The Accurate Reloading Forums
The Swede does it again

This topic can be found at:
https://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/3411043/m/6631002811

05 October 2009, 20:09
MAC
The Swede does it again
Just got back from my yearly trip back to my native Rocky Mountain area. Hunted Wyoming this time instead of my home state of Colorado. This year's trip was for pronghorn and I got to hunt with my family, which doesn't happen very often.

We hunted just east of Farson, Wy. in area 91 and had a total of 5 tags for the group to fill. I filled both my tags by sunset of the first day.

Used a Remington Model 700 Classic in 6.5x55 Swedish. It's my favorite pronghorn rifle. I was using factory ammo made by Seller & Belliot with 131 gr soft points. It isn't the flashiest ammo, but my rifle will group in in 3/4 inch groups at 100 yards and I bought a bunch of it for less than $9 a box years ago. Frankly, I don't believe you need premium bullets for smaller game like pronghorn and at the price I got the ammo for, I can't handload it any cheaper. Besides, I learned a long time ago not to mess with something that works.

Two shots, two pronghorn does on ice. The Swede isn't modern, it isn't hip, it isn't flashy, but it is effective.

A good trip was had by all and it was good to hunt with my father and brother again.

Cheers all.

Mac
05 October 2009, 20:47
724wd
awesome! i'm working on a swede (Gustav) that i plan to leave the issue barrel on (cut down to a reasonable length) and shoot everything with it!


NRA Life Member

Gun Control - A theory espoused by some monumentally stupid people; who claim to believe, against all logic and common sense, that a violent predator who ignores the laws prohibiting them from robbing, raping, kidnapping, torturing and killing their fellow human beings will obey a law telling them that they cannot own a gun.
05 October 2009, 23:39
DesertRam
Good going Mac. I too have taken several antelope and deer with a Swede shooting plain old bullets (mine likes 129 grain Hornady SSTs).


_____________________
A successful man is one who earns more money than his wife can spend.
06 October 2009, 02:51
Kamo Gari
Nice work, Mac. Any pics?


______________________

Hunting: I'd kill to participate.
06 October 2009, 03:15
Bobby Tomek
MAC-

Congrats! Your summation of the Swede echoes my feelings as well. It works. Period. And that bore diameter continues to dominate the safe in our household as those long, slender bullets at modest velocities penetrate extremely well and simply put game down in a hurry.

I am currently shooting a 6.5x30-30 AI (aka 6.5 Bullberry IMP) in a 26"/1:8 Contender barrel by MGM. It falls a bit behind the Swede in the velocity department, but it's racking up some impressive numbers on the local hog populations -- and it does so with just about any bullet I choose to feed it. Right now, I am shooting Hornady 129 grain SPs at just over 2600 fps using 37.5 grains of N160.

So how about some 'lope photos??? Smiler


Bobby
Μολὼν λαβέ
The most important thing in life is not what we do but how and why we do it. - Nana Mouskouri

06 October 2009, 19:40
DMB
quote:
Originally posted by MAC:
Just got back from my yearly trip back to my native Rocky Mountain area. Hunted Wyoming this time instead of my home state of Colorado. This year's trip was for pronghorn and I got to hunt with my family, which doesn't happen very often.

We hunted just east of Farson, Wy. in area 91 and had a total of 5 tags for the group to fill. I filled both my tags by sunset of the first day.

Used a Remington Model 700 Classic in 6.5x55 Swedish. It's my favorite pronghorn rifle. I was using factory ammo made by Seller & Belliot with 131 gr soft points. It isn't the flashiest ammo, but my rifle will group in in 3/4 inch groups at 100 yards and I bought a bunch of it for less than $9 a box years ago. Frankly, I don't believe you need premium bullets for smaller game like pronghorn and at the price I got the ammo for, I can't handload it any cheaper. Besides, I learned a long time ago not to mess with something that works.

Two shots, two pronghorn does on ice. The Swede isn't modern, it isn't hip, it isn't flashy, but it is effective.

A good trip was had by all and it was good to hunt with my father and brother again.

Cheers all.

Mac


Mac,

First off, KUDOS on the hunt with family.. It doesn't get any better in life than that.
Second, I've had my eye on a Swede for years, and I'm terrified to take the plunge. If I did, my bank account will self destruct.. Big Grin
I see no flies in the Swede, none. But, I've been a life long lover of 7mm's, and can't stray too far from them as I only have so much money to support all of my habits; 7mm's, scopes, binox, cameras, etc.
In fact, if I was starting out new in the hunting game, I would pick the 6.5 over the 7mm.
But, my die is cast..