6.5x55 trajectory?

[wildfowler.250]

Can I get an opinion on this bullet drop please and whether more regular Swede users would class this as normal.

143 grain eldx . (42.7 grains N160 if I remember correctly).

0 at 150 yards
2.5” drop at 200
5” drop at 250

Have to say I haven’t had any issues with it dropping deer,(had 5 stags in the rut with no issues). And 2.5” drop is essentially point and shoot. I think I’ve maybe just been spoilt with the .270 but wanted to check that this is ‘normal’?

Cheers!

 

[devonair]

Sounds ok to me, what barrel length?
Out of interest have you tried any 120gn bullets?
Sounds like they are performing OK, if it ain't broke etc

 

[Foxyboy43]

This old Sako chart has been a good indicator for me:-

 

[stevenedwards]

Thats the one, spot on, 9.5 at 300. I'm using 43.0 grains but I would need to check. 120 does flatten the curve but not dramatically. I have found the ELD_X consistently effective and the resistance to wind is good.

 

[Foxyboy43]

120 Sierra Prohunters and 130 Sierra Gamechangers are pretty much spot on at 100 with 45gns of N160 loaded long on my Steyr Mannlicher SE. Be sure to start low and work up your own loads as ever.

 

[Jimmy6.5]

120 prohunters work for me aswell bit flatter than 143s but not by massive amount

 

[zambezi]

0 at 150 yards
2.5” drop at 200
5” drop at 250

Data for the Sako factory ammo I use in the 6.5x55mm suggests a lower drop throughout. But that is a 120gr projectile being launched at 842m/s. [my data is closer to that in the Sako chart above]

Perhaps input your data into Berger's online ballistic app to check whether parameters as expected?

Ballistics Calculator

The Berger Bullets Ballistics Calculator uses BCs (G1 or G7) to calculate trajectory and account for any external factors that may effect bullet performance

bergerbullets.com

 

[Ronin]

Pretty much the same exterior ballistics as fxxxkmoor, 47, 260 ans other mid capacity 6.5mm ‘s

 

[Milligan]

The key point is how fast you're sending them, as Ronin finely sets out, it matters not a jot what case is behind the bullet.

 

[Scipio]

if you know your MV, Hornady has a free online external ballistic calculator that you can use. Here it is: Ballistic Calculators - Hornady Manufacturing, Inc

 

[Bowland blades]

Can I get an opinion on this bullet drop please and whether more regular Swede users would class this as normal.

143 grain eldx . (42.7 grains N160 if I remember correctly).

0 at 150 yards
2.5” drop at 200
5” drop at 250

Have to say I haven’t had any issues with it dropping deer,(had 5 stags in the rut with no issues). And 2.5” drop is essentially point and shoot. I think I’ve maybe just been spoilt with the .270 but wanted to check that this is ‘normal’?

Cheers!

I should come up 1 moa if your shooting on the hill , it shouldn't make a big difference at 70-150 be 1/2 " or so high at 150 and 2.5" low at 250
Then its really a case of keep it level centre and add windages as appropriate 143 eldx has good ability to buch wind but certainly it needs a correction appropriate to direction , contour and speed dependent

 

[25 Sharps]

Can I get an opinion on this bullet drop please and whether more regular Swede users would class this as normal.

143 grain eldx . (42.7 grains N160 if I remember correctly).

0 at 150 yards
2.5” drop at 200
5” drop at 250

Have to say I haven’t had any issues with it dropping deer,(had 5 stags in the rut with no issues). And 2.5” drop is essentially point and shoot. I think I’ve maybe just been spoilt with the .270 but wanted to check that this is ‘normal’?

Cheers!

Seems too much at 250 but then I zero at 200 or thereabouts.

 

[25 Sharps]

120 prohunters work for me aswell bit flatter than 143s but not by massive amount

That depends how fast you push the 143s…..

 

[Jimmy6.5]

That depends how fast you push the 143s…..

Fair point got the 120s running at 2836 fps so fair not quite at max load and giving me good accuracy have attached zeiss app ballistics for your viewing hope it's of interest

 

[25 Sharps]

Fair point got the 120s running at 2836 fps so fair not quite at max load and giving me good accuracy have attached zeiss app ballistics for your viewing hope it's of interest

All else being equal and taking Nosler’s max load velocity for each there is virtually nothing in it

 

[wildfowler.250]

Cheers guys. Appreciate the feedback! Certainly I think you’ve answered my question in as much as “it’s about average for a 6.5 caliber”. I’ve been a .270 only man for about 14 years but got this rifle as a nice middle ground caliber for the old man. He only shoots 2-3 times a year,(even then he said it kicked ).

I did start with the 120 prohunters but they didn’t group brilliantly. The 143 eldx just had several usable groups and stumbled onto a usable load very quickly.

Out of interest, has anyone got any experiences with the eld-x? My choice of shot is 99% chest +/- take out the shoulder if needed. I’m noticing fairly marked bruising on the far side,(dinner plate). I’ve heard eld-x can be a bit like this? But they are very accurate and seem to kill quickly which is the priority. Likely too frangable a bullet or just always going to happen if you hit bone? The accubonds in the .270 produced quite a nice golf ball type exit hole so just thought it throw it up for options?


Will also consider the 200 yard zero. I don’t mind holding 5” but think it would give the old man less to think about.


Cheers!

 

[Jimmy6.5]

Cheers guys. Appreciate the feedback! Certainly I think you’ve answered my question in as much as “it’s about average for a 6.5 caliber”. I’ve been a .270 only man for about 14 years but got this rifle as a nice middle ground caliber for the old man. He only shoots 2-3 times a year,(even then he said it kicked ).

I did start with the 120 prohunters but they didn’t group brilliantly. The 143 eldx just had several usable groups and stumbled onto a usable load very quickly.

Out of interest, has anyone got any experiences with the eld-x? My choice of shot is 99% chest +/- take out the shoulder if needed. I’m noticing fairly marked bruising on the far side,(dinner plate). I’ve heard eld-x can be a bit like this? But they are very accurate and seem to kill quickly which is the priority. Likely too frangable a bullet or just always going to happen if you hit bone? The accubonds in the .270 produced quite a nice golf ball type exit hole so just thought it throw it up for options?


Will also consider the 200 yard zero. I don’t mind holding 5” but think it would give the old man less to think about.


Cheers!

Sorry havnt used eld x currently using nosler 120 chest shots don't seem to create a massive problem dispatches seem very good not silly amount of carcass damage

 

[Jimmy6.5]

Just started to work on 120 barnes to move into the copper transition going to be interesting to see how they fair

 

[Foxyboy43]

130gns Sierra Gamechangers perform nicely out my 6.5x55SE.

 

[Rowe84]

I want one of these