6.5x55 for Mule Deer

[T.R.]

Mule deer are not armor plated.  Just about any hunting cartridge will get the job done quickly.

My wife hunts with a custom 6.5mm Swede.  It is accurate, moderate recoil, and hits hard.  She hunts antelope, mulies, and elk with same 140 grain Nosler Partition bullet.  Its a keeper!

TR

[Sweetwater]

TR+1+1 and that's a great picture of a handsome mule deer!

Regards,
Sweetwater

[WyoStillhunter]

Nice photo, T.R.  I appreciate your comment about the 140 gr. Nosler PT for the Swede, too.

I just bought a Limited Edition Rem. 700 Classic (1994 mfg.) in 6.5X55.  For the time being my go to gun for elk is a 35 Whelen (1988 mfg.) Rem. 700 Classic.  I got the Swede for antelope and mule deer with the idea that it is capable of taking elk if (when?) I need to give up the extra recoil of the Whelen.

I am using 140 gr. Hornady bullets for load development but figure the Nosler PT will get the nod for actual hunting.

[Siskiyou]

Mule deer are also found in a little bit of cover.

[Davemuzz]

   Here are some photo's of my new Savage Model 12, bolt action single shot with a Shilen stainless barrel, 1-9 twist, 23" 6.5x55 Swede that I "put together" myself. I bought the action new for $310, the stock (a Savage Sporter in Laminated) for $130, and the Shilen barrel cost $280. So, for a total of $720 I have a brand new Swede caliber Savage in stainless....and I put it together myself!    The target is a 5 shot group at 100 yards with Berger 140 grain VLD's over 45 grains of Reloader 22. I have since bumped up the powder to 46 grains. The target is the results of what the gun did after about 20 rounds down the pipe. It's gotton better since then, and I now have put about 100 rounds down the tube. Should be good on whitetails this fall!!!

Dave

[Siskiyou]

Dave,

I need a new rifle like a hole in the head, but your rifle does give one the itch.

[Davemuzz]

Yeah....I hear that.....this way it was easier on the wallet....plus I didn't hear the Mrs. ask me about justifying another "new" rifle. Since it was parts......it just kind of "appeared". 

Dave