Got my rifles zeroed at 200 yds this a.m.

K1A Ruger 6.5x55, 45.5 IMR 4350 Lapua, 6x42 German #4, 3 shots, 1 1/8" at 200 yds.

Sako 75, Grey Wolf, 260, 44.0 IMR 4350 RP brass, 3 shots, 3/4" @ 200 yds, followed after cooled with 2 shots in 5/8". Scope 2-7x35 Burris 3P#4.

I think I am set for deer/hogs this year!

If those don't work I'd be amazed!!!



Congratulations on a couple of FINE shooting rifles.

Sounds like two very capable loads. It's tuff to quit tinkering with variables, but with those kind of results, I think you're pretty much done!

In error, I thought the season opened NEXT weekend, but found out yesterday it opened this Sat., SO, I got on paper and roughly dialed in at 100 before dark and Chronied some loads, but had already settled on the bullet, load combo as well as scope set up to be used.

You know Ian, the amazing thing, BOTH rifles are OUT THE BOX.!!!! Nonething done to either one for bedding or trigger work.

Dad always taught me....'if it ain't broke don't fix it' and I think he has a good point!

Next season I may play with some H4350 in the 260 and perhaps H4831 SC and RL19, those and the RL22 are said to be good as well in the 6.5x55, but with THROWN powder charges in both loads using old style IMR4350 long kernels, something is working!

BTW, Correction to above 260 load, I have a batch of 50 or so RP brassed 260 loaded identical, but by mistake forgot, the 260 loads tested today were using FC 308 brass necked down, FWIW. Did not shoot the RP this a.m. may shoot as well, but maybe not, doubtful any better! Not to fret, I have 10 left for season loaded!

Sounds like you are definitely set -- and that the deer and hogs better look out!

I really like the 130 grain AB. So far, it has performed very well for me.

How fast do they open up ..... It would be a great bullet for caribou and wolf especially if it will stay inside a caribou ....

6.5BR,
Hope those work out well for you! I have had some reasonable success with 120 B-Tips in mine. I think I had 5 in under 1.25 at 100. It wouldn't shoot the 130 ABs with IMR 4831 very well, and I have not tried the 4350 with them yet. If they group, that will be my go-to load. Be sure to post results of success!
Best regards,
Graham

ALMOST had something to report, but the little buck last night at 300-350 yds would not get broadside long enough, and my quasi-rest....a window ledge was not enough to get my reticle settled for a confident sqeeze, so till another day! I believe had I really wanted to kill him, I might very well had, as I'd gotten steadier before a squeeze, BUT my 11 yr old needs to shoot a buck yet, and this weekend he'll have his Sako 260/130 ab's with me, and we'll try getting that buck or another, from a stand that will get him perhaps 100-150 yds max and if that shot comes and its a miss, and I have time to get a shot on the run, I'll take it and see what happens. Either way, I plan to get SOME results back on a deer kills as soon as that opportunity comes.

4831 is often a powder of choice as H4350, it worked out I was finishing up some IMR powder. 5 shot grouping is great, but I seem to get the info I need with 3, and shot strings come faster with less cooling time, ammo is saved and bbl life. I bet if you shot 3 shot groups, on average statistically, you SHOULD be getting groups about 2/3 the size, and I bet it works out that way for you.

Did you shoot a moose with MY old 6.5x55 yet? Also, ready to sell back that junkie SS/FWT at the song it sold for? Ha! Hope you are enjoying it. You got one of the few, and last Win's mfg at the old plant in that rare config/caliber combo. Doubt you'll run into another hunter with one.

Guys, I am TRYING to kill something for you! And myself.....last night a doe came inbetween the field I was hunting and an opening to another....owner has LRF'd it at 440 yds, gun and 6x42 I think were up to snuff, but the getting drop combined and my 'wobble factor' resting on a blind window ledge made me hold fire. Do not want to shoot until I feel SURE it will be a clean hit/kill. Had I been on a bench w/bags, I'd shot.....

Proud to see one pass up "IFFY" shots.

How bout a small range bag on the window sill and a set of X-Sticks for the rifle butt. One could test the improvement and if it were adequate and the gun and shooter up to it then whole new decision..

All of that and yet I say, tis better to not shoot than to regret the shot.

TN opens this weekend for smokepole and with RBs I have no problems with calling it quits at fairly close range!!

6.5BR,
Nope, this one will have way too much problems getting back across the Boarder . I do all my testing with 3 shots, and only go up to 5 if the first 3 shot group is special. That load with the ABs just wasn't up to my (and yours apparently) standard.

I actually have a good friend in Quesnel who has a 6.5 identical to mine (ours). His has a different shade of wood on the stock, and a later serial number. He figures from info he has, that his was probably one of the last if not the last to leave the factory, at least in that designation. Interesting to speculate.

Yup, I did shoot my first moose this year, still hunting a cutline, and shot him at about 60 paces, off hand. I used my 30-06 (sorry), since I don't think 120s are adequate for moose, and because the area I hunt is hot with bears. I elk hunted in there later in the season, and if there weren't three sets of fresh tracks in there, it was two bears doing laps on the trail. I am planning to kill a couple of deer with that gun this fall, though. Will send pics if I connect. All the best,
Graham

TC, you know I was talking to a good buddy and he suggested what I had years back, a friend gave me a sandbag for shooting off window ledge ie. auto....I forgot till you brought it back up as I had never felt a use for it.....now I'll see if I can scrounge it up if I did not get rid of it, may can find it around here and it will get a tryout! I meant, but forgot to look the other day...my age...

Graham, good to hear from you. Confused on that 'up to my standard' part...I shot 3 shot groups as it tells me what I need, for a hunting rifle. A Ruger #1 putting 3 in just under 1 1/8" at 200 yds is OVER my standard! Ha. My sako put 3 in 3/4" @200 yds, and another 2 after cool off in 5/8", again far above my expectations. I'd try them in that rifle w/different powder perhap, but it worked for mine. Old lots of IMR, not short cut versions of say Hodgdons so not sure if they act different.

Lest you NOT believe in the killing power of the 'Magic 6.5x55' just trust me, point a good bullet at said Moose and let lead fly! A 125/140 partition, 129 SP, 120-140 Barnes, or even 156-160s, WILL dig deep as your '06 with heavy bullets. If it does NOT kill it, I'll buy that rifle back!

Now, just have your wife carry the 'o6 to back you up for any bears

TC, found that bag in under 15 seconds right behind me in my closet! Now after thinking I had a useless gadget, I found a use for it and will take it next time in that stand. My buddy has several stands, all different, that one being the most difficult to shoot from and unfortunately offering the longest shots.

Thanks for the suggestion, also the x-sticks, will see about that too.

gumboot 458...(I think it opens up PERFECTLY well. NICE exit hole and damage w/o hitting bone so it does JUST what I want, expand well for shock value but can hold up when needs to and dig deep.)

Well FINALLY I got a decent shot, took a small buck tonight around 250 paces, hit high under spine, but dropped the deer right in the tracks.

I know now that the 130 accubonds give good shock value w/o hitting bone, and expect to penetrate just fine, so this may now be my new favorite for the 6.5mm for all around duty.

Watching the deer drop upon the shot, thru the 6x42 was very comforting, clean quick humane kill and no tracking to worry which is the way I want it, esp. on an evening hunt.

30-06 fans enjoy them, but for me, long live the 6.5x55!!! Think it had been '96 or so when I killed my last deer with one, 2 with Rem Classic and one with 96 mauser. Don't you know EVERY single deer I have hit with the 6.5x55 has dropped in its tracks! NOT one ever moved. Must be my lucky cartridge so I may just stick to it for awhile longer, with it's ballistic twin the 260, now to be my sons rifle, kid has a grin when he says... Grey Wolf...Sako.

WAY TO GO!!! I was hoping to catch the end of this story. I am going to try some IMR 4350 in my 6.5x55 pushing some 130 ABs. Two deer are hanging in the shop, thanks to a couple of 120 B-tips, last Sunday. Kneeling, about 160 paces or so. Nice gun, decent load, very short hunt (left the house at 4:00 PM, got back with two deer at 5:00).
You may have to go out and shoot a few more, though. Basing a whole opinion on just one performance sounds like it wants more proof
Congratulations, and good hunting,
Graham

G,

I have MANY more of the 130 ABs and intend to shoot as many as I can over time. I do not expect to be disappointed and clean kills are my goal, esp. DRTs.

Thanks.

quote:

Originally posted by 6.5BR:

combined and my 'wobble factor' resting on a blind window ledge made me hold fire. Do not want to shoot until I feel SURE it will be a clean hit/kill. Had I been on a bench w/bags, I'd shot.....

Hey 6.5

What you need is a rest for the stock at the rear to get rid of that "wobble". Stoney Point makes an extendable monopod that is just right for stand hunting



You set it when you get in the stand so that the bottom slants away from you when you rest the butt of the rifle in the yoke. It is easy to raise and lower you point of aim by moving the bottom away from you or towards you. With the forearm on the window ledge and the butt in the yoke it is just like shooting off the bench.

Just set the height and set it in the corner with the rifle and it is a snap to set it up for the shot. Really works and compresses down to 16" for carrying.

You can thank me later.

Woods, thanking you now, and was going to before finished reading, that is cool and is just what I need when in box stands, my buddy that has a farm has several box type stands as well as Tripods and this will do great in the box blinds.

Thanks very much, on the occasion I get long shots and angles where I cannot get a solid position, this is going to really help. Lately everything I have been seeing from the blinds looking over open fields has been 200-450 yds and I don't want to take shots when I am not steady, and usually pass them up, but if a Big Boy steps out......I'd hate to miss or miss out due to not being equipped to utilize something like this, never seen it before but for 30 bucks.....heck of a value it seems.

Good hunting.

You will be amazed and will wonder like I did "Why didn't I think of this before!"

Haven't tried it yet but I'll bet it will work as a back rest in a sitting position with a Harris bipod for the front when stalking like most here do.

I saw some in a local sporting goods store that had flip up levers for each section sorta like a camera or spotting scope tripod legs. That might be even more convenient than the twist lock on the one above.

Thanks again, I prefer NOT hunting in blinds and my most fun hunts were in climbers up close in hardwoods or hunting from ground - sitting, and stalking but where I hunt, the landowner prefers to know where everyone is hunting.

Funny thing is the owner has missed as much or more than he connects and to avoid wounded game I think this is a MUST HAVE for him! Can't take the benchrest in the deer stand..but this is a good option..Thanks again.