Loading for the 6.5x55

[Acm]

Hi all, I bought a sako 85 black edition in 6.5x55 this time last year and I’ve been running it on 120grn sako factory ammo for a year. I’ve saved up the brass and I’m ready to load it up. I’ve reloaded before so I’m familiar with the he process. Can anyone share some load data for the swede?
I’d like a simple, accurate hunting round to use on red and fallow. 120 - 140 grns. I don’t shoot at vastly long range and I like to keep things simple.
I’ll probably use either nosler bt or hornady sst

Thanks chaps

 

[PeterH]

I have had friends who have moved way from the SST bullets. Until I changed calibre a few months ago, my Swede performed well with N160 and 120 Sierra Prohunters on reds and roe.

Load data would not be too helpful as most rifles shoot differently but I would add Federal GM primers were used.

 

[Sika-Hunter]

I used to load 140gr gameking rounds which were ok and had a good punch to them, but I have found the Norma 120gr nosler bst factory rounds are so accurate and low on meat damage . I have the st/st Sako 85 6.5x55 and shot everything from Muntjac to large Norfolk Red Stags with the same round.
M

 

[Hunter 6.5]

140 Game kings are excellent bullets and easy to work accurate load, as well 143 eld-x what i use now in front of rl17 with federal GM primers. My load is way over max so you have to work your way up slowly and safely. On 2 different rifles this bullets do best .020" from lands

 

[Rutland lad]

I'm on 120 grain Barnes TSX in my 6.5 x 55. If you want the data please pm me

 

[big ears]

120gr prohunters with N160 or 140gr gamekings with Rl17. Both taken red, fallow and roe. If your venturing to the Scottish hills I’d go with the 140’s otherwise the 120’s are good enough.

 

[sundog]

I use Hornady 130gr interlocks with 46 gr of N-160 in my sako 85. Nice and accurate

 

[Hanechdene]

Out of a 6.5x55, I use Hornady 129gr SST’s for everything using either R22 or N560.

As long as one one does ones part the bullet will do it’s part.

Slightly different calibre, 6.5 x284 used 140gr Sierra Game Kings SPBT for everything including plains game.

 

[andychas]

I use sierra 140gn soft point game kings over N160 in my Sauer, running at a moderate speed (2600fps ish) accurate, predictable behaviour and has dropped fallow and roe comfortably with minimal meat damage and quick kills. A stalking buddy uses 129gn SST over N160 through his Blaser and is very happy with them. Load data sweet spot obviously dependent on on your particular rifle.
As you say, its good to keep things simple, I went with sierra as Ive always had good results with their game kings in my 30-06, Nosler and Hornady SST both great bullets though with similar reliable performance.

 

[Malxwal]

120gr prohunters with N160 or 140gr gamekings with Rl17. Both taken red, fallow and roe. If your venturing to the Scottish hills I’d go with the 140’s otherwise the 120’s are good enough.

Out of interest, and with absolutely no malice etc, why do you reckon the 140gr is better for the Scottish hills ? A genuine interest in peoples perspectives.

 

[dave 67]

Stopping using the 129 SST find them a bit too damaging in the bruising/meat loss, going back to soft points been given some PPU 139 grain rounds to try usually use 156 grain home loads.

 

[big ears]

Out of interest, and with absolutely no malice etc, why do you reckon the 140gr is better for the Scottish hills ? A genuine interest in peoples perspectives.

In my loadings 120gr drops below 1200ftlb at about 220m and the 140gr at about 300m this just gives you more margin for error at distances I have had to shoot in the Scottish hills. If you are always under 200m it makes little difference.
It’s a mind game I know but I always felt safer with the 140gr.

 

[Malxwal]

In my loadings 120gr drops below 1200ftlb at about 220m and the 140gr at about 300m this just gives you more margin for error at distances I have had to shoot in the Scottish hills. If you are always under 200m it makes little difference.
It’s a mind game I know but I always felt safer with the 140gr.

Interesting, thanks. I am about to trial 140gr in my 6.5x47, they're doing about 2730. I was looking for the same "advantage" over the previous 130 and 123 rounds, but more in terms of wind beating. I never found either of the lighter rounds wanting in terms of knock down.

 

[chrisstorey79]

I’m using Hornady Interlock 140gr with 42 grain of viht N160 seated at 2.545” also in a sako 85 6.5x55. Accurate & effective in my rifle.

 

[Turkish]

It's nice to see that Sierra Game kings still have such a strong following.
With all the variants on the market these days, it's good to see that a trusty old bonded, soft point can still do the job very well!

They will be my bullet of choice until I am forced to use something different.

 

[Border]

It's nice to see that Sierra Game kings still have such a strong following.
With all the variants on the market these days, it's good to see that a trusty old bonded, soft point can still do the job very well!

They will be my bullet of choice until I am forced to use something different.

Gamekings aren't bonded just plain vanilla cup and core with a boat tail. They still work though.

 

[I. Farticus]

My Sako 75 is pushing 143gr ELD-X at 2,700fps with 46.7grains of N560. Horribly accurate if I do my bit and stay off the caffeine, and enough bullet for anything that the UK has to offer

 

[Border]

My Sako 75 is pushing 143gr ELD-X at 2,700fps with 46.7grains of N560. Horribly accurate if I do my bit and stay off the caffeine, and enough bullet for anything that the UK has to offer

You've got a shortish barrel on yours if I remember correctly?

 

[I. Farticus]

You've got a shortish barrel on yours if I remember correctly?

Yes, 20 1/2"

 

[big ears]

Interesting, thanks. I am about to trial 140gr in my 6.5x47, they're doing about 2730. I was looking for the same "advantage" over the previous 130 and 123 rounds, but more in terms of wind beating. I never found either of the lighter rounds wanting in terms of knock down.

Hi load seems about right. My 140’s were at 2700fps and did the job. The 6.5 is very predictable in the wind and almost linear out to most shooting distances as opposed to bigger billets (30 cal) which are more parabolic in their behaviour to wind. One of the other great reasons to shoot a 6.5!