6.5 Swedish

[Bottlefed]

Compared to 7mm what's the major difference?

 

[Leo]

umm, .020" in bullet diameter. what kind of .information, and which 7mm are you asking about?

 

[Bottlefed]

I knew someone would say that. I just noticed there are several 6.5 x55 rounds out there just wondering why the Swedish didn't go with 7mm Mauser.

 

[Broom_jm]

There is no major difference between them. From a sporting perspective, they almost indistinguishable. The 7x57 was once far more popular and the 6.5x55 seems to be enjoying a small resurgence. Both offer an exceptional balance of power and recoil, while delivering excellent accuracy and terminal performance.

Why did the Swedes build their own round? Might have been some kind of conflict or licensing concern, at the time?

 

[Hoosier8]

There is no major difference between them. From a sporting perspective, they almost indistinguishable. The 7x57 was once far more popular and the 6.5x55 seems to be enjoying a small resurgence. Both offer an exceptional balance of power and recoil, while delivering excellent accuracy and terminal performance.

Why did the Swedes build their own round? Might have been some kind of conflict or licensing concern, at the time?

Heh, evidently those things did happen. We were paying Germany royalties on the Mauser action for the Springfield M1903 used against them in WWI.

 

[Leo]

One of the very positive things about the swede ammo is that it was not corrosive, so almost every swede mauser you pick up had a pretty decent barrel. The Germans had corrosive ammo. I remember sorting through barrels of old German Mausers looking for one that wasn't "too bad", but most looked like sewer pipe. There were some surplus places in the early 70's where you could get a Mauser and some junky surplus ammo as a package deal for $24.95, or 29.95 if you hand selected. Of course I was making $1.15 per hour.

The German Mausers were cheap and plentiful but I think they have pretty much been used up, it has been a long time since I have seen 7mm (or 8) Mausers being sold in surplus anywhere. One day a lot of people whill be telling about the good old days when you could get Mosin Nagants for only $150.

I really liked the 6.5 X 55 swede cartridge. I would bave built a match rifle in that caliber, but it is too long to fit a Winchester model 70 short action repeater.

 

[kludge]

just wondering why the Swedish didn't go with 7mm Mauser.

The 6.5 Swede cartridge was developed a year before the 7mm Mauser. Maybe that has something to do with it.

 

[jonkertb]

When I had opportunity to hunt while in South Africa last summer, the friend who took me lent me his rifle that he was very proud of. It was the Swedish Mauser in 6.5. It was a sweet round, easy on the ears and shoulder while reaching out and touching a blessbok at 225 meters. Since I've been back I have been looking for one but haven't seen one come up yet. Any one know of a source?
tom

 

[Bottlefed]

I just got this one it came with almost 800rds haven't shot it much but smooth action and seems very accurate.