6.5x55 Swede Loads

[Rob404]

I know I,m posting this the right place,, even though the 6.5 is reasonably popular here in the Colonies, it,s not near as popular as it is in Europe,,Tomorrow I,m going to look at a Swede Sporter and if all goes well and the Rifle Passes Inspection I hope to start gathering the equipment needed to build my own custom Loads,,, So what do you 6.5 shooters like,, especially for Hunting Africa,, Thanks in advance Rob,,I,ll post some pics should I wind up owning it

 

[Rob404]

Well I own it,,It,s about a nice as an Obendorf as you,ll Find,,all work done by here in Minnesota by Ahlmans and a Beautiful Black Walnut Stock,,I,ll need to change out the trigger and add a Scope I,ll get some Pics up when I get time,,,

 

[enysse]

It's a interesting caliber, I looked to one a month back, but I have a boat load of similiar calibers. I would try to reload with a stout bullet if you can....something along the lines of A-frame, TTSX, GMX or something. Wildebeest, eland, zebra, oryx, kudu, watebuck, eland...can be handfull if shot in the shoulder bone with a soft. Definitely study the shot placement guide, if you get the double lung shot, your gun can be very effective.

 

[sestoppelman]

Its a favorite moose caliber in Sweden, that should count for something. My dad was a big fan and hunted elk with his. He liked 140gr Nosler Partitions, but that was about the best bullet around when he last hunted. If it were me, I would load the 156 or 160gr bullets and keep the distances at or around 200-250 yds for larger game. Smaller game, whatever you can see to shoot.

 

[Norwegianwoods]

6.5x55 is a great and often underestimated cartridge.
I think one of the main reasons for that is the anemic American factory loads.

My favorite factory load if you want to use a standard cup and core bullet, is the Lapua Mega 155 grains.
My favorite bullets for reloading the 6.5x55, are Swift A-frame and Barnes TSX/TTSX.

 

[timbear]

6.5x55mm is my favorite caliber for medium game. I admit I do not reload, but to give you an idea how it performs with factory ammo: 3 weeks ago I shot a fallow deer at a measured 309m, uphill about 40m, with Remington Core Lokt 140 gn. The bullet went clean through both shoulders, shattering them, and exited. Point of aim was 10cm above shoulder, rifle is sighted in for 200m. Can't ask better than that from your deer rifle.

 

[enysse]

6.5x55 is a great and often underestimated cartridge.
I think one of the main reasons for that is the anemic American factory loads.

My favorite factory load if you want to use a standard cup and core bullet, is the Lapua Mega 155 grains.
My favorite bullets for reloading the 6.5x55, are Swift A-frame and Barnes TSX/TTSX.

I agree, since it's a older caliber, the lawyers usually play it safe and load it on the light side. If you reload, you have the opportunity to correct the situation.

 

[Rob404]

great info guys,,,i,ve got a Timney trigger on order,(military Triggers are Crap) and I,m going to give Vortex Scopes a Try,based on reports,,,there is so much hoarding going on here in the Colonies that Powder,Primers and Bullets take some scrounging but I,ve got all summer to get the right set-up

 

[enysse]

Sounds like a good plan, Vortex scopes are good value.

 

[Hilux01]

CZ550 lux load

Hi guys

I have with the help of some friends and QL been able to develop a load for my CZ and 156gr Norma Oryx
I was able to get a 10.5mm grouping on 100m range with the following
156gr Norma Oryx
Norma cases
CCi200 LR primers
44.5gr S385 (Somchem SA)
Avg velocity of 2546ft/sec

 

[Divernhunter]

I have a Tikka and a original mi 6.5X55. I have worked up a bunch of different loads using different powders and bullets for accuracy and speed across my chrono. I have data for Barnes TTSX, Swift bullets, Nosler bullets.
PM me and I will send you all the info.
Oh: Put a Leupold 3X9X40 or 3.5X10X40 duplex reticle scope on it and you are set.
I will be gone to the SCI convention until next Tues---Doug

 

[Poucher]

Real Guns - Handload Data - 6.5x55mm Swede

 

[cptkirk]

I bought a model 96 Mauser in 6.5x55 Swede back in 1984 for $75.00. It was an old army rifle that looked like it had never been fired. Absolutely tight and the bore was perfect. All serial numbers on the parts matched too. Only problem was the bullets for the damn thing cost 26 bucks for a box of 20 back then so reloading was a must. Lee made a set of dies for it and I could load a box of 20 for less than 5 bucks. I ordered 60 new brass casings for it and used this recipe for the loads.

100 grain Hornaday Spire Points
41.8 grains of Dupont 4320
CCI large rifle primers
Norma cases

This recipe yielded a velocity of 2800 ft/sec and was fairly accurate shooting with iron sights at 100 yards. I like the round for its mild recoil with the heavy rifle. I recovered the cost of the dies after 1 loading of the 60 rounds.

 

[bassasdaindia]

I own one,it is a great caliber and truly one of a few calibers that is able to shoot both long distance with lighter bullets or a heavier bullet at a slower speed for the thicker African bush.

I prefer loading 1 bullet for my rifles so my advise to you should be to decide what you would like to do with the rifle and then develop the load from there.

 

[Sika98k]

These are some Norma Oryx 156 grain heads recovered from a some deer I have shot,great deformation and weight retention.

 

[Velo Dog]

I agree, since it's a older caliber, the lawyers usually play it safe and load it on the light side. If you reload, you have the opportunity to correct the situation.

+1.

 

[Velo Dog]

View attachment 28089 These are some Norma Oryx 156 grain heads recovered from a some deer I have shot,great deformation and weight retention.

Those recovered Oryx projectiles appear to have performed just right but, I thought boring old "cup & core" bullets would not be effective on anything beyond let's say...an elderly hamster or perhaps a very small frog.

 

[Velo Dog]

I own one,it is a great caliber and truly one of a few calibers that is able to shoot both long distance with lighter bullets or a heavier bullet at a slower speed for the thicker African bush.

I prefer loading 1 bullet for my rifles so my advise to you should be to decide what you would like to do with the rifle and then develop the load from there.

Excellent advice / I totally agree.

 

[Velo Dog]

I know I,m posting this the right place,, even though the 6.5 is reasonably popular here in the Colonies, it,s not near as popular as it is in Europe,,Tomorrow I,m going to look at a Swede Sporter and if all goes well and the Rifle Passes Inspection I hope to start gathering the equipment needed to build my own custom Loads,,, So what do you 6.5 shooters like,, especially for Hunting Africa,, Thanks in advance Rob,,I,ll post some pics should I wind up owning it

Hello Rob44,

The 6.5x55 is a favorite of mine but, I confess to having shot nothing more exotic than targets with it so far.

I have a supply of Hornady 160 grain RNSP stashed away (very accurate in my CZ 550FS / 4x Khales scope in CZ factory rings) but Hndy sadly has quit making them as far as I can tell.

When I begin to run low on those excellent bullets, I plan to try Norma Oryx 156 gr and Woodleigh 160 gr as well.

I really like the blunt shape of the Hndy but so far, most of the paper targets that I have shot with them likely would have croaked just fine, with slightly more streamlined bullets anyway.

Probably needless to say it began as a Military cartridge but now is one of The World's excellent and classic hunting cartridges.

When the .260 Remington was announced I just yawned.

Regards,
Velo Dog.

 

[enysse]

Next year the .260 Rem will be 20 years old...time flies fast.