6.5x55mm ammunition
since the 156gr, 160gr and heavier weight 6.5x55mm ammunition seems to be a little difficult to come by and somewhat expensive; as opposed to the more common 139gr, would there be much significant difference in using the 139gr for heavier game as opposed to the heavier 156gr, 160gr and above?
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THE 139'S WORK WELL ON ANYTHING SMALLER THAN ELK 0 -
If you can find anything loaded with the 140 grain Barnes TSX, that will work ofr Elk and Moose too. I have the american made brother to that ...a 260 Remington...120 Nosler Ballistic tips are awesome for White tails..
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Nononsense,
That is a very nice butt plate with that Cape Buffalo on, but that elepjant scene on the side plate of that double is my favorate. Could you send me a copy of that elephant scene...I never did get one.
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still looking for 180gr but good luck as i have never seen any although heard that there is a reputable reloader who loads them up with rn rounds, that would be nice. 0 -
auto436658,
Bullet construction and bullet placement trump the 15 or 20 grains of additional bullet weight. Use a quality bullet and put it in the heart and any weight will work. The animal will die nearly instantly.
Avoid shoulder or heavy bone shots and go for the heart or neck for the best results.
Nosler Partition, Speer and the Swift A-Frame are perfectly fine. I use the Nosler Partition and a couple of others that I won't name for hunting elk with the 6.5 x 55 Swede and they all work.
Check on Wildcat Bullets when they finally get their website up and running for heavier bullets for hunting.
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quote:Originally posted by nononsense
auto436658,
Bullet construction and bullet placement trump the 15 or 20 grains of additional bullet weight. Use a quality bullet and put it in the heart and any weight will work. The animal will die nearly instantly.
Avoid shoulder or heavy bone shots and go for the heart or neck for the best results.
Nosler Partition, Speer and the Swift A-Frame are perfectly fine. I use the Nosler Partition and a couple of others that I won't name for hunting elk with the 6.5 x 55 Swede and they all work.
Check on Wildcat Bullets when they finally get their website up and running for heavier bullets for hunting.
Best.
yeah i am in agreement with you on the construction and placement with bone shots being acceptable with the heavier grain wide metplat alloy rounds; just prefer to have those heavy rounds on board along side the lighter ones which are difficult to locate in 6.5x55mm anyway, will be nice when 'richard' i believe is back online and ready to go, as i like the idea of a 180gr rn for a heavy round...
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any other reputable professional reloaders that could make heavier loads while waiting for richard at wildcat bullets to come online?0 -
I just can't imagine what you would need a 180 grain 6.5mm bullet for with the modern design bullets now available. Maybe a solid for elephant? The SD/BC of even a 156 grain is great and should be adequate for normal shots within the range of the 6.5x55. Such heavy bullets handicap such a small cartridge with low velocity and poor trajectory. (That should stir someone up) 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Mobuck
I just can't imagine what you would need a 180 grain 6.5mm bullet for with the modern design bullets now available. Maybe a solid for elephant? The SD/BC of even a 156 grain is great and should be adequate for normal shots within the range of the 6.5x55. Such heavy bullets handicap such a small cartridge with low velocity and poor trajectory. (That should stir someone up)
actually, have been having some issues with dilophosaurus and giant graboid worms in the back 40 of the property and just wanted to test the heavier grain weight rounds on them.lol
seriously, had heard that there was a 180gr 6.5x55mm and thought it would be an interesting round to test out, probably will go with the 160gr or 156gr rounds however, the 180gr would be a slower velocity round, but reloaded in the proper proportion to the grain weight should have some good energy for heavier game i would imagine. found some 160gr rn which should work fine and isn't nearly as expensive as the 156gr, geez that stuff is spendy.
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any other reputable professional reloaders that could make heavier loads while waiting for richard at wildcat bullets to come online?0 -
auto436658
I am not sure what you are using for a rifle or barrel to launch these 180 grain projectiles in, but you might want to take into consideration the twist rate, if you have not already. I am not 100 percent sure, but at the velocities that a 180 grain can achieve out of a 6.5x55, I am thinking you will need a twist rate in the 1 in 6 ot 6.5 inches range. I am sure Nononsense can further enhance this notion with actual scientific calculations...Nononsense?
Also, auto436658, if you would be kind enough, please drop me an e-mail.
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quote:Originally posted by Mobuck
I just can't imagine what you would need a 180 grain 6.5mm bullet for with the modern design bullets now available. Maybe a solid for elephant? The SD/BC of even a 156 grain is great and should be adequate for normal shots within the range of the 6.5x55. Such heavy bullets handicap such a small cartridge with low velocity and poor trajectory. (That should stir someone up)
Sure did![:D]
While the 6.5x55 will shoot 156, 160 and even 180 gr. bullets it suffers as Mobuck says from "very rounded trajectory"
IMHO, if you want the perfect all around bullet for hunting anything with a 6.5x55 load up some Nosler 125 gr. Partitions. They hit hard enough and expand well for elk, moose, deer anything smaller and even larger. I would prefer a lot more knockdown if a bear or moose was charging me, but I have no plans to let that happen. A lot of smaller, lesser quality bullets have taken these animals. You won't go wrong loading this up to the potential that a 6.5x55 will launch it.0
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