30.06 or 6.5 Swede

[michael30.06]

Hi I'm new to the forum and have been reading lots of the posts. Great information. I have 2 old military surplus rifles in good condition both have nice tight actions and have good bores. I want to develope one for long range hunting for deer and wildpigs. The rifles are a 1942 swede in 6.5X 55 and a 1943 Springfield 1903 in 30.06. I am comfortable shooting and reloading for both. Which would you recommend for a stock and bedding job and an investment in nice glass. And most importantly why would you pick one over the other? Thanks for your time.

 

[arthurj]

I would go with the Swede! It has less recoil, plenty of excellent 6.5 bullets to choose from, and better ballistics.

 

[johnnyk]

The Swede for sure! Why? (1) don't like .30-06 (2) my dad had a 6.5 x 55 Swede and it was very very accurate (sub .5" @ 100yds) (3) better LR ballistics and bullets (4) way less recoil. JohnnyK.

 

[michael30.06]

Ok thankyou for the input, do you know where i can see a down range energy comparison between the two. As this wouldn't be paper targets but freezer filling game I hope. gun)

 

[johnnyk]

Check here Mike: http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f19/ballistics-programs-web-based-downloadable-9647/

 

[britz]

Is there something to be said for leaving them in origional condition for colector value in the future??

 

[ICANHITHIMMAN]

Britz

You said it man I would not touch thouse rifles I just did not know how to tell him.

 

[michael30.06]

Thankyou for the information. Don't worry about destroying collectors items as neither of my rifles have all matching serial numbers and here in Australia both are fairly common.

 

[Ginnunggap]

I just sighted my CZ 550 in 6.5 Swede in today for my first ever hunting trip this Thanksgiving. I've gotta say, it's more accurate than I'll be any time soon, it's got nearly zilch for recoil, and it's just a neat cartridge to shoot. I recommend it in theory... hopefully after Thursday I'll recommend it in practice, too!

 

[michael30.06]

Thanks. I hope to hear soon how things go on thursday with your Swede.