A Case study: 6.5 x 55 mm Swedish
The 6.5 × 55 mm Swedish, or the 6.5×55 SE (C.I.P) is is one of the most popular all-around rimless bottlenecked rifle cartridges in the world for both target shooters and hunters. The cartridge was developed in 1891 by a Norwegian-Swedish rifle committee to be used in the Norwegian and Swedish service rifles (Mauser m/96 in Sweden and the 6.5 x 55 Krag in Norway). At the time, Norway and Sweden had independent armies and the normal procedure was for their respective governments to use the same ammunition and then purchase firearms of their choice. After some discussions and designs back and forth, the 6.5 x 55 mm Swedish cartridge was introduced into use by the nations’ militaries in 1894. The C.I.P. standardized the cartridge as 6.5 × 55 SE in 1984.
Despite its large powder capacity, the 6.5 x 55 mm is very flexible. It delivers a flatter trajectory and excellent ballistics, and it has a smaller bullet diameter and less recoil than other full-power service rifle cartridges like the .303 British or the .30-06 Springfield. Though traditionally most used at longer ranges, the 6.5×55 SE cartridge is today extremely popular in competitions from 100 to 800 meters.
Practically all rifle manufacturers offer the 6.5×55 SE, and the current bullet technology and selection make it a great universal choice for all types of Scandinavian hunting opportunities from grouse to moose. It is one of the most commonly used rounds in Scandinavian moose hunting and is especially popular in long-range field shooting disciplines. Lapua’s popular 6.5×55 SE case takes the Large Rifle Primer (LRP), and we offer factory-loaded cartridges featuring four different bullet types with bullet weights ranging from 6,5 grams (100 grains) to 10,1 grams (155 grains).
”Old soldiers never die” – the Lapua 6.5×55 SE or the 6.5×55 Swedish case is proof of that. This caliber has long been popular all over Scandinavia, and its characteristics and performance have also been noted by sport shooters and hunters in other parts of the world.
