6.5 preferred bullets

[huntinfool87]

To start off with i have a .260 Tikka ctr (1:8 twist) i use this for long range shooting/ hunting Midwest Whitetail primarily. I currently use a 140 vld for this rifle.

I also have a 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser. (1:8.66 twist) this gun is used for hunting Midwest whitetail primarily. I will be using both guns next year as my son will be hunting with me. I have tried the 140vld in the 6.5x55 and I couldn't get the accuracy id like.

Now for my question
What bullets should I consider for deer hunting with the 6.5x55? I tend to use H4831 in these guns but im not limited to just that. Im not sure what i would find more beneficial a corelock or a ballistic tip. Common range for this gun will be inside 300 yards. This is a very open question and I hope with the popularity of the 6.5 that people will have a wide variety of options but please explain why you recommend something. Thanks for any input picture of bloody mushrooms would be much appreciated.

 

[ojibweindian]

I'm using a 140 gr Hornady Interlock SP over RL-19, Lapua cases, and CCI 200 primers. That combination gives me just under an inch at 100 yards, zero'd at 25 and 2" high at 100 yds.

 

[huntinfool87]

I'm using a 140 gr Hornady Interlock SP over RL-19, Lapua cases, and CCI 200 primers. That combination gives me just under an inch at 100 yards, zero'd at 25 and 2" high at 100 yds.

Have you harvested anything with this combo? I've used interlocks BTSP in my .280 139gr. On a buck at 483 yards. Found the bullet under the hide. There was next to mushroom but the bullet remained about 74% of its weight. But this is my only experience with them so more info would be great

 

[jmr40]

At 300 yards most anything 120 gr or heavier should kill deer. I've settled on 139 gr Lapua Scenar bullets as the only thing I load in my 6.5 CM. Mine is mostly a range gun and I've not killed anything with it yet. And that bullet is sold as a target bullet. But I've seen photos of too many dead animals taken with that bullet in both 6.5 and 30 caliber to not be impressed. I'm also using the 155 Scenar in my 308 this year. Hopefully I'll get a chance to shoot something with one soon.

 

[CarJunkieLS1]

In my 6.5x55 I've been experimenting with the 129 Hornady Interlock. Accuracy has been fine no game with it yet. My wife shoots a 129 Hornady Interbond in her 6.5CM. She hit a button buck this past year at 30 yards. Hard quartering away shot. And that bullet wreaked all kinds of havoc and broke the shoulder and leg on the offside. It exited too. With them results and the short range I was completely impressed.

 

[Captcurt]

I shot 120 gr Speer HotCors in my 260 with a stiff load of IMR-4350. My Swede liked the old 120gr Barnes X. I think I used 4350 with it too. Both worked well on whitetails. I have had a lot more trigger time with the Creedmoors after owning 4 and getting access to a farm that is over populated with deer. The 130gr Accubond has been the bullet of choice with these and have taken deer from 20 yards to a measured 367. They open up well and stay together. I've tried the 143 ELD-X and the 129 gr Accubond LR but prefer the 130 AB. As for powders. H4350 and R-17 have worked well. I tried Varget and Superformance but was not impressed with the accuracy.

 

[ojibweindian]

I'm using a 140 gr Hornady Interlock SP over RL-19, Lapua cases, and CCI 200 primers. That combination gives me just under an inch at 100 yards, zero'd at 25 and 2" high at 100 yds.

Not with the Swede; I've used a 154 Hornady Interlock SP in a 7 mag to take several deer. The particular load isn't near max for the powder and does a great job with both penetration and expansion. Accuracy is also pretty good.

 

[Random 8]

My 6.5 Swedish M96 was remarkably accurate with the Speer 140 SP Hot Core. I also favor the Hot core in my .280 and .308, .300 Sav for their performance on whitetail. They are quite easy to find a good load for, and do not seem to be fussy as to jump as some of the match and VLD styles seem to be. Performance on game is as I would like. They die without a big "poof" factor as I've seen with the Hornady SST. I generally get a good balance of penetration and damage, with exits on all but the toughest angles. Props to the Hornady interlock also, but I've found the Speers more accurate and smoother feeding on military mauser feed ramps.

I would look to these, and if you want a sexy bullet, consider the Nosler BT. Just a caution...may be unique to my rifle...my M96 6,5x55 occasionally destroys match bullets of 123 grain weight. About 10% disappear into a white puff of smoke at the 100-150 yard mark. Have had the experience with both Nosler CC and Hornady A-max. Have not tried a lighter than 140 gr hunting bullet in this rifle.

IMR 4350 has been my go to in the 6.5 Swede. It will get all the velocity one should safely produce with an M96 action, combined with fine accuracy for me. It also does well at less than max charges if you wish to shoot it a little softer.