6.5x55mm for Plains Game?

[TMac]

Can’t help you on African PG, but can speak to Deer/Elk in NA. A good 140gr .264 bullet will cleanly take them. .264 bullets have accounted for a number of deer & elk for new/recoil sensitive hunters in my camp. Most were mature cows, up to 600lbs ish. It’s an excellent choice when properly employed. We wait for close to perfect shot angles and keep ranges moderate. Mostly under 300, more due to inexperienced shooters than any concerns about the lethality of the weapon. The 260 Rem is the one we most commonly use.

So if you were coming here to hunt elk, I’d say bring the 6.5x55 and we’ll hang meat on the pole, if the shooter does their job. Are there better choices, sure, but only if the shooter is comfortable with them. Will this one work well when properly employed, you bet.

 

[Nicholas Barcomb]

Love my Tikka T3 SS Lite in 6.5x55 SE. I reload all of my own ammunition for it using VihtaVuori N550 and VihtaVuori N560 as powders; bullets ranging from 85 gr to 160 gr from Sierra, Hornady, and Woodleigh. Everything that I load for that rifle shoots at least MOA using a 3-9x40mm Nikon ProStaff scope and it has taken deer, hogs, and caribou from 10 yds out to 300 yds along with varmints and predators with the bullets listed. As someone mentioned earlier, it is about shoot placement. It is also about fit of the rifle to the shooter. Like a pistol, if the rifle is comfortable to mount in the shoulder, the quicker it comes up to the eye each time, and the better the shooter absorbs the recoil. I've done plenty of research on this topic and even though several PHs would love their clients to bring a 6.5x55 for PG, the government usually has a minimum caliber size of 7mm. Even though I have an identical rifle in .30-06 SPR and shoot it quite well, I would prefer to use the 6.5x55 SE. For those that believe that anyone will be under gunned with a 6.5x55 has never shot one on game or even shot one, period. I have retired from the US Army Reserve, after 23 years (as a 12B, 62E, 62J, and 62N), with 11 years active and 12 years in the Reserve. I was also a Sapper Team member when I was stationed in Germany, as well as a Sapper Team leader on two different teams in the US. The reason I stated that, is because we fired almost every conceivable weapon the US military and other foreign governments had for familiarization and mission usefulness. I didn't care for the 5.56mm then and don't care for it now. Pretty much like the .308 Win. (7.62x51mm), I've just never felt an attachment to them. As for their purpose, they worked for what they were designed to do. Also not a big fan of the Remington 700 platforms we used, I liked the Sauer's, Mauser's, and AI's much better, also the Winchester 70s in .30-06 were much preferred. To each their own and hopefully, someday, I will be able to use my 6.5x55 SE on PGs. Good luck and stay safe!

 

[9.3x57 Freak]

I took the 6.5x55 during my trip to SA last year. Took 5 animals w handloaded Norma Oryx 156gr. Had my Sako AV for about 20 years so we are quite familiar with each other . The animals i shot was warthog, blesbock, impalas and blue wildebeest. Only found 2 bullets. So i am happy and i’m sure you will be able to use your 6.5x55 successfully.

 

[Nicholas Barcomb]

Interesting, maybe some of the laws are beginning to change. However, I am looking to hunt Namibia, Zimbabwe, and/or Tanzania. Last time I looked, minimum calibers in those countries were 7mm for plains game. Good hunting on the PGs. My heavy load for the 6.5x55 SE is a 160 gr Woodleigh PPRN at about 2500 fps. Knocked the snot out of a hog about 3.5 m, with no bullet recovery. Two caribou were taken with Hornady 140 gr SSTs at about 2800 fps from 50 m to 300m, with no bullets recovered. I also load the 140 gr Woodleigh PPRN, but have taken no game with that load yet. Same with a 129 gr Hornady SST load, which I am hoping to try on sheep, deer, and hogs this fall/winter on a new property I am hoping to buy. Good luck stay safe and good hunting!

 

[Johan van der Walt]

Interesting, maybe some of the laws are beginning to change. However, I am looking to hunt Namibia, Zimbabwe, and/or Tanzania. Last time I looked, minimum calibers in those countries were 7mm for plains game. Good hunting on the PGs. My heavy load for the 6.5x55 SE is a 160 gr Woodleigh PPRN at about 2500 fps. Knocked the snot out of a hog about 3.5 m, with no bullet recovery. Two caribou were taken with Hornady 140 gr SSTs at about 2800 fps from 50 m to 300m, with no bullets recovered. I also load the 140 gr Woodleigh PPRN, but have taken no game with that load yet. Same with a 129 gr Hornady SST load, which I am hoping to try on sheep, deer, and hogs this fall/winter on a new property I am hoping to buy. Good luck stay safe and good hunting!

Hi Nicholas, Interesting post. I am looking for some recipesfor 156gr Norma Oryx which I can use for both short and long range hunting. I use IMR4350 and Vithavouri N550. Shooting from a Sako 85 Hunter so its a modern rifle and can handle higher pressures. Thanks in advance

 

[Nicholas Barcomb]

Good day Johan! Please send me what OAL that you are expecting to use with the Norma Oryx via private message and hopefully I will be able to transfer some data to you.

 

[Oldschool280]

My experience with the 6.5 swede. Incredibly accurate, tons of bullets to choose from for the handloader. Factory ammo in the is anemic and clocks around 2500 fps with 140 grainers. This weight bullet is what i would think you would want for plains game. Hornady loads um up a little faster. I would handload partitions or accubonds to around 2750 fps and let it ride. For the record i have only used them on deer and hogs.

 

[nksmfamjp]

My experience with the 6.5 swede. Incredibly accurate, tons of bullets to choose from for the handloader. Factory ammo in the is anemic and clocks around 2500 fps with 140 grainers. This weight bullet is what i would think you would want for plains game. Hornady loads um up a little faster. I would handload partitions or accubonds to around 2750 fps and let it ride. For the record i have only used them on deer and hogs.

I agree with this statement. My Ruger shoots a 140gr Accubond loaded to 2762 fps into about 1” at 100 yds, but the best part is that load can ballistically be quite effective out o 500 yds.

 

[sgt_zim]

I wouldn't believe everything you here about the Remington 700. They are super accurate guns. The one thing I do hate about them is the push feed function. I really like their safeties.

My big gripe - how has Remington NEVER modified that rifle to include a floated barrel???

 

[sgt_zim]

Hi Nicholas, Interesting post. I am looking for some recipesfor 156gr Norma Oryx which I can use for both short and long range hunting. I use IMR4350 and Vithavouri N550. Shooting from a Sako 85 Hunter so its a modern rifle and can handle higher pressures. Thanks in advance

As much as I like Norma Oryx, one thing it ain't is a long-range bullet out of a non-magnum rifle. Norma's published top MV is a little over 2500 fps for that bullet.

Nosler AB and Partition at 140 gr are both good choices; as are Woodleigh 140 and 160 grain.

Woodleigh 160 with a MV of 2500 fps is still at 1800 fps at almost 500 yards.

Norma Oryx 156 with MV of 2500 fps is already at 1800 fps at ~300 yards.

I don't know that I would count on either of them opening reliably at velocities slower than that.

 

[samu]

Did some ladder testing for 6.5x55 and 120gn E-tip using VV N560. Series ended at at 912m/s (2990fps). Should be enough for whitetail reasonably far away.

As comparison, factory Sako Powerhead II (120gn TTSX) 843, 841, 839 [m/s] , advertised 855m/s
Factory Norma Oryx 156gn, 755, 750, 766 [m/s], advertised 780m/s. MV drop was expected but the spread is a disappointment. MV measured with Labradar so should be pretty reliable, rifle Tikka T3 57cm Lite barrel and suppressor.

I don't think I'll be shooting much factory ammo with the swede after this.

 

[Goose Cracker]

I used a 6.5x55 for plains game in 2019. Handloaded 140g A-Frames at about 2650 fps, that's what this CZ 550 seemed to like. Wouldn't hesitate to push it harder if I could get this combo to group well.

Cleanly took impala, bushbuck, and kilppy without a lot of damage. All single shot kills, all pass-thrus. I wouldn't hesitate to use it for those three again, or the other whitetail-sized African species.

Everything factory I've tried for the 6.5x55 is really under-loaded and in my view are loaded way to short/far away from the lands. I have 3 different 6.5x55s from three different manufacturers and they all seem to have long throats and generous magazine lengths. I've tried and chrony'd 7 different factory loads at this point, including Hornday, Nosler, Swift A-Frame and Scirocco, Remmy, Federal, and Norma. The only one that was close to handload potential was the Hornady Superformance and it shot no better than 2 MOA in the two 6.5x55s I tried it in so I moved on.

But handloaded the 6.5x55 sings.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

@Goose Cracker what is your load details on the 140 gr Swift A Frame? I just purchased a used, pristine safe queen of a CZ-550 FS in 6.5x55. I ordered some Hornady, Privi and Swift ammo from Midway and plan to head to the range either Friday or Saturday. I am planning to eventually hand load some Hornady SST and Swift A-Frames, both in 140 gr.

 

[sgt_zim]

Did some ladder testing for 6.5x55 and 120gn E-tip using VV N560. Series ended at at 912m/s (2990fps). Should be enough for whitetail reasonably far away.

As comparison, factory Sako Powerhead II (120gn TTSX) 843, 841, 839 [m/s] , advertised 855m/s
Factory Norma Oryx 156gn, 755, 750, 766 [m/s], advertised 780m/s. MV drop was expected but the spread is a disappointment. MV measured with Labradar so should be pretty reliable, rifle Tikka T3 57cm Lite barrel and suppressor.

I don't think I'll be shooting much factory ammo with the swede after this.

Well, you certainly couldn't win any F-class comps with that spread, but 11 maps spread for a hunting bullet is more than adequate, especially considering an Oryx 156 in that caliber won't get you past 300 yards. Could probably hand load them and tighten it up, but there's no practical difference in performance between 750 mps and 800 mps. With a 200m zero, holdover may be different by a few centimeters at most. That's why I don't ever push my hand loads unless it actually improves accuracy.

I started with eldx 143 in my Swede, started stacking bullets at 2500 fps. I quit testing loads for it at that point, bc 2600 is such a minuscule improvement in ballistic arc and energy, I just didn't feel it was worth my time.

 

[Johan van der Walt]

I'm replying to the original question about shooting African game with 6.5x55. Took this Kudu at 280m with 143gr EDL-X handloaded with VVN550. Was a clean kill- she did not walk one step. Taking an eland will be no problem. As for larger calibers - a bigger caliber will not save a poor shot.

 

[Shootist43]

Johan, would you mind sharing your load? The 6.5 x 55 Swedish Mauser is my go to deer rifle and I've been considering the 143 ELD X. If by chance you put that load over a chronograph what were the results? What kind of group do you get at 100 meters / yds.?

 

[Johan van der Walt]

Hi Shootist - I'll send you a private message so I dont post loads on a public forum.

 

[shark_za]

Hi Johan, dont you find the ELD-X to be too soft at shorter ranges?

 

[Hearties]

Also interested in the Eld-X at closer ranges. Thinking about loading the 162gr in my 7x64.

 

[Johan van der Walt]

Hi Johan, dont you find the ELD-X to be too soft at shorter ranges?

Hi Shark, it is the first time I used the ELD-X and this just happened to be a longer shot so I cannot comment on it. I did notice that the bullet lost about 65% of its weight so you may be correct. Attached is a photo of the bullet I recovered. I have used the Norma Oryx in 156gr at 150m and that bullet performed very well - but they always do