6.5x55 Hunting Bullets

Rating - 100%
8   0   0
Location
Squamish, BC
I have a 6.5x55 that has been a bit of a struggle to develop a load for. I’m getting excellent accuracy with 139 gr Lapua Scenars, but haven’t been able to get a hunting bullet to shoot well in it. The other bullets I’ve been thinking about trying are 156 gr Berger EOLs and 155 gr Lapua Megas. I’m normally no a fan of using match bullets for hunting so I’m a little concerned about the Scenars and EOLs. Any of you guys have experience with these bullets on deer?
 
Sorry no experience with those you mention. I have had very good results using the 129 grain Long Range Accubond in my 6.5 as well as 129 grain SST's. The SST's are cheaper than the LR Accubonds and I've been able to source more of them so I've been trying to stick with the SST.
 
140gr Partitions/47gr RE#22 /Fed mag primer /Win brass in a T3..........all around 1/2" groups or less @ 100 yards. Moose,deer ,bear + elk all DOA
 
Last edited:
Don't overlook the Hornady 160 RN, it is accurate, shoots flat enough for hunting out to 300 meters, and is deadly on game.
 
And discontinued .........................................I pencilled a lot of moose with a mauser 38 and those.
 
What kind of bbl /twist do you have?

The original twist rate in the military bbls shoots the longer for weight bullets (like the 160 Round Nose) very very well.
Perhaps that is why the Scenar bullets work in your rifle.

I have loaded many old Swedish Mausers with original bbls to shoot sub moa with the long 160 gr bullets. Very high sectional density that penetrates on game.
Of course, not as zippy as one may like, or mega long range, but they are a remarkable cartridge that has survived the test of time.

You may consider using a heavier mono metal bullet as they are long for caliber as well, and may give great results in the field.
I have found that the 140 gr spire points in older guns tend to be borderline .. maybe ok for accuracy and may be no good.

I have seen the Hornady RN for sale occasionally...I think they make a run from time to time.
Or, try Woodleigh, they make the 160 RN or protected point still.
 
What kind of bbl /twist do you have?

The original twist rate in the military bbls shoots the longer for weight bullets (like the 160 Round Nose) very very well.
Perhaps that is why the Scenar bullets work in your rifle.

I have loaded many old Swedish Mausers with original bbls to shoot sub moa with the long 160 gr bullets. Very high sectional density that penetrates on game.
Of course, not as zippy as one may like, or mega long range, but they are a remarkable cartridge that has survived the test of time.

You may consider using a heavier mono metal bullet as they are long for caliber as well, and may give great results in the field.
I have found that the 140 gr spire points in older guns tend to be borderline .. maybe ok for accuracy and may be no good.

It’s a Husqvarna m96 sporter with the barrel shortened to 20”. Will gladly accept a lower velocity with better accuracy. This is the reason I’m looking at the Lapua mega. I’m not opposed to a monolithic, but a little concerned about reliable expansion at lower velocity.
 
I have one old Swede that is on a very small stock for smaller shooters. I trimmed the bbl back to 20 inches; The rifling is worn, but those 160 gr RN shoot amazing. A young daughter of a good friend of mine used it for several years and took many nice deer with it - she loved everything about it.
I would try the Woodleighs, and keep you eyes open for the Hornady.
 
Eriky, have you slugged your bore??

Most of the Swede 6.5x55 rifles have very close to mean bore measurements. I have a take off barrel that looks excellent but measures out at .269 thou groove diameter.

I had a similar issue with that rifle, which was being put together, from parts for a 12 year old, whose father had a similar rifle that shot very well, no matter what it was fed. He wanted a rifle for his daughter that he was already set up for when reloading.

That barrel wouldn't shoot better than 3 moa, unless I used the old cupro/nickel jacketed 160 grain FMJ, with exposed lead core, flat bases which took up the extra diameter in the bore, when the pressure forced the lead cores into the jackets and into the grooves.

After replacing that barrel, with a new in white M94 bbl that came out of tradex, a banner supporter of CGN, that little rifle shot everything well, from factory to handloads of different weights.

Those old Swedes are lovely rifles and make dandy sporters, especially when you can find one at a decent price that hasn't been bubbaed to badly to rescue.

NOT ALL OF THEM SHOOT WELL.

Most of them shoot better than the people operating them are capable of holding.

The pristine rifles are usually excellent. The later rifles that came into Canada were well used after their last FTR and may not shoot as well, for all sorts of reasons, especially worn throat leades.

Cutting down the original stock can have some negative effects on the accuracy of these rifles as well. You might want to try a ship under the barrel, at the tip of the fore end, putting some upward pressure on the barrel. That sometimes works very well.

Use something like folded paper to check it out and if it works, then either install a screw to apply pressure or set up a fiberglass pad.

Another thing, is your action glass bedded into the stock?? A lot of those old stocks, if it's a cut down original, had sloppy fits.
 
I have a 6.5x55 that has been a bit of a struggle to develop a load for. I’m getting excellent accuracy with 139 gr Lapua Scenars, but haven’t been able to get a hunting bullet to shoot well in it. The other bullets I’ve been thinking about trying are 156 gr Berger EOLs and 155 gr Lapua Megas. I’m normally no a fan of using match bullets for hunting so I’m a little concerned about the Scenars and EOLs. Any of you guys have experience with these bullets on deer?

Those old husky have a long throat and a fast twist. They like 140-160 grain bullets. Because of the long throat, it might take some time before finding an optimal COL. I would try Sierra Game King and hornady IL both in 140 grains to start with. If you are shooting at less than 200 yards, a 160 grains bullet is superb.
 
Back
Top Bottom