6.5x55 sweet spot?

west250

west250

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Looking for info on the sweet spot for 6.5x55. Going to start developing loads for a CZ550 this winter. Mostly for deer and such, just wondering what the optimal grain bullet size is for this caliber. Thanks!
 
Depends on the twist rate in your rifle. Since most factory ammo available is 139-142gr I would guess most rifles would be setup to work with that weight range.
I use almost exclusively 140gr bullets in my M96 Swede.
 
In this gun a 1 in 9 or 1 in 8 twist. Pretty sure it is 1 in 9. Try any 140 grain bullet or 120. Nosler partitions would be perfect. I have tikka t3 which I load for hunting and use 156 lapua mega or 160 grain woodleighs.
 
LUTNIT said:
Depends on the twist rate in your rifle. Since most factory ammo available is 139-142gr I would guess most rifles would be setup to work with that weight range.
I use almost exclusively 140gr bullets in my M96 Swede.
Click to expand...

I agree wth the above but have also found the 160gr's work well in most M96's.
 
i also have a 6.5x55. 120gr Nosler Hunting Ballistic Tips, 140gr Hornady Interlocks, 130gr and 140gr Sierra Game Kings with a slight edge to the 130's all have produced excellent results. I only use IMR4831 and CCI primers in OLD Prvi Brass. All loads are more than acceptable for hunting. 1" groups and under and if i really tune in and try i can get the 130's in under .5 MOA. One thing I have really liked with the Ol Swede and the 6.5x55 round is they seem to digest just about anything u throw in it. Im sure if you grabbed some 130gr Sierra HPBT gamekings and did some quick test loads u will soon find a load that shoots very well and will hit like the hammer of Thor on bambi.
 
1 in 7.9" twist, 23.5" bbl on M96 swede.
I've had 120gr Nosler BT's over 46-47 H4350 print many a sub half MOA cluster out to 300yds or so.
Carrying on out 400-1000 yds, it's the 139/140's over 47-48 RL22 that really shine for me.
7 inch 5 shot groups from snowbank bipod prone at 1000, that always puts a big 'ol chit eat'n grin on this 'ol coot's frostbitten cheeks.

YMMV, so work up from 2 grains under to find your own guns sweet spot..
Many 6.5x55's seem to shoot their best at their higher vel./pressure accuracy node. All of mine but one, do like a fairly stout charge of powder. Not over the top hot mind you ... but stout.
 
The 6.5x55 is pretty versatile. I've tried loads from 95 gr Hornady Vmax through 140 gr of various flavours successfully. Haven't tried the 160 gr bullets but those are also available.
 
I have a 700 "Classic" chambered in 6.5x55. It shoots all weights from 120-160 well, but I have pretty well settled on the 130 Scirocco or 140 Partition as "heavy" bullets.
Hard to beat Norma MRP for these bullets. It yields top velocities and stellar accuracy.

For the lighter weight, the 120 BT gets the nod. W760 is far and away the best powder I have used with this bullet, shooting sub-moa at close to 3000 fps.

The 6.5x55 is a fine performer, and with it I have shot a lot of game, including Moose and Elk.

Regards, Dave.
 
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