I was poking around looking at rifle chamberings and saw this one.

  Any of you guy's use this?

Spot

Absolutely!!!

Currently have 3 that are shootable.  A Ruger 77MK II, a CZ550 American and a Husqvarna Mdl 38 dated 1942...my birth year!

Have a VZ-24 action set aside to build up a 6.5x55 BJAI.  One of these days.........

Ol' John

That is also very popular for steel silhouettes..............Kingpin

I only have three of them. Does that tell you anything?

I want more! They are great!

Great chambering.Real stopper.

Very underated as a LR rifle.In a modern rifle loaded to reasonable velocity they are very competitive in the 300 -1000 yard F class.

Macca

I use a sportarized 6.5 swede for antelope. It isn't a long distance rifel though. I plug a 140 gr  along at about 2650fps. The old Swede 96 actions are not extra strong and do not have a gas shroud on the bolt, and I wouldn't hot rod them too much. I wish I had bought a 1/2 dozen when they were $69 each. Now they are passed $200 . Every one I ever saw was in like new condition. In the new modern rifles, it is a cartridge tough to beat for just about any North American game.

The .260 Remington is suppose to equal it, but in ashort action. I don't have any experience with them . So I can't say, however, that round hasn't gained too much popularity and I don't know how much longer it will be around. Just have to wait and see I guess.

Waksupi.

Probbaly so, but my 6.5 doesn't like any thing below 140 grain bullets. I think it's the long throat for the roiginal RN bullets. Also this was the most accurate load I tried at 2650fps.

Spot;

Yeah, there's one in the safe.  Modern action, not mil-surp.  Very nice round, easy to reload, & most assuredly does the job on the far end.  I'd get another & not think twice if the proper deal was passed under my nose.

900F

I don't have one but i like the cartridge 1

      i would love a twin of my 7X57, that would be a 6.5X55 in a CZ 550 FS.   ...tj3006

I love 'em. Currently have two rifles in 6.5x55mm. A Tikka stainless synthetic and a Rem 700 "Classic".... Great cartridge......

7x57mm is cool, too.

NL's 6.5 in a Tikka is something I've been looking at.

Dang I shouldn't be cruising these rifle catalogs and auctions so much the wish list is getting completely outta control!

Jacksdad3,

The 6.5 Swede is a very good first rifle.  The factory ammo is actually loaded down to lower pressure, so your son will even get that lighter recoil advantage.

A short barrel might fit him better, but the extra weight in the military barrel/stock will also reduce recoil.

Having had a 12 year old son that hunted deer.  You might get a good scope and let the kid shoot the heavier military rifle for a year or two (also lets the rifle to be dropped a couple of times without scratching the new stock).  He will grow larger fast, after two seasons he will also have better shooting skills; then get the barrel bobbed and the new stock, add some checkering,etc like a new -to-him rifle.

Nice to see you post.  Keep us informed to the project and your decision on the direction it is going to take.

BEAR

Jacksdad;

The 6.5 Swede is an excellent first center-fire IMHO.  It's what I gave my son as his first real huntin' gun.  He's still got it, over 10 years later, & I doubt he'll ever part with it.

I've handloaded for it the same period of time.  It's easy to load for & certainly does the job on the terminal end.  With the emphasis on terminal.

Foobulous

sounds like you had a grea time! looking forward to hearing more.

if you are interested in handloading for the 6.5x55mm, and allowing it to reach its true potential, check out the handloading forum here~~