6.5x55, 120 gr Barnes works on Mule Deer

[buckfever 1]

I will never have a concern about how well a 120 gr. Barnes works in a 6.5x55.  I flattened a 250 lb. Mule deer around 100 yards.  Went 10 yards and tipped over.  Perfect just back from the shoulder shot.  Blood was all over the snow.  Perfect pass thru.  This is one highly underrated caliber and the long for size 120 gr. Barnes are accurate and wicked!!!  I will use this firearm to hunt any deer any where and maybe more.  Also not that much meat damage or bloodshot meat.  Totally pleased.  Buckfever

[bigjeepman]

Which Barnes bullet did you use? I am starting to reload the TTSX for my .308.

bjm

[buckfever 1]

I used TSX 120 gr. in the 6.5x55.  I have also used Tipped TSX in my 30-06 for a large Canadian Whitetail.  Worked great, little bigger entry hole and exit hole .  I am very pleased with both.  I think the tipped for the 30-06 is a better choice because it is a heavier bullet when used for deer.  The 120 gr. is a perfect match in the Barnes TSX for my 6.5x55.  I am done looking for deer loads I have found what works very well for me.  Both of them are very accurate, don't damage a lot of meat and put them down.  I don't know what it is about this 6.5x55 but it is a very lethal caliber on deer, very accurate, has little recoil, and reloads easily using RL-19.   

[Brithunter]

Congratulations on the Deer 

I have never used any Barnes bullets, have heard horror stories about accuracy and to be honest the normal cup and core bullets do all I ask of them. The Speer 120 flat based 6.5mm bullet is a very good one for the 6.5x55 and I have used it quite a bit on deer and fox.

[wareagleguy]

The 100gr Nosler Partitions are deer killers too!!!

[Guy Pike]

No surprise that the Swede worked well. Look at the things they shoot with it in Scandinavia. My Husky 1640 will never leave my  hands!

[Zachary]

Buckfever, what gun do you have in the 6.5x55?  Is it the Tikka?  You mentioned that the 120 Barnes is very accurate in your gun.  What kind of groups do you get?

Zachary

[buckfever 1]

It is a Tikka T-3 Hunter.  Beautiful Turkish Walnut, bought about 6 years ago.  I get actual sub-moa with 120 grn Barnes TSX and 140 grn  Nosler Partition.  On a good day at the range I can get .75 for 3 shots with the Barnes TSX if I let the barrel cool with bolt open for 5 minutes between shots.  This has become my favorite deer gun of any size small Black Hills SD or large Canadian.  Great balanced gun to carry, efficient cartridge to reload, low kick, and puts them down.    Buckfever

[usherj]

I've got the same - T3 Hunter. First started loading the 130 TSX with H4350 per the book. I got great accuracy .5 to .7 inch groups, but I would get pressure issues after as few as six rounds. Real heavy fouling. Broke my heart to abandon those bullets, worked perfectly on a whitetail, but scared to use them now. Now I use the 140 partition w/ RL22, still sub MOA but not as tight as the Barnes, and no pressure worries - barely any copper fouling.

[emtp89]

I shoot the Nosler Accubond 130gr out of My Ruger #1 in 6.5x55.   I took two whitetails this year.  Both broadside chest shots, both went down quickly.  Accuracy is great.  1 1/4 off the  bench at 100 yards.

[diggler1833]

Can't beat shot placement and bullet construction.  Your combo is more than sufficient with a decent shooter.  Congratulations.