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I can't imagine the 140gr 6.5mm soft nose bullet NOT being adequate and appropriate for deer and hogs. I was going to take my 6.5x55 to Texas last January for a hunt, but to reduce baggage, decided not to, and took my 458 instead. But in the process of getting ready, I made a discovery. Perhaps it is similar with other rifle/cartridge combos, but I dunno, since I haven't tried it before. I was trying to decide on which ammo to sight in for. I had several boxes of different factory ammo, and two handloads, all with 140gr bullets. So I tried them all for groups, and eventually settled on the Sierra as the best. But afterwards, at home, I was comparing the groups on the target, and cut them out, and overlaid them. Although the groups seperately were an inch or less, the composit group for them all was about 2 1/2" - 3", with the point of aim as the center. Heck, I could mix up the ammo and go hunting, and have decent accuracy for the ranges I shoot. I suppose that I shouldn't have been surprised by that, but I was. I've never tried that with other rifles, and it was just coincidence that I had that many different cartridges in 6.5x55, 140gr. As I recall it was Rem, Win, PMC, Fed, and two handloads - the 140gr Sierra, and some hot core Speers. KB ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ | |||
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The 6.5x55 is a favorite in Scandinavia, and has taken a lot of moose meat!! But on average, European shooters are far more skilled than the average US hunter....I suspect that has more to do with any negative opinions about the caliber. | |||
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I have always thought that American hunters should be required to take and pass the sort of competency test that are required in Europe. Jeff | |||
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This is fairly comical. You clearly have some biased against the 6.5x55 although I can't imagine what it's based on. For the record, NO 6.5 cartridge has made it with the American shooting public. Only recently is it gaining popularity because of it's high BC and low recoil for match shooters. The American shooting public likes the 30-06, 300 mag, 270, 308 win, 243, 223 and 22LR just in case you judge your cartridges on popularity. A lot of people on this forum are reloaders so they don't really care what is popular or on the shelves at the local Walmart. | |||
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That's funny.  I have an old-timer friend, Carl, in SE Alaska who is from Norway - an Alaskan now. About three summers past, one of his cousins from Norway came over for a visit. I think of him as "Murphy", although his real name is one of those clasic Norwegin names, and I can't remember for sure now - - but I think it is coincidentally Alf. One night they both got a little drunk, the cousin being accustomed to it and a bad influence on Carl, who drinks infrequently. They decided to clean their old Remington rifles, one a 30-06, and the other a 300 H&H. I think the models of the rifles is 721, anyway they were made before the 700. They got the bolts mixed up. Then the next day, with hangover and all, left in Carl's fishing boat for a deer hunt to last a few days. When they got all anchored out and ashore, they discovered that they couldn't get the bolt to close on ammo in the 300, so they shared the 30-06. They shot a deer, and then discovered that the empty cartridge wouldn't extract. So they settled for the one deer and returned to the boat, and used a cleaning rod to push the empty case out. Then got drunk again. The next day, they took the cleaning rod with them, and got a deer each. Well, this went on for several days, sharing the 30-06, using it as a single shot, and they got plenty of deer. Upon their return to town, I went over to Carl's house to enjoy the stories and the booze, and they told me they couldn't figure out what was wrong with their rifles. That's when we all kinda noticed that the bolt faces weren't right for the respective rifles. Swapping the bolts back solved the problem. So much for Scandinavian, and European shooters.  Well, I suppose they should be given some credit for not shooting the 30-06 ammo in the 300 chamber. I don't know if it will fit or fire, but it might. I do love to tell that story, especially when the "right" occasion happens. KB ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ | |||
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I have a variety of calibers but the 6.5x55 is the absolute sexiest. I think that's why it has a lot of rabid followers. Look at those curves!  | |||
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It doesn't matter what anyone says. You have formed your opinion from your experiences. No one else matters. What do you need? Someone to be your YES man and say the 6.5 isn't a good cartridge? Cartridges all more alike than different, argueing the difference between a 6.5 and a 270 is pretty much an excercise in mental masturbation. In reality put almost any bullet from almost any modern rifle cartridge in the right place and you will have a dead critter. If you don't put it in the right place, you have a problem. It really is not that difficult a theory to grasp. It makes it even easier when you have killed lots of critters with many different cartridges, calibers, & bullets, from many distances and shot angles. so what you say we skip all the anectdotal evidence. Create a true scientific study to test the effectiveness of the 6.5x55. My hypothesis is going to be that the 6.5x55 is an inadequate big game cartridge on animals up to 300 lbs. So we will go out and shoot fifty 100#, 200# & 300# critters. At 150 and 250 yards. Broadside quartering too quartering away straight on texas heart shot We will use four bullets: monometal 120gr monometal 140 gr cup and core 120gr cup and core 140gr Let's do it and see what results we get. And we can do a meta analysis of all the available scientific data we have on the 6.5x55 performance on big game animals. My gut tells me that my hypothesis will proved wrong. But let's do the study and see what happens. OR we could use our common sense and all the anecdotal evidence that thousands of hunters have provided over the last 100 plus years and know that it works, unless the nut squeezing the trigger screws up. What do you say? Are you going to take the rope? | |||
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SDhunter Tell me how many how many head of game you have got with the 6.5x55, over what period of time and how many have you lost ? Let this then be used for a start of our study. Best of luck Joe | |||
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Three pages of this shit and now you wanna start.  | |||
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 SSR | |||
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Right on Scott!! I read all the bickering about this lovely round and I cannot but wait for the next time I shall be out with it. All I have shot with it has died, it shows exceptional accuracy potential and my wife can shoot it too (Sako IV Hunter, in a McMillan hunter stock). What's not to like? better have a gun and not need it than need a gun and not have it.... | |||
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The biggest thing about the 6.5x55 is its ballace between performance and it being so damn easy to shoot well. It has no down sides. No big muzzle blast. No big recoil. I use it more than any other caliber. Its my favorite when Coyote hunting because Hogs always show up. It is much more flexible than my old 25/06 although that was my favorite Coyote rifle. It had a problem with bullets over 100 grains. The fast twist rifling of the 6.5x55 is accurate with everything I throw at it. Cheers, John Give me COFFEE and nobody gets hurt | |||
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Mackey doesnt seem to realize there's more to being a hunter then pulling a trigger. When to shoot, when not to. Being able to read blood type ( muscle, lung, heart etc) tracking, and reaction to the shot all are part of the puzzle of recovering game. he tells of recovering "well hit" animals the next day. Why didnt he recover them that day, but could find them the next? it's much easyer to read fresh sign then old. I could go on and on, but the facts are he's trying to make excuses for his poor hunting skills, or just likes being a  | |||
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I would like a light weight rifle in 6.5x55. May never have one because I don't need it as I have other rifles in the same power range but I want one. Molon Labe New account for Jacobite | |||
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look for a light piece of claro walnut and make a 6.5 X 55 with a blind magazine.....you'll be surprised how light one can get. Use a Douglas #1 contour and talley all aluminum one piece base/rings and add a 9X33 Leupold ultralite scope.....  /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// "Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery." Winston Churchill | |||
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[QUOTE]Originally posted by JonP: The 6.5x55 is a favorite in Scandinavia, and has taken a lot of moose meat!! But on average, European shooters are far more skilled than the average US hunter.....[/QUOTE Your statement really could be the basis for a long thread which would never reach a clear or valid conclusion. But, for the moment let's assume it has a particle of truth to it. Why do you think that would come to pass? Could it possibly be because "average" European shooters are more generally middle-class and above folks...who by definition have more money and time off, and who therefore are more able to both practice and gain field experience? Or because they are hunting game where both they and the hunts are under more close control of their governments? Or what else? To me it seems it may well be an instance of trying to directly compare earthworms and watermelons. It is most certainly not due to higher intelligence, greater devotion to the sport, better innate physical attributes, moral superiority, or anything like that. Nor does it take into account the numbers of hunters in Europe or North America (ALL of whom are "Americans"). When you have multiple times the numbers of people in one group, of course their "average" skills will be lower when compared to the "cream" of the other population. To be more fair, let's randomly pick 150 million Europeans and 150 million Americans out of the phone books. Same size group, same source. Hand them each a designated rifle and have them shoot a test with it, without the assistance of a Jaeger, a coach, or any of that. Then tell me which group will likely score better in a shooting test? Right, both your statment and mine are "loaded" with bias in one direction or another. So that brings us back to just how good the 6.5x55 is? Damned good, is the answer, when in the hands of decent shot and dedicated hunter. My country gal's just a moonshiner's daughter, but I love her still. | |||
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That might be... because here, everyone gets to hunt who wants to hunt, it's not the exclusive realm of a damned aristocracy with a million permits and rules in the way of the common man, of which we are a nation. | |||
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Good post A.C. From the story I told about the two Norwegians, it could be surmised that those two characters are superb hunters of the Sitka blacktail deer in SE Alaska, and indeed that would be a true statment. They took several deer, on real hunts, in the forest and hillsides, apparantly with 100% success ratio per shot. They had a memorable hunt, and a great time sharing that rifle and cleaning rod. Obviously it's great incentive to make the shot count, when the rifle is basically a single-shot, with no extractor. By ignoring some parts of the story, it's easy to see the superior qualities of these two intrepid hunters. So, we can figure that most Norwegians are good hunters, good shots, and resourceful too. KB ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~ | |||
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Mackey, Do want 6.5 calibre experience or 6.5x55? | |||
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Gidday Guys, I used to have a rather low opinion of North American hunters when I was a callow fellow. I thought they were all slob hunters as portrayed in the movies and how could they possibly be as good at hunting as a Kiwi when they were only allowed to shoot 1 or 2 deer per year compared to our hundred or so. Then I got educated!!! I took out US soldiers over here on exercises out after sika and red deer. Man they would spot the animals before I could and despatch them cleanly. Also they displayed as much respect or maybe more for their quarry than the Kiwis. They were horrified that we only took the backstrap and maybe a leg because our freezers were full or when we sold the animal. Since those times in the 1970s I have been out with many Yanks and have found them to be excellent company, skillful hunters and just good guys to have around. I have also hunted with Europeans, Aussies and South Africans and have found most to be as equal as each other. It seems the hunter breed is much alike all over the world. I think the 6.5 cal is as good or bad as the user. I prefer the 120 - 130 gr cup and core projectiles myself but others experiences may differ. Might I suggest mackey that you come to NZ and I will take you on a tahr hunt and you can use my 30-06 on the hill and I will use your 6.5 and If you are happy you can leave it behind and I will give you a 30-06 to take home in its place. This is genuine offer so its up to you if you really find your 6.5 lacking. You will get to take home a nice 12" tahr as well. Happy Hunting Hamish | |||
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I had a really low opinion of Kiwi's. I worked for one that was really a stupid business man and flushed a multi million dollar company. That does not make all bad! I have 4 6.5x55. No complaints. | |||
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I'm 62 with a lifetime of experience with several 22cals, 243, 25-06 270, 308, 30-06, 35Rem. Two years ago had a 270 mod70 (minute of pie plate) rebarreled to 6.5x55 because I always thought they had merit. Shoots 130gr TSX into 3/8" consistant. same with 108 Scenars, sometimes 1/4". So pleasant to shoot i now have NO reason to bring any other rifle out of the safe. Not knowing about your weapon, (accuracy potential, twist, etc.) and your personal ability to shoot well under hunting conditions, I can only say you may have a sub-standard rifle as the Swede will do just about anything it's asked to do. Better to say that than question your ability, right? I use mine (successfuly) for anything from groundhogs to elk......dead nuts. It doesn't seem fair for you to harbor an unreal bias against a mighty fine caliber because of a few (of your) uncommon outcomes. I feel there are more details to your woes that have not come forth since it seems apparent that nobody agrees with your opinion. How about it boys...what am I missing here? | |||
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Bill, I think we are all missing something here. The OP wants to hear the specifics of Swede failure from us on this forum but is not willing to share his. Some information on his lost animals would be helpful. Distance, shot placement, the load he was using....anything. He's obviously just stirring the pot. | |||
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I'm having a Ruger 77 MK/II stainless long action re-barreled and chambered in, you guessed it, 6.5x55 Swede! My custom Ruger will have a 24" Hart #3 contour stainless barrel with a 1:8 twist! The rifle is being built by one of the very best metalsmiths in the country, Roger Ferrell!!! McMillan is currently building a new stock for it. I will try the following bullets using RL-22 and H-4831 powders when I get the rifle: 1. Barnes 140 Triple Shocks (my favorite bullet) 2. Nosler 140, 130 Accubonds 3. Hornady 140 SP & Interbonds 4. Hornady 129 SP 5. Sierra 140 BTSP I hope that dog will hunt! | |||
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Blaming the equipment is the oldest trick in the book. | |||
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This is one of the greatest hunting photos I've ever seen!  | |||
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Have two 6.5x55's...one is factory SS Tikka with one cow elk to it's credit.. Second one I just built using a Savage Target action & Pac Nor 28" no taper barrel with 8 twist...no the longer Swede case is no problem for the Savage short action...but this is strickly a target & LR p/dog removal tool.....weighs in @ 18#...still working on loads for it...but the usual powders are working OK so far...RE17 & IMR 4064 still an option...Varget will surprise you with lighter bullets....but I built this with 140/142s in mind.....great cartridge by all means.. | |||
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Glad you figured that one out! M | |||
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By the way; Stop calling it the 6,5x55 SWEDE  M | |||
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I love that pic of Joey Cheers, John Give me COFFEE and nobody gets hurt | |||
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pic of that savage, maybe? I bought a rem 788 action some years ago to make up a 6.5x55 on, still have the action, but never started the project. was never really sure the cartridge would fit, the receiver was originally made up as a 6mm. | |||
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No Savage 6.5 pics just yet...my pic host site sent me a virus the last time I used it... I'm no PC geek....looking for another pic host.... Also shoot a heavy SA Savage in 260 AI | |||
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Try hunt101.com Good pic posting available and it's free. ______________________ Guns are like parachutes. If you need one and don't have one, you'll likely never need one again Author Unknown, But obviously brilliant. If you are in trouble anywhere in the world, an airplane can fly over and drop flowers, but a helicopter can land and save your life. - Igor Sikorski, 1947 | |||
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I asked him for specifics way back on the first page. He has yet to provide anything besides general comments. I've never known a serious hunter that would not discuss a specific instance of what they claim is a failure of a cartridge or bullet. Most times they give details down to a gnat's ass to try and figure out just what happened. I've been very happy with the way the Swede has worked on game. I have never seen a failure. All my experience has been positive. And, that seems to mirror what most of you are saying. Is the Swede the very best possible choice for all hunting? Probably not. If I was hunting something that bites back, I'd want more gun. Will it work? Yep. That's been proven by lots of hunters who used it for things it probably wasn't designed for. Would I hesitate to grab my Swede and hunt 95% of the game I'm likely to hunt? Nope. My personal experience has shown it to be an effective and accurate caliber. No matter what Mackey says, I refuse to discount my personal experience and immediately adopt his word as gospel. He asked us to talk about the failure we have seen with the Swede, but refuses to provide specific details of the failure he claims to see. I, for one, am not willing to play the game according to those rules. | |||
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Tin can, I have a 260 rem imp reamer that I believe would fit your 6mm action fine, a grain or two more then a 6.5x55 case capacity wise. Hollar if you want to go that route sometime. | |||
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Also using a 260 AI 8T myself...SA s/shot Savage large shank of course..will fit a SA... center feed repeater will work better than stagger feed I'm told because of the 40* shoulder..I believe my OAL is 2.80" w/142's...2995 with a stiff/safe charge of RE19...I have Pac Nor 'short throat' them for me...this is also a heavy 18# beast..glass is 6500 Tactical 4-30...shoots FF 260 loads just as well...the Swede is just easier..... | |||
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My 6.5x55 is only about 2 years old but I'm 100%, no failures. (1 for 1) 150 Yards, quartering to me. 155 grain Lapua Mega at about 2450 FPS muzzle. The rifle was a CZ550 Full Stock. He ran about 20 yards and crashed in to some bushes.  | |||
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I have a 300 wm, a 30.06, a 270 w, a 6,5x55 and a 9,3x74 double. I go hunting pigs at least two times per month. Guess which rifle I have been using nearly always ?? Right !!! The 6,5 and why a dedicated pig hunter like me use so much the 6,5x55 having so many other calibers to use ??? Maybe I am just stupid and love loosing game...who knows ??? I use the 6,5 because I love the rifle, end of story. Pigs and deers don't know the difference between a 6,5 x55 and a 270 winchester when the bullet hits their lungs. I use Norma ammmo with 156 grains bullets. L | |||
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FWIW, well known U.S. gunwriter John Barsness wrote a chapter about "The Magical 6.5s" in his recent book, Obsessions of a Rifle Loony and he comes across as a fan of the 6.5x55. I throwing the Barsness card in to offset the Boddington card that was played earlier in this thread. If you're interested: Obsessions of a Rifle Loony John Barsness ISBN 978-0-9822072-1-5 Published September 2010 Availabe from Deep Creek Press, www.riflesandrecipes.com Jeff | |||
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Caliber doesnt matter, most animals will run, even when hit perfectly, without a central nervous system (CNS) hit its always a crap shoot. With this said i have killed around 14 whitetail deer with the 6.5X55 and in all but one instance it has completely penetrated the animal. Using 120gr,129gr,130gr and 140's it didnt matter, all animals were dead within 50yds. Twice i have had long tracking jobs with the swede but it was because i didnt place the bullet correctly, my fault. Use a 129gr Hornady inter-loct for most everything and you have an accurate and tough bullet that comes close to doing it all. The last deer i shot, an 8 pointer of average size, sprayed blood everywhere, i could see it shooting out of the entrance and exit like a fire hose. He ran 30yds and i have never seen a more deadly shot...gee i guess placement has a little to do with it......  | |||
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