What copper bullet for 6.5 x 55?

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mallettn

Well-Known Member
I am planning to develop a copper load for my 6.5 x 55 Sako 20" barrel. I currently shoot Accubond LR 129g at about 2,700fps with good results. Most of my shooting is sub 120 mtrs, but I want one load that will also work in Scotland at longer ranges. Having read some of the threads on this subject it seems the reduced expansion of copper bullets makes performance questionable if terminal velocities drop below 2,500 fps and also stablising heavier long narrow bullets can be an issue with a twist rate of 8;1. This had put me off but things have been moving on with many more non toxic bullets appearing. What bullets would people recommend trialling and any relevant experiences would be particularly helpful.
Thanks in advance N
 
If you can get GS Custom bullets, then try them. They're the best you can get. I think that they have an option above 100gr for being Scotland legal.

Otherwise 100gr Barnes TTSX would be my choice.
 
As Talbot says, GSCustom if you can get them. The Tiemens & tiemens website is being overhauled at the moment, but back up in new year if google translate is to be believed.
They have a recommended bullet & start loads. It’s worth reading the reloading advice on their website, it’s a bit different but works well for their bullets.39B3F6AD-E0B8-4066-9355-817C6C46080C.pngE708A6F4-37DE-435D-940F-C25BAC37B04D.png
 
Fox bullets drop down in weight, ie 123grn to stabilise. 42grn N550 gives me 2855 fps in a 23.5" barrel, effective expansion above 2100 fps, which -open to correction- will be about 500+ yds. they do one at 100grn as well. Peregine V4 124grn with 44.5grn RS62 gives 2800fps as well.! For 20" barrel chop 100fps off. Usual caveats my rifle my load!
 
Last edited:
mallettn said:
I am planning to develop a copper load for my 6.5 x 55 Sako 20" barrel. I currently shoot Accubond LR 129g at about 2,700fps with good results. Most of my shooting is sub 120 mtrs, but I want one load that will also work in Scotland at longer ranges. Having read some of the threads on this subject it seems the reduced expansion of copper bullets makes performance questionable if terminal velocities drop below 2,500 fps and also stablising heavier long narrow bullets can be an issue with a twist rate of 8;1. This had put me off but things have been moving on with many more non toxic bullets appearing. What bullets would people recommend trialling and any relevant experiences would be particularly helpful.
Thanks in advance N
Click to expand...
Been looking at the same thing in 6.5 CM however. Just worked a load for a 20" Sako using 130g Accubonds which are very accurate so I've stuck with the Nosler theme and ordered 120g E Tips. Hoping to work a load up after New Year but after some research, they should work well in either 6.5 cal.
 
I've never had a bad experience with Barnes TTSX 120gr. They group very well in my gun and whatever I shoot falls over... I don't remember the load off the top of my head but it's not hot, somewhere mid chart with Alliant RL19.
 
Thanks guys - I hadn't come across GSCustom and will look them up. I must admit I am a Nosler fan so am also tempted to try their E-Tips although I haven't seen any write-ups of them on here yet.
 
Try the Fox. I’ve seen them work well in 6mm, 7mm, 308 and 270 so no reAson why the 6.5 should nt work just as well
 
I’m currently using sako factory 120gn TTSX and what I’ve shot has died quickly, although this is early days and shots close. My plan going forward is to hand-load these hotter than the factory offering, which is 2820fps, relatively anaemic. The Terminal Ballistic Studies website which I have always found a mine of good info did an article about 6.5x55 and really rated the 120 TTSX as a great match to the the characteristics of this calibre.
 
I'm looking at the same thing at the moment. Cutting Edge bullets are now available from Spud Reloading. They are designed as semi frangible copper bullets with the front section separating into 4 petals after penetration, the rear 70% punching through. If TV drops too much the front still opens up but the petals don't fall off giving a Barnes type mushroom. Reports on them are very good. The new Hammer Bullets from the US look equally good but they are not available over here yet.

They are a little more pricy that Barnes, but cheaper than ABLR's.

www.1967spud.com

Cutting Edge - .264/6.5MM 130gr (Match/Tactical/Hunting) - 50ct - 1967spud Reloading Supplies Ltd

This bullet is designed for magazine feeding in most common 25 caliber rifles. Our MTH line is machined out of lead free solid copper bar stock on a CNC lathe. These are a high BC, expanding bullet designed for hunting at all ranges. More Information Material Copper, Lead Free Caliber .264...
www.1967spud.com www.1967spud.com
 
Did some load development for a 55 using the 95 gs customs

They worked perfectly around 2900 FPS which was easily attainable and zero concern about seating close to lands as they are quite length tolerant in fact prefer a “jump”

Lighter is better in relation to solids, I would not be considering anything over 110 g in the 6.5/55 unless one wished to have non expanding “pass through” on a regular basis
 
Ronin,
Why do you say the GSCustom 95g is perfect for the 6.5x55 as their website recommends the 95g for most of the other 6.5 variants but recommends their 110g for the 6.5x55 which confused me. Also where can you source GSCustom in the UK?
Thanks
Neal
 
mallettn said:
I am planning to develop a copper load for my 6.5 x 55 Sako 20" barrel. I currently shoot Accubond LR 129g at about 2,700fps with good results. Most of my shooting is sub 120 mtrs, but I want one load that will also work in Scotland at longer ranges. Having read some of the threads on this subject it seems the reduced expansion of copper bullets makes performance questionable if terminal velocities drop below 2,500 fps and also stablising heavier long narrow bullets can be an issue with a twist rate of 8;1. This had put me off but things have been moving on with many more non toxic bullets appearing. What bullets would people recommend trialling and any relevant experiences would be particularly helpful.
Thanks in advance N
Click to expand...

Why run them at 2500 if you have concerns?
1:8” is purpose built for chucking long heavy bullets

I run a 20” factory load at 2700
Happily knocked over big deer out past 250yds


Don’t out all Monolithics in the same category any more that you would put PPU in the same class as Accubonds


Very few people shoot game beyond 300m
Very few bullet design features make any significant difference until you use them beyond those distances

Choose your bullets for the terminal effect you want on the game you will be shooting .....not the **** written on the box about long range capabilities and BC....
 
I was asked to provide a load for 6.5/55 using 95g HV the end user found the bullet to deliver very good terminal ballistics with that load - circa 2900 in that cartridge

As an aside I also use the 95’s in a 6.5/284 whixh pushes them at 3400fps

They work effectively at that speed too

GS Custom can be sourced by anyone at the European distributors Tiemens and Tiemens in Holland

Their web site is being update at present but Johan will discuss your requirements via email

I like many others have found them to be timely in delivery and response to messages - I do not bring them in commercially sorry
 
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