6.5mm bullet for moose hunting

Never tried this caliber on moose, but I would not hesitate to use Barnes 130gr. TSX FB . I assume you are shooting 6.5x55SE. Hit it right and will go down.
 
You may find instability issues with using a 160 and not get the accuracy you want if you are running a factory twist barrel.

130 grain would work nicely, I like Sciroccos from Swift. High BC, bonded and accurate.

Of your two choices I would go with the 140's.

From my experiences and what others tell me the .260 likes things in the 120 to 130 for big game applications.
 
My daughter shot her first moose with 6.5x55 using barnes 120 grn ttsx a couple years ago, (http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=290738) seemed to work just fine.
 
130gr TSX, the deepest penetrating 6.5mm bullets I've tested......and I've tested a alot of them.:D
 
It's very strange, the OP asks about which of two different bullets he should use for moose, and almost everyone jumps right in and immediately suggests eveything but what the OP asked about.
Maybe these two are what he has to use, and he is not interested in trying any of the other available.
Anyway, My personal choice would be the 140 Partition....because.. It will shoot right through a moose broadside without any problems. [did it personally at least 3 times] and it will stabilize in a 9 twist barrel, whereas the 160 may not.
If you are shooting an old military type Swede rifle, the twist will be 7.8", and it will handle those 160's just fine.
Regards, Eagleye.
 
Just load a batch of 129 gr SST to try in my 6.5 Creedmoor, heading to the range after breakfast, bringing my Icon P.H. as my back up for caribou hunt, might try it on one... JP.
 
Both are good, but of the two I'd use the 140 gr Partition. It has been in use for over 60 years and there's still nothing that is truly better than it in the field. Some bullets look "prettier" after firing and therefore make for better advertizing material, but the animal from which it was removed was no more dead than the one from which the Partition was removed.
 
triton said:
What one would you choose, and why? 160 gr. hornady interlock, or a 140 gr. nosler partition.
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I'm thinking either one would work fine. The 160 is a classic loading for heavier game and would work fine at closer ranges. The 140 NP would have the edge for longer range if it's required.

I'd use whatever shot better in my gun considering the ranges expected.

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Of the two you menionned, I would go with the 140gr PT. It also did very well in my test. The 160gr Hornady looked good in my test but John Barness (who I believe is extremetly knowledgable) has said a few times that the 160 Hornady was the most unpredictable bullet he had ever used. Sometime it penetrated without much expansion and sometime came apart on impact.
 
Whoever said that the SST is a good bullet for this purpose obviously has not ripped one apart. The jacket (even at the tail) is quite thin. I wouldn't use them on game larger than deer.

Either of the bullets you suggest would be just fine but the recoil of the 140 partition would be better suited to a smaller framed person.
 
I use the 140 gr Barnes XLC. 100% weight retention.

Recovered after passing through a bull moose length wise:

Barnes140XLC_1-1.jpg


Barnes140XLC_2-1.jpg
 
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I dumped lots of moose with 42gr IMR4350/160gr Hornady in the 6.5x55 N-204 same bullet same charge. With 140 Partition 47gr RE22...............Harold
 
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I load the 140 NP for a hunting load (shoots flatter and has less recoil) I have some 160's around although I never bothered working up a load and they are discontinued as mentioned.....

Im guessing 6.5x55 ? what rifle ?
 
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