Author Topic: Varmint loads for 6.5x55? (Read 1827 times)

firstshot · « **on:** December 18, 2004, 04:12:30 PM »

I've got a M38 6.5x55 that I want to use for varmint hunting. Primarilly coyote & bobcat. I've been shooting deer with 140 graners in this gun for years, but am now using a 30-06 BAR as my primary deer / bear gun.

What would you recommend as a good varment load (bullet / powder) for the 6.5x55? I was wandering if they maintained their excellent accuracy with the lighter weight bullets? I am considering the Hornady 95 V-Max which has a fairly decent BC of .365.

I reload for my 30-06 but have never reloaded for the 6.5x55. I've heard that you shouldn't load them to max per the loading manuals. How far below max do I need to stay?

Thanks
firstshot
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Make your first shot count!

oso45-70 · « **Reply #1 on:** December 18, 2004, 05:07:10 PM »

Firstshot,

Don't know if you are going to save the pelts or not, If you are going to save them you might want to use some thing like the partition or one of the other better bullets. I don't think it will matter what weight bullet you use they are going through no doubt. Your 6.5X55 will do a fine job on any thing you shoot. Ought to be a lot of fun with lower loads, You don't need hot loads to do the job in fact you will have better luck with reduced loads. Good luck and good shooting........Joe..........

firstshot · « **Reply #2 on:** December 18, 2004, 05:59:43 PM »

Joe

I'm not really into saving the pelts; however, if I got a real nice pelt from a cayote or especially a bobcat I would probably have it tanned to go on the wall. Definitely wouldn't make a habit of it though.

Hornady has a 95 Grn Vmax (SD=.195), Sierra has 85grn (SD=.174) & 100 grn (SD=.205) Varmiters and Speer has a 90Grn (SD=.184) TNT HP. Don't know if these light weights will shoot well in the Swede but if they expand like a varmit bullet should the SD is low enough that they might not pass all the way through.

Guess I'll just have to find out. As far as I'm concerned, half the fun is in working up loads. Then the other half........well, there is just nothing like taking game with your own handloads.

firstshot
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Make your first shot count!

Lawdog · « **Reply #3 on:** December 19, 2004, 02:12:06 PM »

firstshot,

I wish you a lot of luck with the Swede for varmints. The wife tried to use hers for varmints using the same 95 gr. V-Max's and they ricocheted badly. Didnt really have any luck with any of the so-called varmint bullets in .264 caliber. That is why I bought the wife a Ruger No.1 in .22 Hornet last year for Christmas. Lawdog

Vern Humphrey · « **Reply #4 on:** December 19, 2004, 04:11:14 PM »

A .22 Hornet, with a 35-grain VMax loaded over a case full of Li'l Gun is about the best varmit cartridge going for most of the country. I take crows and coyotes with mine fairly regularly.

firstshot · « **Reply #5 on:** December 19, 2004, 05:33:00 PM »

Quote from: Lawdog

firstshot,

Didnt really have any luck with any of the so-called varmint bullets in .264 caliber.Lawdog

Gee.....hate to hear that, but since I'm not into keeping pelts, I don't know that it really matters that much. Might just take my BAR 30-06 out after those song dogs....LOL

Just thought I'd use the 6.5 swede for a preditor gun until my son gets old enough to cary it deer hunting. You have any luck with bullets in the 100 - 120 grn weight range? Where I'll be preditor hunting, shots over 200 Yds would be very rare & the 100/120's would probably do just fine at those ranges.

fistshot

firstshot · « **Reply #6 on:** December 24, 2004, 10:33:35 AM »

I picked up some 85 grain Sierra HPs today. Who knows if they wil shoot accurately in my gun, but figured I'd start with the lighter grn bullets and work my way up until I find one that shoots with acceptable accuracy.

Also ordered a set of 6.5x55 Redding reloading dies. Got the neck resizer type. I use a full length resizer for my BAR but I would think neck resizing only should be ok for the swede bolt action.

Also picked up some 125Grn Nosler Ballistic tip factory seconds from Shooters Pro Shop for my BAR. They were on sale for $6.95. 125Grn might be a little heavy for varmints but if they shoot good in the Odd6 it sure would be good to be able to priactice on varmints in the off season.

firstshot
-------------------------------
Make your first shot count!

2ndtimer · « **Reply #7 on:** January 02, 2005, 05:01:31 AM »

Firstshot, let us know how those 85 gr Sierras shoot in your Swede. I just got some of the Speer TNT 90 gr Hollow Points to try in my Howa 1500 Lightning. It hasn't been the most accurate rifle I have owned, but I am hoping to glass bed the action to see if it will improve. Even the groups with 140 gr bullets have only been around 2 inches for 3 shots at 100 yards, and the 100 gr Ballistic Tips have been more like 3 inches or more. I am hoping to get the action bedded to see if it will improve, but am curious to see if any of the Swedes can shoot light bullets accurately.

firstshot · « **Reply #8 on:** January 09, 2005, 12:44:30 PM »

2ndtimer

I've got some work-up loads put together with the 85Grn Sierra HP's and with 100Grn Nosler BT's that I picked up while I was waiting for the 6.5x55 dies to come in. Just haven't had a chance to get to the range and see how they do.

I loaded these first two batchs loaded on top of Varget as that's what I decided to try first for my 30-06 125Grn BT loads.

I'll sure keep you posted.

firstshot
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Make your first shot count!