Fella's I need some advice,
I want to load one bullet to cover all my hunting with my 6.5x55. On any given hunt I could run across large pigs, feral donkeys, scrub bull and water buff, I'm not targeting the bulls and buff but come across a few and they can get quite stroppy if they have calf's around. I have decided on the 140gr Barnes X, I've read that you have to drop loads down a bit with them, my loading manual (Nick Harvey's) lists a min load of 43gr of AR2209 with a 140gr pill, would I have to go below this with the X's? Is there any other tips for reloading the X's?
Thanks
Bakes

Tell me what Hodgdon powder that corresponds to, and I'll give yo the laod for it out of the new Barnes manual.

All of the targets you mention are pretty big, so you are likely to hit some part of them with the patterns usually exhibited by X bullets.

If you would prefer to regularly hit near your point of aim with a bullet sufficient for very heavy animals, then you may want to try a Nosler 140 partition, or even a Swift.

Good luck!

[ 06-26-2002, 19:53: Message edited by: Stonecreek ]

I have shot a lot of those bullet's in a .264. I work up slowly but seem to usually wind up a grain or 2 below what I would use for Nosler partition's. I get good accuracy with them and very good terminal performance.

6.5 Guy
Its similar to H4350.

Thanks for the replys

Bakes

The H4350 loads for the 140 gr. X in the 6.5x55 from the Barnes manual follow:

Minimum charge listed 40.0 grains = appx. 2584 fps
Maximum charge listed 44.0 grains = appx. 2842 fps

Both velocities shown are with a 24 inch barrel.

Cheers.

[ 06-27-2002, 09:41: Message edited by: mindcrime ]

Thanks mindcrime

Stonecreek,
Either one of three things is apparent from your post: A) You have not used Barnes Bullets, B) Your guns dont shoot Barnes Bullets well for some reason, or C) You dont shoot Barnes Bullets well. I have found them to be among the most accurate bullets I have used, and I have used nearly every brand of American made bullet there is. Why dont you try helping a guy out instead of running down the bullet he chooses?

Hey Bakes,
The following loads shoot very well in many rifles:

6.5x55 � 140 XLC � 46 GR. RL-19 � @ 3.100�
6.5x55 - 140 XLC � 43 GR. H-4350 � @ 2.975�
6.5x55 � 140 X-Moly � 45Gr. H-4350 � @ 3.000�
6.5x55 - 140 XLC - 45 GR. H-4350 - @ 3.100"

Hi Bakes
My recomendation is to keep the load hot
I tried the 140grBarnes in my 6.5x57R and could never got it to shoot wich I suspect depended on the low velocity in that gun.
One of my student did a small test of differnt 6.5 bullets avialable in Sweden and found Barnes and Swift to be the best. You find the test at
http://www.naturbruk.net/nordvik/elevjobb/vt01/josef/index.htm
It's on Swedish but it has pictures of the bullets and the weight retention (from shot in wet paper) in diagrams
This is the final diagram in his work where the retention weight and mushrooming are shown as precents(%) of the original diameter and weight
PerN

PerN
Thanks for the info and the link.

Nick
Thanks mate, As soon as I save up the $50 (I have a lot on at the moment, fishing, shooting and such )I'll give them a go. Went out last week and bagged a Buff. A mate using a 8x57 and I using my 6.5 both fired on it. It took a few shots to down it, but it turned out to be a large cow. It was with a family group and we thought it was a bull. Good horns but, a rush as well, it took me a while to stop shaking.

How's the grandaughter?

Bakes

She eats like a pig Bakes! Grew 2 inches and gained 3 pounds in 5 weeks. If you took any buffalo pictures send them over when you have time.

I did take some photo's, it was on dark so I hope they turn out.

Glad to hear she's getting on well.

Bakes

Hi Bakes

Great chose of caliber! The 6,5x55 is excellent. I�ve got some experience with the 140 grs X bullet in the 6,5x55. First of all the x-bullet behaves perfect in any game, and the bullet exits on big Bull Moose. I have also nice words to say about the X performance in other calibers.
(I will not say anything about cleaning the barrel, but that can be a tough job )

There is one thing to say though, which is that you might find it troublesome to get tight groups with the 140 grs X. The bullet is difficult to stabilize in most 6,5x55 rifles � the rate of twist is often to slow. I managed to stabilize the bullet in my rifle, but this one have a 28� barrel and I gained high velocity (which is important for stabilization in slow rate of twist barrel) with slow burning powder (Norma MRP). If you get trouble using the 140 grs X, I will suggest the 130 grs X or the 156 Norma Oryx. The Oryx is similar to the very good Woodleigh, and is the bullet I use in my 6,5 today. It is also the most accurate hunting bullet I�ve tried in this caliber.

I forgot to tell you that the 120 grs X in 6,5 is the bullet I�ve shot most deer with. This is the small roe deer and is far from the buff you are talking about

Good luck!

Pete

[ 07-04-2002, 13:06: Message edited by: .358PCAK ]

Pete
I have a military barrel on my rifle which is a 1 in 7.5 twist I think? I intend on moly coating the bullets but I don't realy mind cleaning my rifles, I find it relaxing (people at work look at me funny when I sit down and clean our service rifles with out bitching)

Bakes

Pete,

Could you do me a favour and tell me the length of the various 6.5 Barnes X bullets that you have? I have some of the 140 grains but not the 130, 120 or 100 grains. I mean the length of the bullets only and not the cartridge.

I have recently rebarreled my 6.5x55 from a 1;9 twist to a 1:8 twist in order to stabilise the long 140 grain bullet. I also asked for a long throat as I do not want the long 140 grain bullet to take up much powder space.

I will start some test loads next month. Probably use R19 or VV160. 22 inch barrel.

Thanks

Richard, I�m sorry to say I am out of Barnes X bullets in 6,5. I haven�t shot those bullets since 97 � 98. But there should be people on this board who can help us. Maybe you should define a new topic?

Bakes, I guess your barrel will stabilize the 140 grs X, and since you don�t bother cleaning your barrel, I guess you find a good combination in 6,5x55 and 140 grs Barnes X. This is a combination a have a special relation to since my wife shot her first moose with it

Pete

358
I never said I don't clean my barrels (jeeze don't say that on this site, some people will never talk to me )

How often do you guys get out shooting and what game do you hunt over your way?

Bakes