building a 6.5x55

[Carphunter]

I'm either going to buy a Ruger or Steyr bolt 6.5x55.... or I may venture into Encores to build one.

I've found Bullberry and Eabco make 6.5x55 barrels.  Who else should I look at for a good barrel? (I've been searching for used models...but haven't found any yet).  Also, not real sure what barrel length to go with.

Not sure yet if I'll buy an Encore 209 so I have the ML barrel and hardware for later, or will just build the rifle from frame up, buying whatever synth. or woods stocks I like.  I will probably veer away from TC wood stocks just because of the inkling of rumors I've seen that with some heavier cals, the buttstocks can split.

So, any suggestions for an newbie considering making the dive?  Any barrel mans. to stay away from?

[Cement Man]

I am a Swede fan myself and not being retired yet, I do more buyin' and talkin' than reloadin' and shootin'.  I have a new Ruger M77 MKII that I purchased last fall as I do not believe Ruger makes the M77 in 6.5 X 55 anymore - wanted to make sure I got one as I like the rifle and the cartridge very much.  A buddy and I each purchased one - he has shot his and developed some handloads and is getting sub-moa - about .65" groups, although I know he has not concentrated heavily on this cartridge yet.  We both like about everything there is about the M77's - after we put Timney triggers in them.  I also have a number of milsurp Swedish Mausers I have not shot, but intend to when I get more time.  I could own them just for the joy of the history and craftmanship and how inexpensively I bought them about ten years ago.  My other 6.5 is is a TCR with a TC Custom Shop 26" medium barrel.  Sadly, this one doesn't get much use either.  When I bought it and zeroed in the scope, it was printing just a hair under an inch with factory ammo.  I believe I only tried one type in it, so there is a lot of room for improvement and I am confident it will do better.  I have 3 of the TC Custom Shop barrels - the TCR 6.5, a .223 Contender, and an Encore .308.  I have shot the .223 and the .308 enough to be quite pleased with them.  With factory ammo both have been sub .75" - still can be improved I am sure.  I got these barrels through Ed's Contenders and Ed has been very fair and honest.  Nice thing about him is he will give you a fair trade-in on a barrel too.  Wish I could be more help, but I need to shoot these things more.  I did want to say that I have been pleased with my TC Custom Shop barrels - you can get them in any length or different contours that you would like and they are reasonably priced. You can put a 26" barrel on an Encore and still have a shorter rifle than a bolt with a shorter barrel.  An Encore with a 20" barrel and a bantam stock is about as compact and easy to handle in the woods as you could want.  It depends on your use and preference. An Encore 209 is a very nice muzzleloader - and I have only heard the rumors about the walnut stock splitting with a muzzleloader set up. I have a laminated Boyd's set on mine - it is considerably heavier than the factory walnut and I cannot fathom it splitting.   If you want a Ruger, I wouldn't wait too long.  Good Shootin'.

[armory414]

If you want to go custom with an Encore, you can select the barrel blank of your choice, and send it to Mike Sirois at OTT Technology to custom chamber the barrel.  He has done excellent work, from everyone I've talked to.

[Carphunter]

I found a tc 6.5x55 barrel with sights.  Questions for Encore afficianados...

Would the sights on this barrel be dovetailed in...or screw mounted?

Can other manufacturers hanger bars be mounted to factory barrels?

I've read a post that talks about how horrible Thompson's barrels can be... rough barrels, bad crowns, off-center chambers...  How many of them are that bad?  If I find said problems with a barrel (one I'm looking at is NIB), what does Thompson do to rectify the situation?

Oh, one more...  Anyone know of a site or page that might show different manuf. forearms?  I'll need to buy one, and was looking for somewhere to compare them side by side in pics.

[Keith L]

Out of the 15 TC guns and barrels I own I have never had a bad one.  They are known for customer service, and have taken care of three problems for me over the years with no questions asked.  Two of the three were problems I caused and I told them.  They still fixed the guns at no charge with quick turn around.

Good luck.

[Carphunter]

Thanks to Ed's, I have  barrel on the way.

Oh, nm on the forearms...i just grabbed a stock TC one for now

[armory414]

If your rifle barrel has a sight, it will be screwed in.  To remove, you have to remove a drift/roll pin that holds the sight to the base.  Once that is removed, you can remove the 4 screws that hold on the base.

[Carphunter]

Well, I had planned to borrow a friend's Encore to try things out and see how I like the set up... but hit the gun store, got a great deal on a new SS composite 209x50.  So....when the barrel shows, I'm ready to rock.

Now I get to search the boards for comments on scope mounts.

Leaning heavily towards putting Leupold QR bases on both barrels.

I think I should be safe with low rings...but I'm going to have to read up (most of my scopes are 40 bells...but friend said height of QR base generally adds enough even if I'm getting close to installed sights.

[Carphunter]

Here's the complete stainless/composite Encore.  It's a TC 6.5x55 blue barrel (I think part of the Midway special run-according to Ed).  It did not come with sights drilled or installed.  I have a Leupold Vari-XIII 3.5-10 AO scope on it. I have it mounted on a Leupold Quick Release Base with their medium rings (low rings were too low for this scope).  I intend to try the rifle with this scope and work up loads.  If I want to use it for hunting, I'll probably move my Elite 4200 1.5-6 to it.  I can see I need to get a hammer spur for it.

Receiver


Left side view

[DesertRam]

Yep, looks like you're ready to go.  Chances are it'll like 140 grain bullets.  Try Nosler Partitions and Barnes Xs for premium bullets.  Hornady 129 or 140 (if they make 'em) for lower cost deer bullets.  I think you'll have fun with the old Swede.

[Carphunter]

Well, after some shooting, have found some interesting stuff.

In building loads with 140 gn Sierra GK btsp, I found a number of loads that string vertically.  I was timing shots to be about every two or more minutes.

I "think" it liked 42 gn Hodgon h4350.  It also liked 45 gn... but that's above Hogdon's listed max...and close to the point where I saw sticky ejects (45.5).

I'm goiing to switch scopes in my setup...because i didn't care for the 3.5x10...going to use my 3x9 (not much difference...but it looks better to me).

I guess at this point, I'd like to know if any one has pet loads for their encore 6.5x55 using 4350 and 140 gamekings.