I have no problem using the 6.5X55mm Swede on Moose here in Newfoundland. Same goes for our large bodied Woodland Caribou. Just be sure to use good factory ammo, or better yet, good handloads. Stay away from cheap Bell ammo and such for hunting purposes! Can't go wrong with Norma!
What Can I Shoot with a 6.5mm Swede
- Thread starter sksnujack
- Start date
Pathfinder
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Northeast Ontario
I found that most factory ammo in 6.5x55 swedish is fairly mild because of all the 100+ year old mausers still around (same story as 8mm Mauser). You definetly need to handload to get anywhere near the potential of this cartdridge.
6.5 Swede
This is my hands down favorite cartridge. I have used it for a couple moose with good results but now usually use a .300 H&H. For everything else the Swede has been a great performer offering accuracy, mild recoil, and super bullet performance. The 125 and 140 grain Nosler Partitions over Reloader 22 are my preferred loads but Hornady bullets have also worked well and are cheaper for practice. The 130 grain Barnes sounds interesting but I have enough Noslers to last for many years!
I also really like the .270 and .30-06 but don't see much difference on game between these and the Swede. They are all excellent calibers. If I want more power/range I look to the .300 magnum or larger.
It isn't modern or magic but I really like it.
Regards,
Outdoors
This is my hands down favorite cartridge. I have used it for a couple moose with good results but now usually use a .300 H&H. For everything else the Swede has been a great performer offering accuracy, mild recoil, and super bullet performance. The 125 and 140 grain Nosler Partitions over Reloader 22 are my preferred loads but Hornady bullets have also worked well and are cheaper for practice. The 130 grain Barnes sounds interesting but I have enough Noslers to last for many years!
I also really like the .270 and .30-06 but don't see much difference on game between these and the Swede. They are all excellent calibers. If I want more power/range I look to the .300 magnum or larger.
It isn't modern or magic but I really like it.
Regards,
Outdoors
- Location
- The Conservative part of Ontario
Certainly anything that is huntable in the province of Ontario.
I wouldn't push the polar bear angle though.
I wouldn't push the polar bear angle though.
- Location
- Ft. Mac. Alberta
I firmly believe that vwith a 160 grain Bullet the 6.5 is PERFECT for moose , as longg as thhe shooter figures it is!
It's when doubt creeps in that people start going to the big stuff.
I personlyy know of three people that have shot moose with no problems with the 6.5 and 308 over the years, and as soon as the y went to the magnums
(a .375, a 300 Ultra, and a 338Win) the all lost moose this year!
The should hhave stuck with the smaller calibers.
I think the factors were more bad shooting, or flinch than inadequate power in these cases, but the fact remains that I am sure if they had been shooting their smaller rifles there would be no problem.
Cat
It's when doubt creeps in that people start going to the big stuff.
I personlyy know of three people that have shot moose with no problems with the 6.5 and 308 over the years, and as soon as the y went to the magnums
(a .375, a 300 Ultra, and a 338Win) the all lost moose this year!
The should hhave stuck with the smaller calibers.
I think the factors were more bad shooting, or flinch than inadequate power in these cases, but the fact remains that I am sure if they had been shooting their smaller rifles there would be no problem.
Cat
The most accurate hunting rifle in my battery. This sporterized, Timney triggered and micro bedded, surplus Swedish military rifle often places three shoots that touches each other at 100 yards, as well as, hitting almost the same point of impact at 100 yards, when shooting either 140, or 160 grain handloads.
The Danish and Norwegian pelt hunters killed and awful lot of polar bears with rifles in 6.5x55mm.
Every year in Sweden ~100,000 moose are shot and the majority of these are killed with rifles in 6.5x55mm. 139gr bullets are the minimum weight allowed by law for a class 1 rifle (Class 1 is required for moose and other large big-game) and 154gr is very common.
Swedish hunting system also has:
-hunter training which includes a practical shooting exam,
-hunter training that discourages low percentage shots such as quartering angles and long distances,
-a requirement that every hunter pass an annual marksmanship test (shooting at a standing and then a running moose target),
-a requirement that a trained tracking dog be available to track wounded animals within 2 hours of the shot.
-a very strong negative stigma that is attached to anyone wounding game
The Swedes tend to favour the 6.5 because the low recoil allows for accurate shot placement with quick follow-up shots and the meat damage is minimal.
The 9.3x62 is seeing a resurgence in interest, at least in the hunting magazines, as the number of wild boar harvested has hit >10,000 animals and the hype is around how tough they are. The vast majority though are shot with regular rifles in 6.5x55, 30-06, 308, or whatever.
There is some talk about people 'cheating' the annual proficiency tests by taking a 'six and a half' to the range and qualifying, but taking a 9.3 into the woods. "If they think they can shoot game with it they should be able to shoot it well at the range" is the reasoning, but reality says recoil keeps many people from shooting well, to the point that they distrust their ability to pass the exam with the bigger rifles.
If you learn to shoot straight and use good judgement your 6.5x55 is good for anything you'll come across.
Every year in Sweden ~100,000 moose are shot and the majority of these are killed with rifles in 6.5x55mm. 139gr bullets are the minimum weight allowed by law for a class 1 rifle (Class 1 is required for moose and other large big-game) and 154gr is very common.
Swedish hunting system also has:
-hunter training which includes a practical shooting exam,
-hunter training that discourages low percentage shots such as quartering angles and long distances,
-a requirement that every hunter pass an annual marksmanship test (shooting at a standing and then a running moose target),
-a requirement that a trained tracking dog be available to track wounded animals within 2 hours of the shot.
-a very strong negative stigma that is attached to anyone wounding game
The Swedes tend to favour the 6.5 because the low recoil allows for accurate shot placement with quick follow-up shots and the meat damage is minimal.
The 9.3x62 is seeing a resurgence in interest, at least in the hunting magazines, as the number of wild boar harvested has hit >10,000 animals and the hype is around how tough they are. The vast majority though are shot with regular rifles in 6.5x55, 30-06, 308, or whatever.
There is some talk about people 'cheating' the annual proficiency tests by taking a 'six and a half' to the range and qualifying, but taking a 9.3 into the woods. "If they think they can shoot game with it they should be able to shoot it well at the range" is the reasoning, but reality says recoil keeps many people from shooting well, to the point that they distrust their ability to pass the exam with the bigger rifles.
If you learn to shoot straight and use good judgement your 6.5x55 is good for anything you'll come across.
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John Y Cannuck said:
I know guys in Labrador who've had to kill Polar Bears using, in one case, a .22-250, the other, a .243 Win! Not my ideal choice of stoppers, but when a hungry ice bear is planning on making you into lunch, any bang stick will do. In such a case, I would absolutely LOVE to have a 6.5mm Swede in my hands. I currently have three in my collection and plan on taking a Spring Black Bear with my M38 this Spring. I've seen pictures of Black Bears here in Newfoundland that are as big as 600-700lbs here on the island! Don't think I'll be lucky enough to stumble across one of those bears of a lifetime when I actually have the rifle and a license in hand, but 450lb bears are quite doable. The 6.5mm Swede will anchor him with authority I'm sure, since I've gotten several one-shot kills on very large Moose with the same load.
