Looking for some expert advise. I have a 6.5 x 55 Swedish Mauser and would like to use the action to build a new rifle. I know there are plenty of other actions available on the market today; I just really like the 96 Swedish action.

My intent is to have a reamer and dies made necking the cartridge down to a 6mm, keeping all of the other specifications the same. My concern is whether the cartridge and/or action will handle the increased pressures. From what I've read, the Swedish action is extremely well made. The goal is building a flat shooting varmint rifle with my favorite action.

Any suggestions or input is appreciated.

Yes, SOME of the Swede 6.5's have fairly strong actions for a small ring Mauser, but I wouldn't say that all of them do. Those of the later manufacture (30's to 40's) are quite strong. Have a 1941 made Husqvarna that a gunsmith was to rebarrel into a 6.5x257 Robt's AI. He actually installed a .257 bore barrel on it by mistake, but still stamped it as the 6.5. I shot that rifle for two years trying to figure out why I couldn't really get a good group and the cases would show high pressure signs. Finally slugging the bore proved the actual size. Don't know really how many oversize bullets went down that bore, but I'd guess somewhere around 300 or so. The action (which had been blueprinted and squared) shows no signs of stress. It has been properly rebarreled and at least another 300 or so bullets down bore. I wouldn't say a 1896 or so action would have stood up to the same abuse.

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This years Gun Digest has an article on a really nice 300 Win Mag made on a comercial Husy 96 action. You will be fine. I'm not sure that you're cartidge will have anything on the 6mm Rem, however. I have seen a few Swedes built on that cartridge. If you want something different, the 6mmAI will do what your looking for as good as any other.

Ron

How about reaming it out to 6.5x55AI? Less cost, less back-thrust on the bolt and you don't even need to buy a new barrel. I like 6.5mm cartridges over 6mm, unless the objective is varmint hunting.

Just thought I'd let you know that I'm taking your advise and going to chamber it in the 6mm AI.

Thanks

6.5x55 Ackley sounds very interesting to me to. I'm considering a 6.5-06 Ackley for a number of reasons, but would love to here some feedback on the improved Swede.

I have an 1896 made in 1907 that, many years ago before it was a mortal sin to do so, I converted to a varmint rifle but kept it in 6.5x55. Replaced the stock, D&T for scope mount/rings, added a Nikon Monarch 5.5-16x42AO scope, bent down bolt handle screwed on a muzzle brake then had my smith do a trigger job. Same bolt, same 29.5" stepped barrel.

I can push a .264" 85 grain Speer HP to 3300 fps with no obivous or known over-pressure signs. No, it's not a one-holer at 100 yards but it's good enough for a yote wacker out to 300; wind and marksman permitting.

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