Lightest 6.5mm load for recoil

[Andrew Leigh]

I am looking for the lightest load that will take down a small antelope. My youngest grandbuddy is really battling recoil with 130gr. at 2750fps.

Was thinking about a 85gr. Sierra HP at say 2600?

Any thoughts?

 

[rayatphonix]

Are you talking about 6.5 Swede?

 

[oneounceload]

The Sierra is more of a varmint bullet and not really meant for larger game. IF this is a Swede. mine liked Sierra 120SP running a lot slower than your load - it was the most accurate load in my short-barreled Mauser

 

[NCsmitty]

The 85gr Sierra HP is rated as a varmint bullet with a light frangible jacket that would likely kill an antelope, but meat destruction could be an issue.

I would recommend the 100gr Nosler Partition that is designed as a game bullet and would expand in a proper manner to kill without massive bloodshot meat. A starting load with that bullet should be manageable for most people.
Another idea would be a youth oriented reduced load using H4895 that Hodgdon has on site. There is no specific load listed for the 6.5 Swede, but the formula is quite simple to calculate according to the instructions.

http://www.hodgdon.com/PDF/H4895 Reduced Rifle Loads.pdf


NCsmitty

 

[rcmodel]

See this and read between the lines on a 6.5mm bullet choice.

http://www.hodgdon.com/PDF/H4895 Reduced Rifle Loads.pdf

I doubt an 85 grain Varmint bullet is going to be it though.

rc

 

[Andrew Leigh]

Hi,

thanks chaps. Yes it is a "modern" Swede.

Thanks for the links you all posted. Will proceed accordingly, I have some 120gr. Pro Hunters.

 

[220slow]

Loaded a 100 gr partition in my 260 rem a few years ago. A young lady took two deer that year with it. Good velocity and recoil similar to a 243.

 

[Andrew Leigh]

Loaded a 100 gr partition in my 260 rem a few years ago. A young lady took two deer that year with it. Good velocity and recoil similar to a 243.

Exactly what I am looking for, can you remember the load?

 

[220slow]

used a load out of nosler #6. I believe it was with Varget and 41.0 grains. I remember it not recoiling anymore than a 243 we were shooting at the time. Looking at the book some powders showed velocities of 3300. I normally shoot 125 grain partitions or 129 Hornadys. Both are great bullets but you will feel the recoil for a beginning shooter. I believe my friend was 12 at the time and shot the two best deer for her hunting camp. Good luck!

 

[oneounceload]

The 243 and 260 are basically the same case, and if the 243 load being compared was a 105 grain bullet with a similar powder charge, recoil should be about the same