6.5x55 SE or 6.5-06?

[jbronner13]

I have a 24 inch .264 Shaw Barrel with a 1-8 twist I purchased merely because it was on sale for a good price and I figured, "I can probably do something with it, I have a few donor actions lying around. I have decided to attach said barrel to a 1954 Winchester Model 70 action. I have all the parts just waiting on a stock. I am having a difficult time deciding what cartridge to chamber this rifle for….the 6.5x55SE or a 6.5-06. Wanted some feedback from folks here, I am looking for it to be a mule deer rifle for a western hunting trip. I will handload but I haven't ever handloaded for either of these cartridges and was wondering what a can expect from a ballistics standpoint from each cartridge using bullets in the 140 grain realm. I know the 6.5 Swede can be pushed higher than SAAMI specs from a strong action like a Model 70, how far can I push it and what can I expect to get for real world MV numbers for each cartridge running at a max or close to max pressure load?

 

[Sockeye66]

Any consideration for a 6.5x284? I have both a Norma in a long action and the Winchester in a short action. I'm currently shooting the 140gr Speer Impact in the long action at 3000fps with a 24" barrel and I'm getting 2900fps from the short action with 143gr ELDX's in a 25" barrel. Lapua brass has been available through these hard to get anything times. I'd think the 6.5-06 would be a close comparison with the 6.5x284 velocity wise.

 

[jbronner13]

Any consideration for a 6.5x284? I have both a Norma in a long action and the Winchester in a short action. I'm currently shooting the 140gr Speer Impact in the long action at 3000fps with a 24" barrel and I'm getting 2900fps from the short action with 143gr ELDX's in a 25" barrel. Lapua brass has been available through these hard to get anything times. I'd think the 6.5-06 would be a close comparison with the 6.5x284 velocity wise.

I think I would have to modify the current bolt I have to make the 6.5x284 work for the model 70, it needs a short cartridge extractor ring that are fairly pricey.

All the Nosler load data I saw were basically spot on for the 6.5-06 compared to what you are getting from the 6.5x284. They seem to be near ballistic twins. I really curious as to what the MV numbers are like for 6.5x55 SE hot loads. Loaded to standard pressures it's basically a 6.5 creedmoor. But I was wondering how I could give it the Tim Allen Home Improvement treatment.

 

[Predator 22]

I have a 6.5x55 built on a pre-64 model 70 with a 24" benchmark 1-8 twist barrel. I'm running 140gr bergers at 2800 fps if memory serves with h4831 sc. This is a max load in my gun. Having shot both the Swede and a 6.5-06 i would do the 6.5-06 or a 6.5-280ai or 6.5 sherman if you want a little more horsepower. Check oal for these cartridges before making a decision as they may be a little long for a model 70 with longer bullets.

 

[Hoss50]

Both are great. Assuming you have a standard bolt face you could also look at 6.5 Weatherby RPM.

I love the 6.5x55. It is one of my favorites, but if you reload a 6.5-06AI would be cool too. Or a 6.5x55 AI.

 

[Hugnot]

The 6.5-06 would have a much greater brass selection. The 6.5X55 has about .007-inch greater rim diameter, this should not cause problems, but a slight possibility exists that very minor extractor fitting might be needed. COAL of both is real close & the bolt stop attached to the existing extractor band would work. Ballistics are real close. Been there & done both, pricy 6.5X55 Lapua brass is great but cheapo .270W brass formed into 6.5-06 keeps me shooting more.

Neck turning is no big deal for my 6.5-06's that have tight neck chambers. To make 6.5-06 brass, I run .270W brass thru a .270W F/L die w/o expander, then 6.5-06 F/L die w expander, then turn necks to .288 & trim to 2.484. After neck turning brass is annealed, necks inspected, then F/L sized without an expander. Bullet of choice to shoot rodents & steel is the 123 ELD with either VN165, AA4350 or limited amounts of R23 (best), velocities 3,000-3100 depending. Good for 500-750 rounds per year then new barrel after 1500. Another hi use gun is the .20P with cheapo .223 brass.

 

[nralifer]

I have a 24 inch .264 Shaw Barrel with a 1-8 twist I purchased merely because it was on sale for a good price and I figured, "I can probably do something with it, I have a few donor actions lying around. I have decided to attach said barrel to a 1954 Winchester Model 70 action. I have all the parts just waiting on a stock. I am having a difficult time deciding what cartridge to chamber this rifle for….the 6.5x55SE or a 6.5-06. Wanted some feedback from folks here, I am looking for it to be a mule deer rifle for a western hunting trip. I will handload but I haven't ever handloaded for either of these cartridges and was wondering what a can expect from a ballistics standpoint from each cartridge using bullets in the 140 grain realm. I know the 6.5 Swede can be pushed higher than SAAMI specs from a strong action like a Model 70, how far can I push it and what can I expect to get for real world MV numbers for each cartridge running at a max or close to max pressure load?

My choice would be the 6.5 Sweed. It is super accurate and very underrated in SAMI specs. Brass and dies are readily available, you don't have to fire form, and high BC reliably expanding copper bullets are readily available.

 

[RidgeTop]

SE has a tighter chamber spec.

 

[Darryle]

I too vote 6.5-06' out of your choices, but suggest either Ackleyize the 06' or go straight 6.5-280 Ackley where you can simply neck down 280 Ackley SAMMI brass using 280 Ackley bushing dies, a 6.5 expander and run.

 

[L.Sherm]

I agree with Darryle, 6.5x06AI is a great LR 6.5 with Lapua 06 brass but you need to neck trim for a .296 loaded round.
If you dont wanna neck trim then 6.5x280AI is another option.
Fireforming is no big deal, you need rounds on your barrel anyway perfect time to form brass.

 

[jbronner13]

Both are great. Assuming you have a standard bolt face you could also look at 6.5 Weatherby RPM.

I love the 6.5x55. It is one of my favorites, but if you reload a 6.5-06AI would be cool too. Or a 6.5x55 AI.

It is indeed a standard bolt face. I love the ballistics on the RPM I am just always wary of the Weatherby proprietary cartridges due to brass availability and cost associated with buying a box of their ammo off the shelf. If those two factors didn't exist it wouldn't even be a question, I'd be running the RPM.

 

[jbronner13]

I have a 6.5x55 built on a pre-64 model 70 with a 24" benchmark 1-8 twist barrel. I'm running 140gr bergers at 2800 fps if memory serves with h4831 sc. This is a max load in my gun. Having shot both the Swede and a 6.5-06 i would do the 6.5-06 or a 6.5-280ai or 6.5 sherman if you want a little more horsepower. Check oal for these cartridges before making a decision as they may be a little long for a model 70 with longer bullets.

So basically almost the same exact numbers ballistically for 140 grain max loads using that powder as the 6.5-06 according to Nosler Load Data…..ugh, the decision just keeps getting more difficult. There is something cool about the Swede. My practical brain tells me to go the 6.5-06 for many of the reasons folks have posted on here….but there is another side of my brain that would trade my brand new, practical Toyota Tacoma tomorrow for a 1987 Buick Grand National that's whispering "swede" ever so softly in my ear.

 

[Hard rock]

It is indeed a standard bolt face. I love the ballistics on the RPM I am just always wary of the Weatherby proprietary cartridges due to brass availability and cost associated with buying a box of their ammo off the shelf. If those two factors didn't exist it wouldn't even be a question, I'd be running the RPM.

The most problem's I've ever had , was trying too develop a consistent load for the 6.5-06 . The biggest problem is when you neck up or down , you change dimensions of the brass thickness in the neck . I always had too turn necks fire form etc . The 6.5-06 is a fine cartridge but takes more time and effort too work up loads , at least for me . I can say one thing for sure that cartridge educated me more than any other I've ever loaded for and I'm tired of being educated . I rebarreled too the 6.5-284 and use Lapua brass no regrets . I also have and load for the 6.5x55 that cartridge is inherently accurate and the case is real strong by design . The case capacity is more than the Needmore and will achieve higher velocity's. I also have a custom mod 54 win rebarreled too the 280 Rem , that action will work with the 6.5x55 6.5-06 or the 6.5x55 . The only modification you might have too do is polish the rails too feed the 6.5-284 , but any competent smith should be able too do that . Good luck.

 

[jbronner13]

The most problem's I've ever had , was trying too develop a consistent load for the 6.5-06 . The biggest problem is when you neck up or down , you change dimensions of the brass thickness in the neck . I always had too turn necks fire form etc . The 6.5-06 is a fine cartridge but takes more time and effort too work up loads , at least for me . I can say one thing for sure that cartridge educated me more than any other I've ever loaded for and I'm tired of being educated . I rebarreled too the 6.5-284 and use Lapua brass no regrets . I also have and load for the 6.5x55 that cartridge is inherently accurate and the case is real strong by design . The case capacity is more than the Needmore and will achieve higher velocity's. I also have a custom mod 54 win rebarreled too the 280 Rem , that action will work with the 6.5x55 6.5-06 or the 6.5x55 . The only modification you might have too do is polish the rails too feed the 6.5-284 , but any competent smith should be able too do that . Good luck.

Loved "tired of being educated"…..right there with you. I could quote research studies to educate the docs at work and not realize my pants were on backwards some days. Too much to know, too much to do….looking to hit that easy button.