Glendine
Well-Known Member
For many years I have been a huge fan of the 6.5x55. As an all round single rifle it is up there with the best. Nowadays it has been over shadowed by the 6.5 Creedmoor. Everyone seems to be going crazy and if you haven’t got a Creedmoor then you haven’t got the best 6.5 around.
For the none home loaders there may be a better choice if ammo in creedmoor but the Norma 120gr factory in 6.5x55 is hard to beat IMHO.
Ballistically the 6.5 punches way above its weight and 140gr at 2700fps carries the same energy out to 300m as a 165gr 30cal which is more than enough for any deer in this country.
Recently I have flirted with a 243 for foxes as well as deer but this would mean buying another rifle. Instead it was suggested looking at the 100gr bullets in the 6.5.
today I have found the load that works, 50gr Rl17 @ coal 2.850”. This touches at 100m. When I put it over the chrono it is running at 3100fps, same as a 243. It is flat out to 250m if set 1” up at 100m.
The meaning of this ramble is that one if the most versatile calibres still about is the 6.5x55. It can do what a 243 does with 100gr bullets and can do what a 30 cal can do ( out to 300m) with the 140gr bullets. I’m not sure the Creedmoor can do that but I’m sure someone will be along soon to tell me
Exceptional Post,
I am a huge 6.5x55mm Fan and also use Norma 120 grain.
Regards,
Glendine.