When hand loaded up to its real capacity the 6.5x55 will leave the Creedmoor in the dust especially with the heavier longer bullets which can be seated farther out to take full advantage or the extra case capacity. The Swedish Mauser actions, Carl Gustaf M96/M38 and the Husqvarna actions were built with an extremely tough steel stronger than any German steel. Even the German built “Swedish” Mausers were required to use that special Swedish steel. Those guns were proof tested to almost 63,000 psi. Husqvarna built 30-06 and other higher pressure cartridges for many years on that same action with absolutely no problems.
Yeah, but it doesn't have the "cool hipster hotness factor" of the Creedmoor! 😅 The USA is very good at marketing and selling new stuff. 6.5x55 and 260 Remington are great rounds.
@@Eddy7848 It's mainly the short action aspect i feel that makes the 6.5CM more popular nowadays. I can buy many of the popular rifles here in sweden in x55, like the t3x, bergara, sauer, mauser, blaser. But we also have much more shooters of x55, so used rifles are cheap (and often really good!), x55 ammo is the cheapest you can get - 308 is approaching those levels though. I love the X55, I had a sauer 101 in it. But as we can own limited nr of guns, I had to sell it to swap rifles around. But now i have a Bergara in 6.5CM. But I reload, but its nice to use the same bullets and powders for them. I went CM because of the SA - more compability with 3rd party stocks primary.
@@ryanupchurch9683 I should have mentioned that. The Krag-Jorgen in 6.5x55 is very rare in the US. They weren't imported like the Swedish Mausers. Carl Gustaf or Husqvarna were. As far as I know, the 30-40's were all U.S. built.
I have not used a 6.5 Creedmore but I do own 2 rifles in 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser. I have a 1908 Carl Gustav model 1896 and a 1943 Husqvarna model 1938. Both rifles have taken everything from coyote to moose and are the flattest shooting guns I own.
I shoot a Remington 700 in .308 and we wanted a precision rifle for my girlfriend. At a gun show, we found a Husqvarna 1640 in 6.5x55 with a heavy target barrel that looked pristine. We put it in a laminate varmint stock and glass bedded it. Then we got a Mauser bottom metal from Pacific Tool & Gauge to run external magazines (.30-06 mags fit 6.5 Swede) and a 20 MOA sight rail from an Antonio Zoli 1900 (identical fit to Husqvarnas). Put quality glass on it, and the thing is amazing! It's a .5 MOA rifle and might even be better, as she gets more comfortable with the rifle. I am now a huge fan of the 6.5 Swede. That said, I will convert my Rem 700 to 6.5 Creedmoor when the barrel wears out. The conversion is a lot cheaper than buying a whole new rifle, and my .308 magazines will fit 6.5 Creedmoor. But I would not hesitate to recommend the 6.5x55mm to anyone. It's a superb long range performer.
An example of re-inventing the wheel, the Creedmoor is a fantastic design, but it's main accomplishment is opening America rifle makers eyes to the wonders of the 6.5 caliber. If Ruger, Weatherby, Browning or even Winchester had of chambered in the 6.5 x 55, the Creedmoor would never of been. Speaking of reinventing the wheel, 300HamR and the 7.62x39.
Don't forget about 260 Remington! 😉 The obsession with "short action" rifles is a bit inane. A half inch longer receiver really makes no difference in hunting rifles. Now they're reinventing 6.5x284 with 6.5 PRC. The gun industry has to come up with new calibers if they want to sell new rifles... 😏
Nothing special ial about 6.5 caliber. Its always been the length of bullet that made the difference. The Swede had a ridiculously long throat that made lighter bullets less accurate, but long bullets accurate and possible. Now long throat 30 caliber barrels are being made for target as long as 6mm, 270.... This means target bullets in almost any caliber are being made available.
3:50 You are wrong. In Europe you'll have the option to have ur newest, most modern rifles chambered in 6.5x55. For exampel Sako, Tikka, Blaser, Sauer, Merkel, Remmington, Winchester, Howa etc. And if you handload you can defintly exceed the maximum powdercharges with modern rifles and brass. I see so many videos from american youtubechannels that compares the creedmoor and the swede and uses an ancient rifle for the swede. How about comparing say a tikka t3x chambered in both and compare actual modern ballistics?
Just got an older zastava m70 Lk in 6.5x55 se today for a whopping $300. came with a nice set of Leopold bases and rings, very excited to fix it up and turn it into my main hunting rifle. used to have a rifle in 6.5x55 and was probably the nicest shooting rifle I'd ever owned, never felt under guned, and it dropped everything i aimed at. will probably end up passing this rifle onto my son one day, maybe on his 21 fist b day, still gives me 13 yrs to play with it. 😁. not as nice as my carl Gustaf ( think spelled that wrong), but this zastiva is still a sharp looking old fella.
I have the M70 6.5SE stainless. If the bolt is tight pop off the extractor ring and polish the groove as the machining is rough . If it scrapes brass off the case the extractor claw needs a little attension to make the rim groove sit in the claw . I have worked up a 100gr load using nosler tipped bullets and plan to use barns 100gr for larger game like red deer . ADI 2209 /H4350 is the best powder so far 3400fps at max book load. 3150fps is where the accuracy node is . The twist (1:9) is a little slow for the heavier bullets ,yet with the modern action one should be able to move them a little quicker .
It was designed by a *joint* Swedish-Norwegian commission. Don't give the Swedes all the credit, because they wanted a rimmed cartridge, while the Norwegian opted for a rimless design. The Swedes listened to the Norwegians (for a change) ;). Compared to the Creedmoor, the sheer volume of the 6.5x55 makes it a better cartridge, especially for long distance shooting. One can safely hand load it to some 900 m/s, or 2953 fps.
Being a Swede it's almost mandatory to own and use a 6.5x55 rifle or two. I made fun of the Creedmoor when I first heard of it as it seemed quite "pointless" for me, but obviously it certainly has its merit. And I was even more convinced after hearing Dave Emery and the other guys on the Hornady podcast talking about it 👍 In Europe the 6.5x55 is far more common and popular, but I guess that will gradually shift over time. But we have all the major manufacturers making rifles in it, including Blaser, Sauer, Sako, Tikka, etc. And I can find buckets of once-fired Norma brass at my shooting range, so I have a brass collection at home for the rest of my life.
Cartridge performance hasn't changed a lot in 100 years. The creedmoor is more efficient and uses a shorter case but that doesn't matter if the rifles designed for it use long actions for all cartridges (and many do).
A while back I bought a Tikka T3X in 6.5 x 55 and a lot of people here in Hawaii just were not familiar with it. I knew of this cartridge from long ago when I used to hunt in Pennsylvania ( we had a friend that had a converted Mauser that was chambered in it). After seeing my rifle shoot, they were pretty impressed by it. That Tikka I have is under a half inch @ 100 yards with almost all of my handloads, absolutely outstanding and with great ballistics. This is my "go to" rifle now and I don't see a need for another rifle chambered in anything else.
@@TheIrishd501 I am a Pennsylvania hunter and the 6.5x55mm is quite popular here and I use two Swedish Mauser's myself. One is an M-94 carbine and the other is an M-96 rifle.
@@Huntinggearguy The creedmoor makes sense if you live in the USA and can't get the 6.5x55 at a reasonable price. If you can get both at a reasonable price, or if you live in Scandinavia, the Creedmoor makes no sense: 140gr bullet (rough numbers): SAAMI 6.5x55 350MPa 810-820m/s 6.5 Creedmoor 435MPa, 830m/s CIP/SKAN 6.5x55 380MPa 860-880m/s Home loaded max (max pressure minus a little for safety). 6.5x55 415MPa, 900-920m/s
Swede would be easier on barrels pressure matters a lot for barrel length. For a reloader the brass will last longer with less pressure as well in theory.
I believe you meant lower pressure gives longer barrel life. That is more true when going to smaller caliber rounds, like 7.62mm to 6.5mm with essentially the same powder capacity and pressure.
But x55 and CM is made in the same barrel lenghts now. And the powders used are almost identical - The higher volume of the x55 allows for a tiny bit slower powders - but reloading them you can basicly use the same powders with no issue. but then we have muzzle pressure - the x55 is a bit louder :)
I have a 6.5x55 Swede chambered in a Savage 110; with a 26” match barrel. My go to load gives me 2900 fps with a 142 gr SMK. I could get more velocity, but my load has given less than an inch at 300 yds. If I do my part.
Prices in Denmark (close to Sweden 😊) 50 Lapua creedmoor 150 $ and 50 Lapua 6,5x55 106 $ Would like to try Creedmoor but shoot longrange with the swede in 6,5x55. Works great.
2450 feet or 750 m/s is not slow by any stretch. You have to consider the ranges they are used for aswell - they are not 500 yard bullets after all. But the flat head design makes them really effective.
The 6.5x55 Skan loads have been around for decades. Hornady reloading data will not show the modern version of the cartridge's in their data. I guess I get it because it will outperform the Creed! Even the 6.5 PRC cartridge hangs up slightly in the chamber before it fully seats itself. The straight cases and the steep shoulder make for less than smooth loading! The 270, 30-06 and Swede load effortlessly due to the tapered case and lower shoulder angle, so smoother handling in the bush when hunting, in my opinion. Cheers
I had a Remington Classic in 6.5X55 and it wouldn’t shoot worth a shit. After several times back to the factory, I was able to speak with Tim McCormick in the custom shop. I wound up with a custom shop barrel and trigger. After I got it back, it was a tack driver. On two different days, a load that chronographs at 2800 fps produced groups that were less than .2 of an inch, center to center. That was using a Nosler 140 gr partition. I have forgotten the powder and charge weight, but I’ll never forget those two groups. I’m 72 and that was back in 1998. My reloading manuals have all been placed in storage.
In Sweden the Moose is the largest game, but they are smaller than the NA variant. The lowest limit for shooting these is for 6.5x55, some heavier bullets, or more powder than the older loadings. But it's a power limit, so check your ammo for the right bullet and velocity. Then go hunting, the only thing for the 6.5 CM is that it's shorter so the action could be shorter and lighter, but who cares the cartridge is 130 years old and still going strong, older than 30-06, 9x19 and only beaten by the .303 Brit by just 6 years.
At least he conceded there is not much difference. Could have left it there. You can get a bigger bullet in Swede. Also Mausers got good twist rate for copper.
I got one of them. Horrible with Varget and IMR4350, bad with 120gn bullets, stinks with non-european brass cases (eg hornady) coz the non-euro cases are sized wrong. Now here is the good news: with Lapua or S&B cases (maybe any euro cases) and 140 flat based bullets, using slow powders such as H2213SC/AR2213SC, it will hit the bullseye at 100 yards. Doesn’t do groups, it just hits the bullseye. Pretty boring after three shots, you end up shooting bits of wood and rock at the range instead. I seated to 3.13 because my lands are at 3.15 (you have to check yours), and I use 46.6 grains of AR2213SC. Never varied the load since then. First rifle that performed best in the high powder zone, that I have owned, but I think that aspect was about adequate case fill. Good luck
👍 Enjoyed your video. I have an 1896 Swedish Mauser manufactured by Carl Gustav in 1898 and have owned both an 1894 Swedish Mauser and a Ruger Model #1 all in the 6.5x55 Swede. This cartridge does everything I will ever do with a rifle. Why change?
The name of the cartrigde is just 6,5x55. The «swede» name is made up by saami, not the official name. The cartrigde was made by a joint Norwegian-Swedish commitee. Oh, the tapered case of the 6,5x55 was made for reliability as the cartrigde is military. The tapered cartrigde gives smoother operating of the action and better extraction. The 6,5x55 is better in the field, the 6.5 creedmoor has the advantage on the shooting range.
Six comma five eks fifty five? If you’re gonna correct the English speaking man’s English, can you at least use correct English? Six point five by fifty five. Toooozint taaaaak.
Great little video. I’m old so nothing new here. I still own two Swedes one long one short. I have no intention of jumping on the Creedmoor Bandwagon ( or should I say Runaway Train). Newer is not always better.
And we buy 6,5x55 Norma GTX 130 grain and Norma Diamond Line 130 grain för about 1 usd a piece here in Sweden. Im glad atl something is not extremly expensive here, even thou they did cost about 60-70 cents a few years back.
the swede is a good example of getting it right the first time. if you hand load for a modern gun load it up to creed more pressures and CIP specs for 6.5x55 SKAN
Would you mind sharing the scope bases you used on the rifle in the video? I have an M38 that was drilled and tapped before i bought it and I have been using it as a hunting rifle.
The SE has a throat (freebore + leade) roughly 0.2" longer than the CM. That's a lot! And it's quite different geometrically too. In the 1890's (electricity was still a new thing) the SE was reamed to accept 160-grain+ (don't quote me!) bullets. Today's handloaders play with this difference to sometimes design a Swede load with longer and heavier bullets that's low dispersion with less velocity, perhaps 2700 iso 2800. Personally, I find that a 147-grain HELDM with 45.0 grains of Acccurate 2700 makes holes that try to get together. The Swede, is a fun challenge!!
The 160 round noses exist, hornady does decent ones. Shoots well, it’s not for long range at all. Have one three round mag for 100-150 yards with round noses, and have one five round mag with 140gn speer hot cors for up to 350 would be best.
Can 6.5x55 brass be found that takes small rifle primer? LRP are a premium these days and LRPM and unobtanium. Would make a different in my selection for reloading capabilities l. Thank you for uploading this video, cool comparison
Doesn’t exist, in fact, should not exist. 308, 6.5 CM, they’re short and fat and therefore the small bench-rest primer is not going to be affected by non-full case fill, like the 6.5 by 55. To fill a swede case you have to use H2213SC or one of the really slow norma powders. Whereas what you want to use with small rifle primers (benchrest) is, yes, stick powder, but IMR 8208 XBR, Varget, that sort of thing. And those will not fill the swede case.
There's not a lot of difference??? You don't handload do you? Was also wondering how you got that swede to fire with the safety in the "on" position. In 2000, at a gun shown in Houston, I purchased a Carl Gustav M96 with a 1912 receiver date, that had been converted to a custom hunting rifle and when I say "custom", I don't mean bubbarized. Probably one of the most attractive hunting rifles a man could ever hope to own. And the best part of it is that it will consistently shoot 3 shot groups touching with Federal Power Shok 140gr SP (these are the moly-coated bullets, they look greyish in color) and Nosler Trophy Grade 140gr Accubond. This is my go-to rifle here in Texas for whitetails and hawgs. Most people I talk to at gun shows never heard of the Swede. What a shame.
Arms and ammunition companies keep inventing ("developing") new cartridges that are unnecessary so they can sell new firearms and ammunition to gun buffs. The Swede has been around since about 1898, and while not one of my favorites, it does make the Creedmoor redundant. My notion, is, if you can't get it done with a .270 or .30-06 or one of the older magnums, then you aren't going to get it done.
Im somewhat curious about the 6.5-06 wildcat. Wonder if any worthwhile advantage could be found there? The '06 case has plenty of room for modern fuel. Bet you could really get some decent speed and heavyweight bullets to turn it on out of a 24-26" tube. The 6.5-300 Weatherby is getting noticed lately, but I think its just too much overbore for 6.5mm.
I have a friend who hunts just about everything on thing on the North American continent with the 6.5-06. He thinks it's the greatest thing since sliced bread. With the 6.5mm/.264" bullet in the the '06 case you can get close to .264 Winchester Magnum velocities with all the ballistic advantages of the 6.5mm/.264" bullet over both the .257" and .308" diameter bullets. Better ballistic coefficient and better sectional density with bullets of the the SAME WEIGHT. I shoot rifles including one 6.5x55, chambered in cartridges with bullet diameters from .224 to .458. Only one called a Magnum in the bunch (300 H&H) and nothing introduced in the last 30 years. Most of those types were solutions to a non-existent problem. If I wanted a 6.5mm cartridge hotter than my Swede, the 6.5-06 would be my choice. You should go ahead and buy yourself a Christmas present. There are a lot of rifles easily re-barreled to 6.5-06. I think you'll be happy. Happy hunting! 😊
Sako and Tikka and most other European brands chamber guns for both calibers. Here in Finland 6.5x55 is actually cheaper, but I agree that needmore sorry costmore ah sorry creedmore is a little more efficient than the swede and its also chambered in smaller actions if thats is something someone likes. I personally like the swede for its history and slightly heavier bullets for tougher animals.
I believe the Creedmoor was made for niche short action rifles, such as the AR-10; which are now banned in Canada. 😡 Manufacturers know they need support for new calibers, so they hyped it up to ensure it's popularity and survival.
Its not overrated. Its a good caliber with modern "features". But cartridge design has been perfected for almost 100 years. Much smarter people has allready done all there is to do with a copper casing, the 6.5x55 is proof of that.
@@hb9145 still way slower than a 6.5 creed. You can expect 10-15000 round of life on the swede. 15-20000 on the 308. If it’s a battle rifle and not a precision weapon you can double it.
@@hb9145 yeah for competition shooting I’d do that too. For hunting/fighting that is not necessary. Do you shoot the swede? It’s my favorite cartridge. Only downside imo is that it doesn’t fit in a short action :D
the carl gustav husqvarna m96 and m 38 are the highest quality steel available at that time, ive loaded em up and seen no issues. except, the military coarse groove barrels dont like anything under 130 grains., they will keyhole = over spin, 250.000 rp second due to 1-8 twist meant for larger heavier projectiles
Same velocity? With my Tikka superlite 6.5x55 i am sending the 143 gr. ELD-X with 900 m/s or 2950 fps. With 22" pencil barrel. And it keeps sub-MOA to 1200 meters.
@@Huntinggearguy Correct. The factory ammo is very lightly loaded because of the thousands of 100 y.o. rifles still used around the world. Every manufacturer plays safe..
@@garyh1449 You can safely place 50 to 51 gr. N560. But you have to extend the COL in order to make place for the powder column in the case. I use 80.00 mm. It is still little compressed , but it is OK.
Here is 🇦🇺 it comes down to cost. I get 6.5 Swede nearly $10 a box cheaper than I could get creedmoor, others here might have a different price at shops. We are lucky to get european brand ammo in 6.5 which is cheaper, US stuff is pricey due to exchange rate
Your statement of reloading they would be the same.... Wrong!!! The swede will leave the needmoore in the dust. If you use an antique mauser your statements have merrit. Modern rifles ie post 1950s will handle full tilt reloads. European ammo manufacturing are far superior to North American ammo. North American marketing is new is best and old is obsolete.....
Ron: its hard to really find a real attractive sexy cartridge these days , could it be the 7-08? The 280 rem? How bout the 7x57 , or perhaps, the 300 H&H magnum? its all confusing, or because of the 6.5 x 55 😮 but then, here in America the affordable and plentiful 243 win , really looks real good with a long VLD 😉
I have a tikka t3x and a 1942 m38 husqvarna in 6.5x55. If you look at european manufacturers ammo is very similar in cost to 6.5creed. I bought some ppu soft point for 42 bucks a box and rws match with a 120gr hollow point for $83 for a pack of 50 both at a lgs in the prairies.
When hand loaded up to its real capacity the 6.5x55 will leave the Creedmoor in the dust especially with the heavier longer bullets which can be seated farther out to take full advantage or the extra case capacity. The Swedish Mauser actions, Carl Gustaf M96/M38 and the Husqvarna actions were built with an extremely tough steel stronger than any German steel. Even the German built “Swedish” Mausers were required to use that special Swedish steel. Those guns were proof tested to almost 63,000 psi. Husqvarna built 30-06 and other higher pressure cartridges for many years on that same action with absolutely no problems.
Yeah, but it doesn't have the "cool hipster hotness factor" of the Creedmoor! 😅 The USA is very good at marketing and selling new stuff. 6.5x55 and 260 Remington are great rounds.
I agree, I get about 100fps more from my 6.5x55 than the 6.5 creedmore by hand loading...
My rifle is a modern one, not 100 years old...
@@Eddy7848 It's mainly the short action aspect i feel that makes the 6.5CM more popular nowadays. I can buy many of the popular rifles here in sweden in x55, like the t3x, bergara, sauer, mauser, blaser.
But we also have much more shooters of x55, so used rifles are cheap (and often really good!), x55 ammo is the cheapest you can get - 308 is approaching those levels though.
I love the X55, I had a sauer 101 in it. But as we can own limited nr of guns, I had to sell it to swap rifles around. But now i have a Bergara in 6.5CM. But I reload, but its nice to use the same bullets and powders for them. I went CM because of the SA - more compability with 3rd party stocks primary.
The factory loads in the Swede are anemic not because of old Mausers but because of old krag Jorgensens. Which do have a weak action.
@@ryanupchurch9683 I should have mentioned that. The Krag-Jorgen in 6.5x55 is very rare in the US. They weren't imported like the Swedish Mausers. Carl Gustaf or Husqvarna were. As far as I know, the 30-40's were all U.S. built.
You have to LOVE THE SWEED !!!! Love the Nostalgia of the ROUND....accurate and a great killer !!!
I have not used a 6.5 Creedmore but I do own 2 rifles in 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser. I have a 1908 Carl Gustav model 1896 and a 1943 Husqvarna model 1938. Both rifles have taken everything from coyote to moose and are the flattest shooting guns I own.
I shoot a Remington 700 in .308 and we wanted a precision rifle for my girlfriend. At a gun show, we found a Husqvarna 1640 in 6.5x55 with a heavy target barrel that looked pristine. We put it in a laminate varmint stock and glass bedded it. Then we got a Mauser bottom metal from Pacific Tool & Gauge to run external magazines (.30-06 mags fit 6.5 Swede) and a 20 MOA sight rail from an Antonio Zoli 1900 (identical fit to Husqvarnas). Put quality glass on it, and the thing is amazing! It's a .5 MOA rifle and might even be better, as she gets more comfortable with the rifle. I am now a huge fan of the 6.5 Swede. That said, I will convert my Rem 700 to 6.5 Creedmoor when the barrel wears out. The conversion is a lot cheaper than buying a whole new rifle, and my .308 magazines will fit 6.5 Creedmoor. But I would not hesitate to recommend the 6.5x55mm to anyone. It's a superb long range performer.
An example of re-inventing the wheel, the Creedmoor is a fantastic design, but it's main accomplishment is opening America rifle makers eyes to the wonders of the 6.5 caliber. If Ruger, Weatherby, Browning or even Winchester had of chambered in the 6.5 x 55, the Creedmoor would never of been. Speaking of reinventing the wheel, 300HamR and the 7.62x39.
It's not that simple, one of the major advantages of 6.5 Creedmoor is that it fits in 308 magazines which are very common in North America
Don't forget about 260 Remington! 😉 The obsession with "short action" rifles is a bit inane. A half inch longer receiver really makes no difference in hunting rifles.
Now they're reinventing 6.5x284 with 6.5 PRC. The gun industry has to come up with new calibers if they want to sell new rifles... 😏
the 260 Rem should of been the big seller years ago, however you need rifles in that chambering.@@Eddy7848
My 6.5x55 m96 is 106yrs old has no rust ,i'v read the is mild steel,copper& nickel ,It Carl Gustafs Stads.
Nothing special ial about 6.5 caliber. Its always been the length of bullet that made the difference. The Swede had a ridiculously long throat that made lighter bullets less accurate, but long bullets accurate and possible. Now long throat 30 caliber barrels are being made for target as long as 6mm, 270.... This means target bullets in almost any caliber are being made available.
3:50 You are wrong. In Europe you'll have the option to have ur newest, most modern rifles chambered in 6.5x55. For exampel Sako, Tikka, Blaser, Sauer, Merkel, Remmington, Winchester, Howa etc. And if you handload you can defintly exceed the maximum powdercharges with modern rifles and brass.
I see so many videos from american youtubechannels that compares the creedmoor and the swede and uses an ancient rifle for the swede. How about comparing say a tikka t3x chambered in both and compare actual modern ballistics?
Agreed.
Tikka T3 6.5x55 130 grain Accubond 2500, all I use on deer and antelope
Tikka is plastic my friend.
Husqvarna all day everyday
@@NorwegianViking86 wood stock has to count for something 🤔 I sure do harvest what I'm hunting 🙂
Just got an older zastava m70 Lk in 6.5x55 se today for a whopping $300. came with a nice set of Leopold bases and rings, very excited to fix it up and turn it into my main hunting rifle. used to have a rifle in 6.5x55 and was probably the nicest shooting rifle I'd ever owned, never felt under guned, and it dropped everything i aimed at. will probably end up passing this rifle onto my son one day, maybe on his 21 fist b day, still gives me 13 yrs to play with it. 😁. not as nice as my carl Gustaf ( think spelled that wrong), but this zastiva is still a sharp looking old fella.
I have the M70 6.5SE stainless.
If the bolt is tight pop off the extractor ring and polish the groove as the machining is rough .
If it scrapes brass off the case the extractor claw needs a little attension to make the rim groove sit in the claw .
I have worked up a 100gr load using nosler tipped bullets and plan to use barns 100gr for larger game like red deer . ADI 2209 /H4350 is the best powder so far 3400fps at max book load. 3150fps is where the accuracy node is . The twist (1:9) is a little slow for the heavier bullets ,yet with the modern action one should be able to move them a little quicker .
@@paulsouth4794 awesome. thank you. I'll do that.. thank you
I've got a zastava m70 in 6.5x55. only shot it at the range so far but it shot under an inch 5 shot group with my hand loads. 129grain Hornady SST.
If you handload a modern 6.5x55 it will outperform the creed in every way
I have a Howa in 6.5 swede, load my own , its as hot as fk great rifle
It was designed by a *joint* Swedish-Norwegian commission. Don't give the Swedes all the credit, because they wanted a rimmed cartridge, while the Norwegian opted for a rimless design. The Swedes listened to the Norwegians (for a change) ;).
Compared to the Creedmoor, the sheer volume of the 6.5x55 makes it a better cartridge, especially for long distance shooting. One can safely hand load it to some 900 m/s, or 2953 fps.
Being a Swede it's almost mandatory to own and use a 6.5x55 rifle or two. I made fun of the Creedmoor when I first heard of it as it seemed quite "pointless" for me, but obviously it certainly has its merit. And I was even more convinced after hearing Dave Emery and the other guys on the Hornady podcast talking about it 👍
In Europe the 6.5x55 is far more common and popular, but I guess that will gradually shift over time. But we have all the major manufacturers making rifles in it, including Blaser, Sauer, Sako, Tikka, etc. And I can find buckets of once-fired Norma brass at my shooting range, so I have a brass collection at home for the rest of my life.
Cartridge performance hasn't changed a lot in 100 years. The creedmoor is more efficient and uses a shorter case but that doesn't matter if the rifles designed for it use long actions for all cartridges (and many do).
A while back I bought a Tikka T3X in 6.5 x 55 and a lot of people here in Hawaii just were not familiar with it. I knew of this cartridge from long ago when I used to hunt in Pennsylvania ( we had a friend that had a converted Mauser that was chambered in it). After seeing my rifle shoot, they were pretty impressed by it. That Tikka I have is under a half inch @ 100 yards with almost all of my handloads, absolutely outstanding and with great ballistics. This is my "go to" rifle now and I don't see a need for another rifle chambered in anything else.
@@TheIrishd501 I am a Pennsylvania hunter and the 6.5x55mm is quite popular here and I use two Swedish Mauser's myself. One is an M-94 carbine and the other is an M-96 rifle.
Yep Hornady reinvented the wheel 😮😅🎉😂
@@Huntinggearguy The creedmoor makes sense if you live in the USA and can't get the 6.5x55 at a reasonable price. If you can get both at a reasonable price, or if you live in Scandinavia, the Creedmoor makes no sense:
140gr bullet (rough numbers):
SAAMI
6.5x55 350MPa 810-820m/s
6.5 Creedmoor 435MPa, 830m/s
CIP/SKAN
6.5x55 380MPa 860-880m/s
Home loaded max (max pressure minus a little for safety).
6.5x55 415MPa, 900-920m/s
Swede would be easier on barrels pressure matters a lot for barrel length. For a reloader the brass will last longer with less pressure as well in theory.
I believe you meant lower pressure gives longer barrel life. That is more true when going to smaller caliber rounds, like 7.62mm to 6.5mm with essentially the same powder capacity and pressure.
But x55 and CM is made in the same barrel lenghts now. And the powders used are almost identical - The higher volume of the x55 allows for a tiny bit slower powders - but reloading them you can basicly use the same powders with no issue.
but then we have muzzle pressure - the x55 is a bit louder :)
I have a 6.5x55 Swede chambered in a Savage 110; with a 26” match barrel. My go to load gives me 2900 fps with a 142 gr SMK. I could get more velocity, but my load has given less than an inch at 300 yds. If I do my part.
There is no comparison
The need more is paper cartridge the swede just a killing cartridge at best
Diameter and speed kill
That was agreat video. Thanks for the information and the knowledge. Man oh Man is the snow coming down. Take Care and Be Safe.
Prices in Denmark (close to Sweden 😊) 50 Lapua creedmoor 150 $ and 50 Lapua 6,5x55 106 $ Would like to try Creedmoor but shoot longrange with the swede in 6,5x55. Works great.
Swede all the way
That 160 grain Hornady RN bullet kills heavy elk size game real well at fairly low velocity from carbine barrels in 6.5x55. It penetrates deep.
2450 feet or 750 m/s is not slow by any stretch. You have to consider the ranges they are used for aswell - they are not 500 yard bullets after all. But the flat head design makes them really effective.
@@jmkhenka Round nose, not flat head.
So what keeps one from loading 160 RN in CM?
The 6.5x55 Skan loads have been around for decades. Hornady reloading data will not show the modern version of the cartridge's in their data. I guess I get it because it will outperform the Creed! Even the 6.5 PRC cartridge hangs up slightly in the chamber before it fully seats itself. The straight cases and the steep shoulder make for less than smooth loading! The 270, 30-06 and Swede load effortlessly due to the tapered case and lower shoulder angle, so smoother handling in the bush when hunting, in my opinion.
Cheers
So what I’m seeing here is build a 6.5x55 in a modern stronger action and push it and see how it performs with modern ELR projectiles.
I had a Remington Classic in 6.5X55 and it wouldn’t shoot worth a shit. After several times back to the factory, I was able to speak with Tim McCormick in the custom shop. I wound up with a custom shop barrel and trigger. After I got it back, it was a tack driver. On two different days, a load that chronographs at 2800 fps produced groups that were less than .2 of an inch, center to center. That was using a Nosler 140 gr partition. I have forgotten the powder and charge weight, but I’ll never forget those two groups. I’m 72 and that was back in 1998. My reloading manuals have all been placed in storage.
I have an E.R. Shaw LH custom rifle in 6.5 Swede. Haven't really wrung it out yet.
In Sweden the Moose is the largest game, but they are smaller than the NA variant. The lowest limit for shooting these is for 6.5x55, some heavier bullets, or more powder than the older loadings. But it's a power limit, so check your ammo for the right bullet and velocity. Then go hunting, the only thing for the 6.5 CM is that it's shorter so the action could be shorter and lighter, but who cares the cartridge is 130 years old and still going strong, older than 30-06, 9x19 and only beaten by the .303 Brit by just 6 years.
At least he conceded there is not much difference. Could have left it there.
You can get a bigger bullet in Swede. Also Mausers got good twist rate for copper.
I just picked up a tikka t3x in 6.5x55. Haven't even mounted a scope yet
I got one of them. Horrible with Varget and IMR4350, bad with 120gn bullets, stinks with non-european brass cases (eg hornady) coz the non-euro cases are sized wrong. Now here is the good news: with Lapua or S&B cases (maybe any euro cases) and 140 flat based bullets, using slow powders such as H2213SC/AR2213SC, it will hit the bullseye at 100 yards. Doesn’t do groups, it just hits the bullseye. Pretty boring after three shots, you end up shooting bits of wood and rock at the range instead.
I seated to 3.13 because my lands are at 3.15 (you have to check yours), and I use 46.6 grains of AR2213SC. Never varied the load since then. First rifle that performed best in the high powder zone, that I have owned, but I think that aspect was about adequate case fill.
Good luck
👍 Enjoyed your video. I have an 1896 Swedish Mauser manufactured by Carl Gustav in 1898 and have owned both an 1894 Swedish Mauser and a Ruger Model #1 all in the 6.5x55 Swede. This cartridge does everything I will ever do with a rifle. Why change?
The Swede isn't a barrel burner. The other is
Great video. Nice rifle. What kind of safety is on it? It looks interesting, as in, I like it.
The name of the cartrigde is just 6,5x55. The «swede» name is made up by saami, not the official name.
The cartrigde was made by a joint Norwegian-Swedish commitee.
Oh, the tapered case of the 6,5x55 was made for reliability as the cartrigde is military. The tapered cartrigde gives smoother operating of the action and better extraction. The 6,5x55 is better in the field, the 6.5 creedmoor has the advantage on the shooting range.
Six comma five eks fifty five?
If you’re gonna correct the English speaking man’s English, can you at least use correct English? Six point five by fifty five.
Toooozint taaaaak.
Great little video. I’m old so nothing new here. I still own two Swedes one long one short. I have no intention of jumping on the Creedmoor Bandwagon ( or should I say Runaway Train). Newer is not always better.
I have both.
And we buy 6,5x55 Norma GTX 130 grain and Norma Diamond Line 130 grain för about 1 usd a piece here in Sweden. Im glad atl something is not extremly expensive here, even thou they did cost about 60-70 cents a few years back.
the swede is a good example of getting it right the first time. if you hand load for a modern gun load it up to creed more pressures and CIP specs for 6.5x55 SKAN
Would you mind sharing the scope bases you used on the rifle in the video? I have an M38 that was drilled and tapped before i bought it and I have been using it as a hunting rifle.
Don't think he knows what he is talking about 6.5x55 any day of the week. 😊
Why
The SE has a throat (freebore + leade) roughly 0.2" longer than the CM. That's a lot! And it's quite different geometrically too. In the 1890's (electricity was still a new thing) the SE was reamed to accept 160-grain+ (don't quote me!) bullets. Today's handloaders play with this difference to sometimes design a Swede load with longer and heavier bullets that's low dispersion with less velocity, perhaps 2700 iso 2800. Personally, I find that a 147-grain HELDM with 45.0 grains of Acccurate 2700 makes holes that try to get together. The Swede, is a fun challenge!!
The 160 round noses exist, hornady does decent ones. Shoots well, it’s not for long range at all. Have one three round mag for 100-150 yards with round noses, and have one five round mag with 140gn speer hot cors for up to 350 would be best.
Can 6.5x55 brass be found that takes small rifle primer? LRP are a premium these days and LRPM and unobtanium. Would make a different in my selection for reloading capabilities l. Thank you for uploading this video, cool comparison
Not that I've found.
No.
Doesn’t exist, in fact, should not exist. 308, 6.5 CM, they’re short and fat and therefore the small bench-rest primer is not going to be affected by non-full case fill, like the 6.5 by 55. To fill a swede case you have to use H2213SC or one of the really slow norma powders. Whereas what you want to use with small rifle primers (benchrest) is, yes, stick powder, but IMR 8208 XBR, Varget, that sort of thing. And those will not fill the swede case.
Safely fill, I mean.
There's not a lot of difference??? You don't handload do you? Was also wondering how you got that swede to fire with the safety in the "on" position. In 2000, at a gun shown in Houston, I purchased a Carl Gustav M96 with a 1912 receiver date, that had been converted to a custom hunting rifle and when I say "custom", I don't mean bubbarized. Probably one of the most attractive hunting rifles a man could ever hope to own. And the best part of it is that it will consistently shoot 3 shot groups touching with Federal Power Shok 140gr SP (these are the moly-coated bullets, they look greyish in color) and Nosler Trophy Grade 140gr Accubond. This is my go-to rifle here in Texas for whitetails and hawgs. Most people I talk to at gun shows never heard of the Swede. What a shame.
Just look for 6.5x55 SKAN load from loading manuals. That is for modern actions.
Arms and ammunition companies keep inventing ("developing") new cartridges that are unnecessary so they can sell new firearms and ammunition to gun buffs. The Swede has been around since about 1898, and while not one of my favorites, it does make the Creedmoor redundant. My notion, is, if you can't get it done with a .270 or .30-06 or one of the older magnums, then you aren't going to get it done.
You can buy 140gr FMJ or SP’s made by PPU for about $1/rd on the swede. So there’s that
Im somewhat curious about the 6.5-06 wildcat. Wonder if any worthwhile advantage could be found there? The '06 case has plenty of room for modern fuel. Bet you could really get some decent speed and heavyweight bullets to turn it on out of a 24-26" tube. The 6.5-300 Weatherby is getting noticed lately, but I think its just too much overbore for 6.5mm.
25-06 cooks
I have a friend who hunts just about everything on thing on the North American continent with the 6.5-06. He thinks it's the greatest thing since sliced bread. With the 6.5mm/.264" bullet in the the '06 case you can get close to .264 Winchester Magnum velocities with all the ballistic advantages of the 6.5mm/.264" bullet over both the .257" and .308" diameter bullets. Better ballistic coefficient and better sectional density with bullets of the the SAME WEIGHT. I shoot rifles including one 6.5x55, chambered in cartridges with bullet diameters from .224 to .458. Only one called a Magnum in the bunch (300 H&H) and nothing introduced in the last 30 years. Most of those types were solutions to a non-existent problem. If I wanted a 6.5mm cartridge hotter than my Swede, the 6.5-06 would be my choice. You should go ahead and buy yourself a Christmas present. There are a lot of rifles easily re-barreled to 6.5-06. I think you'll be happy. Happy hunting! 😊
That would be about the same as the 6.5x284 a lot of long range bench rest shooters use. 🙂
@@davewinter2688 Easily, hands down if I ever can build a wildcat it will be the 6.5-06 or the A.I. variant of it.
Sako and Tikka and most other European brands chamber guns for both calibers. Here in Finland 6.5x55 is actually cheaper, but I agree that needmore sorry costmore ah sorry creedmore is a little more efficient than the swede and its also chambered in smaller actions if thats is something someone likes. I personally like the swede for its history and slightly heavier bullets for tougher animals.
Both are fine, but the Swede is better.
6.5 credmore has been overrated since it came out.
I believe the Creedmoor was made for niche short action rifles, such as the AR-10; which are now banned in Canada. 😡 Manufacturers know they need support for new calibers, so they hyped it up to ensure it's popularity and survival.
Its not overrated. Its a good caliber with modern "features". But cartridge design has been perfected for almost 100 years. Much smarter people has allready done all there is to do with a copper casing, the 6.5x55 is proof of that.
Another point to the swede is the extremely long barrel life
The high speed of the projectiles actually means that it wears out barrels about twice as fast as a 308.
@@hb9145 still way slower than a 6.5 creed. You can expect 10-15000 round of life on the swede. 15-20000 on the 308. If it’s a battle rifle and not a precision weapon you can double it.
@@BiztoryTime Competition shooters here in Norway change barrels every 4000-5000 rounds.
@@hb9145 yeah for competition shooting I’d do that too. For hunting/fighting that is not necessary. Do you shoot the swede? It’s my favorite cartridge. Only downside imo is that it doesn’t fit in a short action :D
@@BiztoryTime Yes, I use it.
chech 6.5*55 scan loads.we still use em in europe.min legal bullet weight on big game also is a factor...(150gr)
the carl gustav husqvarna m96 and m 38 are the highest quality steel available at that time, ive loaded em up and seen no issues. except, the military coarse groove barrels dont like anything under 130 grains., they will keyhole = over spin, 250.000 rp second due to 1-8 twist meant for larger heavier projectiles
Same velocity? With my Tikka superlite 6.5x55 i am sending the 143 gr. ELD-X with 900 m/s or 2950 fps. With 22" pencil barrel. And it keeps sub-MOA to 1200 meters.
Reloads? That speed is a lot higher than I'm seeing for factory loads
@@Huntinggearguy Correct. The factory ammo is very lightly loaded because of the thousands of 100 y.o. rifles still used around the world. Every manufacturer plays safe..
Of course, your velocity is possible, but at what pressures?
They are definitely higher than these from the Creedmor!😮
I've tried several powders with 140 grain bullets and I can't get over 2600 FPS before pressure signd develope. I load for a Sauer with 22" bbl.
@@garyh1449 You can safely place 50 to 51 gr. N560. But you have to extend the COL in order to make place for the powder column in the case. I use 80.00 mm. It is still little compressed , but it is OK.
Here is 🇦🇺 it comes down to cost. I get 6.5 Swede nearly $10 a box cheaper than I could get creedmoor, others here might have a different price at shops. We are lucky to get european brand ammo in 6.5 which is cheaper, US stuff is pricey due to exchange rate
.260 REM with 1:8” twist. 😂. But only if you buy Swift Scirocco II factory loads or hand load. 😉
Swede rules!
Attention ; Can you chat about 6 .5 x 55 in 85 grain varmint loads
I like the Swede, and don't care about the creed.
🇦🇺😎👍The 6.5Needsmoor😂
Ha ! If U know U know 🎯
I just had an old rifle rechambered to THE SWEDE ! fk the new wheel garbage
Your statement of reloading they would be the same.... Wrong!!! The swede will leave the needmoore in the dust. If you use an antique mauser your statements have merrit. Modern rifles ie post 1950s will handle full tilt reloads. European ammo manufacturing are far superior to North American ammo. North American marketing is new is best and old is obsolete.....
Ron: its hard to really find a real attractive sexy cartridge these days , could it be the 7-08? The 280 rem? How bout the 7x57 , or perhaps, the 300 H&H magnum? its all confusing, or because of the 6.5 x 55 😮 but then, here in America the affordable and plentiful 243 win , really looks real good with a long VLD 😉
😂😂😂😂 you are funny ... it's like comparing 308 and 30-06
I have a tikka t3x and a 1942 m38 husqvarna in 6.5x55. If you look at european manufacturers ammo is very similar in cost to 6.5creed. I bought some ppu soft point for 42 bucks a box and rws match with a 120gr hollow point for $83 for a pack of 50 both at a lgs in the prairies.