cart SHOPPING CART You have 0 items
SELECT CURRENCY

Discussion Forums

Search forums
Forum Index > Rifles general discussion > 6.5x 55 Swede Obendorf Mauser Re Barrell ideas what calibre?

6.5x 55 Swede Obendorf Mauser Re Barrell ideas what calibre?

09 Jan 2017
@ 07:09 am (GMT)

Jon Short

Hi all. Looking to rebarrel my Obendorf Swede but looking for ideas on calibre. Not 6.5x55 as I already have a Howa I've worked over that I love. Prob go Truefight for barrel. Will replace stock & optics too. Already has a Timney trigger.

Mag length is limited so was thinking of 7x57 as I also have a custom 8x57. Other options I guess are 7mm08, 308, 243...

Interested in your ideas/thoughts?

NZ hunting.

Thanks,
Jon

Replies

09 Jan 2017
@ 07:58 am (GMT)

Peter Bjerregaard

Re: 6.5x 55 Swede Obendorf Mauser Re Barrell ideas what calibre?
Just don't........
You have an action aged 117-121 years (if it's an Oberndorf). What a shame to rebarrel to another calibre. Is the original barrel shot out?
Other reasons: .308 is a bit hot pressure wise in a Swede (inherently weak-ish action), and some have problems with heat treatment. You need to modify for reliable feeding, made for 6.5x55.
I know, 40.000 made by Mauser. But not many left. They don't make them anymore....

So please reconsider.

//Peter
09 Jan 2017
@ 09:16 am (GMT)

Thomas Kitchen

Re: 6.5x 55 Swede Obendorf Mauser Re Barrell ideas what calibre?
I would hate to see anything drastic done to such an old gun, the swedes knew how to make rifles.
Calibers that spring to mind
257 Roberts
7x57
8x57
but I would think about doing a 9.3x57
09 Jan 2017
@ 09:17 am (GMT)

Jon Short

Re: 6.5x 55 Swede Obendorf Mauser Re Barrell ideas what calibre?
Thanks for your thoughts Peter. Action is in very good order, best I've seen. Tight & smooth. Barrel not so good. Very pitted probably from my own stupidity/ ill treatment in my younger years plus it's previous use. I've been reloading for her despite this to get the best I can out of what she has to offer, but it's at the point now where it needs a new barrel. It's not worth bedding at this stage in her life. It's in a synthetic stock & they were selling lots of them at the time for $500 in NZ scope . I've had it for 23-25 yrs & shot a fair few animals with it & use it these days to teach friends & family to shoot, deer stalk & get gain their first deer.

I'd like to resurrect her/ give her a new lease of life, as I love the action (cock on opening modified) & have many fond memories with deer taken, but am not sure that staying with 6.5x55 (which is a calibre that I love & shoot/hunt most with) is necaessarily the best thing to do. I have a very accurate Howa in 6.5x55 so dont need another. I have an 8x57 I built on a Howa action, shillen barell so I thought something in between, Mauser based could be a good option, like 7x57?

She is not an original rifle so I'd like to re use the action for something special rather than letting her retire fully.

Any suggestions? Stay in 6.5?

09 Jan 2017
@ 09:26 am (GMT)

Jon Short

Re: 6.5x 55 Swede Obendorf Mauser Re Barrell ideas what calibre?
Hey Thomas, thanks for your thoughts too. Food for thought. 9.3x57. Fek! Thud! Yeah, I want to respect the action & history & do something that's right for her.

I would never part with her even just from my own experiences & memories deer stalking with her, so I need to make the right decisions with where to from here for her.

Yes she is an Obendorf by the way.

Cheers,

Jon
09 Jan 2017
@ 10:52 am (GMT)

Bob Mavin

Re: 6.5x 55 Swede Obendorf Mauser Re Barrell ideas what calibre?
Hi John.
Don't get sucked into the grass is greener blah blah. 6.5x55 will o the job on most critters your likely to hunt if you do your part. Unless your specializing in long range hunting most calibers will do the job, if your up to the task.
Bob
09 Jan 2017
@ 11:07 am (GMT)

Bob Mavin

Re: 6.5x 55 Swede Obendorf Mauser Re Barrell ideas what calibre?
Quote:
Hi John.
Don't get sucked into the grass is greener blah blah, this cal, that cal. 6.5x55 will o the job on most critters your likely to hunt if you do your part. Unless your specializing in long range hunting most calibers will do the job, if your up to the task.
Bob


I do a lot of culling, but if your a hunter , get in there & hunt, that's what it's all about, use whatever caliber you have to but do it humanly, get in close if your caliber needs to. Nothings more satisfying than a good stalk, outwit the quarry, clean kill & into the cool room.

One more RED & into BED :)
09 Jan 2017
@ 11:08 am (GMT)

Bob Mavin

Re: 6.5x 55 Swede Obendorf Mauser Re Barrell ideas what calibre?
Woops!!! Jon , sorry Jon
09 Jan 2017
@ 08:51 pm (GMT)

Jon Short

Re: 6.5x 55 Swede Obendorf Mauser Re Barrell ideas what calibre?
Hi Bob,

I started hunting at 15 with a bow & have taken Reds, Sika, pigs & untold small game fish & shark with various bow types. I learnt to get close & stalk well. I stopped when I was mid to late 20ies, got a haircut & got a real job. (
stopped hunting for work/ career reasons.... boring!)

I picked up a rifle at 25 but not often. The Mauser I speak of is that rifle. Later at mid to late 30ies (I'm now 47) I got back into my deer stalking full on but with my Mauser. I learnt to reload, work up loads, bed & modify half a dozen diff rifles for my self, brother, father & friends to get them shooting with surgical precision for deer stalking purposes, all with Nathan's guidance.

I guess what I'm trying to do is make a good decision for the Mauser. I hunt mainly with my Howa 6.5x55 so am thinking, why do I need another? Would it be wrong to rebarrel the Mauser in a diff calibre or should I keep her a 6.5? Personally I love the calibre & have no trouble with it for deer stalking. However I am familiar with the 8x57 too & that is majic dropping reds on the spot. I already have a custom 8x57 though which I built for my father.

Just looking to clarify my thinking as I'm struggling to see the point in having 2 6.5s.

So do ya reckon I should keep her 6.5x55? The barrel would not be a Mauser barrel anyway as there wouldn't be any available would there? Rather it would be a truflight prob 24 inch I'd go for.

Thanks,

Jon
09 Jan 2017
@ 10:15 pm (GMT)

Bob Mavin

Re: 6.5x 55 Swede Obendorf Mauser Re Barrell ideas what calibre?
Hi Jon

I talk to so many people that get bored with their capable caliber and start looking for that magic, something else (me too, a bit).
I have a 12g, 22 rim, 6mm remington, 243 win, 308 W, 30-06 & 358 Winchester.
They all get used, but i mostly use the 308W with 168 z-max pills.

I'm not qualified to advise you on your Mauser, but I'm sure someone will chime in.

Bob
09 Jan 2017
@ 10:21 pm (GMT)

Warwick Marflitt

Re: 6.5x 55 Swede Obendorf Mauser Re Barrell ideas what calibre?
Jon it would make a lovely 35 Whelen! Just saying
It's your rifle. whatever you do it will be good. You have had experience with your
Other rifles so go for it.
09 Jan 2017
@ 10:56 pm (GMT)

Jon Short

Re: 6.5x 55 Swede Obendorf Mauser Re Barrell ideas what calibre?
Thanks Bob & Warwick... yep I love the 6.5 as I know you both do. I'm not one to get bored with a calibre particularly the 6.5 which I've enjoyed so much over the years.

It will be my winter project so just making plans for her now. I'm tending to lean towards 7x57 that way staying with a Mauser calibre but also giving me something in between the 6.5x55 & 8x57 I already have. Makes a nice line up...

I have a dedicated long range rig in 7m RM so have that covered & could use same Amax 162G projectile.

Thanks again guys, appreciate your thoughts.

Jon
09 Jan 2017
@ 11:34 pm (GMT)

Warwick Marflitt

Re: 6.5x 55 Swede Obendorf Mauser Re Barrell ideas what calibre?
7x57 it is then. Sweet and easy when you can use the same primers and projectiles in two different cals. Maybe even powders?
10 Jan 2017
@ 02:45 am (GMT)

Hamish Gibbs

Re: 6.5x 55 Swede Obendorf Mauser Re Barrell ideas what calibre?
Staying with an original calibre sounds great and id probably do the same, just out of interest would the .284/162 combo fit? Interesting mention of I think it is m98 action in .284 text. Not sure if it's same length or I'm mixed up again.
11 Jan 2017
@ 08:54 am (GMT)

Jon Short

Re: 6.5x 55 Swede Obendorf Mauser Re Barrell ideas what calibre?
Hi Hamish,

Not sure re those calibres as I'm not familiar with them. I'll have to read up... Mag length is an issue for longer cartridges as the mag is 82mm.

Cheers,

Jon
12 Jan 2017
@ 05:59 am (GMT)

Jon Short

Re: 6.5x 55 Swede Obendorf Mauser Re Barrell ideas what calibre?
Hi Hamish,

I've read the 0.284 Winchester knowledgebase now & it looks like it may work & be an interesting choice. I'll talk to Grant at True Flight about it to see if it is feasible or if other more conventional calibers would be preferred.

Thanks,

Jon
15 Jan 2017
@ 10:22 am (GMT)

Hamish Gibbs

Re: 6.5x 55 Swede Obendorf Mauser Re Barrell ideas what calibre?
Thanks for keeping posted Jon I will be interested to hear how you get on, I was all hot on the idea of a .284 a few years back, the more you research it the more you wonder why its not more mainstream. Deemed the parker hale action I have not worth spending coin on and something else came along. Like you said it not original and sounds like the more functional it is the more you will enjoy it, 162's at 2800 out of a handy lil 22" platform sounds shit! Let your 6.5 down easy ok.
15 Jan 2017
@ 11:30 am (GMT)

Peter Bjerregaard

Re: 6.5x 55 Swede Obendorf Mauser Re Barrell ideas what calibre?
Hi Jon,
6.5 x 284 is not a viable option in my belief. For 6.5x55 in a m96 action MAP is 46000 cup. Load data for modern actions give a MAP of 50000 cup. MAP of 6.5x284 is 54000 cup.
I know Nathan runs his Swdes full tilt, but you can reach its limits. Actions can have problems with brittleness (metallurgi of the time) Swedish author Tobias Hassel has devoted a whole book on the subject of safety and pressure. He succeded blowing up a 1904 Swede at a calculated 54000 cup.

These numbers are to the best of my knowledge. Nathan please chime in and correct me if I'm wrong and/or have kept it too simple.

//Peter
16 Jan 2017
@ 06:15 am (GMT)

Jon Short

Re: 6.5x 55 Swede Obendorf Mauser Re Barrell ideas what calibre?
Yep roger that.. I'm certainly not going to take any silly risks re: pressure. I may end out staying with 6.5x55 yet. I do love the caliber.

I bought a Lyman Borescope a few days ago so can 100% verify the barrel is absolutely rooted! Its a miracle I shot a half MOA group with it a while ago.

Great piece of kit to have to check on throat erosion & copper fowling along the full barrel length.

Haven't managed to contact Grant at True Flight but will let you know the outcome.

Cheers,

Jon


13 Feb 2017
@ 06:14 pm (GMT)

Jon Short

Re: 6.5x 55 Swede Obendorf Mauser Re Barrell ideas what calibre?
Dropped the old girl in to Grant at Trueflight so 7x57 it is, 24 inch no3 contour, 1 in 9 twist.

Should be a fun project.

Cheers,

Jon
13 Feb 2017
@ 06:33 pm (GMT)

Warwick Marflitt

Re: 6.5x 55 Swede Obendorf Mauser Re Barrell ideas what calibre?
Fantastic Jon. Grant does an awesome job. Keep us posted.
13 Feb 2017
@ 07:32 pm (GMT)

Jon Short

Re: 6.5x 55 Swede Obendorf Mauser Re Barrell ideas what calibre?
Cheers Warwick, will do.

Jon
14 Feb 2017
@ 03:09 am (GMT)

Bryan Webster

Re: 6.5x 55 Swede Obendorf Mauser Re Barrell ideas what calibre?
A really great choice Jon. I love my 7x57, but it is a Remington 700 Classic style rifle with a 22 inch barrel and it sits in an HS Precision stock.
14 Feb 2017
@ 03:40 pm (GMT)

Hamish Gibbs

Re: 6.5x 55 Swede Obendorf Mauser Re Barrell ideas what calibre?
Hey Jon just so we know was the 7x57 just a personal choice/ were there possible pressure issues with a .284 or other reasons.
Thanks for the update on the build.
14 Feb 2017
@ 05:00 pm (GMT)

Mike Dellis

Re: 6.5x 55 Swede Obendorf Mauser Re Barrell ideas what calibre?
Late to the party but I think you made a great choice. I probably would have voted for a new 6.5X55 bbl but since you already hunt with the Howa your decision to go with the 7X57 is one you won't regret. Look forward to updates. I have had very good results with the 139 gr Hornady 2600-2700fps H4350. Good luck.
14 Feb 2017
@ 06:27 pm (GMT)

Jon Short

Re: 6.5x 55 Swede Obendorf Mauser Re Barrell ideas what calibre?
Hi fellas,

Thanks for your feedback.

Bryan, I'm yet to pick a stock to bed it in so am up for suggestions. I was looking at a Boyd laminate which is what I used from my fathers Howa/shillen 8x57 I built. A straight recoiling synthetic stock would probably suit me better as it will get hard time hunting here. I like a reasonably wide forend (like the boyd & hogue stocks) but not OTT like my Remington 7mm RM LR stock is. Can hardly get my hand around the damn thing.

Hamish, on discussion with Grant at Trueflight (who knows the 284 well) we felt it was safest to go with the lower pressure of the 7x57... to be safe. 7x57 has always interested me anyways. So the decision was based on pressure risks & personal.

Mike, thanks. Yep love the 6.5x55 & have shot many reds, fallow & the odd pig with it. Yeah the 7x57 should be alot of fun especially when she puts the first veni in the freezer! At this stage looking at using the 162G AMax/ELDM as I have a few for my 7mm RM.

Cheers,

Jon
 

ABOUT US

We are a small, family run business, based out of Taranaki, New Zealand, who specialize in cartridge research and testing, and rifle accurizing.

store