6.5x55 bullet choice for moose

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Mikeyman

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Hi all - so I mainly hunt deer and black bear. I have used 140 grain hornady interlocs with fantastic results. All one shot bang flops. Anyway - I have an opportunity to go for moose this year and since I only have the one hunting rifle I was hoping for some advise from those that have been there.

I can get some 130gr barnes tsx or I have some 160 gr rn I can use. Which bullet would you use given the choice. To head off some of the usual posts, I am a good shot because I practice alot so shot placement is not a problem. I will not shoot if distance is too great. I am also not interested in buying a rifle for one trip so don't say get a 338 or something.

If there is any other type bullet you prefer please share and let me know where you buy em from. Thanks guys!
 
If your 140gr interlocks work for you I would stick with them, they will be just fine. The 160 rn would work great at closer ranges, 130 tsx would work just fine, 130, or 140gr accubonds be good also but seriously if you have good luck with the interlocks just use them. Personally I use the nosler accubonds because I can usually always make them shoot well.
 
I think for moose and deer, what you are use to shooting will work fine for moose.
If you are comfortable with these bullets and shoot them well, there is no need
in my opinion to change.
Unless that is, you seek variety.
 
The Hornady 140 Interlock is a decent bullet, and will probably get the job done.
Personally, I would feel a wee bit more comfortable with the 140 Partition.
Reason being it's penetration through bone to get to vitals well.
But, if you are willing to wait for a good presentation, the Hornady will do fine.
Eagleye.
 
Eagleye said:
Personally, I would feel a wee bit more comfortable with the 140 Partition.
Reason being it's penetration through bone to get to vitals well.
Click to expand...

What he said. If you load your own the Nosler will have an edge in penetration over your other choices.

If you look through the sticky at the top of this page, .264 bullet test, that'll tell you just about all you need to know.
 
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Was looking at the lapua mega 155 grain at hirch precision in ns for 42 for 100. Can be reloaded with reloader 22. That would be my moose load. Also tradex has woodleigh 160 grain 6.5 39 bucks for 50. Those two are moose bullets for the 6.5.
 
I use the 140 partitions in my 260 for moose. The hornadys should work fine also. The partitions should shoot close to the hornadys as they are close to the same shape as I have been been using both in the same gun without resighting in my guns. I also do a few test shots to make sure that they are close as some guns will not do this.
 
Thanks for all the reply's guys. I think I will go with the 140 partitions or the barnes 130 tsx. I want to have the extra penetration and weight retention in case of a shoulder hit (hopefully not!)
 
For moose I would use the 130 TSX for the extra penetration on angling shots. Have a look at the sticky at the top of the section if you haven't already. Lots of info on 6.5 bullets and you can pick one that performed like what you have in mind.
 
I have witnessed the 130 gr TSX take down a moose quite well with less than perfect shot placement from a 260 remington. I think it's the best choice for moose hunting with a swede or a 260.

I use 129 gr hornadys in mine for deer, but wouldn't for moose.
 
Fassteel said:
The Berger 140gr shoot great in my 6.5x55, that is what I plan on using for my moose draw. FS
Click to expand...

I would try the VLD on deer maybe but not on moose. No my idea of moose bullet performance.

Barnes 130gr TSX
Average Penetration (inches): 18
Average Weight Retained (grain): 129.9
Average Weight Retained (%): 100
Average Expansion (inches): 0.552
Barnes130grTSX.jpg


vs.

Berger 140gr VLD Hunting
Average Penetration (inches): 12.17
Average Weight Retained (grain): 50.1
Average Weight Retained (%): 36.4
Average Expansion (inches): 0.576
IMG_0732.jpg
 
I'd go with Nosler 140 grain partiton or accubond. Another great choice would be the Swift 140 grain A-Frame.
 
In Scandinavia, the 6.5 moose load gold standard is a stiff 156-160 load.
So I would go with Norma Oryx 156gr bullet driven at maximum accurate velocity.

With handloads, this load is almost as good as the classic 270 Win Nosler Partition 150gr load, a good 200 yards moose load.

Alex
 
pbonura said:
Was looking at the lapua mega 155 grain at hirch precision in ns for 42 for 100. Can be reloaded with reloader 22. That would be my moose load. Also tradex has woodleigh 160 grain 6.5 39 bucks for 50. Those two are moose bullets for the 6.5.
Click to expand...

There is a phonebook test just posted and this bullet looks to be a hell of a choice.

Penetration, expansion, and weight retention were quite impressive.
 
Small bores loaded with heavy for caliber lead core bullets loaded at moderate velocities have provided legendary performance on big game for more than 100 years. A 6.5/160 Woodleigh would be high on my list.
 
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