[94BB Redneck]

Today I encountered a Remington 700 Classic 6.5x55 at a nearby gunshop. It is new and unshot, and the asked price quite acceptable. If I am not wrong, the rifle has stood in the rack since 1994 - beside a BDL, which seems to be from the same time.

What are your opinions on the model and version? Do they shoot good? Is the barrel long enough to allow decent velocities? Other aspects? The cartridge is fairly common here, and I am quite sure that it will do the job properly.

Thankful for your inputs!

Pete

 

[shane256]

Hmmm... what gunshop was it at, did you say?

 

[kdub]

Being an owner of a half dozen Swedes in one configuration or another, the answer is "yes !!!". All US cartridge makers produce the 6.5x55 cartridge, along with assorted and sundry European makers.

The cartridge is a joy to reload. According to my twist rate listing, the Remington should have a 1:9" twist which will stabilize the 140 gr bullets quite well.

 

[Huntdaddy1]

The 6.5 Swede may just be the best "Pure" whitetail deer cartridge ever !!! Snap the rifle up before someone beats you to it !!!!!!! HD1

 

[94BB Redneck]

Thanks for inputs - your appreciation of the caliber is encouraging.

Any comment on the rifle as such? I like the stock but would have preferred a bit longer barrel - it is a 22" on it.

Pete

 

[MikeG]

22" will be fine. I've used a 22" barrel on a .257 Roberts for years.

 

[Webley]

Pete,

I would snap up that Classic 6.5X55MM in a heartbeat! The Classics were nice guns put out annually by Remington. I picked up an unfired .35 Whelen Classic a decade ago. I am looking for a 6.5MM, an 8X57, and any other Classics out there. A 22 inch barrel is all you need.

Webley

 

[Kevinbear]

That's a great rifle, I have owned many classics but not a 6.5x55. I would tell you to buy it and not shoot it but with the exception of a 375 I shot everyone I've owned. The only one I still have is a Swift, just can't seem to part with it now matter how much anyone offers for it.
It should be around 650.00, most of the Swedes didn't have really great figure in the wood, make sure to get the box and all the paperwork.

 

[Water-Man]

22" barrel will be fine. I have a Tikka in 6.5x55 with a 22 7/16 barrel.

I would not shoot anything heavier than a 140gr. bullet with a 1:9 twist.

 

[TMan]

It is new and unshot, and the asked price quite acceptable.

Many Nordic elk/(moose) go to the pot/pan in front of a 6.5X55, and have for over a century.

You might want to check around for ammunition or at least some brass. Midway has loaded ammo available from economy to extravagant.

The case is rather unique and can't easily be formed from .30-06 like 7mm or 8mm Mauser.

 

[kdub]

TMan - as indicated above, factory ammo for the 6.5x55 is readily available from US and European manufacturers.

 

[TMan]

Kdub,

With the Democrats trying every angle to decrease access to firearms and ammunition, demand increase, prices will eventually increase, and availability becomes a growing issue. A guy with a 6.5X55 can look in a lot of stores and not see a single box, anywhere.

If I was looking at that 700 Classic, I'd also look at buying a couple hundred rounds of something like Privi Partisan to shoot out of it, until someone showed up with a supply of brass.

 

[Charley]

Back in the day when Norma was the ONLY source for 6.5x55 brass, many, many thousands of cases were formed every year from .30/06 and similar cases. Yes, the case head is larger, but a single tape wrap around the base allows even expansion and long life for the reformed case. Even if ALL Remchester, Norma, Lapua, Privi, and other sources dried up, it would still be a relatively easy cartridge to load. It's a shooter.

 

[264shooter]

Tape wrap?Shot many 30-06 and 270 cases turned into 6.5X55 and got great life out them.I got more reloadings from these than the Norma brass I had.After the first firing they did not expand any more and I had way less head separations than I did with Norma brass.

 

[tbock]

The classic is no longer made if I remenber rite!
Bought one a few years ago in .300 Roy.
There a good way to ge a 700 chamberd in non typical cartriges without having to build one.
Id buy that one in a heart beat if it was me. Should be a awesome shooter!

 

[Mommicked]

Good caliber: mild recoil, easy to find accurate loads for, very good deer round. Good rifle: pretty, accurate, often the 'standard' that others are compared to. Good barrel length. Brass? I don't know much about case forming, but .30-06 and .270 run at a much higher pressure rating than the old 'Swede'. If I were looking at it, and it were in the budget, I'd snap it up. The one classic I owned was in .30-06, and was a shooter. My one 6.5x55 was a Kimber Sporterized Mauser 96. It was a deer collector (my classic was too pretty to scratch; a safe queen). Both got traded for something I felt like I needed more...

 

[94BB Redneck]

Thanks for your inputs - they have been helpful!

Pete

 

[M1894]

Married off youngest grand daughter last Thanksgiving, and new husband has been informed that her Swede is off limits, he is allowed any of her other rifles, but not the Swede. Hers is built on a "94" using the original stock shaped to a Manlicher carbine configuration. It has a 17 1/2" barrel and very handy as well as accurate, so a 22" barrel should be just fine. If the price is right, get the check book out before someone beats you to it. Great gun and caliber combination, you will love shooting it.



Lee

 

[Vynshah]

Try....

The 6.5x55 is one of my favorites, whether in military form or my Model 70. I know 140 is the popular choice but I urge you try the 120-129 range bullets. They are good for deer, especially whitetails. My favorite is the 129 Hornady spire point over IMR-4350. My most accurate is my old beat up Model 38 military made (as a M96) in 1916 by Carl Gustav.

 

[94BB Redneck]

Well, I'm going to buy that rifle.

I'm planning to put a Leupold 2-7x33 om it in detachable rings, and also sometimes use a Swarovski 6x42. Any comments or other suggestions?

Thank for all your comments!

Pete