6.5x55 caliber recoil?

[Todd1700]

How is the recoil of the 6.5x55? If possible compare it to a standard American caliber that is about equal in recoil.

[Buckfever]

The Hornady custom factory 140gr. were very mild I would say not too much more than a 243.  The 140 Nosler partitions with a little extra juice, RL-22 kicks just a bit less than a 308 with 150gr.  This gun is probably more mild with 125gr. or so.  The thing I like is it is easy to shoot even in the summer with a T-shirt on yet it has unusual penetration and knock down power.  My favorite deer gun for under 300yds.  And it is a tack driver, MOA with the Hornady 140gr. Custom Ammo.  Tikka-T-3

Thanks Buckfever

[Mikey]

Todd - 6.5 Swede - what recoil?  Mikey.

[Buckfever]

Well said!  Buckfever

[Lawdog]

Todd1700,

In rifles of the same weight(8 lbs.) the Swede using standard factory 140 gr. load (2,800 fps.) will have about the same recoil as a .25-06 using 100 gr.(3,230 fps.) factory load.  In other words about 13 ft. lbs. of free recoil.  Lawdog
 

[Todd1700]

Thanks guys. I may have to have a new toy in this caliber to play with during the off season. Gotta do something until next season.

[Zachary]

Todd,

I'm surprised no one offered you a direct American comparison to the 6.5x55....the .260 remington.

Both are 6.5mm and the .260 is a true US cartridge developed (or at least credit it taken by) I think Carmichel (spelling?).  The .260 is essentially a .308 or 7mm-08 neckeed down to a 6.5mm bullet.

With bullet weights of 140 grains, recoil is comparable to the 7mm-08 with 140 grain bullets.   With ligher bullets of 120 grains, recoil is less, but either way its not a big deal.

Let me put it to you this way.  I was at the gun range today and saw a 9 year old boy shooting a 7mm-08 with Remington 140 grain core-lokts.  AND he had what looked like tight groups (his target was right next to mine.) :eek:   Granted, everyone has a different level of recoil sensitivity, but if a 9 year old can shoot a 7mm-08, then just about anyone can.

Zachary

[MGMorden]

6.5x55 recoil should be comparable to that of a .30-30 (though ballistically they perform very differently).  I don't really see anyone having a problem with the recoil of a 6.5x55.  EXCELLENT round for deer-sized animals.

[2ndtimer]

I have a Howa 1500 in 6.5x55 that I bought for my boys to hunt with.  In my opinion, it kicks noticably less than a 7mm-08, since my old 7-08 was a Winchester Model 70 Lightweight Carbine with featherweight 20" barrel.  With the Federal factory 140 gr loads it seemed comparable to a .243 with 100 gr bullets.  With mild handloads and 120 gr Nosler Ballistic Tips, it is mild indeed. (34.0 gr H-4895)  Yet for all its' mild demeanor, it is reputed to be a deer killing machine, and looking at those long, lean 120 and 140 gr bullets, I should say so!  I really like the 6.5x55 cartridge, it looks a lot like a shortened 30-06 with a smaller bullet.  Hopefully, I will be able to get mine dialed in once  I get the new Boyd's laminated stock fitted properly.  The Butler Creek that came on mine had bedding issues that led to mediocre accuracy from what is supposed to be a very accurate round.