Nosler Partition 6.5x55, 100gr.

[Buckfever]

Is this bullet adequate for Mule Deer, even large ones?  Thought this would be OK because they are used in a 25-06?  The bullet will be traveling about 3100fps.  Please tell me what you think and experiences you have had on game.   Thanks  Buskfever

[NimrodRx]

Do you own a .30 cal rifle?

[Don Fischer]

I use a 140gr Hornady on my 6.5x55. First year with this rifle and bullet. Bet it works fine. In my 6.5-06 I use a 129gr Hornady. Very accurate and works great on mule deer. I've also used the 140gr bullet in the 6.5-06 @ just under 2900fps on elk and a couple other deer. Wonderfull bullet. I was out shooting last weekend and just pilnking with both rifles, unknown ranges to about 400 yds.

If I had been shooting at deer, they would all have been in trouble. Tell us why you want a 100gr bullet in a 6.5? Your talking 3100fps in the 6.5x55. Well if speed is what you want, my 25-06 will scare hell out of 3400fps with a 100gr bullet.

[Buckfever]

I have a 30-06 and it quite accurate, Tikka T3.  However the T3 Tikka 6.5x55 is the most accurate rifle I have ever owned.  Thought I would see if I could push the limits without going over the safety issues by using a smaller bullet.  I guess I am asking if this is a marginal idea?  Buckfever

[TNrifleman]

I like the 6.5x55 cartridge. It is one of my favorite hunting rounds. I have had great success with both 125 and 140 grain Nosler Partitions. For whitetail deer, both are excellent choices, but I have come to prefer the 125 in my pet Winchester Model 70 Featherweight Classic. It will shoot the 125s into tidy little groups and they are pure poison on deer. I'd seriously consider a heavier bullet than the 100s for deer, and would want nothing less that a 140 for larger game.

[Larry Gibson]

Is this bullet adequate for Mule Deer, even large ones?  Thought this would be OK because they are used in a 25-06?  The bullet will be traveling about 3100fps.  Please tell me what you think and experiences you have had on game.   Thanks  Buskfever

Agree with Don Fischer, I also use the 140 Hornady SP (at 2750 fps) in my 6.5x55 sporterized Swede and have killed several mule deer with it.  It kills just as well as my '06 or .308 on mulies. With the 2X Leupold on my rifle it shoots right at MOA. The Nosler 100 gr bullet at 3100 fps is going to damage a lot more meat and won't kill any better.  The Hornady 129 SP is my second choice for the 6.5x55 when used on deer/antelope. In most milsurp Swedes the groove depth is .266" so the flat base bullets .264" bullets seem a little more accurate than BTs. I've seen a couple exceptions though.  The FB Hornady at 2700+ fps will shoot quite flat across any practical hunting range and packs plenty of wallop for deer/antelope.

Larry Gibson

[nomosendero]

Buckfever
It is not that the 100NP will not work on Mule Deer, but you said large Mule Deer & there are better
choices.
You mentioned the fact that alot of people use 100 gr. NP in the 25-06, they do but this is apples
vs oranges, the Sectional Density is higher for a 100gr. 25 cal bullet than for a 100gr.  6.5mm. bullet.

BTW & a little off topic but the 25 does better with the heavier bullets on Big Mule Deer than the 100, the 100TSX was tried & it never failed but I liked the quick kills of the heavier bullets better at
longer ranges.

Back to the 6.5, the 100 part is a little short for caliber & the BC is not good, if you look at the
Nosler charts, the 125Gr. NP at 3,000 is FLATTER than the 100NP is at 3,100, in fact the 125NP will be flatter by a little at 2,950FPS(very doable) than the 100NP at 3,100, so there is no traj. adv. with the 100, so I know of no other advantage it could have except recoil & the 6.5X55 is mild with 140's so I don't think it would be noticed.

So for ANY size Mule Deer I would look at a 125Nos. Part. or a bullet like the 129Hor. or about any
good shaped 140 gr. This range, 125-140 is the range I would focus on.
The 125Nos. is a little flatter than the 140Nos Part.(about 5" at 400 give or take), but with a more
streamlined bullet like the 140SST or 129SST, then the traj. are getting VERY close.
So this part is not a big deal in this range.
In penetration the 125 will be a no brainer that it will be great, but a 129 gr Horn. Soft Point will penetrate just fine at 6.5 velocities, my Wife has used this bullet for years with great success.
Even a 140SST will be fine for penetration at 6.5X55 speed, I may use a little caution with the 129SST, just to be sure.

Another thing is some 6.5X55, even modern ones have a long throat to shoot the heavie's, keep this in mind & that may effect the 125.

For Elk, I would want to use a 140 Soft Point or the pre., which ever shoots best.

So, for me & for Deer at at 6.5 vel., the 125NP, 129 Horn Soft Point or any 140.
 
 

[Buckfever]

Nomosendero,

I want to thank you and all for their comments.  In your case I have seen a lot of posts that you have written which have been very well thought out detailed based information.  I really enjoy reading your work and consider you one of the better sources for information on this board.  Thanks!!!   Buckfever

P.S.  I am starting to like the idea of the new Sendero in a .264 Mag. , got the 6.5 thing BAD!!

[Mac11700]

I think if I had a 6.5.....I would try some of the heavier Triple shocks...like the 120grain or 130 grain...Wouldn't these work as well for him?

6.5 Caliber
Diameter    Weight    Description    S.D.    B.C.    CAT#
.264"    120 gr.    TSX BT    .246    .381    26441
.264"    130 gr.    TSX FB    .266    .479    26442

Depending if they shot well of course..

Mac

[Buckfever]

Yes, Mac11700, I have a 140gr. Nosler partition at 2650fps that is quite accurate.  Wondered if I was missing anything with the smaller bullets.  It appears the 140gr, 46.5 RL-22 6.5x55 and the Hornady ammunition Light Mag. 129 gr SST have got it covered.  Buckfever

[Mac11700]

Buckfever:

I always have like the way the 6.5's looked too..the numbers I posted is for the 120 & 130 Barnes TSX bullets...I figured if the other folks liked the 100 grain TSX..but..wanted heavier bullet weights...why not the 120 or 130 grainers in the TSX line..?...I have nothing against the Partition bullets...they are some of my favorite premium bullets...and I use them a-lot...a-long with their Accubonds.....but since these are available now..it would seem to me that they would also warrent a look.I'm not a big fan of the Hornady lite magnums..I used them for a few years in my various 270's..and the bullet integrity wasn't the greatest when it came to up close shots. I'm what you would call a Pessimistic Optomist I plan for the worst...and hope for the best...if I plan on distant shots...invariably I'll jump a bedded buck up close...and vis-versa.........If I wanted a long range bullet...that had a high BC...and a good SD...in the premium line...one of the new Scirocco's 2 might fill the bill nicely...The numbers are certainly there...and the 130 will give you more velocity over the 140..again...This is if your rifle likes them...

Sectional Density: .265
Ballistic Coefficient:.571

Notes:
# Polymer tip
# Boat tail spitzer
These bullets are really Scirroco 2 bullets. For the time being, they are being shipped in regular Scirocco boxes. The correct product is being shipped.

These should really shine at long distances..and on larger game...

Just my thoughts...and a couple more options for you..

Mac

[nomosendero]

Yes, I am looking at getting a 264 Sendero & the 130 Scirocco is on the top of my list to try. I have
not tried the bullet yet, I am looking forward to it.

Buckfever, thanks for the kind words.

[nomosendero]

Mac, no doubt the TSX is a good one to add to the list. I don't worry about penetration with the bullets I mentioned because the vel. is not that fast even up close for the 6.5X55, 2,900 or so with the warmer loads in the 129. I agree concerning overexpansion in many of the light Magnum loads, but the 129 gr. in 6.5X55 is not as fast as most other offerings & the Sec. Density for the 129 is .264 (not a typo), which is about the same as a 140 gr. 270 or a 150 gr. 7mm., which is quite high, esp. with moderate velocity. That is probably a mute point as I don't see the light mag on the Hor. site.

[handirifle]

I have no experience with the caliber you mentioned, but if as many have attested to, the 243 (6mm) with a 100gr NP bullet at 2950fps, is highly effective, I see no reason a 6.5mm 100gr NP, at 3100fps, should not do at least equally as well.  Granted, heavier bullets will most likely perform better, especially at the longer ranges, but it should not leave you empty handed.

One note, is while the lighter, faster bullet might give a flatter trajectory, usually the difference at 300yds in drop is minimal, but the energy remaining in the heavier bullet is most often much more.