My First Harvest - 6.5x55 Swede

I took my first game harvest with a conservative 6.5x55 load (42.4 grains of RL19 with 120 Hornady Amax). All game dropped in their tracks (2 Aoudads - Ram approx 300-325 pounds, Ewe approx 150 pounds, Manchurian Sika Buck approx 150 pounds). Shots at about a140-150 yards. The only thing I noticed (and I'd certainly like to improve this) was that the animals did not expire quickly. I'm all for a quick kill so that the the targeted game die quickly, but I think the slower velocity of the lighter loads may not have produced enough energy for the expansion/penetration into the shoulder and vitals. I'll work on improving that with more grains in the 120 and 140 loads.

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For quicker kills try Barnes TSX or Tipped TSX bullets.

I shoot the 129 grain Hornady SST in my 6.5x55 and they do very well.

I have hunted with a 6.5x55 for over 25 years, I built my first one, still my go to gun, in 1985 when mil surps started coming in, was a dealer then. b I bought them by the case, and hand picked the unissued ones, with later dates to build on. MIne is a Carl Gustavs, 1930"s I believe. I have taken over 600 chucks, about 60 yotes, and over 40 whitetails here in KY and Tenn. with it. I shoot a maximum load of IMR-3031 and 120SP, Sierra. I have cleanly taken game out to 500yds, including several deer at the longer ranges. This bullet does a huge amount of damage, dumps all the energy in the animal. My gun wont shoot the barnes triple shocks, wish it did. I worked up this load in the 80's, and never found another load that would shoot this well, without losing a lot of velocity. Will shoot in the.3's for 3 shots out of a hunting rifle, no heavy barrel and is pushing close to 3000fps!! I recently ran this on my buddies Quick Load program, and it came out 100% efficent. I shot a huge yote last week, 350yds, in a 30mph crosswind. I held off the edge of the hair about 3 inches, and centered the shoulder, never wiggled. I shot a nice 10pt in gun season, walking out a old road, waited till he got to the road and dropped him with a neck shot, 150 yds. I bleated and he stopped to look my way, when I took the shot! Pm me back if I can be of help, I have built over 100 rifles in this caliber, my last one on savage 110, used a full bull douglas stainless, and man does it love this load I am talking about. I have a 6x18 Burris on it, will just egg the hole out for 5 shots. The old swede is hard to beat.

You stated you use the A-max bullet. I think that is a match bullet. I haven't heard of anyone using it for game, but it may work good. Try the SST bullet. I've used it in 284 and 308 calibers and it works great on deer. Good luck, tpepper

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Originally Posted by montana bob

I shoot the 129 grain Hornady SST in my 6.5x55 and they do very well.

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WY Pronghorn.....BANG....drop like a sack of wet dead cats. Pa. Whitetail Doe.....BANG....20 yards......roll....dead. YUP. Love the 129 Hornady so much I had Leupold make me a custom turret for my scope. Now I don't even have to count clicks anymore!!!! ;D Just range and turn.

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Originally Posted by Sundo

For quicker kills try Barnes TSX or Tipped TSX bullets.

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If he shoots a low velocity load these may not work. Most Barnes bullets have a 2100fps min opening speed.

The Sierra Game King bullets are excellent in accuracy and open quickly, and will get the job done.