Comments on: Which is Better: .260 Remington or 6.5×55 Swedish?

By: Ian Kelbly

Ian Kelbly — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 12:18:09 +0000

We are running an improved version of the swede. Berger bullets’ new 130 grain AR Hybrid Tactical has allowed us to run out of a short action. 2963 fps out of a 20″ barrel 48.5 grains of H4350. 3058 fps out of a 26″ barrel 46.5 grains of H4350. This was a dream of ours for years, and Berger made it happen.

By: Mike

Mike — Mon, 15 Jun 2015 21:39:00 +0000

RCBS.Load agrees with the case drawings shown here.
260Rem = 2.035
6.5x55swedish =2.1654
0.1304″ difference

IMO, the 260AI being improved and now probable with Lapua cases, large or small primer, is superior to both.

By: Guy

Guy — Mon, 15 Jun 2015 15:24:57 +0000

The new 130 Berger should be the ticket here

By: Will

Will — Mon, 15 Jun 2015 12:02:35 +0000

If it’s strickly for Target I’d use the 6.5×55 hands down, turn the rims and single load in a short action, just like my Rem. 40X’s in 30-06 and .300 Win Mag. both short actions!

By: Lee M

Lee M — Mon, 15 Jun 2015 00:57:59 +0000

the case length dif is .35 not .13

By: Lee M

Lee M — Mon, 15 Jun 2015 00:55:29 +0000

these drawings are not drawn to scale. Why bother writing about relative size?

By: Richard

Richard — Sun, 14 Jun 2015 20:50:13 +0000

I’ve gone the hard journey and shoot a 6.5 x 55 Swede in a SA Rem 700 out of AI magazines. It can be done and you can get good results.

There are a few tricks. Firstly, OAL is limited to 123 grain and less projectile weights with the Lapua 123 grainers being the go to bullet.

This is due to bearing surface, with most US brands having too short a bearing surface in the heavier weights. The Lapua 139 Scenar will also fit in an AI short action mag.

The other trick is a compressed load of slow burning powder. H4350 works a treat.

The bolt face needed to be opened slightly with a Sako style extractor.

And the barrel is 18 inches – but that is another story.

By: Mike

Mike — Sun, 14 Jun 2015 16:36:29 +0000

With only .130(~1/8″) difference in case length, I don’t get how one is for short actions and one is for long actions.
I would not use either in short action.