What is your preferred 6.5/.264?

[samu]

What is the problem with the twist rate? Tikka seems to have a 8" twist for the 6.5×55 SE (at least in their newer models).

I have an older Sako (AV) in that same chambering and it shoots the 156gr bullets quite well. I couldn't find the twist info for this particular model, but the following model (L691) has a 9" twist, while the newer models 75 and 85 both have an 8" twist. So I would guess that mine is 9".

The 6.5×55 with 155+ grain bullets is effectively the smallest legal (common) cartridge for big game (moose, bear etc) in the Nordic countries. (Positively sure regarding Sweden, not 100% re Finland, Norway).

So rifles produced by "local" manufacturers not being able to meet this requirement seem unlikely.

So, in short, I don't think you need to worry about twist rate if you use 155/156/160 grain round-nose or semi-spitzer type bullets.

EDIT: Sako and Tikka is the same company since a few decades back, hence the mention of Sako.

Finland changed the legistlation this year. Lead free bullets of 115gr/7,5g with KE at 100m 1900J are allowed for class 4 (brown bear, moose, wild hog). Leaded bullets with 9g mass still need to have 2700J KE @100m but that is achievable by handloading. Common default for moose has been 156gn Oryx where 2000J ke@100m is enough. It’s becoming quite a mess imo.

Anyways, the stability is more a function of bullet length than mass. 156gn Oryx is very short, flat nose and base bullet. It has no issues stabilizing from even 8.6” twist of blaser/sauer barrels. VLD design bullets are fine up to 143gn and lead free up to about 120gn. 127gn LRX requires 8” twist but so far nothing suggests it is exactly worth bothering over Nosler E-tip or TTSX. One thing many calculators forget is that the plastic tip has smaller contribution to mass distribution than metallic parts. Therefore it should not be included in length of bullet when calculating stability.

New 6.5mm Norma Bondstrike will be welcome addition for those pushing the swede/creedmoor to longer distances on deer species.

Personally I feel swede and creedmoor are both about the best 6.5mm calibers available. They already have slightly limiting barrel life and adding any more power cuts that even further. If more power is necessary, .300 magnums take 3000J to 500m, something not even remotely achievable with any 6.5mm.

 

[cmk]

Finland changed the legistlation this year. Lead free bullets of 115gr/7,5g with KE at 100m 1900J are allowed for class 4 (brown bear, moose, wild hog). Leaded bullets with 9g mass still need to have 2700J KE @100m but that is achievable by handloading. Common default for moose has been 156gn Oryx where 2000J ke@100m is enough. It’s becoming quite a mess imo.
...

Great to hear - so it seems Sweden and Finland had the same rules until recently. I know that it has been discussed here as well to allow lighter, lead-free bullets for big game. Let's hope it works out well in Finland, and then we can adopt your rules.

 

[Matthias5662]

Ruger M77 Hawkeye African in 6.5x55 Swede. There's no cheek swell on the Ruger and I shoot left handed. Shoots 156 g Sako deerhead factory loads average fps is 2513, average group 1.1 inch at 100 yards. The only problem is that deerhead bullets are discontinued - but the brass is great for reloading.

 

[ChrisG]

6.5x55 is an awesome round. My M77 MKII is one of the slickest shooting guns I own and my all around favorite. But if you want classic African cartridges... the 6.5 M-S is the hands down winner but would be a hand loaders proposition.