Rifle · CIP
6.5x55mm Swedish
Legendary Scandinavian cartridge beloved by hunters and target shooters.
- Caliber
- 0.2642″ · 6.71 mm
- Introduced
- 1894
- Case
- Rimless
- Primary use
- Military, Hunting, Target
- Status
- Active
- Introduced
- 1894
- Type
- Rifle
- Origin
- Sweden/Norway
- Inventor
- Swedish-Norwegian Rifle Commission
- Manufacturer
- Various
- Standard
- CIP
- Status
- Active
- Availability
- Common
- Case capacity
- 57 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:8
- Primer
- Large Rifle
- Case type
- Rimless
- Max pressure
- 55,000 psi
- Eff. range
- 800 yd
- Max range
- 4000 yd
- Recoil
- 12–16 ft·lb
Ballistics
Published velocity/energy data isn't available for 6.5x55mm Swedish.
Performance
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
CIP TDCC · verified| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 6.71 | 0.264 | ✓ |
| Neck ⌀ | 7.60 | 0.299 | ✓ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | 11.04 | 0.435 | ✓ |
| Shoulder angle | 25.3° | — | ✓ |
| Base ⌀ | 12.20 | 0.480 | ✓ |
| Rim ⌀ | 12.20 | 0.480 | ✓ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.50 | 0.059 | ✓ |
| Neck length | 7.87 | 0.310 | ≈ |
| Case length | 55.00 | 2.165 | ✓ |
| Overall length | 80.00 | 3.150 | ✓ |
Size vs familiar rounds
Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. 6.5x55mm Swedish is highlighted below.
Factory loads
Being verified
Advertised FPS, energy, and BC are withheld until loads clear verification.
Suitable powders
24 reloading powders listed for 6.5x55mm Swedish, fastest to slowest. Cross-reference in the finder →
Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory
Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.
Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.
Firearms chambered in 6.5x55mm Swedish
12 models in the database chamber 6.5x55mm Swedish. Browse all →
Connected reference
History
Jointly developed by Sweden and Norway in 1894 for their Mauser rifles. Never saw major combat but excelled in hunting and target shooting. Scandinavian moose hunters have used it for over a century. Gained cult following worldwide for its accuracy and mild recoil. The 6.5 Creedmoor is basically a modernized Swedish Mauser.
FAQs
- What twist rate does 6.5x55mm Swedish use?
- 6.5x55mm Swedish typically uses a 1:8 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is 6.5x55mm Swedish?
- 6.5x55mm Swedish uses a 0.2642″ (6.71 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is 6.5x55mm Swedish still in production?
- 6.5x55mm Swedish is active; typical availability is common.
- What is 6.5x55mm Swedish used for?
- 6.5x55mm Swedish is primarily used for military, hunting, target, competition.
- What are the best powders for 6.5x55mm Swedish?
- Reloading powders commonly listed for 6.5x55mm Swedish include N530, Reload Swiss RS60, IMR 3031, N135, among 24 suitable options.
Sources & provenance
- Standard C.I.P. — C.I.P. TDCC — Tables of Dimensions of Cartridges and Chambers
- Standard SAAMI — ANSI/SAAMI Z299.4-2025 — Centerfire Rifle Velocity & Pressure Data · grain_ballistics, representative_gun archived
- Manufacturer Federal (federalpremium.com) — Power-Shok Rifle 6.5x55 Swedish 140 Grain (SKU 6555B) · grain_ballistics, representative_gun archived
- Manufacturer Remington (remington.com) — Core-Lokt 6.5x55 Swedish 140 Grain (SKU 29140) · grain_ballistics, representative_gun archived
- Manufacturer Hornady (hornady.com) — 6.5x55 140 gr SST Superformance (Item 85507) · grain_ballistics, representative_gun archived
- Manufacturer Norma (norma-ammunition.com) — Norma Bondstrike 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser 143 gr (20166382) · grain_ballistics, representative_gun archived
- Manufacturer Federal (federalpremium.com) — Fusion Rifle 6.5x55 Swedish 156 Grain (SKU F6555FS2) · grain_ballistics, representative_gun archived
- Manufacturer Norma (norma-ammunition.com) — Norma Oryx 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser 10.1 g / 156 gr (20165622) · grain_ballistics, representative_gun
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 84 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →