more than the Kimber he has and even shot the rifle out to 550 mtrs on some plates which is always a good confidence booster.

Since then, he's been out hunting, shooting a few goats and even the odd fallow where I'm yet to shoot an animal with it. So far, my impressions with the hand full of animals taken with the ELDX's have been great.



I certainly enjoy using that rifle which I'm looking forward to shooting a few animals of my own over the next few months.

Ive got one with the bolt on the proper side. Definatley one rifle ill keep. All Ive done to mine is adjust the trigger and put a limb saver on it.

@blip I’m a lefty too but I prefer right handed guns and the kids are all right handed.

Funny you say limbsaver as I was thinking the same thing this morning ��

I’ve had mine fore a few years now and it just works
Love the a Tikka’s , Love the 6.5 Cal , Love the Swede , Love the 143gr eldx .

Originally Posted by Seventenths

@blip I’m a lefty too but I prefer right handed guns and the kids are all right handed.

Funny you say limbsaver as I was thinking the same thing this morning ��

Yea its not that it boots much anyway, I guess Im starting to like my comforts in my old age. Also got a dnz one piece mount on mine still standard barrel length. Have to suppress it one day

great cal. looks like a nice shooter you have picked up as well
there is something quite attractive about those long pointy cartridges

my Swede knocked over 3 stags this roar. the cartridge is still doing the business 130 years later…

Old school cool

I've just switched to 143 gr ELD-Xs after using Accubonds since for ever. On paper they they look good, yet to kill anything.
I was just in the US and when I told anyone who was interested that I use a 6.5 they'd ask Creedmore or PRC and I took great pleasure in replying 55 Swede :-)

That looks like a good set up. My go to powder is N560 but have also used IMR4831 and R22. All are good. Target velocity 2,800fps. The SD of 140 grn 6.5 is so high Ive never seen the need for anything but cup and core projectiles. Im still using 140 grn Amax through my x55 and they often pass through and always kill 'em good. Waiting in the wings are 140 grn Speer Gold Dot - have used a few and they kill them proper too. They shoot 1.5" lower than the Amax.

The 6.5x55 has been one of my favourite cartridges for a very long time, long since before I bought my first one in fact.
GPM.

Knocking em over since ages ago

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Id love a proper sweed sniper rifle based on m38 I think. M96 sporter was my first center fire and Ive still got it

Despite entering service in 1894 I'm only seeing stainless steel rifles in this post !

Where are some of the older ones ?
GPM ?

I'm looking at buying a 6.5x55 myself but a seriously old one.

Strangely enough the chap who came for hunt two weeks ago also had stainless, synthetic t3 in 6.5x55, seems they aren't that uncommon at all.