6.5X55

nvbroncrider

Handloader
Aug 20, 2011
3,085
4
Well I did it again. Picked up a late model NH Featherweight. It has a gorgeous stock on her.
 

Attachments

  • IMAG0202.jpg
    605.8 KB · Views: 1,253
  • IMAG0197.jpg
    1.1 MB · Views: 1,253
  • IMAG0196.jpg
    1.1 MB · Views: 1,253
  • IMAG0198.jpg
    1.3 MB · Views: 1,253
Here's a couple more pictures. None of which give this rifle justice.
 

Attachments

  • IMAG0199.jpg
    608.9 KB · Views: 1,252
  • IMAG0200.jpg
    1.4 MB · Views: 1,252
  • IMAG0201.jpg
    627 KB · Views: 1,252
  • pix645173572.jpg
    pix645173572.jpg
    34.1 KB · Views: 1,253
  • pix630158524.jpg
    pix630158524.jpg
    39.7 KB · Views: 1,253
  • pix136545994.jpg
    pix136545994.jpg
    36.9 KB · Views: 1,253
Great rifle; great cartridge. They slipped up in New Haven on that one; it should never have gotten out of the plant. Congratulations on a great grab!
 
Jake,

That there is one beautiful rifle in a very cool chambering.
Welcome to the 6.5mm club. Not a bad place to be either. :grin:

JD338
 
Yes, it is beautiful and before I purchased I consulted the resident Winchester experts. I saw it and got to thinking got some QL data and I should be able to push a 140 at around 2900 with around 50 gr of 7828. So that's all it took. This is my first Winchester. The action is smooth as butter, and it has the best factory trigger I've ever felt. I believe it has the MOA trigger as well. It looks like its been factory bedded and is free floated. Came with dies 100 pieces of Win brass and bases, rings and a case so I can't complain.
 
120 gr BT's at 3100 fps +

Basically a little more than a 25-06
 
Dad had a Sweede - the target version of their military Mauser - 6.5x55 - that he used for steel silhouettes out to 500 meters with sights, not a scope. I took that rifle to his silhouette range one day under his instruction just a few years ago and truly enjoyed it. Light recoil, terrific accuracy, and it knocked those 500 meter rams down just fine! As I recall, Dad loaded the 140 or 142 gr Sierra Matchkings.

Another fellow here at my local gun club has one, an old Sweedish Mauser that he's set up with a scope. He regularly blasts rocks up above the targets, at 700 yards with his. I think Jim is in his mid-late 70's now and that is probably his favorite rifle. He's used it in NRA Highpower prone competition as well as hunting for coyotes, mule deer and probably more.

Though most dote on the 140's, Jim really likes the 100 gr Nosler Ballistic Tip, moving pretty quickly from his old Sweede.

Guy
 
Some people have all the luck. :shock: I know I'd have snapped that one up like a hungry cat on a slow mouse. Would have looked great sitting between my .257 Bob and 7x57 Featherweights. I'm looking forward to a range report ASAP. :grin:
Paul B.
 
Very nice. I am a Weatherby nut, but I think that I could have forced myself to buy a Winchester, only because it is a 6.5x55. Congrats on the cool find.
 
The 6.5x55 is a great cartridge and you have quite a nice example! I have one in a Ruger No. 1 that I thought shot pretty well with the 120 BT until I tried the 140 BT and found it to be even more accurate and just a graceful shooter with light recoil and plenty of deer thump.
 
That's gorgeous, Jake. You even got CRF...I don't see how it could get any better!

I have a 70 Classic in .25-05 and it has the MOA trigger also. I couldn't adjust it light enough to suit me so I bought a spring from Ernie the Gunsmith, and it now adjusts down to "scary light" with no take up or creep. Since I am still working my load it is fine...I would guess it pulls at about 20 ounces or so. When it's time to put it to work I'll adjust it back up to about 45 ounces or so. I highly recommend that spring.

The new 70s are truly slick, aren't they!
 
Yes, it truely has impressed me so far but I don't want to say too much looks only go so far. She has to back it up on the range!
 
Jake,

Are you considering the 130 gr AB?
Its a tough little bullet and very accurate out of my 6.5mm Rem Mag.

JD338
 
JD338":2v0snb0h said:
Jake,

Are you considering the 130 gr AB?
Its a tough little bullet and very accurate out of my 6.5mm Rem Mag.

JD338


Jim,

Hadn't even thought about it. Before I bid on it I asked Scotty about 140's and he gave me some QL data to ponder over at 63K @ SAMMI COL with a 24" barrel. It came out to 50fps difference than Nosler data for a 270 Win in the #6 manual with less powder. I'm suspecting that Winchester did this right and streched the chamber out to around 3.300" with it in a true long action which with the long 140's I'm expecting to darn near match a 270 Win. If it does it will be the perfect light rifle. I wouldn't be afraid of anything in NA as a backup rifle. Take my 280AI or 338-06AI as primaries and that sweet little 6.5 as a light rifle or back-up I think I'd be well covered in any scenario. That was my thought process after looking into details. On the other hand that 130 would be handy too. I just haven't looked yet. As all the data out there for this cartridge is pretty watered down which is totally understandable.

Maybe now I don't need a quarterbore.

Jake
 
Back
Top