Is the 6.5x55mm Improved considered a long distance cartridge?

[Wild Monkey]

Not much love expressed for the older cartridges like this, but what a beauty: (https://www.longrangehunting.com/threads/6-5x55mm-bjai.136371/)

 

[BillLarson]

Not that popular.... But totally capable......
I've competed and been beaten by fellas using the plain old NOT improved 6.5x55....
Shooting 142 class bullets......

 

[Idaho Lefty]

This Cartridge Or, the 6.5 x 55 GWI, should BE,. Standardized,.. IMO
More Power than, the the 6.5 Creed and Slightly LESS than, the PRC but,.. WITH,. Lapua Brass,.. on the CHEAP !
It's a SWEET lil' Round that Fills,.. a "Niche"

 

[.30US]

Thanks.

A 140gr around 2,950fps is pretty capable.

Same rifle in it's current configuration:

 

[WildBillG]

Yes. If the stupid Creedmoore is than most of the other 6.5 cartrages are. I really thought that needed to be said. Beside the the 6.5x55 is the original 6.5 Creedmoore.. Wow I feal a lot better now.

 

[436]

Not much love expressed for the older cartridges like this, but what a beauty: (https://www.longrangehunting.com/threads/6-5x55mm-bjai.136371/)

Yep, the old 6.5 Swede is an outstanding cartridge, and if you hot rod it a little with some of the improved version and such it's even better. Just my 0.2 Cheers.

 

[del2les]

Yep. While I run a 260AI in a 28" tube pushing the 140's at 3k fps, I consider the 6.5x55 and its AI version a very fine and most capable cartridge.

 

[TRG65]

I fell for the 6.5 Addiction which is a mostly improved 6.5x55. I got custom dies, custom hydro forming die, and a reamer. Like has been said before a 140 at 2950 offers great performance for targets and hunting. That node doesn't stress the brass at all. Shooting in PRS style matches showed advantages and disadvantages. One of the disadvantages was a 1500-1700 round barrel life before velocity would start to drop. At around 1500 rounds, I had to start adjusting my velocity for each match.

 

[Calvin45]

Yes. If the stupid Creedmoore is than most of the other 6.5 cartrages are. I really thought that needed to be said. Beside the the 6.5x55 is the original 6.5 Creedmoore.. Wow I feal a lot better now.

My friend calls his old husqvarna 6.5x55 the

"Swedemoor"

 

[Hoss50]

With standard 6.5x55 using lapua brass and 140gr class bullets in modern actions you can put them into the 2900fps area.

I have a 22" barrel on a Howa 1500 that is sending 143gr eldx in that high 2800s, low 2900s type area with 6.5 staball I believe as the powder.

 

[highfinblue]

Yes. If the stupid Creedmoore is than most of the other 6.5 cartrages are. I really thought that needed to be said. Beside the the 6.5x55 is the original 6.5 Creedmoore.. Wow I feal a lot better now.

I take it you're not rushing out to buy more Creedmoor's lol

 

[nksmfamjp]

The 6.5x55 is a good round. The AI may get you to 3000fps, but the other is close. The only nags at it are they need a 0.480" bolt face, US cases are 0.473" so they are undersized and 3.1" forces a long action. As a positive, Lapua makes great cases for it!

 

[highfinblue]

I've found the long actions are a great help in getting the most out of a cartridge

 

[Turpentine21]

A

I've found the long actions are a great help in getting the most out of a cartridge

Amen. I have one short action bolt gun left and everything from now on will be on a long action. I'm tired of seating to mag length. I'd much rather have room to seat the bullet farther out.