Does anybody use Speer bullets in their 6.5? Also wondering about the 139 PRVI bullets, and the Speer brass that Graf sells. Any experience with either of these? Price sure looks inviting.

I've not used them as I'd far prefer Winchester brass in 6.5 X 55 and I don't have trouble with my shell holder not holding some of them.

For screwing around I like Hornady bullets but for deer and antelope I have discovered the 120 grain HP from Northfork.....an outstanding flat shooting bullet.....give it a try.

I'm scooting them 3,045'/sec from 21" of barrel (in a VZ-24) and that's very flat!

Be your own judge and try them......and no....I'm not on the payroll at Northfork.

IMO, Speer made competitive bullets 15 years ago, but the ground's moved under them and they haven't changed. There are better choices today for the same price. When their company allows them to upgrade their equipment and production processes they might be competitive again.

I start all reloading efforts with Hornady, and figure if i can't make them work, it's the rifle. Your mileage may vary.

Personally, I'd start with Hornady 129 SP or 140 SP.

Jaywalker

joe,
You didn't specify what you would be using them for, but don't worry about using the Speer 120+140 gr bullets on deer. I've done so on many occasions without problems. They work great. In fact, the 120gr bullet in a 6.5x55mm is one of my favorite combos for whitetail. The relativly soft Speer bullet is perfect for the involved velocities (standard velocities, not the turbocharge variety that vapodog is using). I use premium bullets alot, just not in 6.5x55 on whitetail.

Wes

I emailed Graf's a couple of weeks ago.
The return email said the Speer brass was made by Remington.

I've had really varied success with speer bullets. For me they are about a 50/50 thing whether or not they'll shoot in my rifles. Some like the 100 gr 243 shoot 1 hole groups, others sort of pattern. Thus it's become my last choice of bulets

Speer bullets are good for plinking and for load development, I´ve had too many fail on game (major meat destruction at moderate velocities) to use them on anything I´ll be eating. Lapua or Norma make good brass for the 6.5x55.

I have had better luck, accuracy wise with the Speer 140 than the 120 gr bullet in my 6.5x55. But to be honest, the Hornady 129 gr and 140 gr SP has been more accurate in my rifle. I just picked up some of the new Nosler 130 gr Accubonds to try, but haven't loaded any of them up yet. I hope they will be as accurate in the 6.5x55 as they have been in my .270WSM. Have to wait and see. If not, I could live happily ever after with the Hornady 129 gr interlock SP, and the Hornady 140 gr if I ever try anything larger than deer.

I used a 140gr hot core in my Rem classic in 6.5x55 on a average whitetail buck and was not impressed. Shot was around 35yds, hit him right behind the shoulder and the bullet did not exit, first time that has happened, even using 120gr bullets. Blood trail was not existent for the first 40yds and i had a tough time finding him in the mountain laurel. Needless to say i wont be using a hot-core ever again. The 129gr Hornady would have worked much better, you just have to drive em pretty fast to get em to open up good. I use brass from federal and hornady and have no problems at all, lapua and norma are very expensive but good brass, remington isnt bad either..