Three Savage Builds

[acloco]

My 6.5x55 AI built on a single shot long action 110 Savage receiver, BVSS stock, replaced standard trigger with an accutrigger, Northland Shooters Supply recoil lug, 32" Rock stainless barrel, & older Burris Black Diamond.



My shooting buddies 6.5x55 AI on a Savage RB/LP Target Action & Rock Barrel.



...and last, definitely not least....

My shooting buddies 338 RUM on a Savage RB/RP Target action, 32" Rock Barrel, Straight Shot Gunsmithing muzzle brake, & Night Force 8-32x56 NXS on Burris XTR rings.





Only started load development with all three, but the results while fireforming brass at 700 yards with the 6.5x55 AI is VERY promising. The 338 has been delivering 3 shot 3" groups at 700 yards while working up loads using 300 gr Sierra Matchkings as well.

[dannybracy]

DROOL! Nice builds!

[Ray P]

acloco.............Way to go!! Good luck shooting those 300 grainer. With right velocity 1000 yards is a piece of cake and I see your doing well at 700 with them. I know they only come packed 500 to a box, so keep an extra box tucked away.
Later
Ray P

[Clover_Shooter]

Acloco, all very nice guns. I am newly interested in the 6.5x55 calibers, mainly for hunting. Thought it would be nice for an old caliber. Can't find any bad points with it. Never heard of 6.5x55AI for long range. Can you elaborate on this fine cartridge? 6.5x55 and 6.5x55AI.

[acloco]

RayP - I am glad the 338 RUM is not mine....that is an expensive Clydesdale to feed.

Clover - uses a standard 6.5x55 case that is fireformed to what P.O. Ackley would have done. The Ackley chamber almost straightens out the wall of the case and adds a 40 degree shoulder.

I went this route, because of the cost of 6.5x284 brass. Dollar a pop is ridiculous - but, most of it is good brass.

I am using standard Winchester 6.5x55 brass and picked up 100 Lapua as well. I have 75 brass fireformed and will continue to shoot those until they are worn out.

We shot both 6.5x55 AI's and the 338 RUM today, chronograph results below.

The 338 did VERY well. 3.5" 4 shot, 700 yard group, with 92.5 gr of RL25 - groups are getting a little smaller with more powder after installing the muzzle brake.

6.5x55 AI
H4831
SHOT VELOCITY
1 2757.9 48.5
2 2830.6 49
3 2864.3 49.5
4 2883.7 50
5 2915.6 50.5
6 2937.3 51

H1K
SHOT VELOCITY
1 2766.1 51
2 2762.7 51.5
3 2821.9 52
4 2823.3 52.5
5 2842.2 53

H4350
SHOT VELOCITY
1 2840.7 15
2 2851 45.5
3 2904.9 46
4 2908.7 46.5
5 2938.9 47

RL 22
SHOT VELOCITY
1 2804.7 47
2 2788.5 47.5
3 2826.9 48
4 2857.6 48.5
5 2867.3 49
6 2941.2 49.5


338 RUM data:

RL25
1 2892
2 2911.8
3 2894.3

RL25
SHOT VELOCITY
1 2906.4
2 2901.1
3 2930.3

RL25
SHOT VELOCITY
1 2948.3
2 2931.9
3 2937.3

RL25
SHOT VELOCITY
1 2911.8
2 2948.3
3 2915.6
4 2922.6

[Ray P]

Acloco......that is an expensive Clydesdale to feed. Yep I agree on 338 rum. My 338 Lupa imp......... I had used up 1/2 an 8lb of H-1000 while fire forming. I use Hodgens Retumbo with my 300 grainers.
Thanks again for sharing and good luck.
Later
Ray P

[Clover_Shooter]

Acloco,
I was interested in “your” reasoning and intended use of a hundred plus year old improved cartridge as opposed to the other hotter 6.5s available. Was the cost of brass it? Keep use posted on the range results. Like the 204 the 6.5x55 seems to have great inherent accuracy and low recoil. I think the 6.5x55 is a good reason to get a CZ for hunting. Also Savage does not make an action for the 6.5x55, is it easy to modify a bolt face! Now I want a 6.5x55AI.

[acloco]

Ray P - a Lapua Improved? How many grains of powder do you use??? Velocity?

Clover - Mostly the cost of cases and to show the 6.5x55 still has it. The AI version of the 6.5x55 is VERY close in case dimension as the 6.5x284...so close, that I only had to ream the sleeves in the Redding competion bushing die and seating die with the AI reamer to make them work.

I almost went with the standard 6.5x55, but figured why not....and there was an excellent article from many years ago that another member sent me.

Could have went 6.5x57 AI as well.

With any luck, believe the 6.5x55 AI will be able to be used for long range prairie dogs or deer (at 1000 yards). Will try on the prairie dogs this spring.

[Ray P]

acloco............With Retumbo I'm running 98.0 w/300 @ 2850, I got room to use more, but this print 1/2 moa at 200 yards. H-1000 /95.0 / 300 gets me 2800. This loads gets me low ES in the single digits were the Retumbo my ES is in low teens. Your velocity is higher with Rem ultra mag, might be your elevation. My case capacity is 124.5 of H2O. Hope this helps. I real happy with my combination.
Good luck and later.
Ray P

[acloco]

Ray P - found the same thing shooting Retumbo in my 300 Win Mag - just don't look at the ES - just the group size!!

All three of these rifles wear 32" barrels....so, they should have a little more velocity. I know, I know....long barrels don't give better velocity up to a point....but...

The owner of this 338 RUM owns a Remington 338 RUM with a 26" barrel and a muzzle brake uses 99 gr of RL25 to achieve 2750 velocity. So, this rifle, with a 32" barrel and muzzle brake is using 92.5 gr of RL25 to achieve 2950 velocity. I AM worried about being able to truly light all of the powder.

Personally...and this is just MY personal opinion, I don't like the RL powder - dirty and not that stable in the heat...in other words...the reloader has to be CAREFUL!

On another note, EVERYBODY says that you cannot and should NOT build a 338 RUM (or similar large case cartridge) on a Savage action....for...pick your favorite reason (hardness of receiver, lugs, etc, etc).

I am not a metallurgist or physicist, but, I see NO reason that a Large Shank Savage stainless action cannot handle these rounds. Pressure is pressure...NO? In my simple mind, 60,000 psi is 60,000 psi....whether it is a 17 Remington or a 375 H & H magnum. ....and I mean this....correct me if I am wrong....because I very well could be.

I made sure the lugs have 90% contact with the receiver and inspect the lugs every 3-4 shots to make sure nothing is brewing. Granted, I don't have X-Ray eyes....

Any thoughts on checking this bolt head after another 50 rounds for stress?

[Ray P]

acloco.............I'd watch the brass and primer pockets for pressure any action that will hold a mag cartridge.........65000 psi chamber pressure..............should work for the remington utra mags. Heck the 7mm rem mag and 300 win mag generate 65000. I did try a load of 99.0/ H-1000/ 300 and that streached the web on my norma cases, primer pockets held up ok, but there was pressure, only tried two out of five and I pulled the other three apart. I use rem 9-1/2 mag primers for all my loads and no problem with ignition. A good chamber and 100% lug contact and I think you'll be ok. Brass is the weakest link!
Later
Ray P
P.S. I agree with you on reloader powders. We locked up a 3 lug sako bolt on a load reloader 22. Had .012 engraving in all 3 lugs from the receiver. All I use is Hogden powders in my mag cases.

[acloco]

RayP - I did not know that you COULD lock up a three lug Sako. 0.012...that is a lot. WOW is an understatement.

[Ray P]

acloco............We had a couple of pounds of R-22 in the black round plastic bottles. We had one of our pet catridges that loved R-22. The lot# was smudged or wore off from handling. All Alliant powder co. said was to diguard it and sent us 4 new pounds of R-22. We figured they miss packed R-19 for R-22?? But with out the lot#s they couldn't say. Yep I agree with your above comment becareful with reloader powders.
Later and have a great Holiday!
Ray P

[acloco]

Update 1-1-2009.

With 50 rounds down the tube of my 6.5x55 AI (brown laminated stock), I shot my personal best group today at 700 yards. Sorry, cannot seem to find the digital camera (go figure).

5 shot group, 700 yards, THREE inches - no bull. Three are nearly touching and I muffed #4, knew that I did, and did not care for #5 (but should have!!).

50 gr of H4831, CCI Magnum primer, 142 gr SMK, and Win 6.5x55 case.

[Ray P]

acloco.........Congrads and way to go on the group. Yep 90% of my powder base is Hodgdon. I even got my 7 stw with berger 180's moved over to a sweet load of H-4831.
Again congrads on starting out the new year with a bang!
Happy New Year!
later
Ray P