6.5 x 55 Swede for Black Bear?

[TooTaxed]

Am going black bear hunting this year...like shooting my Swede better than my .30-06 Springfield, though I've quite capable with either...have always (yes, always!) gotten one-shot kills on deer and 350-lb-plus boar, so I place my shots well.

What do you think of the 6.5 x 55 Swede, loaded with 140-gr Barnes Triple Shok or Nosler Partition bullets, performance on black bear?

 

[NCsmitty]

I believe that you can achieve complete penetration when using either bullet on a black bear. Penetration is where the 6.5x55 shines. A 140gr 6.5 Swede at around 2600+fps is big medicine.




NCsmitty

 

[BFE]

A black bear has fairly thin skin so 6.5 x 55 Swede loaded with either of the bullets you list should work great.

 

[lopezni]

You know you can get 160gr round nose bullets for the 6.5x55. They hit with a little more energy and the bullet structure is a bit tougher.

 

[sumpnz]

Where are you getting 140gr TSX's? AFAIK, the last 140gr .264" bullet from Barnes was the XLC, and that was discontinued several years ago. There is a 130gr TSX that is available.

 

[TooTaxed]

Sumpnz, you are right! Checked my bullet shelf and they are Barnes 130-gr TSXs. Right next to the Berger 140-gr VLDs, Hornady Interlock 140s, and the Nosler Partitions.

I think any of these would do...guess I'll do some comparative accuracy runs...that's fun anyhow.

 

[sixgun MAK]

Dead bear!

 

[nathan]

A good headshot will bring a big grizzly down . A 6.5 x 55 can penetrate that skull with ease.

 

[mboylan]

Long heavy bullets penetrate really well. Good stuff.