No experience with the 6.5x55 here, but have you considered a 338-06? Just wondering since I've been toying around with that idea.

 

I shoot a 260, very close if not identical ballistics to the 6.5x55 - its a great round for target thru hunting - light recoil, great ballistics, lots of whallop... bullets have great BC and SD, making them suitable for hunting with flat trajectories and excellent penetration.
Barrel swap is an easy job for a gunsmith. $500 for barrel, and labor. Lots of guys do this work in manitoba.

 

I'm not sure how feasable that is, but 6.5 is an incredible round especially being from 1895. I shoot it quite a bit. .260 would be really cool too though.

 

Philly, i don't think you would notice a difference between the two rounds - so so close ballistically. They both spit a 120 or 130 or 140gr bullet at almost the same speed in either caliber.
The only drawback for the swede is that factory loads are loaded down to be used in the older rifles, whereas the 260 is loaded to modern pressures.

 

That conversion is something I would think about a while. It might seriously affect the value of that particular firearm down the road if you planned to sell it. You could try a trade +/- cash for something nice in 260 or 6.5x55. I recently picked up a new to me 260 in a Remington mountain rifle. That is one sweet caliber and rifle. I have had three 260's and none has been a disappointment. I have had a 6.5x55 too and no complaints there if you are handloading. Have you tried numerous venues to sell it?

 

30-06 to 6.5x55

wolverine supply in virden has sako's in 6.5x55 better way to go instead of rebarreling

 

I think you'd spend less buying a complete rifle in your desired chambering, and you'd still have your 30-06 should the need arise.

 

Now we're getting to how many of us handle the issue, add to the herd, lol.

 

Howdy all, thanks for the feedback. Rifle is off to be rebarreled to 260.

I did look at buying brand new but with baby having recently arrived I'm now limited to what space is available in the gun safe (i.e. have to sell before buying anything new). Keep in mind it's a LazerGuard, not a LazerMark, so initial investment isn't sky-high. I tried selling it locally for some time (Nunavut) but no takers. My main hunting rifle is also .30-06 so not losing access to the calibre altogether.

I did see those Sako's @Wolverine; very nice (my other .30-06 is an 85 Greywolf). I'm seeing more soothers than Sako's in my immediate future though

 

Let us know how it turns out!