6.5x55

etisll40

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Jan 28, 2009
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Location
Rochester, NY
I'm looking to assemble parts for and have someone build me a 6.5x55 for deer and sheep hunting and target shoooting at longer ranges .I want to stay inside 10lbs with scope. Any ideas on where to start. I'm thinking about buying a surgeon action and a hart barrell. Has anyone built one of these? Any thoughts on getting started? I've been reading a lot and have some ideas on other actions and barrels and triggers? But I'l like some help. Including a knowledgeable gunsmith with this caliber in mind.
 
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I'm building a 260, so more or less the same thing. My goal wasn't 10 lb, but I didn't want a 17# beast, either.

10 lb with scope is certainly doable. Here's how I'd do it:

  • Surgeon 1086 - ~2.5 lb
  • #3 22" barrel - 3.4 lb
  • EDGE stock w/ ADL magazine - 1.4 lb
  • Leupold Mark 4 3.5-14 - 1.4 lb (NF 2.5-10x32 is even less if 10x is enough)
  • Seekins or other aluminum rings
  • Rem or Jewell trigger
So you're at 8.7 lb before rings and trigger (and ammo of course). You could save a little weight by going with 260 in a short action, fluting the barrel... Maybe even go with something other than a Surgeon and use a 2 piece base or Talley rings. I don't know how much you'd save, but that solid 20 MOA rail can't be light.

Good luck.
 
I spoke with Syrgeon guys today and they recommended their Predator action and add on an aluminum Picatinny and a Jewel trigger safety and that was around $1,050. The surgeon without trigger was $1,395. The Jewel trigger is adjustable on the outside. They said it seems to be the safest too, as yo don't want it to fire when you close the bolt. One question they had and I didn't have the answer to was what magazine length was I looking for? So, Stiller is looking good. I've got about 5 others to call, Barden, Borden, Farly and a few Gunsmith that are experts in Blueprinting the Rem 700 Action which can be bt new at Midway and or used anywhere. So I am still researching. Any more ideas ou there? Help greatly appreciated.
 
FYI. From an ad on SP.

LiveCloud
"I also have a 6.5 Swede remington project that I cant get good pics of.
It is a 700 BDL long action and bottom metal. NEW Lother Walther barrel that was chambered/threaded/crowned by Neiska. Bell Carlson Stock with pillar bedding. Needs barrel mated to action and a trigger. I might split if I can sell it all. $600"

It might work out for you.
 
Thanks for reading and the offer. I bought a Savage 30-06 and having a new barrel put on with a gunsmith doing the work already. Thanks for thinking of me.
 
I just went to pick one up with a buddy of mine from our gunsmith yesterday. What a sweet little shooter. His was built on a stiller action, broughton barrel and was put in a beautiful walnut stock from accurate inovations. To say I was impressed by this build was an understatement. We were shooting a 140 VLD at 2925 with zero pressure signs and very little recoil. I might have to have one. I have been shooting 6.5-06AI's for years and this little 55 may have won me over. As far as a reamer setup, Trevor at Cloud Peak Gunworks has his set up perfectly. Check him out if you are interested in a build, I guarantee you will not be dissapointed. www.cloudpeakgunworks.com
 
Thanks alot for the recommendation. I am going to call him to discuss. Tell me more about your 6.5-06, this is a wildcat right? How'd you choose or come upon it?

Ed
 
I spoke with Syrgeon guys today and they recommended their Predator action and add on an aluminum Picatinny and a Jewel trigger safety and that was around $1,050. The surgeon without trigger was $1,395. The Jewel trigger is adjustable on the outside. They said it seems to be the safest too, as yo don't want it to fire when you close the bolt. One question they had and I didn't have the answer to was what magazine length was I looking for? So, Stiller is looking good. I've got about 5 others to call, Barden, Borden, Farly and a few Gunsmith that are experts in Blueprinting the Rem 700 Action which can be bt new at Midway and or used anywhere. So I am still researching. Any more ideas ou there? Help greatly appreciated.

Defiance Machine is an advertiser here as well. You may want to check his actions out.
 
Trevor the gunsmith at Cloud peak gunworks turned me on to the 6.5-06 AI about 8 years ago. I had him build me on and have fallen in love with it. It shoots a 140 VLD at about 3080 and doesn't have too much recoil. I have put 1480 rounds through the first one Trevor built me and it is still shooting sub half inch. I have since retired it and sent it to the safe to be brought back out when my boys are old enough to shoot it. I had him build me another one last year before a bear hunt in BC and it shoots sub half inch as well. I am just an Ackley fan. My two favorite guns are the 6.5-06AI and my .243AI. Defineately call Trevor and discuss a build, I guarantee you will be completely satisifed with the service you get and the product he produces.
 
Thanks for reading and the offer. I bought a Savage 30-06 and having a new barrel put on with a gunsmith doing the work already. Thanks for thinking of me.

Have you decided on a reamer yet? I've got a '98 Mauser 6.5x55 cut with PT&G's 6.5x55 Match reamer. It's standard as far as chamber dimensions but has a shorter throat for the 130-140rn secant ogive bullets vs the long throat for 160grn round nose bullets of the SAAMI reamer. I'm able to seat out to the lands and still fit in the '98's shorter magazine with 140grn Bergers. I was able to rent the reamer. She's a fine shooter best of .381" thus far.
 
I just completed a full custom 6.5 X 55 package rifle for a customer .I was pleasantly surprised with the accuracy and velocity it gave me.I specialize in long range rifles for hunting and paper so the main choice of cartridges in 6.5 cal is the 6.5 - 284 .I was running 140 berger vld hunt bullets above 2900 fps with half moa accuracy at 400 yds every time.the length of this combo requires a long action as the C.O.L. is around 3.100 " this rifle by the way wieghed far less than 9.0 lbs with a 25.5" barrel and with the proper selection of components one should be able to easily get under 8.0 lbs without giving up any accuracy.To look at my recent projects go to www.cloudpeakgunworks.com.

Thanks
 
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