6.5x55 help!

M 96

I'll bet that you can clean up the bore with some USP Bore paste
or by fire lapping.

I took mine out yesterday and did very well with it. I was in a hurry and used a Lee scoop, Hornady 140 spire point, Varget and neck sized Remington cases. I had a Lyman receiver sight pit on and my 1919 Swede can get within an inch without glass.
 
There's a 6.5x55 lover on one of the hunting forums I visit. He regularly uses his on feral hogs in TX. So far he's never had a failure.
 
"Karamojo" Bell did elephants - - -

- - - with a 6.5, and discusses this practice in his wonderful old book, African Rifles and Cartridges. Should be noted, though, that he used VERY long and VERY strongly-constructed bullets, NOT bullets set up for small to medium game, as are most of the factory sporting loads marketed in the U.S.

onehit- - - Funny thing, I just read that Miller article a couple of days ago. Got me very interested, and I'd sure like to have a real European sporter with peep sight, or one of the newer U.S. made rifles with a compact, low power glass on it.

Long range accuracy aside, this seems to be one of those cartridges that has efficiency and killing power far, FAR beyond the figures that show up on paper. Interesting - - -

Oh, well, I have plenty of rifles to which to experiment, and don't need to make additional "investments." Still, if I run across the right deal . . .

Best to all,
Johnny
 
I thought about picking up some of the Norma ammo and seeing what it will do in this little rifle. Figured either in Oryx or Swift persuausian about 156 grains should kill like nobodies business. We shall see, but I am likeing this rifle more every day.

If someone would be willing to copy and send me that article I would greatly appreciate it. I will see if I can find it, but highly unlikely in the podunk town I spend most of my time in. :)
 
I have a little 94 carbine that had been sporterized before I got it. It is my "pickup" gun. My normal load is 39 gr. of IMR 4064 with the Hornady 129 gr. soft pt. With this load the little 18" barrel generates 2500 fps. I have a 4X Leupold mounted on this rifle and it's really handy for "deer stand" hunting. Last week I saw a coyote on the other side of my wheat field so out came the 6.5. I knew it was a long way so I held just over his back. Down he went; distance 275 yds. I've yet to see a Swede with a worn-out barrel. Seems that their rifles were kept in top notch condition. They may not be the latest/greatest things on the market but they will definitely get the job done.
 
I'll throw in a couple more possible explanations for the excellent performance of the 6.5x55.

1. IMO, it is at the top end of what I like to think of as the "VERY SHOOTABLE CALIBERS". While everyone agrees that the 6.5x55 has very mild recoil, if you go much past its performance level you get into rifles that can be a problem for people sensitive to recoil. I think that because of that, 6.5x55 shooters tend to shoot more and to be less "afraid" of their rifles. Also, the excellent accuracy of the round (maybe also a product of the shootability to some extent) is very confidence inspiring.

2. I think that the moderate velocity and long bullets make it unlikely to have bullet failures in this caliber. Also another reason for it's extraordinary penetration abilities.

This all kind of relates back to my other thread on whether or not caliber choice makes a difference in rifles.
 
With what B shipley said about Mel Doyle as a great gunsmith I can vouch for that. My Parents in law live in St Maries ID and he has built several custom mausers for my father in law and myself. Excellent work.
 
Ok this rifle is starting to scare me now! Went out today and shot a bo of Federal Gold Medal Match and a box of S&B's 131gr. soft point.

Well the accuracy with the S&B was less then exciting, but I wasn't shooting very well at the start either. Then I switched to the Federal and wowza....

I shot a couple of 3 shot 100yd. groups that you could easily cover with a dime! I realize this isn't a hunting bullet, but I never in my wildest dreams thought this rifle could shoot this good!

The gun gods definetly smiled on me with this one...:)
 
Not me...

I have a friend with a customized 96 in 6.5-'06, yes, its a little too much for the action. The barrel has been replaced with the minor change to the bolt face.

Since its a real wildcat caliber, he reloads. He is complaining of smearing brass on the case head, sticky extraction and pierced primers! I believe his load is one of the slowest IMR powder (7828, IIRC) behind a 160 roundnose.

I keep telling him to tone that load down to 2300 fps but he continues to test that action. Future Darwin Award winner?
 
I keep telling him to tone that load down to 2300 fps but he continues to test that action. Future Darwin Award winner?
Click to expand...

Yes, and when it finally gives it won't be pretty, the old '96s don't have some of the nifty safety features on the '98 Mausers.

Don't bother trying to convince him. Once you tell a person three times if that doesn't do the trick nothing will. (Short of an explosion...)

Experience is a hard teacher, but some will accept no other.
 
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