6.5x55 for a life-long gun?

[Ginnunggap]

So, here it goes:
I'm a newb to precision rifle shooting. For the past few years, I've had a great time with .22LRs, handguns, and a FAL for general paper-punching, weekend de-stress fun, and, with the FAL specifically, SHTF preparedness. But, I've gotten hungry for a more precision shooting experience and several of my friends down here have been encouraging me to go hunting with them. So... here I am.

After doing a bunch of reading, I think building a rifle around 6.5x55 Swede might be a good rifle to both start and grow with as a starting precision shooter/hunter.

My thoughts are 1) I like build stuff. 2) yes, I reload for my pistols and the FAL. 3) It's longer and flatter shooting than the .308. 4) it's low recoil so it's easier to have longer range sessions without flinch. 5) It can, at least in Scandinavia, take up to moose (I've no clue about the independent-minded, less socialistic moose of the US). 6) Unlike new 6.5s like the Creedmore and the .260 Rem, there's better brass out there.

Problems as I see it: 1) Few stock rifles in 6.5x55 that are easy to build off of (I haven't found any 700s or savages). 2) Not just having to rebarrel but to possibly have a smith open up an 06 bolt face.

However, I'm an utter novice at this and I wanted to run it by some old salts who actually know what they're talking about. Am I being realistic? Should I really make a project rifle in 6.5x55 or just say, what the heck and go with a .308 or .30.06 (or 7mm rem mag or .300 win mag or... etc)?

Thanks for readin' the post. Thanks for your wisdom. I appreciate any help you can give!

 

[petenz]

6.5x55 is great, go for it

 

[ol mike]

Just buy a CZ or a tikka in 6.5x55 and go from there ,i can attest to the accuracy of several cz's ---they shoot.
Put your building skills into tuning the factory gun -bedding -trigger tuning -load developement etc..
The 6.5x55 is a excellent round to start with -tolerable recoil -lapua brass -great selection of LR bullets etc..
It will make a great 1000yd target rifle that you will not outgrow anytime soon.-Mike

 

[Ginnunggap]

Thanks for the advice! I'll start hunting for the CZ. There's a gun show here this coming weekend, so I might be in luck!

 

[loaders_loft]

Just buy a CZ or a tikka in 6.5x55 and go from there ,i can attest to the accuracy of several cz's ---they shoot.
Put your building skills into tuning the factory gun -bedding -trigger tuning -load developement etc..
The 6.5x55 is a excellent round to start with -tolerable recoil -lapua brass -great selection of LR bullets etc..
It will make a great 1000yd target rifle that you will not outgrow anytime soon.-Mike

+1 for the Tikka! The CZ set trigger is nice when "set" forward to the hair trigger, but has too much "creep" at the regular setting. The tikka trigger is crisp and easily adjusted 2-4Lbs. Plus the tikka is usually priced better...

 

[ol mike]

You adjust the cz triggers to perfection -no creep at all -but also no follow through.

You won't go wrong w/ either gun ..

 

[loaders_loft]

Good to know, thanks ol mike. Maybe I'll take a closer look at the CZ in the future!

 

[Ginnunggap]

Re: 6.5x55 for a life-long gun?---Follow up!

I'd like to thank you all for your advice. I am now the proud owner of a CZ 550 American! I figured it was a good way to exercise my rights on election day, seeing as I'd already voted early. Again, thanks for the advice. I'll plunk down a range report when I get the chance to take her for a spin!

 

[loaders_loft]

You adjust the cz triggers to perfection -no creep at all -but also no follow through.

You won't go wrong w/ either gun ..

Ginnunggap - Be sure to check with Ol Mike on the procedure for trigger adjustment to remove the creep from your trigger.

Enjoy!