Thread: 6.5x55??

Originally Posted by bjp

So did you manage to win the auction?

I arranged purchase through alternative channels but to put it simply. I am now the proud new owner of a Tikka t3 in 6.5 Swedish!!

Thanks a lot for all the feedback guys

Should be good for NZ.
My only comment is that the barrel looks like its been chopped a lot.
Will effect ballistics.

Sold by now I guess.

Originally Posted by Oldbloke

Should be good for NZ.
My only comment is that the barrel looks like its been chopped a lot.
Will effect ballistics.

Sold by now I guess.

No, that suppressor looks like a Gunworks one, so will have plenty of barrel left inside the suppressor, probably very close to original length looking at the photo.

Originally Posted by Husky1600#2

No, that suppressor looks like a Gunworks one, so will have plenty of barrel left inside the suppressor, probably very close to original length looking at the photo.

That is correct. the barrell is 500mm

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Fantastic setup, you won't be able to blames misses on your tools that's for real.

Well done, a fine choice

I wouldn’t part with my 6.5x55 Tikka .
Superbly accurate and soft to shoot .

It's been touched on in earlier posts, but to get the most out of the cartridge, you will want to look at handloads sometime in the future. Most factory loads are pretty modest, as they are allowing for use in older rifles (mil-surp usually) that could have weaker actions. Mentioned here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/6.5%C3%9755mm_Swedish

SAAMI max. pressure 51,000psi, whereas your modern Tikka action is also used for cartridges with over 60,000psi max. pressure.

Typical handloads for Tikka with factory length barrel will be more like 2700-2800 fps for 120-140gn projectiles, compared to factory ammo that might be around 2500 fps.

But some factory loads (mentioned in earlier posts) are hotter than others, and probably worth paying a bit more for, depending on the max. range you are comfortable shooting at.

But don't let the lower velocity of some loads put you off either. My current favourite hunting load for my 308 is actually one I developed for my son to shoot, a 125gn projectile doing 2400 fps, very mild to shoot and still good out to 300m on deer sized game. That's for a single shot, so I can just pick from the two loads (reduced and full noise) I'm carrying at the time.

The NZHA (now MISC) range at McLeans Island now has Garmin Chronographs in each bay, so it makes it easy to know exactly what velocities you are achieving, which you can then use to help make decisions on ammo, max. hunting range, etc. Personally I always put accuracy (actually precision if we are using the correct terminology) above speed, as you can compensate for lower speeds (even if it means having to sneak a bit closer!).

I think there are plenty of club members on this forum, many of which would be ready to help a new shooter and/or reloader. And don't be put off by the "complexities" of reloading. If you can make pancakes, you can reload, you can keep things simple while still being safe by following a simple "recipe".

Buy your self a lee loader (whack a mole) kit and a set of scales (balance or digital) and you will be hand loading for not a lot. Try a wanted add for a second hand set.

Originally Posted by Dicko

Buy your self a lee loader (whack a mole) kit and a set of scales (balance or digital) and you will be hand loading for not a lot. Try a wanted add for a second hand set.

+1 I’ve been using a Lee set for years not the best but does the job cheap enough


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Originally Posted by bjp

It's been touched on in earlier posts, but to get the most out of the cartridge, you will want to look at handloads sometime in the future. Most factory loads are pretty modest, as they are allowing for use in older rifles (mil-surp usually) that could have weaker actions. Mentioned here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/6.5%C3%9755mm_Swedish

SAAMI max. pressure 51,000psi, whereas your modern Tikka action is also used for cartridges with over 60,000psi max. pressure.

Typical handloads for Tikka with factory length barrel will be more like 2700-2800 fps for 120-140gn projectiles, compared to factory ammo that might be around 2500 fps.

But some factory loads (mentioned in earlier posts) are hotter than others, and probably worth paying a bit more for, depending on the max. range you are comfortable shooting at.

But don't let the lower velocity of some loads put you off either. My current favourite hunting load for my 308 is actually one I developed for my son to shoot, a 125gn projectile doing 2400 fps, very mild to shoot and still good out to 300m on deer sized game. That's for a single shot, so I can just pick from the two loads (reduced and full noise) I'm carrying at the time.

The NZHA (now MISC) range at McLeans Island now has Garmin Chronographs in each bay, so it makes it easy to know exactly what velocities you are achieving, which you can then use to help make decisions on ammo, max. hunting range, etc. Personally I always put accuracy (actually precision if we are using the correct terminology) above speed, as you can compensate for lower speeds (even if it means having to sneak a bit closer!).

I think there are plenty of club members on this forum, many of which would be ready to help a new shooter and/or reloader. And don't be put off by the "complexities" of reloading. If you can make pancakes, you can reload, you can keep things simple while still being safe by following a simple "recipe".

Thanks mate,

Yeah the more research I've done on the round the more I see why people love hand loading them so it will certainly be road I go down.

Blown away with the knowledge and willingness to share in this community. I've joined NZDA North Canterbury, will be heading to fist club night on Monday. Looks like ill be joining MISC too haha.

Originally Posted by Matt610

Thanks mate,

Yeah the more research I've done on the round the more I see why people love hand loading them so it will certainly be road I go down.

Blown away with the knowledge and willingness to share in this community. I've joined NZDA North Canterbury, will be heading to fist club night on Monday. Looks like ill be joining MISC too haha.

Yeah I haven't (yet) joined NZDA, struggle with enough time to do other things with a couple of 11/13yr old kids! The bid advantage of MISC and main reason I joined is that you can access range/reloading room 24/7, as they qualify you as a range officer as part of the membership process, so you can open/close the range whenever it suits (if you are first/last person). To join you first need to go along to a public night or two to shoot, so the range officers can make sure you are competent(!) then you can ask to apply for membership on the night (see here https://www.nzha.co.nz/?page_id=59). The public nights can be quite busy, so go prepared to wait a bit for your turn.

When you decide you want to have a crack at reloading, collect some cases (don't bother with new, ask here on the buy/sell and someone will be able to sell you some), maybe try and pick up a few sample projectiles (10-20 - again ask on forum, also Gunworks sell sample packs of 15), then ask for help. Myself for one, there will be others, happy to help with powder (probably ADI 2209), primers at cost so you don't need to buy heaps, and they have the dies, etc at the club. Others locally might be able to help at their home, I don't have 6.5 swede dies, so would be at the range. You don't need to be a member, if you go with a member and pay $25 you can use the range and reloading room. Depending on projectile cost ($1-2 each typically), reload cost will be around $1.80-3.00 per round once you have the brass. But the main advantage in my opinion is not cost, but the fact that you can tailor your loads to suit your rifle (improved precision) and for what you want to do.

Or just keep the brass from your rifle

Originally Posted by blip

Or just keep the brass from your rifle

Start there.

Originally Posted by bjp

Yeah I haven't (yet) joined NZDA, struggle with enough time to do other things with a couple of 11/13yr old kids! The bid advantage of MISC and main reason I joined is that you can access range/reloading room 24/7, as they qualify you as a range officer as part of the membership process, so you can open/close the range whenever it suits (if you are first/last person). To join you first need to go along to a public night or two to shoot, so the range officers can make sure you are competent(!) then you can ask to apply for membership on the night (see here https://www.nzha.co.nz/?page_id=59). The public nights can be quite busy, so go prepared to wait a bit for your turn.

When you decide you want to have a crack at reloading, collect some cases (don't bother with new, ask here on the buy/sell and someone will be able to sell you some), maybe try and pick up a few sample projectiles (10-20 - again ask on forum, also Gunworks sell sample packs of 15), then ask for help. Myself for one, there will be others, happy to help with powder (probably ADI 2209), primers at cost so you don't need to buy heaps, and they have the dies, etc at the club. Others locally might be able to help at their home, I don't have 6.5 swede dies, so would be at the range. You don't need to be a member, if you go with a member and pay $25 you can use the range and reloading room. Depending on projectile cost ($1-2 each typically), reload cost will be around $1.80-3.00 per round once you have the brass. But the main advantage in my opinion is not cost, but the fact that you can tailor your loads to suit your rifle (improved precision) and for what you want to do.

It sounds like a no brainer to join MISC.

Had another member message me and offer help with reloading too. Ill be sure to reach out when the time comes and be good to say gday