Maximum Range 6.5 x 55 ?

[tackb]

The real question is has the bullet still got the speed at the extended range to open up and cause serious damage? A pinhole wound could lead to a long walk in search of a carcass, or a beast dying slowly without ever being found. You need the right bullet, something soft that will reliably expand even at lower velocity.

as an aside is 2650 the max speed you can achieve? Seems slow but I know nothing about the 6.5, just that it has as much or more powder capacity than my 7-08 and although the bearing surface will be smaller in the 7mm it would chuck a 120 gn bullet around 3000fps...

6.5x55 factory loads are held to low pressure due to the old rifles they may be fired in and it's working pressure is much lower than modern cartridges , however in a new rifle with good brass you could get much better velocities but do you need them to kill a deer at stalking ranges?

 

[John Gryphon]

150 yards for me as that is the maximum range that I shoot regularly to.

Yes,but 'what if' a cracker mind bender buck was standing for you broadside at 250 yards?

 

[Glendine]

Yes,but 'what if' a cracker mind bender buck was standing for you broadside at 250 yards?

Id suggest you go through your bullet pre flight checks. Safe back stop, Scope is level, solid rest etc and then when the time is right press "send" on the trigger!

Glendine.

 

[JTO]

Probably the answer is, with any CF calibre, 'If you can hit it in the right place, you will kill it'.

 

[trichinosis]

6.5x55 factory loads are held to low pressure due to the old rifles they may be fired in and it's working pressure is much lower than modern cartridges , however in a new rifle with good brass you could get much better velocities but do you need them to kill a deer at stalking ranges?

Not all factory loads are low pressure. Lapua offers a factory load with a 123gr Scenar @ 3018fps. Vihtavuori has that exact load in their reloading guide under 6.5x55 SKAN... It's basically a canfull of N560.

 

[tackb]

Not all factory loads are low pressure. Lapua offers a factory load with a 123gr Scenar @ 3018fps. Vihtavuori has that exact load in their reloading guide under 6.5x55 SKAN... It's basically a canfull of N560.

I'm aware of that and my statement was a slight generalization , many of the 6.5's will make that data my 260rem included , interestingly with a pile of N560 as well!

 

[trichinosis]

I'm aware of that and my statement was a slight generalization , many of the 6.5's will make that data my 260rem included , interestingly with a pile of N560 as well!

The swede and 260rem are very similar. What I was referring to with the pressures of factory loads is that it isn't a given that you can find ones with modern pressures for old work-horses of a cartridge like the swede or the 9,3x62.

 

[Uncas]

Would shot placement be better if the bullet was traveling at 2800/2900fps aka, Norma 120gr Ballistic Tip ammunition,

 

[Ratc]

Thank you all for your informative replies.
My worked up load was 38g of H4895 with 120g SP Sierra pro Hunter. This reflected the 2650.
Sticking with it for the time being and working on targets at 300yds. With the S&B 8 x 56 holdover is difficult to judge being 15" at 300yds which was confirmed on the target.
With more practice and confidence I would be very happy to limit my maximum range to 300 yds. Perhaps time for a scope change ! Currently looking at the Swarovski Z5 5-25 x 52 P (BRX Reticle).
If anyone has experience with this particular scope additional comments gratefully received.

 

[roedeerred]

I understood 6.5 was the round of choice by the Swedish military used as a sniper round so not to be taken lightly.
Once shot 3 reds from a good rest on the hill in Scotland in quick succession in excess of 300yds not something I would attempt normally I had been shooting roe earlier in the day at 100 and misjudged the range out on open hill (bought a set of RF binos after that)

 

[Hunterjohnb]

Here is a hypothetical question.

What would be the "maximum" deer ( Roe and Red) killing range of a 6.5 x 55 -120g travelling at 2650 ?

Assuming of course that the shot placement was "perfect" !

Having shot 6.5 for many years you will reach your animal at 250 yds with your broad side shot. After that the drop off becomes severe. I was using 140 gr sps out of a Tikka 695 with 100yd zero.Maximum PBR is quoted as 260 yds.

 

[bullet chucker]

I tried my 6.5 T3 lite at 300yds, Norma 120 ballistic tip and was very happy with the accurate results,(on card I hasten to add) very pleased with the Swarovski BT. important to remember to adjust the parallax to that range as well.

 

[Dorsettaff]

Took the old swede out to Orion today.....consistently hitting steel at 750m with RL22 behind a 140gr bullet chrony'd at 2713 fps. Made a right old clang!

 

[acj375]

Hi is Orion a range in Dorset

 

[Dorsettaff]

'Fraid not!

Its in Mid Wales

Orion Firearms Training, Rifle Training, Firearms Training, Maritime firearms training

Well worth the trip though!

 

[Benji53]

Have no personal experience with the 6.5x55 but in my opinion the max range for any cartridge should be what the shooter feels he can kill the animal outright first shot kill 100percent of the time weather that be 100 yards or 1000

 

[acj375]

Thank you Taff from Dorset hope you beat the All Blacks tomorrow, if you like that sort of thing.

 

[Dorsettaff]

ACJ375.....Lets not talk about rugby.....That was traumatic!

Anyway....Bale & Boys to do it tonite!!

 

[pendle]

I was a WMS last saturday . Shot out to 950 yds at targets boar and deer gongs . With my tikka 695 6.5x55 129grn sst 44grn H414 . 2740 fps