Author Topic: 6.5mm bullet weight recommendations(6.5x55) (Read 4122 times)

DakotaElkSlayer · « **on:** June 04, 2006, 02:18:56 PM »

Looking for a good bullet that will shoot flat enough for performance out to 300yds. Looking at the ballistic charts, I am leaning towards going with 140grains. What do you guys suggest? Really looking for a tough bullet that will pass-through the deer, and would really like something cheaper than a Barnes bullet.

Thanks,

Jim

CyberSniper · « **Reply #1 on:** June 04, 2006, 04:00:58 PM »

Tough bullets usually means costlier premium bullets of some make.
I prefer 140 grainers myself, but some people may well suggest that
a 120 grain bullet will shoot a little flatter to 300 yards.

Siskiyou · « **Reply #2 on:** June 04, 2006, 06:00:58 PM »

I have found that the 140 Nosler PT works great in my 6.5. The rifle and ammuniton was a gift from a younger brother. My longest kill was approximately 150 yards. The rifle puts Remington 120 grain bullets in the same group at 100 yards.

I have also purchased some 140 gr. C-L for the 6.5. I was impressed by the 150 yard kill. The shot flatten the deer. When hunting my rifle will be loaded with 140 grain bullets. I will shot up the 120 grain bullets practicing off-hand shooting.

My brother who has been shooting different 6.5 rifles over the years has killed deer with a number of bullet wieghts.

Brithunter · « **Reply #3 on:** June 05, 2006, 04:15:43 AM »

Hi There,

The Hornady 129 grn spire point works very well and effectively splits the difference bewteen the 120 & 140 grain bullets. However you need to try a couple of different makes and types to see which your particular rifle prefers

. Any of the mentioned bullets will work but seeing as the velocity is on the mild side with the 6.5 Swedish personally I don't think that premium bullets are required. Out of my 2 rifles chambered for this cartridge, one likes the 120 grn speers the other prefers heavier bullets and 140 grn shoots well. I tried the 129 grainers but they didn't like the powder I used so I changed powder and the groups tightened up, as yet I have not tried this laod in the 2nd rifle to see just it likes it. :wink:

anweis · « **Reply #4 on:** June 05, 2006, 11:03:09 AM »

Quote from: Brithunter

Hi There,

The Hornady 129 grn spire point works very well and effectively splits the difference bewteen the 120 & 140 grain bullets. However you need to try a couple of different makes and types to see which your particular rifle prefers . Any of the mentioned bullets will work but seeing as the velocity is on the mild side with the 6.5 Swedish personally I don't think that premium bullets are required.

I will second that. 129 grainer for faster flater bullet, no need for premium tough bullets. Hornady works well.

Don Fischer · « **Reply #5 on:** June 05, 2006, 11:36:19 AM »

I use a 140gr and 129gr Hornady with great results. Lately I'm leaning toward the 140 gr, just because I feel like it!

EsoxLucius · « **Reply #6 on:** June 05, 2006, 01:23:03 PM »

125 grain Nosler Partition at 2900 fps ought to do it.

davidbmatthews · « **Reply #7 on:** June 05, 2006, 02:44:10 PM »

I've been shooting the 6.5X55 for 20 years. I,ve shot most all bullets available for it. You will find that most 6.5's will shoot any bullet accurately and will have less difference in point of impact using different bullets than any rifle i've ever seen. It also will performe as well with cheep surplus powder as it does with the highdollar stuff.
This rifle made it's rep shooting long ,round nose bullets. After fooling around with them for 20 years i'm right back there.
Light bullets going fast also slowdown fast, heavy bullets not going as fast, also tend to keep on going, once you get them moving.
Remember W.D.M. Bell used one for a long time shooting elephants, when cartridges became scarce he switched over to the 7X57.

DakotaElkSlayer · « **Reply #8 on:** June 05, 2006, 03:12:36 PM »

Thanks guys! Put the CZ550FS on layaway today, bought some dies, and some Hornady 140SST's. Wednesday, I will pick up a couple more boxes of different stuff...

Thanks,

Jim

kombi1976 · « **Reply #9 on:** June 09, 2006, 03:25:07 AM »

Quote from: davidbmatthews

Remember W.D.M. Bell used one for a long time shooting elephants, when cartridges became scarce he switched over to the 7X57.

It is true that Bell used a 6.5 but it was the 6.5x54 Mannlicher-Schoenauer which is a little less powerful than the 6.5x55.
While there was probably less ammo around he switched to the 7x57 because it fired a 175gn bullet at slightly higher velocity with little more recoil.
And none of these shots were taken at 300yds so I think the reference is a tad irrelevent.
Probably any of the match bullets made, so longer as you have a suitable rifling twist, will be quite accurate at 300yds.
There is a reason Swede Mausers have a reputation for arguably the best accuracy among service rifles.

Slamfire · « **Reply #10 on:** June 09, 2006, 09:52:17 PM »

Quote from: kombi1976

Quote from: davidbmatthews
Remember W.D.M. Bell used one for a long time shooting elephants, when cartridges became scarce he switched over to the 7X57.

It is true that Bell used a 6.5 but it was the 6.5x54 Mannlicher-Schoenauer which is a little less powerful than the 6.5x55.
While there was probably less ammo around he switched to the 7x57 because it fired a 175gn bullet at slightly higher velocity with little more recoil.
And none of these shots were taken at 300yds so I think the reference is a tad irrelevent.
Probably any of the match bullets made, so longer as you have a suitable rifling twist, will be quite accurate at 300yds.
There is a reason Swede Mausers have a reputation for arguably the best accuracy among service rifles.

In "Wanderings of an Elephant Hunter" Bell said the 6.5mm 160s were too slender for shootin' elephants in the brain. The bullet would bend and not track straight.
He did shoot a lot of elephants in the heart and allow them to run off with theri askaris in hot pursuit. Old bulls have a couple of apprentices. He thought it was a good idea not to have a couple of poed young bulls around when it came time to pull the tusks.

6.5Jeffrey · « **Reply #11 on:** July 29, 2006, 02:06:13 PM »

I used to buy 140 grain core-lokt from Midway 500 at a time and still shoot them for my general purpose/casual/plinking bullet. And have used everything from the 125gr N-P to 158gr Norma with success. However when im really serious I have a pet Swede with a pet load that piles 120 Barnes-X into one ragged hole at almost 3100fps. The quality of the Barnes lets me drop some bullet weight and gain some velocity.
Yes I am aware the Swede built its repuation on slow and steady and still performs remarkably that way just keep in mind its more flexible than the American ammo manufacturers lead us to believe.

Brithunter · « **Reply #12 on:** July 30, 2006, 11:23:57 AM »

Actually Bell used the earlier version the Mannlicher Model 1892 in 6.5x53R. It's mention on his safari of 1897 that he used the 6.5 (.256") which of cousre was several years before the Schoenauer came out.

S.S. · « **Reply #13 on:** July 31, 2006, 07:34:23 AM »

I like the 120 grain Sierra GameKing. It is a very accurate bullet.
The 100 grain nosler Ballistic Is great on things such as Coyote also.
I have never found any factory round so far that did not shoot well
in my 6.5x55 either. It is a great cartridge

TNrifleman · « **Reply #14 on:** July 31, 2006, 02:51:53 PM »

I have used both 125 and 140 grain Nosler Partitions in my 6.5x55 bolt rifles with great success on whitetail deer. I haven't recovered a single bullet, but every deer was a quick one shot kill. Several were on the far side of 200 yards.

Buckfever · « **Reply #15 on:** July 31, 2006, 05:40:08 PM »

6.5 Jeffery would you be willing to share your 120 Barnes TSX load. I promise to start well below and work up to the right velocity for my 6.5x55, T3 Tikka. Thanks Buckfever

Slamfire · « **Reply #16 on:** July 31, 2006, 05:46:03 PM »

Quote from: Brithunter on July 30, 2006, 11:23:57 AM

Actually Bell used the earlier version the Mannlicher Model 1892 in 6.5x53R. It's mention on his safari of 1897 that he used the 6.5 (.256") which of cousre was several years before the Schoenauer came out.

Yes, the bespoke trade used Belgian Mannlichers to build their sporting rifles on. Of course the only difference between the 6.5x53 and the 6.5x54 is the rim you can resize either case with the same die.

As for bullet weight, Newton favored the 129 grainers, and they work well for me. Although, I've only used 140s on game over 400 lbs. For some reason the data for the 6.5x55 and 129 grain bullets is a bit anemic. The .260 will drive 129s almost as fast as 120s.

captdp · « **Reply #17 on:** August 09, 2006, 06:42:22 AM »

Quote from: EsoxLucius on June 05, 2006, 01:23:03 PM

125 grain Nosler Partition at 2900 fps ought to do it.

This is an excelent choice and in a modern firearm at 2900-2950fps gives up very little to the popular 270. capt david

Brithunter · « **Reply #18 on:** August 09, 2006, 12:47:48 PM »

Quote

Yes, the bespoke trade used Belgian Mannlichers to build their sporting rifles on. Of course the only difference between the 6.5x53 and the 6.5x54 is the rim you can resize either case with the same die.

Sorry but all the Early Mannlichers I have seen built into sporting rifles by the British trade are Steyr actions and not Belgian at all. And yes you can use the same die I use a set of RCBS 6.5x54MS dies to size both as the MS cartridge is just the rimmed case made rimless and was introduced about 1900. The 6.5x53 is measured to the rim whilst the 6.5x54MS is measured as an oveall length, even the same loading data is used

. Steyr were quite happy to supply the trade with blocked actions for building of fine sporting arms.

Now what type of bullet you decide on is up to you, but I canot see the need for premium bullets in the 6.5 Swedish as I said the Hornady Interlocks or the Speer Hot Cores work very well at the modest swedish velocities, penetration is excellent I would choose a bullet that I can get locally easily and one that my rifle likes and shot accurately

what more can one want for?

TCBrian · « **Reply #19 on:** August 15, 2006, 07:29:16 PM »

I am currently using two main loads in the 6.5x55. One with Hornady 95 grain V-maxes over IMR 4064 and one with 140ssts over IMR 4350. I am not a hornady nut, as I used many brands of bullets, but these two loads work for me and are very accurate. Varget with the lighter bullets and Reloader 22 with the 140s also works well and will probably get you a little more velocity, but I am sticking with these two loads, since I have an almost identical point of impact with my varmint and big game loads. I have also used nosler 120 grain BTs and you guessed it, they are accurate as hell. I stopped using them, when one blew up on an antelopes shoulder at 250yrds. Killed the old boy dead instantly as the fragments blew out he lungs, but I don't like bullets that blow up on big game, so I am using the Hornady now days.

If you want more velocity, I would go with a 125 partitian or a 120 Barnes, they would both hold together at the lighter bullets higher velocity well. The 95gr V-max in the 6.5 is unbelievable, just about cuts a coyote in half. Not for hide hunting or big game, but excellent for instand kills while thinning the coyote population. I have also shot jack rabbits with them and they nearly dissenigrate them.

Good shooting,
Brian

TCBrian · « **Reply #20 on:** August 22, 2006, 05:32:53 AM »

We just went to the range the other day and I was testing some other powders with the 140 SST. I shot two quick groups since the guys all showed up early to shoot trap. We have a small club, so we don't allow the trap range and the rifle range to be used at the same time for safety reasons. I shot the two quick groups at 50 yrds just to see what they would do. Both 5 shot groups were one hole at 50yrds. You could visably see 3 distict marks with them touching in the center, the other 2 bullets must have slipped right through the middle without printing their mark. The accuracy with this cartridge is just amazing. When I have more time to move it out to 100yrds the groups with all powders should still be way under 1". So far IMR4064, IMR4350, Varget, H4895, and Reloader 22 all work great. Bullets from 95grains to 140 grains all shoot great.

If you pick a bullet that matches your game, I don't think you can go wrong with this cartridge from what I have seen. Many of my other guns are picky, but not the mauser in 6.5, it is a dream to load for and shoot. I wish everything was so easy.

Good shooting,
Brian

6.5Jeffrey · « **Reply #21 on:** August 25, 2006, 03:30:09 AM »

120 gr Barnes
49 grains H4350
rifle has 26 in military barrel, I had the throat lengthened yet still shoot 1" groups consistently sometimes better. Having said that this is the only rifle/barrel/caliber ive ever been able to get good accuracy with the Barnes.
Good luck

TC2 · « **Reply #22 on:** August 25, 2006, 07:59:48 AM »

Has any one used Reloader 19 with 6.5x55 140gr bullets? I am about to load some Hornadys and the book lists reloader 19 as one of the powders. As i have that on the self I wondered if any one has any experience with it.

Brithunter · « **Reply #23 on:** August 25, 2006, 08:14:37 AM »

Yes I have used Rel 19 with Speer 140 grain bullets and Norma 139 grain ones as well. Rel 19 also works rather well with the 160 grain bullets. I have two rifles chambered for the 6.5 Swedish cartridge and one prefers the 140 grain bullets whilst the other is very accurate with the 120 Grain Speers and IMR 4350.

Sorry but I cannot recall how many Deer have fallen to which loads

bt both my 6.5 swedes have taken deer

. I have used Rel 19 since at least 1999.

TC2 · « **Reply #24 on:** August 25, 2006, 08:35:28 AM »

Quote from: Brithunter on August 25, 2006, 08:14:37 AM

Yes I have used Rel 19 with Speer 140 grain bullets and Norma 139 grain ones as well. Rel 19 also works rather well with the 160 grain bullets. I have two rifles chambered for the 6.5 Swedish cartridge and one prefers the 140 grain bullets whilst the other is very accurate with the 120 Grain Speers and IMR 4350.

Sorry but I cannot recall how many Deer have fallen to which loads bt both my 6.5 swedes have taken deer . I have used Rel 19 since at least 1999.

Brithunter,
Thanks for the feed back. I have seen a lot of reference to Rel 22 but none to Rel 19.

I just got my 6.5x55 barrel from Bullberry for my encore and have only used factory loads to sight in. It really likes Federal 140s. Actually it shoots all the factory loads I tried very well. I am really happy with this round.

TC2

GeoW · « **Reply #25 on:** September 13, 2006, 01:28:39 PM »

I have heard that some of the European mfg ammo is more up to the cartridge potential and not downloaded for older rifles. Brands like S&B, HotShot, Prvi Partizan, Igman, etc. I understand it's just a lack of respect of frivilous lawsuits. Think i'll try some of this http://www.ammunitionstore.com/

This may be an interesting chart.. http://www.sellier-bellot.cz/rifle-ammunition.php

Winchester velocoties.. http://www.winchester.com/products/catalog/cfrdetail.aspx?symbol=X6555&cart=Ni41eDU1IFN3ZWRpc2g=

My post is a bit confusing, I apologize for that.
GeoW

Slamfire · « **Reply #26 on:** September 13, 2006, 04:26:14 PM »

I shot up a box of the Sellier & Bellot 130 grain stuff, and found it to be suprisingly accurate, considerin' the price. I can't speak to the performance of the bullets on game though.

kombi1976 · « **Reply #27 on:** September 13, 2006, 04:37:36 PM »

Here's a table of various factory loads I prepared for an article.
BTW, Highland is simply a repackaged local brand name in Australia for Privi Partizan.

http://www.geocities.com/kombi1977/NetShootingPics/6-5x55FactoryLoads.JPG

I think the main concern with the anaemic US factory loads is that they're designed to be safe in the Krag Jorgensen rifles chambered for 6.5x55, which is often even weaker than the M96.
If you wind your loads up to the 45,000psi mark you'll still get better performance than the average factory load.
The interesting fact out of these figures is that the Highland(Privi Partizan) ammo is the most underpowered and yet it's European.
Go figure?!
If you're still not sold on the capabilities of the 6.5x55 take a look at this pic.....

It was shot by a guy I know who lived in the Northern Territory for a while and his scoped/synthetic stocked M96 sporter was his main rifle.
He used Remington Core Lokt 140 grn factory loads for this big boy.
The first shot went through the chest from a rear angle (just behind the shoulder) at 150mtrs and made it to the hide on the other side going through around 16inches of muscle both sides of the rib cage and the heart/lungs.
The bull ran for around 100mtrs and then the guy hit him in the spine and the bull was dead when my the time the guy reached him.
The 6.5x55 wouldn't be my choice for such game but this wasn't the last or the biggest bull he knocked over using the Swede.

I reckon Bell would be proud.

PeterCartwright · « **Reply #28 on:** September 14, 2006, 01:38:23 AM »

On the flip side, the modest sized whitetails I've shot with relatively tame loads behind Hornady's 160gr. round nose bullets expand enough to be deadly even on lung shots. As a plus, there are no bloodshot shoulders afterwards. It's a meat hunter's dream. Gotta love those unfinicky, versatile Swedes!

Mikey · « **Reply #29 on:** September 14, 2006, 03:46:42 AM »

I have found the Sellier and Bellot 131 gn soft point to be very inexpensive and to be so incredibly accurate in both my Swedes that I feel it would be a waste of time to try reloading for better accuracy. JMHO. Mikey.