6.5x55 for all deer

[owenlee]

Hi guys would you say a 6.5x55 is suitable for all deer species covering all grounds I sold my 308 to fund my blaser r93 in 6.5x55 I’ve been offered a 3006 barrel at a reasonable price but will I need it I just feel the 55 is a bit small for reds or am I overthinking it only down side is my current barrel isn’t screwcut would be a shame to remove the open sights. would love any advice thank you.

 

[Hambone]

They use this for everything including large deer species in Europe. Never felt under gunned with mine but I haven't gone after reds on open ground and pushed the distance so cannot offer an opinion on that.

 

[Bowland blades]

I use a 260 rem on all UK deer including some big Red Stags down to Muntjac Some deer are shot at long ranges when culling with copper bullets as low as 100 grain copper . To be fair I also shot 243 and 7-08 for years on deer lots of guys shoot 6.5 creed
Stop worrying your under-guned your not

 

[webley701]

As you suggested - you are overthinking. Ignoring 100+ years of sporting history as well

 

[Stevie/P]

Personally I’ve taken all six uk species of deer with the 6.5x55 it’s more than adequate at sensible ranges.

 

[ColinJ]

I own a 6.5x55 and a 30’06.
I’ve shot all over the UK, Europe, Texas and South Africa, over 40 years.
I’m keeping the 6.5.
I’m selling the 30’06.
The 6.5 will do everything you need in the UK, without giving you a headache.

 

[alberta boy]

I've seen a lot of Moose , Elk and Bear killed with various 6.5×55s over the year's . I think you'll be fine in the Uk .

AB

 

[CAVHUNT]

Buy the 30/06 if you want one but temper want with need as in you don't need an 06 when you have a 6.5 x 55..

 

[John Gryphon]

you don't need an 06 when you have a 6.5 x 55..

I personally found that the Swede wasn't as flat as i thought it was. I was given the choice of .308W V the Swede and took the Swede and found out ...wrong choice lol.

Answers on here 15 years ago. Bugger the site wont accept the full link address,it may be found on searching.

S

Thread 'Bullet drop for a 6.5 x 55'

Mar 7, 2010

Re-zeroed my tikka t3 6.5. x 55 yesterday with some Federal Ammo.

At 100 yds it was spot on with 3 shots covered by a 10p coin. Moved the target out to 165 yds and the groups was just under 1 1/2 inches but I was surprised the bullet dropped so much. It was 3 inched below point of aim. so at 200 yds I'd be guessing at a bullet drop of 5 inches.

Is this normal for the 6.5 x 55, or is this due to the lightly loaded Federals that I have head about?

cheers

Stu

• stuey
• Replies: 46
• Forum: Ammunition, Reloading & Ballistics

And the truth is here lol.

Norma Tipstrike 6,5x55 SE 9,1g | Norma Precision

www.norma-ammunition.com

 

[maximus otter]

6.5 x 55mm is the traditional Scandinavian moose calibre.

A big bull moose can weigh over 1,800 lbs.

A big Exmoor red stag might weigh 400 lbs.

l think you’ll be OK.

maximus otter

 

[Selous]

I bought Blaser with a 6.5x55 barrel and loaded it with 120g TTSX going fairly fast. It was accurate and killed everything I shot with it with a single shot which is all good. However a large proportion of deer ran on after the shot, even the Roe. About 10 days ago I acquired a new 30/06 barrel and of the 5 deer I have shot there hasn’t been a runner. All have just folded up where they stood. My conclusion is that I will use the 30-06 for large deer and the 6.5x55 for small deer. In essence I agree with you that the 55 though an excellent calibre is capable but minimal for large deer. The fact that it is used for moose in Scandinavia is irrelevant as that is due to the large number of ex military rifles that were in circulation that were pressed into service for hunting rather than the 6.5x55 being the best calibre for hunting moose. Perhaps one of our Scandinavian brethren can comment?
Another thing to consider is that the R93 is now obsolete so having two barrels will double its lifespan with you.

 

[Foxyboy43]

Hi guys would you say a 6.5x55 is suitable for all deer species covering all grounds I sold my 308 to fund my blaser r93 in 6.5x55 I’ve been offered a 3006 barrel at a reasonable price but will I need it I just feel the 55 is a bit small for reds or am I overthinking it only down side is my current barrel isn’t screwcut would be a shame to remove the open sights. would love any advice thank you.

Yes!

 

[John Gryphon]

The fact that it is used for moose in Scandinavia is irrelevant as that is due to the large number of ex military rifles that were in circulation that were pressed into service for hunting rather than the 6.5x55 being the best calibre for hunting moose.

Akin to the oft used line " 30/30 has shot more deer in the US than any other calibre" and certainly does not mean it is the best.
From memory (?) my bull was taken with a 160 gr prvi bullet that dropped 17 inches or more over the 310 yards. With the wonder calibre in mind I just put the hairs on the bulls shoulder al lah 7mm RM and let it go. Lets just say that the 7mm RM leaves it in the shade for those weights and distances.

 

[bullet chucker]

Had mine for years and taken several lowland Reds, Added a 30.06 recently for boar not yet bloodied.

BC.

 

[John Gryphon]

Had mine for years and taken several lowland Reds, Added a 30.06 recently for boar not yet bloodied.

BC.

the 06 has the oomph well over it. More oomph kills big deer better.

 

[Utectok]

I have two 6.5x55 granted to get the best out of it you must homeload but I’ve shot lots of reds with it no bother

 

[bullet chucker]

the 06 has the oomph well over it. More oomph kills big deer better.

My very first' OOMPH. Really made me sit up!, after the smooth operation of the Swede.

BC.

 

[John Gryphon]

My very first' OOMPH. Really made me sit up!, after the smooth operation of the Swede.

BC.

Get used to it lol,you wont reach for the swede again.

 

[Essexsussex]

I don’t really love the swede for those disgustingly windy days on the hill the sort when you stand up you get blown into your back. But that’s the only scenario I would want something different.

 

[Cris]

Both the 6.5x55 and the 3006 were military calibres.
Swedish 6.5 x 55 adopted in 1894
US 3006 introduced in 1906
Typical of the US to go large and both been around about the same time!
As said already the 6.5 is more than enough for all UK deer.