Ruger M77 Mark II in 6.5x55 Swede

[bigblue]

I've been wanting another rifle in either 7mm-08 or one of the 6.5 caliber cartridges. Today my local FFL dealer had a nice used Ruger in 6.5x55 and I just had to have it. The rifle has great blueing and nicely figured stock, but the stock had a few hunting dings and that grain really wants a nice oil finish. The stock is hanging at my work bench now with two coats of Citri-strip. The trigger pull was a bit stiff at 5.5lbs. so I did a little polishing and changed an angle or two to get the pull down to 3lbs. I've never owned a rifle chambered for this cartridge before so I look forward to playing with loads for it. I have to order dies, brass and bullets. I'll put up a photo once I get it 'er done.
Don

[juliang]

The bug bites again! Well done Don, welcome to the 6.5mm club.

[bubbawitha4570]

A guy that I used to work with back home owns a 6.5x55 swede original mil surp and uses it for deer hunting quite a bit. The only thing that he complains about is finding softpoint hunting shells....he doesn't reload, just drinks beer for a pasttime. .....oh yeah, and he still expects to find shells for 15 year ago prices too!!!

[bigblue]

Here she is!
Don

[bubbawitha4570]

I particularly like the third pic of your rifle in "repose" position

[DocHolladay]

Looks great. What kind of scope is that? I see a gold ring which makes me think its a Leupold.

[juliang]

That looks like a nice rifle, I like the pic of it on the leaves by the tree. I see a lot of Hodgdon powders in pic2, is that Benchmark and Varget?
So Don, what rifles do you currently own now? I think that could be an interesting thread.

[smokepole]

Nice weapon you got there. How does it shoot?

smokepole

[bigblue]

I still didn't get a chance to shoot it. I do have one box of Norma 156gr. SP factory ammo that I picked up, but would rather sight it in with cheap reloads before trying them. I have a few boxes of bullets already and cases are on order from both Graf's and Midway, but so far no cases to load up. The scope is an old Leupold M8-3x fixed power scope. The rifle weighs 7lbs. 14ozs. with the scope mounted. A little heavier than I'd like, but still within reason.
Don

[bigblue]

Nov 10, 2008 5:22:51 GMT -6 juliang said:

That looks like a nice rifle, I like the pic of it on the leaves by the tree. I see a lot of Hodgdon powders in pic2, is that Benchmark and Varget?

I use mostly Hodgdon or IMR powders, but a few Alliant also. I think I have close to 20 different powders.

Nov 10, 2008 5:22:51 GMT -6 juliang said:

So Don, what rifles do you currently own now? I think that could be an interesting thread.

I'll have to work on that one, maybe a group shot someday? A lot of them come and go as interests change. A real interesting project would be to try to remember and list all the rifles I have owned. Many I've sold to fund my next interest. Some I've bought, sold and bought again. LOL
Don

[smokepolehall]

congrats on your rifle, i have a 6.5x55 also nice older Swede

[bigblue]

Well as enthusiastic as I was about this cartridge and rifle, I have to admit that they don't all work out. I tried three different brands and weights of factory ammo including expensive Norma ammo, handloads with several different bullet weights and powder combinations and it just wouldnt shoot worth a sh!t. No consistent groups, more like a pattern! I was faced with either re-stocking with something like a Hogue stock, trimming the factory stock, bedding and floating the barrel, re-barreling the rifle or just throwing in the towel and cutting my losses, which is what I did. I have a good relationship with my local FFL dealer and explained the situation to him and he gave me the money back as a credit towards something else. It sure did cost me a few bucks in ammo, bullets, powder, cases, and dies, but accuracy just wasn't in the cards for this rifle.
Don

[smokepolehall]

now i am not an expert but the bullet weight you used was it 140 grs and lower ? cause that rifle has a slow twist and doesn't stablized heavy bullets. mine has a 1 to 7 1/2 twist and loves the 100 grs on up to and including 160's

[bigblue]

REloads were with 140, 129 and 120gr. bullets, the highest weight I tried was the Norma 154gr. The best group I was able to get was in the 5" range! It may have been the barrel or the pressure from the stock on the barrel. Either way I couldn't be sure that it would be resolved just by bedding the action and floating the barrel. I didn't want the expense of having to change the barrel if that was a last resort.
Don

[smokepolehall]

spect you didn't need anymore cost fer sure. that maybe why the prior owner dumped it also