Premium bullets in factory ammo for 6.5 swe

[missouri dave]

I've got a 6.5 swede rifle. I like premium bullets. I've previously used trophy bonded bear claws on federal ammo. I don't reload. Yet! I just found out federal no longer carries that round for the 6.5. What premium bullets are available in factory ammo in this cartridge?

[6.5Jeffrey]

I am a third generation Swede user and while I have used premium bullets in the past I no longer do so. I have never lost an animal with either, as long as I did my part, but sometimes wished for a little more expansion from the premiums(Barnes-X). At the moderate velocities the Swede operates , a good standard bullet is all you really need. I have  seen many  antelope, deer, and even a few elk killed with standard construction 140 grain and 160 grain 6.5 bullets.  Stay off the big shoulder bones of an elk, get into his lungs and heart and he wont go far. Find a sale on core-lokts or power-points buy- the-500 and the money you save over the premiums can buy you more practice.

[Ramrod]

I agree with 6.5Jeffrey. Not needed at all. Standard bullets work fine at these velocities.

[Harry Snippe]

I've got a 6.5 swede rifle. I like premium bullets. I've previously used trophy bonded bear claws on federal ammo. I don't reload. Yet! I just found out federal no longer carries that round for the 6.5. What premium bullets are available in factory ammo in this cartridge?

You might look to NORMA.

Unless your  shooting the big stuff  the regular off the self stuff is just fine for deer.

Reloading the 6.5  is not all that hard, and then you have your pie and eat it too!
Something to think about.

[Ramrod]

You can buy alot of pie, for the price of Norma ammo, and the premium bullets add nothing extra to the 6.5mm. If you think you need to over-extend this, or any other medium caliber, to really big game, FMJ and brain shots are called for.

[Lawdog]

I've got a 6.5 swede rifle. I like premium bullets. I've previously used trophy bonded bear claws on federal ammo. I don't reload. Yet! I just found out federal no longer carries that round for the 6.5. What premium bullets are available in factory ammo in this cartridge?

Premium bullets are always a good idea.  After all they are the one item that physically connects you to the game.  Looks to me as if it’s item to get into reloading.  Cost isn’t all that much and doesn’t take up as much room as some believe.  Lawdog
 

[TNrifleman]

Federal loads the 140 grain Nosler Partition in 6.5x55 in their line of Premium ammunition. It is great ammo.

[Lawdog]

Federal loads the 140 grain Nosler Partition in 6.5x55 in their line of Premium ammunition. It is great ammo.

If you go to http://www.federalcartridge.com/default.asp?menu=1&s1=1 and plug in the 6.5mm Swede and Partition bullets you will find no listing for a 140 gr. Partition load.  Federal only shows one load now for the Swede.  A 140 gr. soft point POWER*SHOK.  Lawdog
 

[TNrifleman]

Lawdog,

Federal must have discontinued that load. I wasn't aware it had been dropped. What a shame! :cry:

[Lawdog]

Lawdog,

Federal must have discontinued that load. I wasn't aware it had been dropped. What a shame! :cry:

AMEN TO THAT.   :wink:   It's a loss to all the Swede shooters that don't reload.  For them it looks like they will need to get into reloading.  It doesn’t cast as much as many think.  Nor does it take up that much room.  With today’s equipment you can store your reloading equipment and supplies under your bed, in a convent closet or cabinet and still have it out of sight.  I reloaded when I was in college(many years ago) and lived in a SMALL studio apartment.  Kept it in a foot locker behind the bed/couch when I wasn’t using it.  Too many non-reloaders believe you need lots of bench room and tons of equipment/supplies to reload properly.  I have showed more than a few that isn’t true.  Lawdog
 

[kombi1976]

This is all you need to begin reloading:

- Lee Loader in 6.5x55 = $21
- A loading block = $5
- A Lee powder scale = $30
- A powder funnell = $5

You can get the rest as you go along and get sucked in like the rest of us have.
And you'd be surprised how much load development can be done with a Lee Loader.
Leave the restrictions of factory ammo behind.
You owe it to yourself.
You'll never go back. :wink:  

[beemanbeme]

I agree 100% with Kombi.  You don't have to take a second mortage to load good, accurate hunting ammo.  And with the savings, you can shoot a whole lot more so you can rely on shot placement rather than a magic bullet to do your killing for you.

[kombi1976]

I agree 100% with Kombi.  You don't have to take a second mortage to load good, accurate hunting ammo.  And with the savings, you can shoot a whole lot more so you can rely on shot placement rather than a magic bullet to do your killing for you.

I'd say too that by reloading you can pick which ever magic bullet you like, load it for your cartridge and have really accurate loads taylored to your rifle.
I load for 8x57 and there are plenty of great bullets in 8mm.
But do you think anyone actually loads 8x57 to it's potential or loads these premium bullets? NOPE!!! :evil:
So simply by reloading I can pick and choose what I like.
Instead of being limited to a generic 180gn soft point that is lucky to clock 2300fps I can load bullets like the 180gn Nosler Ballistic Tip to almost 2700fps. :grin:
Listen, you are falling under our spell.......
Start reloading......start reloading.......  

[cal sibley]

You pretty well have to reload to get a wide variety of bullets for your 6.5x55.  I have one in a Remington Classic and load everything in that rascal from 85 to 160grs.  There's quite a variety available to us not only in bullet weight but also in bullet brands.  It's the only way you'll get a full assortment of rounds.  Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

[rickt300]

My 6.5 likes the Hornady 140 grain interloks and I am pretty sure Hornady loads this bullet in their custom line.  At the 2500 fps I push it too it acts just like the so called "Premium" bullets except I bet a bit more expansion.

[Don Fischer]

kombi wrote,

             [/quote]This is all you need to begin reloading:

- Lee Loader in 6.5x55 = $21
- A loading block = $5
- A Lee powder scale = $30
- A powder funnel = $5

Actually to get my son started, I got him a Lee starter kit for about $75. Nothing fancy, it just works!

I too am a fan of the 6.5x55. Had one made for my wife (now an ex) and used the 140 gr Hornady. Built on a Parker-Hale1200 Super. I got just over 2800 fps over a coronagraph. I was shocked as that thing really pushed my 6.5x06 hard.

Not being a fan of premium bullet's I use mostly Hornady's and a lot of Speer hot cores in the past. It doesn't matter if you use a premium bullet or not. A well placed shot with a bullet that destroy's vitals is what kills.
The right premium or traditional lead core will both do that! Just don't deceive yourself that something magic will happen by switching to a premium, it won't you still have to to do your part. Shoot what you like.

[Don Fischer]

Well not sure how I screwed that up up there. My family reccommends a lobotomy! :grin:

[Lawdog]

Well not sure how I screwed that up up there. My family reccommends a lobotomy! :grin:

 :-D  :-D   Chalk it up to that time of the year.  Lawdog
 

[kombi1976]

Well not sure how I screwed that up up there. My family reccommends a lobotomy! :grin:

Well, you know what they say. :wink:
Insanitary is hereditary....you get it from your kids!