6.5 x 55 Swedish

First introduced in 1894, the 6.5 x 55 Swedish (commonly known as the “6.5 Swedish Mauser”) stands out as one of the most enduring and respected military and sporting cartridges in Europe. Originally developed by a joint Swedish-Norwegian commission, this cartridge served as the standard round for Swedish and Norwegian military rifles such as the Mauser m/96 and the Krag-Jørgensen. The combination of modest recoil, excellent long-range performance, and high sectional density projectiles contributed to its popularity and longevity. Over time, the 6.5 x 55 Swedish transitioned from military service into civilian hands, earning a reputation for fine accuracy, soft shooting, and reliable terminal performance.

Today, the 6.5 x 55 Swedish enjoys widespread use among sport shooters and hunters, particularly in Scandinavia and across Europe, where it has become synonymous with precision target shooting and responsible game hunting. Many reloaders favor the caliber for its impressive accuracy potential, which is partly due to a gentle recoil impulse and long bullets that stabilize well with the common 1:8.5 to 1:8 twist rates found in most rifles chambered for this round. Target shooters find the cartridge well-suited for competition disciplines, including long-range F-Class and benchrest formats, thanks to the efficient, high-ballistic-coefficient bullets typically available in 6.5mm. Reloaders appreciate the cartridge’s forgiving case design, which responds well to careful handloading and case longevity when operated below maximum pressure thresholds.

Within hunting circles, the 6.5 x 55 Swedish sees extensive use on a wide variety of game species. In its Swedish homeland, it is considered a near-ideal deer cartridge, proving effective on roe deer, fallow, and red deer, while delivering adequate performance even on European moose (Alces alces) when appropriate bullet selection and shot placement are observed. Medium-sized game such as wild boar and chamois also fall well within its capabilities. Although the 6.5 x 55 Swedish may be overshadowed by magnum cartridges for the largest game, experienced hunters trust it for ethical kills due to its deep-penetrating, high-sectional-density bullets that retain momentum and expand reliably. Internationally, it is popular for New Zealand tahr and North American pronghorn, de-emphasizing its versatility. Reloaders seeking optimal performance for their quarry can select bespoke bullets that balance expansion with penetration depending on intended target size.

When it comes to bullet weights, the 6.5 x 55 Swedish typically accommodates projectiles ranging from 85 grains up to 160 grains, with the sweet spot for most applications lying between 120 and 140 grains. Target shooters often choose lighter, streamlined bullets (~120 grains), while hunters favor 139-142 grain soft points or premium bonded bullets, although traditional 156-160 grain round-nose bullets remain popular for moose in Scandinavia. The cartridge operates at moderate pressures (generally up to 51,000 psi) and delivers velocities in the range of 2,500 to 2,800 feet per second, offering a flat trajectory and mild recoil. Reloaders appreciate the cartridge’s long neck, gradual case taper, and generous shoulder angle, all of which help promote uniform case life and consistent seating depth, important factors in achieving match-grade accuracy or reliable field results. The 6.5 x 55 Swedish’s blend of efficiency, shootability, and reloading ease ensures its continued popularity both at the reloading bench and in the field.