SAKO AV Deluxe

[tikkasako6.5]

My L57 chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor shoots a 155 grain Lapua bullet @ 2550 fps, which is exactly what the Lapua 6.5x55 Swede factory load does. The 6.5 Swede, the 260 Rem, & the 6.5 Creedmoor are ballistically the same. Just different cases & different marketing ploys. The differences between them is not the ballistics or terminal performance, but rather in action size, magazine compatibility, & ammo/brass availability, not to mention rifle availability. The Creedmoor wins that contest hands down.

Agreed entirely. My handloads can barely get the 55SE to match the Creedmoor MV with about 46-47 grains versus 42-43 grains powder. For the same bullet, the kinetic energy at impact is proportional to the square of the velocity. I do, however, live for the fact that the Swede case was designed in the early 1880's! The throats are one 'long' taper at about 0.7 degrees, compared to the CM and many newer others at X of freebore then 1.5 degrees leade. You can load 142-147 long 'pointies' at/near 'jam' and still seat about 0.300" bearing surface along the neck. More importantly, that is one gorgeous rifle, and I actually prefer long actions.

 

[stonecreek]

"Factory" ballistics are one thing; case capacity and velocity potential are another. The Swede's small but notable advantage in case capacity means that, if loaded with optimal powders to identical pressures (which is just fine in a Sako action), that the Swede will yield a bit more velocity than the 6.5 Creedmoor. However, it takes a very experienced whitetail deer to discern the difference when struck by one or the other. Such a whitetail could probably also detect the difference if the round were a .260 Remington.

Like an astute salesman once told me, "They're 50 cents apiece, or I'll let you have a half-dozen for three dollars".

 

[pecosbill]

I have a Sako Deluxe in .270, and happy shooting a classic caliber that still gets the job done.

 

[Jeffy1]

And the 270 always will get it done, adequately. Ask Jack Connor.

 

[Jeffy1]

Scratch that. Jack O'Connor.

 

[stonecreek]

And the 270 always will get it done, adequately. Ask Jack Connor.

Maybe the most versatile whitetail and antelope cartridge ever designed -- not that it won't take an elk quite handily if called upon. My Finnbear .270 is my "serious" deer rifle. Besides that, I took blue wildebeest, kudu, warthog, and a range of lesser African game with the guide's ancient Musgrave .270 using the cheap promo Hornady "Whitetail" ammunition. All succumbed timely, most with a single shot.

 

[Jeffy1]

I have taken elk with a 270. Lung/heart shots only.

 

[wombat]

A good condition AV in 6.5x55 has just come up here in Australia on “usedguns.com.au” at AUD $2450 , don’t see many in this calibre over here ……

 

[paulsonconstruction]

A good condition AV in 6.5x55 has just come up here in Australia on “usedguns.com.au” at AUD $2450 , don’t see many in this calibre over here ……

You don't see many in that caliber anywhere. At the current exchange rate that's about $1625 USD. It would attract a lot of interest here. I've only seen a handful & even fewer for sale.