I picked up a older 110 long action with the plastic stock to mate up with a 6.5mm barrel I had laying around. I am looking to make a true tack driver to cover some distance. I have heard amazing things about the 6.5x55 Swiss and it seems like its very underutilised around here. Not sure I picked the right platform, but it seems popular and a large variety of parts available to make a nice build. Anyone recommend a stock and a trigger? Dont want to spend a fortune but I also dont want to throw money away on sub-par parts.
Savage 110 6.5mm build
- Thread starter BoogieMan
- Start date
Well the long 110 action is better suited to the 6.5X55 Swede (not Swiss) since it was designed for what is called an intermediate length action. Now we need some info, is this a hunting rifle with a sporter barrel or are you going to use a bull/varmint barrel for a target/varmint rifle? What's your budget , and do you want wood or synthetic stock?
It's purely a toy. I have a begara (??) In a heavy sorter barrel, kind of like the Remy varmint contour. It's not chambered yet so I am still open to cartridge other than it has to be 6.5mm and it's on a long action. I may bed the current plastic stock to see what it can do, but I think I will end up with more of a target stock down the line.
6.5x55 seems to offer a lot of options and I don't have to worry about finding brass. If I go with a 260ai I will pay more for brass or have to make my own?? Does it really offer much more over 6.5x55?
6.5x55 seems to offer a lot of options and I don't have to worry about finding brass. If I go with a 260ai I will pay more for brass or have to make my own?? Does it really offer much more over 6.5x55?
He'll be able to use any long VLD bullet that a .260 or AI can use in the same long action. The .260 offers no advantage over the 6.5X55 in a long action. The COAL for the 6.5X55 is listed as 3.15” and the mag length on the Savage 110 is 3.56" so as you can see there is plenty of room for long VLD bullets. I'd throat the barrel for the 140 grain A-Max or Scenar bullet and that leave you plenty of seating rom for any VLD bullet.
steveNChunter
New member
That's what I'd go with. But the AI version. You will make good use of that long action and brass will be easier to find (but will have to be fireformed since it's an AI).
Yes I owned a 6.5-06 for a while, and I tore it down. You'll have to run the VLD bullets single shot or eat powder room with them. You're better off with the 6.5-284 if you want the capacity of an 06 cartridge and still run from the magazine.
I don't know why everyone is so hot on the AI cartridge, it won't show significant velocity gains over the parent case or improve barrel life. It'll improve brass life but that's about in when we're talking of improving the .308 or .30-06 case. At best you'll gain 2-4‰ velocity and that doesn't amount to much in the grand scheme of things.
I don't know why everyone is so hot on the AI cartridge, it won't show significant velocity gains over the parent case or improve barrel life. It'll improve brass life but that's about in when we're talking of improving the .308 or .30-06 case. At best you'll gain 2-4‰ velocity and that doesn't amount to much in the grand scheme of things.
I think I am going to stick with the standard swede. All the other options are great. I think I want the smooth, light recoil the swede offers alon with plenty of options to take it out to 1000. That is if I ever find a range that is 1000. Longest one in my area is 600. Most ranges around here only go to 300
One of the hardcore reloaders chime in and correct me if I'm wrong but isn't the Swede one of those calibers that you can generally go "off book" by loading above published maximums if you have the right rifle? I seem to recall the published load data being deliberately downloaded due to the proliferation of old military surplus rifles.
Yes you can load the 6.5X55 up to 60K psi in modern bolt actions. However, I ask the question why? There is over 100 years of load data on the cartridge, loading it hot isn't going help all that much.
6.5X55 Swede vs .260 Rem, it's a good read.
6.5X55 Swede vs .260 Rem, it's a good read.
I am building on a long action. The swede has slightly better performance with most bullets than the 260 according to that article. I agree that the difference is negligible at best. Seeing as both are readily available as comercial ammo that will be used to plink and then harvested for reloads I don't see a good argument for the 260. This is kind of the -06 vs 308 argument.
Just to throw a wrench in everything. The 6.5 barrel blank that I planned on using is not going to work for this rifle either. I don't know why I ever picked this thing up. So I will be ordering a barrel from some place to make the build. Therfore I am not locked into any 6.5mm. I am wide open on ideas.
This will be a toy, might hunt it, but that's doubtful. So think of the perfect rifle to mash the x from 100 to 600yds.
I still like the 6.5mm, but I wouldn't be opposed to anything including a 280 rem. I'll start a replacement thread.
Just to throw a wrench in everything. The 6.5 barrel blank that I planned on using is not going to work for this rifle either. I don't know why I ever picked this thing up. So I will be ordering a barrel from some place to make the build. Therfore I am not locked into any 6.5mm. I am wide open on ideas.
This will be a toy, might hunt it, but that's doubtful. So think of the perfect rifle to mash the x from 100 to 600yds.
I still like the 6.5mm, but I wouldn't be opposed to anything including a 280 rem. I'll start a replacement thread.
The 6.5-06, is a cool cartridge. I load my 6.506 with bullets ranging from 120 grn Btips to 140 grainBerger Hunting VLDS, but mine is built on a turk mauser action so I dont get the benefit of the longer magazine.
However the 6.5x55 swede is a killer cartridge in itself, Swede's been killing moose size critters for over a century and shooting long range matches to boot....cant go wrong with that one either.
However the 6.5x55 swede is a killer cartridge in itself, Swede's been killing moose size critters for over a century and shooting long range matches to boot....cant go wrong with that one either.
I own a .260 and i love it, but with a long action and now no barrel, I would go with a .280 Remington as well. If you want to go 6.5mm, I would go with the 6.5x55 Swede or the 6.5-06.
I have shot, and had friends that owned 6.5s in AI, -284, etc. and to me, there is no real gain and either less barrel life and or more brass forming time. If you are building a toy that you plan to shoo a few hundred rounds a year with, then tome, you will want to build it and enjoy it. Some of the barrel burners are 2-3K and time to rebarrel, so figure that in to your selection process.
If you want a chassis, look at this: http://www.brownells.com/rifle-part...-chassis-black-sku100014210-72409-137831.aspx
If you want a stock, Manners is still GTG.
I have shot, and had friends that owned 6.5s in AI, -284, etc. and to me, there is no real gain and either less barrel life and or more brass forming time. If you are building a toy that you plan to shoo a few hundred rounds a year with, then tome, you will want to build it and enjoy it. Some of the barrel burners are 2-3K and time to rebarrel, so figure that in to your selection process.
If you want a chassis, look at this: http://www.brownells.com/rifle-part...-chassis-black-sku100014210-72409-137831.aspx
If you want a stock, Manners is still GTG.
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Its very difficult to decide what to go with. Literally I can pick anything from .17-.45 caliber and 1000s of cartridges to push them. I want accuracy at what I think is best classified as extended range 200-600yds rather than long range as most see that as more of 1000yds. Anyway, I dont mind recoil but in order to be able to sit at a bench and enjoy the day its best to keep the recoil down. 30-06 to me is not enjoyable after about 25 rounds. That leaves out the majority of magnums. I think I would be best staying with recoil in the range of .243 win. I would like a little heavier of a bullet and a little longer cartridge which leads me back to the swede.
Unlicensed Dremel
Moderator
Could you please explain "tore it down"?
I have a new-to-me 6.5mm-'06 but since I just moved, I'm certainly not experienced with it yet. So I don't know if 6.5mm-'06 (aka 6.5mm-'06 A-Square) is right for you, but if you do run with it, I would *not* go with the AI version. The regular version is plenty hot / overbore for most any purpose (arguably too much so), and you don't have to fireform brass - you can just make brass by re-sizing .25-'06 brass. If you don't even want to do THAT, then yeah, get a 6.5-284 Win or a 6.5x55 Swede (or a .25-'06 or a .270 Win
). Really, in a sense, if you must stick with a 6.5mm, the 6.5x55 Swede and .26 Nosler have the most going for them, in this *general* "more overbore than .260 rem" category:
--No feeding issues if you're going to be using it in a repeater, and want that 2nd shot fast capability unlike the 6.5mm-.284 Norma, which is reputed to not be a stellar feeder, though some dispute this. Also, I believe the mag holds one less with 6.5-284 than with the '06 based rounds.
--No fireforming, then sizing, unlike the 6.5mm-'06 AI.
--No sizing (and possibly trimming), unlike the 6.5mm-'06.
If you don't like messing with the stuff, and you want the fast 2nd shot, then 6.5x55 or .26 Nosler are the way to go (i.e. if actual hunting is the main use).
But if you have the time and patience for fireforming and extra brass prep, then the sky's the limit, including 6.5 RUM!
Oh, and don't forget about 6.5mm RSAUM and 6.5mm WSM - some people are doing these too. In particular, the 6.5 RSAUM has a following on the sniper forums and such. Not sure, but these *may* give you the "magnum powder charge space without the single-feed length with ultra-long bullets" advantage of the 6.5-.284 Norma (which taylorce speaks of), but without the feeding issues of the latter .... ???
However, always keep in mind that if you're *NOT* worried about feeding a 2nd shot quickly, then it's VERY hard to beat the 6.5-.284 Norma in this general niche, since fantastic brass is available for it, and it's a proven accurate performer. And I'm sure that it will feed fine in most rifles, 90% of the time.
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I had a 6.5-06, but I didn't like the way the rifle was put together. So I took it apart sold off all but the action. I'll put it back together someday but as the Swede or .257 Roberts. It was in a small ring 98 HVA action that was a little short in the magazine for using 140 grain bullets. It was obnoxiously loud since it had a 20" barrel as well,.
Unlicensed Dremel
Moderator
Oh I see - cool... my 6.5-'06 is also on a Husqvarna AB (1909) early-70s commercial action, which I guess is based up the 96 Mauser action. Mine is 9.33 twist so I'm going to use 125 Partitions or 100 Barnes TTSX. Try Partitions first. Interestingly enough, if/when I shoot this heavy 24" barrel out, I'm planning to take it off, cut it down to around 22", and re-chamber to 6.5x55 swede as well, and then have Proof carbon-fiber wrap it before putting it back on. The rifle is only 6 lbs, 15.5 oz WITH a heavy (nearly a bull) 24" bbl. It will be an ultra-light with the bbl as modified which I envision.
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I have a 6.5-06 and I love every thing about it except the barrel life. It still shoots pretty well, but I have to seat the bullets farther and farther out to get close to the rifling. It is overdue for a set back/rechamber.
It is a Remington long action, (originally a Wal mart 700 ADL in .30-06) with a Pac Nor barrel and HS Precision stock. FOr what it is worth, there is plenty of room in the magazine for 140 gr AMAX loaded ridiculously long. Not sure how this compares to the Savage.
When I built it, the only other practical choices were 6.5 Swede or 6.5-284, the .260 came out a couple years later.
Yeah, it is a wildcat, but barely so. All bullet and powder manufacturers list load data, dies are available off the shelf, and brass can be made by neck sizing 25-06 with no other work involved. Don't use 270 brass, the neck is longer and you will need to trim.
It is the ballistic equal to 6.5-284 (a little better actually, more case capacity) but you have to use a long action. You may find you need a long action with the 6.5-284 as well, to get room to seat the long heavy target bullets (I have heard reports of the same problem with the 260).
If I was building a rifle from scratch today, it would be a 6.5 Creedmoor. You lose ~300 FPS, but gain probably double the barrel life.
It is a Remington long action, (originally a Wal mart 700 ADL in .30-06) with a Pac Nor barrel and HS Precision stock. FOr what it is worth, there is plenty of room in the magazine for 140 gr AMAX loaded ridiculously long. Not sure how this compares to the Savage.
When I built it, the only other practical choices were 6.5 Swede or 6.5-284, the .260 came out a couple years later.
Yeah, it is a wildcat, but barely so. All bullet and powder manufacturers list load data, dies are available off the shelf, and brass can be made by neck sizing 25-06 with no other work involved. Don't use 270 brass, the neck is longer and you will need to trim.
It is the ballistic equal to 6.5-284 (a little better actually, more case capacity) but you have to use a long action. You may find you need a long action with the 6.5-284 as well, to get room to seat the long heavy target bullets (I have heard reports of the same problem with the 260).
If I was building a rifle from scratch today, it would be a 6.5 Creedmoor. You lose ~300 FPS, but gain probably double the barrel life.