Hi guys, me and my brother are both interested in getting a low recoil rifle. We would like some advice on how easy it is to get low bullet weights in 6.5x55 and brass in Manitoba. I'm considering going 7mm-08 but the lowest bullet weights to be found is 139 grain which is at the high end of the 6.5 so it would be a step up. I know the 243 has great supply but for deer hunting after 200 yards its questionable. Thank for the help!!
6.5X55 Swed Question
- Thread starter JMV
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Get a 7mm-08,recoil is very mild and they have enough punch for elk and moose.
With good bullets, the same distance I would allow for the Swede. Placement matters a lot more at a specific distance than whether you're using a .243 or a Swede. Now, if you want to hunt bigger than deer, the Swede gains with heavier bullet selection, but for deer I would use either without concern.
Well, here we part company somewhat. I would never attempt a 500 yard shot with either, because I just don't attempt 500 yard shots on deer - never even felt the need to think about it. If an animal is more than a quarter mile away, I think about hunting it some more, not sniping at it. I have practiced a lot in the last 60 years. I knew what I could and couldn't do long ago, and I know that if you take away the bench and bag rests, use an actually unknown distance, possible target movement, add any wind that also varies over the distance, and add some likely heavy breathing, I shouldn't be shooting any living things at that range. I know that is a personal fact of my life, but I think it is also a personal fact of life for WAY more people than will admit it, and who like to post on internet forums about shooting game at long range.
Because you are asking this question and seem overly concerned about recoil, I think you do not know how hard it is to make long shots on game under real hunting conditions, and should not take them. You cannot learn to shoot game at 500 yards in one summer of practice.
If I intended to shoot at long range, I would use more gun than either of those rounds and ignore recoil in my choice.
The original question was about low bullet weights for 6.5 mm. Sierra makes a Varminter that comes in at 85 gr. You can get that online here in Canada. Hornady makes a 95 gr Vmax that is also available online. I have used the 95 gr in a 6.5 Creedmoor and although they shot OK, the groups weren't stellar.
A 243 is a 400 yard Whitetail rifle.
At 400 yards most "off the shelf" 243 ammo is still packing the 1000 foot pounds that is usually tossed around as the "required power" to take down a Whitetail. And at 400 yards that's about 100 yards "further" than the "average hunter" would pull the trigger on - Bambi looks pretty small that far out.
I have a 243 which I usually load with 80 to 90 grain bullets for deer.
I also have a 7.08 which I "could" load with 120 grain SST's for deer - I use 140 grain for Moose (yes, with my 7.08).
The 6.5 Sweede is also a very "valid" caliber for both deer and moose. Loaded with a 140 grain Accubond you would still be making 1000 foot pounds out at 500 yards (so 500 yard Bambi shots) and at somewhat over 1600 foot pounds @ 200 yards is "enough" for moose.
My 6.5 Creedmoor (very close to the Sweede in terms of terminal performance) and my 7.08 both "feel about the same" as far as recoil at the shoulder, my 243 is only "slightly" easier on the shoulder - none of the three calibers are "uncomfortable" even if I go out and pop off a couple boxes of rounds (my creed is however about half a pound lighter than my 7.08 or 243 which does increase the felt recoil slightly).
I guess we do. My farthest shot currently is just shy of 400 yards with my .308. Without range practise it is quite easy to make that shot on a none moving target which in general are the targets I see. I have a range finder that pushes 1200 yards so I would know the distance and the season I will be hunting in hilly area so I also have angle trajectory on that finder. As I said wind drift doesn't take the bullet vary much at all unless its a crazy wind. That is the only way that argument applies. As far as drop goes its between 4-5 feet. That is a reasonable shot in my books and I take it again. Apologies but we must agree to disagree.
Is it easier to reload for the Creedmoor than the than the 55 Swed. I have most of the gear i need now but haven't start reloading yet. I feel as though the Creedmoor does have the advantage. Its short action and gets the job done with less. But can you ship brass here or do you make your own? If so how time consuming is the process?
mossyhorns
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I'm a huge 6.5X55 swede fan, so much so that I own three. I've taken numerous whitetails and mule deer, a couple of bears and I believe 4 elk. The largest was actually an exceptionally large cow that I shot at 330 yards a couple falls back. She was hit in the shoulder with a 130g Accubond that passed clean through her. I would not hesitate to hunt moose with it either it's just that the opportunity hasn't presented itself yet.
I also own a 7mm 08' and have nothing bad to say about it either. My daughter shot her first whitetail with it as did my son in law last fall. A great low recoil calibre that is very capable for anything I ever plan to hunt.
If I wanted to load one with light bullets I'd go with the swede. More options out there really. I haven't had the best of luck with the 85g pills myself but in fairness I haven't played with it much either.
I guess in a pinch 7mm 08' brass would be easier to get as you could always form from .308 but I have more swede brass then I'll likely ever use so I guess I'm fortunate that way.
I also own a 7mm 08' and have nothing bad to say about it either. My daughter shot her first whitetail with it as did my son in law last fall. A great low recoil calibre that is very capable for anything I ever plan to hunt.
If I wanted to load one with light bullets I'd go with the swede. More options out there really. I haven't had the best of luck with the 85g pills myself but in fairness I haven't played with it much either.
I guess in a pinch 7mm 08' brass would be easier to get as you could always form from .308 but I have more swede brass then I'll likely ever use so I guess I'm fortunate that way.
Actually wind drift is way harder to deal with than drop at long ranges, especially if you DO use an accurate rangefinder and have actually shot at distance to prove your trajectory numbers. At 500 yards, a 10mph crosswind is good for almost 2 feet of drift. That's not "crazy wind". And wind almost always gusts, changes direction, and sometimes stops. You need to do some research about the real issues before you attempt to shoot at living animals at long range.
It's fine to disagree, but only after you actually understand the issue.
