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6.5x55 mauser heaviest grain ammunition?

auto436658
what is the heaviest grain ammunition for the 6.5x55 mauser, as the charts that i have seen show 160gr, but i have heard of 180gr, any reputable sources that actually have the heavy grain ammunition available?
thanks.
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10 comments

Date Votes
  • sandwarrior
    I haven't heard of 180. But that doesn't mean it can't exist. It would take an extremely tight twist to stabilize it I would think. As I believe, it takes something like a 1-6.5" twist to stabilize the 160's.

    Edit:

    Since you mention Wildcat-bullets I do think he had some heavy for caliber 6.5 mm's. What exactly they were I don't know. I do know I had nowhere near enough twist to stabilize the 142 and 130 ULD's in .257 cal that I bought from him. One of his showcase shooters, Kirby Allen, did some fantastic shooting with 167(?) gr. .277 cal bullets. ...Like prarie dogs @ 2150 yds. Anyhow, I'm supposed to get back in contact with the former owner this evening. He might clue me in on what they've got...or had.
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  • auto436658
    so where can i get 160gr 6.5x55 mauser then?
    thanks.
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  • leeblackman
    The answer is handloading. Hornady makes a 160gr Interlock RNSP. I don't have the load data on capable velocity, but its a very long bullet. You would need a suitable faster twist to stabalize it. There is also a woodleigh 160gr RN bullet available thru midway usa.
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  • richbug
    Norma has a 156 grain loading.
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  • jonk
    Ditto on handloading. Hornady makes a 175 gr bullet that does well. Some of the custom handloaders (gads comes to mind) can probably set you up.
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  • nononsense
    auto436658,

    The heaviest .264" bullets that I am currently aware of are the 160 gr. RN from Hornady and the 160 gr. Semi-SP from Sierra. I shoot both of these and they perform as advertised.

    The next bullets are in the 155-156 gr. level and there are a couple of manufacturers.

    As to the heavier than 160 gr. bullets, I'd like to know where the information is as I would like to study it. So if someone can point me to the 175 gr. or the 180 gr., I'd appreciate it. I'm always looking for more and better information.

    It's possible that Wildcat Bullets up in Canada may have made some of the heavier 6.5mm bullets as this was part of his claim to fame. But the website is down because he sold the company. sandwarrior may have some of the information on these.

    The other company that experimented with heavy for caliber bullets was Brown Dog or now known as Powell River Laboratories. They perfected the powdered Tungsten bullet process and were promptly locked down by Fed contracts. Ostensibly, they offer nothing to the public because the Fed buys everything they make.

    There are physical limits to the lengths available but it might be possible to go heavier by using some exotic materials such as the Gubment uses in their Depleted Uranium bullets.

    Best.
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  • quickmajik
    DRT,

    Is that powdered tungsten they use in those rounds?? You can get it for outrageious prices. It penetrates barriers but basically craters in flesh.
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  • auto436658
    okay thanks guys, i dont reload so i will have to go with the 156gr 6.5x55 mauser ammunition then which should do well on both medium and heavy game if necessary, although is very expensive.
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  • sandwarrior
    auto436658,

    I spoke with the 'about to be former' owner of Wildcat Bullets. The new owners do have {edit: the dies} and will can make 180 gr. 6.5 mm bullets. Get in touch with them at wildcatbullets@gmail.com. Richard, the current owner, doesn't have any that heavy in stock right now. He does have some interesting stuff in stock. You can e-mail him at wildcatbullets@hotmail.com to see what he does have.

    -good luck
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  • nononsense
    sandwarrior,

    I'm glad you had the opportunity to chat with Richard, he's a real gentleman in my opinion. I haven't had the chance to get on the phone with him for a long time. Either I've been busy or he was. It's too bad he had to sell his business but it might be better for him in the long run. He's still farming, I'm pretty sure...

    If anyone is interested in heavy for caliber bullets, this new company should be able to supply them. The bullets I used from Richard's dies worked well for me but I was able to accommodate the longer bullets.

    Best.
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