One of my favorite and one of the most useful cartridges you will run across. Grandpa to several others that are popular today....my thoughts on this classic.
Kirk…. Your information about this Mauser round is real enough I guess - in the States - but those in the know there or generally across in Europe where I live and shoot it (UK) know that loading that round can make 2850fps quite easily in a modern rifle with this excellent old round with 140gr class bullets. My load gives me on the edge of 2,900fps in a Tikka t3 24” barrelled rifle using 139gr Lapua Scenar bullets. Mine is primarily used for target shooting out to 1,000yds quite regularly and is amazingly accurate. Last month I shot 20 x 20 of those projectiles into the X-Bull at 600yds. This cartridge is only loaded to be safe in the late 1890s /early 1900s Swedish Mauser rifles but modern rifles as I have detailed above can handle a lot more pressure, safely and so can optimise the round to shoot at least 100fps ABOVE the modern 6.5 CM rifles, and this gets to be a bigger difference as the bullet weights increase. The 6.5x55 Swedish will outclass the modern upstart quite easily if one reloads for it!! Sincerely, Steve.
I don't disagree with you. Modern rifles rock when it comes to performance. I tend to follow published reloading data with my rifle since it is 111 years old. If I had a Remington 700, Ruger 77, Sako or Tikka and could load it to 55k and not worry about stressing and the old girl out I know I could easily beat a 6.5 CM and get 2800 fps +. We just don't have as many of the newer Swed chambered guns over here. I bought my Swed for 75 dollars at a gunshop in 1995. For me hunting at 300 yds or less most of the time, 2650 fps works in my old gun like a charm. I just follow the rifle...like I have to do with my 45-70...hotter loads in modern rifles and more sedate loads in older guns. My 6.5 will do 1/2 to 3/4 inch at 100 yds with just about any bullet...so I know when I put the X on the target it goes there. I was at the range about 20 years ago and a guy was there that had a Sako 308 and was shooting Federal match 168 gr ammo. I was killing it and he was amazed at how accurate my "old" rife was. Load was a 120gr Nosler BT at 2775fps and you could put a dime over the groups.. I couldn't keep the grin off my face. I just can't say enough good stuff about the 6.5x55 or 7x57....they just work.
My Dad bought his 6.5 X .55 Swedish Mauser in the '60's and this was his whitetail deer rifle. Medium size deer is the biggest game he used the rifle for. And for that purpose, it was more than adequate. Now I have the gun and I've taken a few deer with it. The rifle itself is a really nice little rifle. I like old stuff. LOL
Interesting but lacking. Swedes and Norwegians have been using 6.5 Swede on moose for years. Fact: Factory 6.5 Swede is anemic because SAAMI MAP specs. When hand loaded up to potential Swede will leave the Creed in the dust especially with the longer, heavier bullets. The longer action allows the bullets to be seated farther out to take full advantage of the Swede’s larger case capacity. Anyone who repeats the old BS that the Carl Gustaf or Husqvarna M94/96/38 actions are weak does not know what he is talking about. All the Swedish Mauser actions were required to use a special extra strong Swedish steel. Even the “Swedish” Mausers built in Germany were required to use that steel. The 6.5x55 in the M96 action was proofed to almost 66,000 PSI. It’s only the KRAG-Jorgensen action that should not be loaded up the 6.5 Swede potential. Husqvarna chambered 30-06 and other higher pressure cartridges in the M96 action for many years with absolutely no problems. As to hunting I’m usually a bigger is better guy but I know the Creedmoor is being successfully used on heavy game like elk, moose etc. Plenty of evidence for smaller bore cartridges like 25-06 and 257 Weatherby Magnum. Shot placement with a properly constructed bullet within ethical shooting distances is critical. I do not consider target practicing on live animals at 500+ yards to be ethical. It’s supposed to be hunting. Most hunters can’t consistently keep their shots in the kill zone much past 300 yards under real world hunting conditions. Cold, wind, rain, awkward uncomfortable shooting positions, nerves (a.k.a, buck fever) all take their toll. Fancy dial it up scopes help some to account for drop and drift for those who don’t know how to sight in for maximum effective point blank range. Then of course that trophy sized bull elk can disappear into brush or behind other obstacles while the shooter is checking his notes after using his range finder.😂 Additionally there is no such thing as a hunting target bullet. The ELD-X and the Bergers labeled hunting bullets are just repackaged thin jacketed cup and core bullets. Hornady developed the 6.5 Creedmoor specifically as a short action, long range target cartridge. They just jumped on the band wagon when hunters discovered that it could be used as a hunting cartridge. Unfortunately all the long range utube wannabe snipers are not showing all the missed shots or wounded animals that escape to die a lingering death. The same thing that can be said for the 6.5x55 vs the 6.5 Creedmoor also applies for the 7x57 Mauser vs the 7mm-08. Larger case capacity in a medium length action like my Kar. 98 Mauser. I like them all. Happy hunting boys and girls!😊
Well said. I have an Oberndorf M-94 Carbine and an M-96 Carl Gustav, unfortunately sporterized long before I got them, but yes, they can safely handle hotter than "factory" loaded spec ammo. Most people will say don't go above book pressures. Well, I'd not use a steady diet of proof loads, but you can make hotter than factory loads safely, just check your pressures and use "common sense". I've known people that used the 6.5x55mm in Mauser's of all "sizes" / models and they successfully harvested all species of American deer, including elk and even moose and black bear. Generally they used the 140 gr. projectiles for the larger animals and deer but some have used 120 gr. for deer as well. 1-8.66 Twist is what I've read to be a common twist. I'd imagine a good handload using a 140 gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip would be great deer medicine, i.e., whitetail deer. 6.5x55 like powders one would think would crazy for said caliber as well. I'd not be afraid to use a good Match primer, maybe a magnum primer would be overkill? Correct me if I am wrong, please? With the correct and safe handloads the 6.5x55mm would be sufficient for most North American game. Here in Pennsylvania the 6.5x55 is a great cartridge whether you use factory loads or respectable handloads. Too bad back in the day most people scoffed at this cartridge, because they more than likely figured: "Those metric calibers ain't worth a hoot.". Well, the 6.5mm took too long to catch on in my humble opinion. It had a "cult like" following before the "Creedmore" came along. I wish Sierra would bring back their Semi Spitzer 160ish gr. bullet they had. Was it 156 or 160 gr.? I knew some now late "old timers" that loaded it in the 6.5x55mm and it was flawless on deer and bear at respectable ranges. These new "whiz bang" cartridges are ok. But the 6.5x55mm is tough to beat. Try to find 6.5x50mm or 6.5x52mm or 6.5x54mm, if you can find them they are salty in price but the 6.5x55mm keeps on keeping on, quite commonly. To go a little off topic the old .264 Win. Mag. and the old 6.5 Rem. Mag. are also great, too, but the 6.5 Rem. Mag really got kicked to the curb. 6.5x.284, or the 6.5 PRC are also great "off topic" cartridges, but they are salty as well. So, I think I'll stick to the great old 6.5x55mm, of which I have a rifle and carbine, and sleep quite well.
@@travischapin886 I don’t specialize in collecting, shooting or hunting with any one specific style of rifle or cartridge. Mauser bolt actions 96 and 98 in various bore diameters and cartridges; Currently have 6.5x55, 7x57, 308 Winchester, 338-06, 358 Winchester 35 Whelen, Siamese Mauser 45-70 in case the dinosaurs come back. One early 98 Mauser in 8x57 that’s getting turned into a 257 Roberts. Marlin levers 35 Remington and 444 Marlin. Savage 99 in 250-3000, 300 Savage and 308 Winchester. Currently no MILSURPS but I am envious of your Swede carbine. I have load data developed with that in my favorite old Speer #9 manual. My only 6.5x55 is one of the Sporterized by Kimber of America Inc. of Clackamas Oregon, an off shoot of the original Kimber. It’s a 1914 Carl Gustaf. For those who don’t know, in 1995-96 that Kimber was going broke. To help raise cash they imported a bunch of Swedish Mauser and sporterized them in various caliber/cartridges including 243 and 308 Winchester in addition to 6.5x55. If the original barrels were in good condition they were cut to 22” then turned down to a smooth what I call a medium sporter profile eliminating the step in the mid point of the barrel. I’ve read that the twist on some barrels were as fast as 1/7.5”. If the barrel was not good a new barrel was used. I don’t know for sure, but I would speculate that those new barrels were the ones in 243 and 308. There were also some different barrel finishes. New bluing applied and the muzzle crowned. Finally some work done on the trigger, new safety, drilling and tapping for scope mounts before dropping into a new Ramline synthetic stock and mounting an inexpensive but serviceable scope. Not fancy, but a good general purpose hunting rifle. Mine came with what appears to be one of the re-contoured barrels (because of the hump at where it threads into the receiver) and a Tasco 2-10x40 scope. The barrel and receiver are nicely blued. All the numbers on the bolt and receiver match. I’ve never weighed mine but specs I’ve seen say 6.9 pounds without scope. I don’t know how it’s bedded but it shoots well enough for me with my old eyes. If you’re really into collecting Swedes the best reference I have found is “The Swedish Mauser Rifles” by Steve Kehaya and Joe Poyer. North Cape Publication. 262 pages including a section on the testing, manufacturing and metallurgy of the steel used. There are some other scholarly publications on the metallurgy including why the steel was so good compared to other steels of the time. It started with the Swedish iron ore that was relatively impurity free and high in trace elements that helped improve the quality of the steel. Regarding pressure, I would never load up to those proof load levels. Anything that I would load are probably going to max out around 57,000 psi. That’s close to the maximum for 9.3x62 as load in my Husqvarna with the 96 action. It’s like you said you’ve got to carefully develop your loads and watch your pressure signs. In addition to primer flattening signs I’m starting to use a micrometer to measure case expansion. Randy Selby, a.k.a. uTube The Real Gunsmith has a good video on that. Happy hunting!
@@travischapin886 I’ve only used magnum primers where specified. I suppose you could use them in a starting load and work up.I think it really depends on what powder you’re using. It takes more oomph to get some started consistently for even burning in the case. I’ve never used any match primers as I’ve never done any really long range target shooting requiring precision other then just informal. Looking back at my records I see that the only magnum primers I’ve used are CCI 350 for use with Winchester 296 hot loaded 45 Colt in my Ruger Blackhawk.
Amen that man! I say similar further up the comments (today being Feb 27th). I reload my rebarrelled Tikja t3 ‘Sporter’ version with 139gr Lapua Scenar projectiles at just a whisker over 2,900fps for my target shooting rig. Damn accurate too may I say! 😉👍🏻
@@travischapin886 7.9 twist in the Swedes = super fast my 96 has done -2" group at a little under 300yds = all the way around there"s nothing like them...! NOT to take away from the 38's = the quality in steel & craftmanship in any Swede is not surpassed...! Had two 42-B's that were stolen worth $5-6k now they say...and by a friend...lol That life huh...!
my dad swears by his 6.5 swede tikka. it really is a sweet shooter from the times ive used it. thats why the creedmore craze confused me cause i was like "we already had that wtf?" also the knife block above the head is CRAZY. the whole time i was just imagining myself trying to grab a knife and having it slip and go straight into my foot or even worse, my head lol
Cheers . You need to brush up on your facts . Some are not quite true . Original loading . The action length . .. thats where I stopped . And yes I've owned a 6.5 sweed since I was 17
We picked up a Swedish Mauser M38 by Husqvarna and fell in love with it. We had a scoped .308 with us that day and ended up shooting all the ammo we had for the Swede….Id like to get a newer rifle in the 6.5 Swede also..any recommendations? Great video!
Kirk…. Your information about this Mauser round is real enough I guess - in the States - but those in the know there or generally across in Europe where I live and shoot it (UK) know that loading that round can make 2850fps quite easily in a modern rifle with this excellent old round with 140gr class bullets.
My load gives me on the edge of 2,900fps in a Tikka t3 24” barrelled rifle using 139gr Lapua Scenar bullets. Mine is primarily used for target shooting out to 1,000yds quite regularly and is amazingly accurate.
Last month I shot 20 x 20 of those projectiles into the X-Bull at 600yds.
This cartridge is only loaded to be safe in the late 1890s /early 1900s Swedish Mauser rifles but modern rifles as I have detailed above can handle a lot more pressure, safely and so can optimise the round to shoot at least 100fps ABOVE the modern 6.5 CM rifles, and this gets to be a bigger difference as the bullet weights increase. The 6.5x55 Swedish will outclass the modern upstart quite easily if one reloads for it!!
Sincerely, Steve.
I don't disagree with you. Modern rifles rock when it comes to performance. I tend to follow published reloading data with my rifle since it is 111 years old. If I had a Remington 700, Ruger 77, Sako or Tikka and could load it to 55k and not worry about stressing and the old girl out I know I could easily beat a 6.5 CM and get 2800 fps +. We just don't have as many of the newer Swed chambered guns over here. I bought my Swed for 75 dollars at a gunshop in 1995. For me hunting at 300 yds or less most of the time, 2650 fps works in my old gun like a charm. I just follow the rifle...like I have to do with my 45-70...hotter loads in modern rifles and more sedate loads in older guns. My 6.5 will do 1/2 to 3/4 inch at 100 yds with just about any bullet...so I know when I put the X on the target it goes there. I was at the range about 20 years ago and a guy was there that had a Sako 308 and was shooting Federal match 168 gr ammo. I was killing it and he was amazed at how accurate my "old" rife was. Load was a 120gr Nosler BT at 2775fps and you could put a dime over the groups.. I couldn't keep the grin off my face. I just can't say enough good stuff about the 6.5x55 or 7x57....they just work.
My Dad bought his 6.5 X .55 Swedish Mauser in the '60's and this was his whitetail deer rifle. Medium size deer is the biggest game he used the rifle for. And for that purpose, it was more than adequate. Now I have the gun and I've taken a few deer with it. The rifle itself is a really nice little rifle. I like old stuff. LOL
Interesting but lacking. Swedes and Norwegians have been using 6.5 Swede on moose for years. Fact: Factory 6.5 Swede is anemic because SAAMI MAP specs. When hand loaded up to potential Swede will leave the Creed in the dust especially with the longer, heavier bullets. The longer action allows the bullets to be seated farther out to take full advantage of the Swede’s larger case capacity. Anyone who repeats the old BS that the Carl Gustaf or Husqvarna M94/96/38 actions are weak does not know what he is talking about. All the Swedish Mauser actions were required to use a special extra strong Swedish steel. Even the “Swedish” Mausers built in Germany were required to use that steel. The 6.5x55 in the M96 action was proofed to almost 66,000 PSI. It’s only the
KRAG-Jorgensen action that should not be loaded up the 6.5 Swede potential. Husqvarna chambered 30-06 and other higher pressure cartridges in the M96 action for many years with absolutely no problems.
As to hunting I’m usually a bigger is better guy but I know the Creedmoor is being successfully used on heavy game like elk, moose etc. Plenty of evidence for smaller bore cartridges like 25-06 and 257 Weatherby Magnum. Shot placement with a properly constructed bullet within ethical shooting distances is critical. I do not consider target practicing on live animals at 500+ yards to be ethical. It’s supposed to be hunting. Most hunters can’t consistently keep their shots in the kill zone much past 300 yards under real world hunting conditions. Cold, wind, rain, awkward uncomfortable shooting positions, nerves (a.k.a, buck fever) all take their toll. Fancy dial it up scopes help some to account for drop and drift for those who don’t know how to sight in for maximum effective point blank range. Then of course that trophy sized bull elk can disappear into brush or behind other obstacles while the shooter is checking his notes after using his range finder.😂
Additionally there is no such thing as a hunting target bullet. The ELD-X and the Bergers labeled hunting bullets are just repackaged thin jacketed cup and core bullets. Hornady developed the 6.5 Creedmoor specifically as a short action, long range target cartridge. They just jumped on the band wagon when hunters discovered that it could be used as a hunting cartridge. Unfortunately all the long range utube wannabe snipers are not showing all the missed shots or wounded animals that escape to die a lingering death.
The same thing that can be said for the 6.5x55 vs the 6.5 Creedmoor also applies for the 7x57 Mauser vs the 7mm-08. Larger case capacity in a medium length action like my Kar. 98 Mauser. I like them all. Happy hunting boys and girls!😊
Well said. I have an Oberndorf M-94 Carbine and an M-96 Carl Gustav, unfortunately sporterized long before I got them, but yes, they can safely handle hotter than "factory" loaded spec ammo. Most people will say don't go above book pressures. Well, I'd not use a steady diet of proof loads, but you can make hotter than factory loads safely, just check your pressures and use "common sense".
I've known people that used the 6.5x55mm in Mauser's of all "sizes" / models and they successfully harvested all species of American deer, including elk and even moose and black bear. Generally they used the 140 gr. projectiles for the larger animals and deer but some have used 120 gr. for deer as well. 1-8.66 Twist is what I've read to be a common twist.
I'd imagine a good handload using a 140 gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip would be great deer medicine, i.e., whitetail deer. 6.5x55 like powders one would think would crazy for said caliber as well. I'd not be afraid to use a good Match primer, maybe a magnum primer would be overkill? Correct me if I am wrong, please? With the correct and safe handloads the 6.5x55mm would be sufficient for most North American game.
Here in Pennsylvania the 6.5x55 is a great cartridge whether you use factory loads or respectable handloads. Too bad back in the day most people scoffed at this cartridge, because they more than likely figured: "Those metric calibers ain't worth a hoot.". Well, the 6.5mm took too long to catch on in my humble opinion. It had a "cult like" following before the "Creedmore" came along. I wish Sierra would bring back their Semi Spitzer 160ish gr. bullet they had. Was it 156 or 160 gr.? I knew some now late "old timers" that loaded it in the 6.5x55mm and it was flawless on deer and bear at respectable ranges.
These new "whiz bang" cartridges are ok. But the 6.5x55mm is tough to beat. Try to find 6.5x50mm or 6.5x52mm or 6.5x54mm, if you can find them they are salty in price but the 6.5x55mm keeps on keeping on, quite commonly. To go a little off topic the old .264 Win. Mag. and the old 6.5 Rem. Mag. are also great, too, but the 6.5 Rem. Mag really got kicked to the curb. 6.5x.284, or the 6.5 PRC are also great "off topic" cartridges, but they are salty as well. So, I think I'll stick to the great old 6.5x55mm, of which I have a rifle and carbine, and sleep quite well.
@@travischapin886 I don’t specialize in collecting, shooting or hunting with any one specific style of rifle or cartridge. Mauser bolt actions 96 and 98 in various bore diameters and cartridges; Currently have 6.5x55, 7x57, 308 Winchester, 338-06, 358 Winchester 35 Whelen, Siamese Mauser 45-70 in case the dinosaurs come back. One early 98 Mauser in 8x57 that’s getting turned into a 257 Roberts. Marlin levers 35 Remington and 444 Marlin. Savage 99 in 250-3000, 300 Savage and 308 Winchester. Currently no MILSURPS but I am envious of your Swede carbine. I have load data developed with that in my favorite old Speer #9 manual.
My only 6.5x55 is one of the Sporterized by Kimber of America Inc. of Clackamas Oregon, an off shoot of the original Kimber. It’s a 1914 Carl Gustaf. For those who don’t know, in 1995-96 that Kimber was going broke. To help raise cash they imported a bunch of Swedish Mauser and sporterized them in various caliber/cartridges including 243 and 308 Winchester in addition to 6.5x55. If the original barrels were in good condition they were cut to 22” then turned down to a smooth what I call a medium sporter profile eliminating the step in the mid point of the barrel. I’ve read that the twist on some barrels were as fast as 1/7.5”. If the barrel was not good a new barrel was used. I don’t know for sure, but I would speculate that those new barrels were the ones in 243 and 308. There were also some different barrel finishes. New bluing applied and the muzzle crowned. Finally some work done on the trigger, new safety, drilling and tapping for scope mounts before dropping into a new Ramline synthetic stock and mounting an inexpensive but serviceable scope. Not fancy, but a good general purpose hunting rifle. Mine came with what appears to be one of the re-contoured barrels (because of the hump at where it threads into the receiver) and a Tasco 2-10x40 scope. The barrel and receiver are nicely blued. All the numbers on the bolt and receiver match. I’ve never weighed mine but specs I’ve seen say 6.9 pounds without scope. I don’t know how it’s bedded but it shoots well enough for me with my old eyes.
If you’re really into collecting Swedes the best reference I have found is “The Swedish Mauser Rifles” by Steve Kehaya and Joe Poyer. North Cape Publication. 262 pages including a section on the testing, manufacturing and metallurgy of the steel used. There are some other scholarly publications on the metallurgy including why the steel was so good compared to other steels of the time. It started with the Swedish iron ore that was relatively impurity free and high in trace elements that helped improve the quality of the steel.
Regarding pressure, I would never load up to those proof load levels. Anything that I would load are probably going to max out around 57,000 psi. That’s close to the maximum for 9.3x62 as load in my Husqvarna with the 96 action. It’s like you said you’ve got to carefully develop your loads and watch your pressure signs. In addition to primer flattening signs I’m starting to use a micrometer to measure case expansion. Randy Selby, a.k.a. uTube The Real Gunsmith has a good video on that. Happy hunting!
@@travischapin886 I’ve only used magnum primers where specified. I suppose you could use them in a starting load and work up.I think it really depends on what powder you’re using. It takes more oomph to get some started consistently for even burning in the case. I’ve never used any match primers as I’ve never done any really long range target shooting requiring precision other then just informal. Looking back at my records I see that the only magnum primers I’ve used are CCI 350 for use with Winchester 296 hot loaded 45 Colt in my Ruger Blackhawk.
Amen that man! I say similar further up the comments (today being Feb 27th). I reload my rebarrelled Tikja t3 ‘Sporter’ version with 139gr Lapua Scenar projectiles at just a whisker over 2,900fps for my target shooting rig. Damn accurate too may I say! 😉👍🏻
@@travischapin886
7.9 twist in the Swedes = super fast my 96 has done -2" group at a little under 300yds = all the way around there"s nothing like them...!
NOT to take away from the 38's = the quality in steel & craftmanship in any Swede is not surpassed...!
Had two 42-B's that were stolen worth $5-6k now they say...and by a friend...lol
That life huh...!
Karamojo Bell, used a 6.5x54mm for elephants. Bullet weight was around 160 gr. if I remember correctly. Rifle was a Mannlicher Schonauer.
my dad swears by his 6.5 swede tikka. it really is a sweet shooter from the times ive used it. thats why the creedmore craze confused me cause i was like "we already had that wtf?" also the knife block above the head is CRAZY. the whole time i was just imagining myself trying to grab a knife and having it slip and go straight into my foot or even worse, my head lol
Same old argument.
That is the argument I used until the current fresh faced crop of 6.5's came into being.
Cheers . You need to brush up on your facts . Some are not quite true . Original loading . The action length . .. thats where I stopped . And yes I've owned a 6.5 sweed since I was 17
You are right. I misspoke. It is 156gr bullet in a standard length action and is a medium length cartridge. Hope that sets the record straight.
We picked up a Swedish Mauser M38 by Husqvarna and fell in love with it. We had a scoped .308 with us that day and ended up shooting all the ammo we had for the Swede….Id like to get a newer rifle in the 6.5 Swede also..any recommendations? Great video!
Tikka...
🇦🇺😎👍🏁6.5x55🏁
🇦🇺😎👍6.5 Creedmoor, the gay cowboy cartridge….🤠
wow
Broke back coyote hunters
😂😂😂😂 right on! Couldn't say it better myself!😂😂😂😂😂😂😂!