Author Topic: 6.5 Swede for 'Yotes? (Read 1471 times)

Dutch4122 · « **on:** February 22, 2003, 04:39:59 AM »

I have a Ruger M-77 Mk-II in 6.5 Swede and was wondering if it would be a good choice for Coyotes? I was figuring on loading 100 grn spitzers (Barnes solids, maybe) and I'm sure the Swede will push them fast enough. Just wondering what you more experienced predator hunters think of this caliber. The only other suitable caliber I own is a Ruger Mini-14 Ranch Rifle in .223 and I have not done any serious accuracy work with it. I'd rather just make use of the Swede; as I can't afford to invest in another rifle right now.

Any opinions or comments would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Pecos · « **Reply #1 on:** February 23, 2003, 08:30:07 AM »

If you are not worried about saving the hides, give the 95 grain Hornady vmax a try. We load it in a friends 6.5X55 to bout 3000 fps and it works very well.

Pecos

Dutch4122 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 23, 2003, 10:31:30 AM »

Pecos-

Thanks for the advice. I'll try the 95 grain V-Max; also might try their 100 grn SP Spitzer as I'm sure it's cheaper than the V-Max. I think I'll also try the Sierra 100 grn H/P; the tech at the Sierra Customer Service claimed that at the velocity the Swede will push their bullet it will get in and do a lot of internal damage and shock. I figure it's worth it to try all three as I'm sure this rifle will like one of them.

Thanks again,

Lee D. · « **Reply #3 on:** February 24, 2003, 02:01:21 AM »

I shoot an old military carbine with the 1-7 twist. I shot a small coyote at about 60 yards thru the ribs and out the shoulder. .265 hole in .265 hole out. The dog never moved. Love that little gun. Bullets go where ever the crosshairs are and kill whatever is there.

Dutch4122 · « **Reply #4 on:** February 24, 2003, 04:32:04 AM »

Lee D.-

Thanks for the input. As accurate as this Swede is I'm sure I've got a winner here. I'm not concerned about damage to the hide so a little bigger caliber than .22 is not a big deal. Just wanted to get some opinions from those like yourself who have used this caliber or witnessed its use first hand.

Just curious, what load or bullet were you using? Seems that military surplus ball would do just fine in a pinch. :wink:

Lee D. · « **Reply #5 on:** February 24, 2003, 06:21:14 AM »

I meant to include that info. 160 gr Hornady at about 2400fps. My big game load. Shoots good and so far it kills real good. However as we have agreed on this site before there are 3 important criteria to game calibers and loads 1: bullet placement. 2: bullet placement and 3: bullet placement.

Dutch4122 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 24, 2003, 07:28:58 AM »

Lee-

I hear you loud and clear! Thanks for your advice.

Larry Gibson · « **Reply #7 on:** February 25, 2003, 05:06:30 AM »

Dutch

I've used the 6.5 Swede and a 6.5-06 on 'yotes for years. Unless you use the 140/160 gr bullets at the lower velocitites, as stated, the lighter 6.5 bullets will cause considerable damage to the hide. If the hide is not a concern then here's what I use in my M38 6.5 Swede. With the fast twist of the military Swedes the RPMs generated at velocities above 2950-3000 fps will destroy accuracy of most "varmint" weight bullets. The 100 gr Sierra HP is the exception. I push it to 3200 fps quite safely with Varget and get MOA accuracy. It is devestating on 'yotes (really devestating at 3550 fps out of the 6.5-06) as the Sierra tech stated. I have not tried the V-Max as the Sierra is not broke so I see no need to fix it with a more expensive bullet.

Not sure of the twist in your Ruger. If it is 1-9 then it will be more forgiving with lighter bullets at higher velocities. The 100 gr Hornady SP is worth a try in this case. Again you should get up toward 3200 fps with Varget.

An alternative to the lighter bullets are the 120 gr Sierra and the 120 gr Nosler BT. Both of these bullets when pushed to 2900-2950 fps in the Swede are accurate and deadly on 'yotes. The 120 Speer does not do the damage as the other two and may be a good "dual purpose" 'yote/deer load in your Ruger. My Swedes don't shoot them well but the 6.5-06 and my 6.5-08 shoot them nicely.

Larry Gibson

Dutch4122 · « **Reply #8 on:** February 25, 2003, 07:51:20 AM »

Larry-

Thanks much for the reply and your advice, it is well taken. After reading your post I called Ruger Customer Service and the tech advised that all Ruger 6.5x55 barrels are produced with a 1 turn in 8" twist. I think I may try the Sierra 100 grn H/P first, as I already have several boxes of them. I'll try the Hornady 100 and 95 next. The Hornady 100 grn S/P did shoot very well in a Kimber Sporterized M-96 I had a few years ago and that rifle had the original military barrel. I also tried some of the Barnes 100 grn "X" bullets in the M-96 and got 1" groups with that bullet at 100 yards in spite of the 2 stage military trigger; however that bullet has been discontinued by Barnes.

Larry Gibson · « **Reply #9 on:** February 25, 2003, 08:53:50 AM »

Dutch

Interesting with a 1-8 twist.

Another important consideration with the Ruger is the bore, it is no doubt a true .264 whereas most Swedes I've measured run .265-.267 with most right at .266. Also the throat may very well be shorter on the Ruger. This means that what may be an acceptable load in the Swede may be on the hot side for the Ruger. Years ago I found IMR4895 to be the most versatile powder for the lighter bullets until I tried Varget. It gets the nod these days. Others work well also but I've not seen a decent 6.5 Swede that wouldn't shoot about the best it will with Varget or the 4895 when using the lighter bullets. I'd also bet you'll not find a light better bullet than the 100 gr Sierras. But one never knows, the Hornady 100 SPs always did quite well as long as I kept them around 2950 fps. With either just start low and work up, you know the drill.

I've two favorite 6.5x55 sporters. One is a Mexican small ring M98 that I put a new Swede M38 barrel on. It is in a Fajen stock and shoots quite well - when I can get it back from my daughter.

The other is a "scout" M38 that I put into a glass sporter stock, converted to cock on opening, installed a Timney trigger, forged the bolt handle for easier manipulation and have a Leupold 2X scout scope mounted on it. A very sweet little rifle. Shot a nice little mule deer with it this season. Let me know how your Ruger does.

Larry Gibson

Dutch4122 · « **Reply #10 on:** February 25, 2003, 10:00:37 AM »

Larry-

Thanks for the heads up on the bore size of the original Swedes as compared to the newer Rugers. I did not know about the difference. I had assumed that the older M-96 would not be able to withstand as much pressure as the Ruger. I'll definately "start form scratch" on my handloads and work back up to the levels that my M-96 loads were at before I shoot any of those loads in my Ruger.

As for Varget, I will definately give it a try. I had only tried RL-19, Imr-4350, and Win 760 in the old M-96.

It will probably not be til this summer when I can get down to some serious load work with this rifle/caliber, but I'll let you know how things turn out.

Again, thanks for all your help.

todbartell · « **Reply #11 on:** June 20, 2003, 09:05:20 PM »

If hide damage is of no concern, your 6.5 will do wonders. That Sierra 100 gr. Varminter HP should really rip 'em up! :eek: I've shot a coyote with a 100 gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip loaded to 3000 fps. Really blew a big exit hole! :shock: There are alot of good coyote bullet choices in the 6.5mm, 85 gr. Sierra HP, 90 gr. Speer TnT HP, 95 gr. Hornady V-Max, 100 gr. Nosler BT, Sierra HP, Hornady SP, and the 107 gr. Sierra MK.