Howa 6.5x55 review

[juelz919]

I took my Howa out today in the super heat to get it sighted (sited?) in and see what it is capable of.

I don't know if the 100+ degree heat played a part in it but by the 3rd shot both times the barrel was hot.

Anyway obviously the scope it comes with is nothing to write home about. The trigger was very nice. I like the way the action functions and there were no malfunctions.

I forgot to take pictures but both groups with Prvi Partizan were right at 2 inches at 100yds. The first group the first two shots were less than half an inch apart than the third shot was high.

The 2nd group it was a straight upward string. My guess is I was shooting way too fast. Maybe on a cooler day taking longer between shots I could get slightly better but for factory ammo and a stock scope I am more than pleased.

Man that thing shoots sweet. The recoil is SUPER manageable, in fact I enjoy it. It is the perfect amount and feel. I am addicted. The only thing I am not happy about was how fast it heated up. Although it is a hunting rifle I would like to be able to do a little practice shooting with it.

I am buying my dies and some Hornady ELD's and GMX's. I will keep you guys updated as things progress. Hopefully with some minor tweaks and handloads I am .75 MOA which

[Divernhunter]

I have load data for 120gr Nosler BT, 100/125/140gr Nosler Partition, 120/140gr Swift A-Frame, 130gr Swift Scirocco, Barnes 100gr TTSX and 120gr TSX and maybe some other bullets if you are interested. PM me if you want it. I have loads, Chrono data and targets. All of mine are with a Tikka T3 Lite

[MyOdessa]

6.5x55 is a great round, I always been a fan of it.

[John Browning]

My Tikka T3 Hunter will turn out 1in groups with pretty much any load. Real groups with 5 shots.

The 6.5x55 is a super, super, super soft shooter. I have fallen in love with it as a cartridge. The throats in the bore are usually SUPER long, which is a little weird, but seems to have little impact on the accuracy for whatever reason. I seat a good .03-.04 off the lands and it will still shoot around an inch.

[ducky_0811]

6.5 swede is a hidden gem IMO. the ORIGINAL 6.5mm. Such a great cartridge, I'm positive you'll achieve great results with handloads.

[ar15barrels]

I forgot to take pictures but both groups with Prvi Partizan were right at 2 inches at 100yds. The first group the first two shots were less than half an inch apart than the third shot was high.



The 2nd group it was a straight upward string.

This is classic thermal zero shift.
Don't even bother trying to shoot tight groups with sporter barrels.
Just get them zeroed so the first shot of the day is where you are aiming and you won't need to fire any follow up shots as the animal will be down right where you shot it.

If you want a range gun for shooting groups, get a heavy barrelled target rifle.

[save2Acali]

How much of a difference will it make?

For example. Lets say I have a sporter and a heavy barrel and i am shooting them at a rate of 1 shot per minute.

Obviously there are other factors but for illustration purposes. How many shots will the sporter get until it starts drifting. How many would the heavy barrel get.

Thanks

[3006mv]

6.5x55 is a great round, I always been a fan of it.

Like this one?

http://www.fkbrno.com/en/rifle-6-5-system

[ElvenSoul]

Howa offers that in a bull barrel

[ElvenSoul]

How much of a difference will it make?

For example. Lets say I have a sporter and a heavy barrel and i am shooting them at a rate of 1 shot per minute.

Obviously there are other factors but for illustration purposes. How many shots will the sporter get until it starts drifting. How many would the heavy barrel get.

Thanks

Lot of variables but the sporter is generally good for 5 shots. The Rem 783 has a barrel close to the old military profile so about 8 shots. Full bull barrel about 17.

[Divernhunter]

I get very tiny groups of 5 with my Tikka T3 Lite.
No need for a bull barrel if you plan to hunt with it. Just more weight to carry around and hard to shoot offhand.
I prefer the Barnes TTSX bullets in the non-lead and can help you with info on them.

[Flouncer]

I am buying my dies and some Hornady ELD's and GMX's. I will keep you guys updated as things progress. Hopefully with some minor tweaks and handloads I am .75 MOA which

Sierra, Lapua, Norma, Begrer.

Leave the apostrophes to those that can handle them

[Sutcliffe]

The Swede is under valued in the USA

It is accurate, easy to shoot well, and capable of hunting anything but the largest bears in Alaska.
If you can't shoot a Swede well, you got a lemon of a gun or you are a complete tosspot. Most likely the latter.