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  1. #1
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    Default Expected barrel life - 6.5x55.

    Has anyone here shot out a 6.5x55 barrel? My Howa has a little more than 3000 rounds through the barrel and is still as accurate as it ever was. It is a hunting rifle, so, it rarely fires long strings, mostly 1 or 2 shots before cooling down completely.

    I am considering selling this rifle but does not want to screw the buyer. If the barrel only have a few hundred accurate shots left, I'll rather sell the action, stock, scope mounts and suppressor and have the barrel scrapped.

  2. #2

    Default Re: Expected barrel life - 6.5x55.

    I almost want to recall reading somewhere that 8-12000 rounds on barrel life.
    But dont take my word on this.

    Reckon also depends how fast the rifle shoots. As slower calibers might be less harsh on barrel wear.

  3. #3
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    Default Re: Expected barrel life - 6.5x55.

    It's all about pressure.

    The comp shooters usually get around 3k shots, purely because they run mostly at max.
    You mostly shot 140gr bullets at around 2600ft/s, correct?

    If so I assume you wlll get good accuracy up to 5000 shots, but I wouldn't bet on more.

  4. #4
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    Default Re: Expected barrel life - 6.5x55.

    Also, few people realize this, but it's almost overbore.

    You see people tend to focus on the history of the cartridge, and 100 year old rifles, but those all shot mild loads.
    In a modern rifle, the bore to case volume ratio tells another story, for example:

    308win = 751.6
    6.5x55 = 1041
    270win = 1095

    You see it's MUCH closer to a 270 than the good old 308.

  5. #5
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    Default Re: Expected barrel life - 6.5x55.

    Quote Originally Posted by Messor View Post
    It's all about pressure.

    The comp shooters usually get around 3k shots, purely because they run mostly at max.
    You mostly shot 140gr bullets at around 2600ft/s, correct?

    If so I assume you wlll get good accuracy up to 5000 shots, but I wouldn't bet on more.
    Yes, I shot 140gr bullets at ±2650. I will have a gunsmith check it out as well. Thanks.

  6. #6
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    Default Re: Expected barrel life - 6.5x55.

    Quote Originally Posted by TStone View Post
    Yes, I shot 140gr bullets at ±2650. I will have a gunsmith check it out as well. Thanks.
    On sniper forums the mention that barrel life with a 140 gr bullet at 2800 fps is 4000+ rounds in modern rifles.
    By pushing it to 2900 fps you can halve that.

  7. #7
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    Default Re: Expected barrel life - 6.5x55.

    Why sell it T?

    That descision may come back to bite you in the ass. Think of why you bought the '55 , the reasons are proberbly still valid. Has the purchase of the Creed really made the '55 un-needed.

  8. #8
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    Default Re: Expected barrel life - 6.5x55.

    Overrated I tell you, overrated............

  9. #9
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    Default Re: Expected barrel life - 6.5x55.

    Quote Originally Posted by pre 64 View Post
    Why sell it T?

    That descision may come back to bite you in the ass. Think of why you bought the '55 , the reasons are proberbly still valid. Has the purchase of the Creed really made the '55 un-needed.
    No, I decided to buy a .375 and I need to fund it. That means selling a rifle and some other stuff. I like my .300 and 7x57 too much to sell either of them and, to be honest, the 6.5x55 can not do anything that can't be done with the Creedmoor, 7x57 and .300 win mag. I bought the 6.5x55 to take pressure of my 7x57, the Creedmoor now replaces the x55.

  10. #10
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    Default Re: Expected barrel life - 6.5x55.

    Quote Originally Posted by Messor View Post
    Overrated I tell you, overrated............
    It is a good caliber for small to medium antelope and it can deal with the larger antelope if you are careful. I like it but there is nothing magical about it, or any other cartridge for that matter.

    http://www.gunsite.co.za/forums/showthread.php?35587-6-5x55-Currently-the-most-overrated-cartridge

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