Doc Mark
Single-Sixer
Good Evening, Gentlemen and Ladies,
I have long been in deep love with the 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser caliber, ever since I bought my first one, an M96, dated, I think, around 1917. I bought it from a Woolworth's store, back when they used to sell firearms!! Got it for the princely sum of $79.00, out the door!
I bought some factory rounds, and loved shooting my old Swede. I could hit a 55 gallon oil drum at 600 yard on every shot, which amazed me. Then, I began reloading for my old M96, and found an entirely new world of options. I also bought another M96, and a short-barreled model which was very intriguing. It was made in Oberndorf Germany, in 1899, long after the Swedes had been making their own. This little rifle had a lovely "blond" stock that was different than my other two Swedish Mausers, as it was slimmed down, and svelt, and it also had an action that was a slick as oiled glass, a great trigger, and a different rear sight. As you can see, I was really smitten with this wonderfully capable round. At that time, I was shooting left-handed, as that eye has always been my dominant eye. I wanted to purchase a Ruger, or Winchester in this excellent caliber, back then, but wanted a left-handed version, which was not offered, that I could discern. Fast forward many years, and due to a medical problem, my left eye lost the ability to gather light, and was on it's way to being totally sightless!! After four operations on that eye, my sight was saved, BUT that eye can no longer see straight lines, and renders everything a bit wavy for me. So, I've now trained my right eye to take over as dominant. Worked just fine.
Now, I am once again thinking about seeking out a nice Ruger 6.5x55 rifle, right-handed, of course. I'm asking any of your who own such firearms to post your comments and experiences in shooting your 6.5x55. Because of it's superb sectional density, the 6.5x55 actually digs deeper than almost any other caliber, other than the heavy-bulleted .30 caliber loads, and it's been a fabulously accurate cartridge for me. Don't get me wrong, as I love the .30-06, .223, and .45-70 rounds, and the rifles that shoot them, too. But, I have a very special, and very tender spot in my heart for the old 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser cartridge, and look forward to hearing about your own experiences with it, in Ruger rifles!! Thanks, very much, and God Bless!
Every Good Wish,
Doc
I have long been in deep love with the 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser caliber, ever since I bought my first one, an M96, dated, I think, around 1917. I bought it from a Woolworth's store, back when they used to sell firearms!! Got it for the princely sum of $79.00, out the door!
I bought some factory rounds, and loved shooting my old Swede. I could hit a 55 gallon oil drum at 600 yard on every shot, which amazed me. Then, I began reloading for my old M96, and found an entirely new world of options. I also bought another M96, and a short-barreled model which was very intriguing. It was made in Oberndorf Germany, in 1899, long after the Swedes had been making their own. This little rifle had a lovely "blond" stock that was different than my other two Swedish Mausers, as it was slimmed down, and svelt, and it also had an action that was a slick as oiled glass, a great trigger, and a different rear sight. As you can see, I was really smitten with this wonderfully capable round. At that time, I was shooting left-handed, as that eye has always been my dominant eye. I wanted to purchase a Ruger, or Winchester in this excellent caliber, back then, but wanted a left-handed version, which was not offered, that I could discern. Fast forward many years, and due to a medical problem, my left eye lost the ability to gather light, and was on it's way to being totally sightless!! After four operations on that eye, my sight was saved, BUT that eye can no longer see straight lines, and renders everything a bit wavy for me. So, I've now trained my right eye to take over as dominant. Worked just fine.
Now, I am once again thinking about seeking out a nice Ruger 6.5x55 rifle, right-handed, of course. I'm asking any of your who own such firearms to post your comments and experiences in shooting your 6.5x55. Because of it's superb sectional density, the 6.5x55 actually digs deeper than almost any other caliber, other than the heavy-bulleted .30 caliber loads, and it's been a fabulously accurate cartridge for me. Don't get me wrong, as I love the .30-06, .223, and .45-70 rounds, and the rifles that shoot them, too. But, I have a very special, and very tender spot in my heart for the old 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser cartridge, and look forward to hearing about your own experiences with it, in Ruger rifles!! Thanks, very much, and God Bless!
Every Good Wish,
Doc
