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> 6.5x55 Commercial ammo performance
6.5x55 Commercial ammo performance
@ 12:40 am (GMT) |
Warwick KerrHaving read Nathan's comments on 6.5x55 ammo performance I thought Phtt! that can't be correct. I have swapped from .308 to 6.5x55 Swede after recent major shoulder surgery and have acquired a mint 6.5 Swede to which I fitted a good bipod and 4.5-14x40 Nikon scope. The rifle is extremely accurate but yesterday, when using (1) S&B then (2) Winchester ammo in the 139/140 grain range the results on goats were disappointing. The S&B drilled through, (chest) leaving a very small exit wound though stopping the animals. The Winchester soft point was more expansive with exit wounds about 30 to 40mm tops. What annoyed me was that most animals ran 30 to 40 metres before expiring. One neck shot poleaxed the target. I am now in the position where I'm considering getting into handloading as I don't want to lose any game, nor see them suffer unnecessarily. Targets were acquired at 70 to 110 metres FYI. |
Replies
@ 12:57 am (GMT) |
Bob MavinRe: 6.5x55 Commercial ammo performanceHi WarwickMy friend went over to Finland or somewhere to shoot a Moose, they gave him a 6.5x55 (he uses a 7MRM in OZ) he'd been told wonderful things about this 6.5 calibre, anyway he got a shot at a moose and it dropped instantly, happy boy, couldn't see it for the contours. When he got to it, he'd taken out both it's front knee's, a lot more bullet drop than the expected. Got his Moose though. My hunting buddy uses a 6.5x55 and hand-loads, he's happy with it. I think he uses core-locks 140'ish. Cheers Bob |
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@ 01:49 am (GMT) |
Warwick KerrRe: 6.5x55 Commercial ammo performanceThanks for that Bob. I am aware of the dropoff with this calibre's commercial rounds. Several forums suggest a reason for underloaded cases and I'm not about to start a debate on law suits, blowback, mauser small ring actions and the like. I guess my point is that Nathan was right (as one would expect) and shooters need to be aware of potential limitations when using certain brands of ammo in this calibre. I love the rifle and simply need to vacuum and wash more floors so I can get permission to start looking for handloading gear. |
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@ 02:31 am (GMT) |
Bob MavinRe: 6.5x55 Commercial ammo performanceOk WarwickThe one that shot the Moose was an old Mauser with factory rounds. My hunting mates rifle is a Sako so he feeds it full loads, it shoots well, he's happy, he could be using A-max or SST projectiles. No failures on Fallow Deer as yet and it's very accurate. We use mil dots with great results, don't worry about loopy trajectory, as long as the pill arrives with enough energy I'm happy. Cheers Bob |
@ 08:28 am (GMT) |
Andrew DobbinRe: 6.5x55 Commercial ammo performanceHi WarwickI found Nathan's awesome website after an abysmal hunting trip with my 6.5 Mauser. Using highland (ppu) ammo I had fallow deer with pin hole wounds, and one that I swear that I hit disappear into the pine forest never to be seen again. So I did the obvious thing, I blamed myself first, and then the gun. Note: not the ammo. So a new Sako still in 6.5x55 with suppressor and ziess scope was duly acquired. When sighting this in I was very disappointed to notice a large variation in poi between shots. In trying to find a reason for this I found this website. An email and phone call with Nathan has led to me bedding a Boyds stock for my old Mauser and getting it re crowned. The research I did also led me to start reloading. As Nathan States in his books and in the KB , hand loads are the only way to really get the best out of this calibre. The Mauser now shoots less than 1 inch at 100 yards with 140 sst's, which is not to bad from a hundred year old barrel. the Sako is shooting 125 partitions to about 1 inch( although I still have work to do on this load). Both of these two projectiles have proven to be very effective for me on fallow and the odd goat. No more pin hole wounding. Looks like you're on the right track with trying to get on the good side of your better half. if this group get Their hooks into you, you need plenty of good will in that department to help with the " what did you get this time" conversations. Best advice is to read up, do your research and take Nathan's advice, both from the books and in the KB. He has heaps of experience with 6.5s and with his help I have a very accurate 100 year old rifle and a new one that he said that I should make someone else's problem. Good luck Andrew. |
@ 12:18 pm (GMT) |
Warwick MarflittRe: 6.5x55 Commercial ammo performanceHey Warwick Warwick here. I reload for my Sako 75 Swede. 140g A-max or 140g Partitions Lapur cases federal Large Rifle primers ADI 2209 powder. Follow Nathans advice. Get all of his books and read up. Read below its from my "Shooting Bench or Foxhole" question post. Reloaded the Swedes far better in a strong modern action. My Sako runs 140 gn bullets at around 2800fps with 46 grains of 2209. BUT YOU HAVE TO WORK UP YOUR OWN LOADS FOR YOUR RIFLE NOT COPY OTHERS LOADS!!!!!! Get a Lees Anniversary reloading kit. and some deluxe dies with appropriate consumables and enjoy the advantages of reloading. Like Nathan says 140gn PARTITIONS or A-maxs.Last night I saw two Red deer. I went down the valley with my 6.5 Swed and using 140g Amax @ 230yards dropped large Hind then a second hind with 140g Partition and a spiker in velvet Ran out I gave him 2 Partitions. Three Deer . What a great result. Lots of meat for everyone's families. The old fellow was over the moon with the success. My first deer with the Sightron scope and handloads. I'm sure happy. Thanks Nathan and everyone for your help and advice. Life is good! 
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