Hey everyone,
I'm still a rookie at reloading having only started about 10 months ago and having not quite fully developed a load yet (hey, I got engaged and then married recently so I have my excuses).
I've wanted to develop an "elk load" for a while using a 160gr or maybe even an appropriate 140gr. Well, elk season is nearly upon me and after speaking with my brother-in-law today, who gave me an invite to go with him, I've decided I'd like to see what I can do. I have less than two weeks until opening day, so time is of the essence.
After hearing testimony from various sources about the surprising performance of the 6.5x55 even on larger game (especially in Europe) I believe it should be able to handle the task at hand. The elk being hunted will be spike bull and so won't likely be as big as the trophy monsters. And it is my favorite gun and shoots like a dream. For those of you interested it is a CZ 550 American (and it's worth every penny I spent on it and then some).
I'd like the advice of any "Swedish Mauser experts". What would be the "best" bullet for elk hunting in your opinion?
Hornady Interlock 160g
Sierra Pro-Hunter 160g (own a box but I've never attempted reloads with them)
Woodleigh 160g
Lapua Mega 155g
Norma Oryx 156g / Alaska 156g / Vulcan 156g
Speer Trophy Bonded Bear Claw 140g
Barnes XLC 140g
Nosler Partition 140g
I'm pretty sure I could pick up the Hornady 160g, the Trophy Bonded Bear Claw, the Barnes XLC, and the Nosler Partiton locally. Anything else would have to be internet ordered and so would be out of consideration for -this year-. But if you have some input on them I'd love to hear it anyway.
I already have Reloader 22, Reloader 19, and IMR 4350 available to me for powder and Winchester LR, Federal 210, and CCI 200 available to me for primers. I only have mismatched once-fired brass but I could grab a bag of Winchester brass after work tomorrow.
I believe my best bet is using Sierra Pro-Hunter 160g with Reloader 22, Federal 210 primers and Winchester brass as I already own all of these except for the brass. However one of the main reasons I'm asking is I've seen other people say things like "I love the Hornady 160g in my Rem 260, but I prefer the Seirras on the Swede." So, I was wondering which of these bullets people have tried and which they would recommend.
Thanks!
I'm still a rookie at reloading having only started about 10 months ago and having not quite fully developed a load yet (hey, I got engaged and then married recently so I have my excuses).
I've wanted to develop an "elk load" for a while using a 160gr or maybe even an appropriate 140gr. Well, elk season is nearly upon me and after speaking with my brother-in-law today, who gave me an invite to go with him, I've decided I'd like to see what I can do. I have less than two weeks until opening day, so time is of the essence.
After hearing testimony from various sources about the surprising performance of the 6.5x55 even on larger game (especially in Europe) I believe it should be able to handle the task at hand. The elk being hunted will be spike bull and so won't likely be as big as the trophy monsters. And it is my favorite gun and shoots like a dream. For those of you interested it is a CZ 550 American (and it's worth every penny I spent on it and then some).
I'd like the advice of any "Swedish Mauser experts". What would be the "best" bullet for elk hunting in your opinion?
Hornady Interlock 160g
Sierra Pro-Hunter 160g (own a box but I've never attempted reloads with them)
Woodleigh 160g
Lapua Mega 155g
Norma Oryx 156g / Alaska 156g / Vulcan 156g
Speer Trophy Bonded Bear Claw 140g
Barnes XLC 140g
Nosler Partition 140g
I'm pretty sure I could pick up the Hornady 160g, the Trophy Bonded Bear Claw, the Barnes XLC, and the Nosler Partiton locally. Anything else would have to be internet ordered and so would be out of consideration for -this year-. But if you have some input on them I'd love to hear it anyway.
I already have Reloader 22, Reloader 19, and IMR 4350 available to me for powder and Winchester LR, Federal 210, and CCI 200 available to me for primers. I only have mismatched once-fired brass but I could grab a bag of Winchester brass after work tomorrow.
I believe my best bet is using Sierra Pro-Hunter 160g with Reloader 22, Federal 210 primers and Winchester brass as I already own all of these except for the brass. However one of the main reasons I'm asking is I've seen other people say things like "I love the Hornady 160g in my Rem 260, but I prefer the Seirras on the Swede." So, I was wondering which of these bullets people have tried and which they would recommend.
Thanks!