Thread: 6.5x55 factory load recommendations

any recommendations for factory 6.5x55mm loads to test out through a newly acquired shooter? reading comments about soft velocities being the norm in most factory loads. will be used for an all round deer gun at medium ranges rather than punching holes in paper. unlikely to start hand loading in the short term. cheers!

Winchester X shot the best for me, though s l o w l y.
S&B was very economical and shot pretty well.

Originally Posted by LOC

any recommendations for factory 6.5x55mm loads to test out through a newly acquired shooter? reading comments about soft velocities being the norm in most factory loads. will be used for an all round deer gun at medium ranges rather than punching holes in paper. unlikely to start hand loading in the short term. cheers!

You are right in that most USA factory loads are mild, to account for the multitude of old 96/38 Mausers.
The exception is the Hornady Superperformance 140gn SSTs.
The European S&B and Privi/Highland ammo is loaded hotter than the average USA load.

I only handload the SSTs and 140gn Remmie corelockts, but the factory loads of them will knock animals down well.

The only factory ammo I tried in my 6.5's was federal blue box , it shot very well but I was lucky to get 2400 out of it no matter what it said on the box.

Depends what you want oUT of your rifle. I've got mind loaded super soft but as a good killer to 300y others use their 6.5x55 for long range so have it loaded hot.
Such is the joy of owning such a flexible cartridge

Hornady Superformance 140SST factory load is very slow, should not be called "superformance" a T3 with an uncut barrel (22.5") will push them around 2600fps, short range load, inside 300yd. But it is effective.

thanks guys. sounds like I will give the SST's a crack and look at some of the yank velocities for comparison

I have a 7RM for tops hunting, this is more to try a calibre I'm interested in the ballistic reputation of - however it would be nice to have the ability to push it out further if an animal presented a longer shot. an all-rounder perhaps...

I have suggestion for the solution for that "pushing out further" bit
http://www.workshopinnovation.co.nz/...asp?prod=80xxx

Or insert brand of Choice.

Norma 120 BT, pricey but accurate and deadly!

6.5 x 55 is a caliber which you need to reload to get the most from

starting to get that impression...

Its also a good calibre for newbies.
Mild recoil, knocks most NZ game animals down (would only exclude wild cattle), plenty of cheap sporterised ex Swede 96/38 mausers floating around at a good price.
Ammo is always available, if you reload, tons of good projectiles, Lapua and Norma make top of the line brass... it goes on.

+1 for the Winchester x. I've found some fiocchi (haven't fired yet) that is a bit quicker and cheaper than the hornady superperformance.

Originally Posted by stevodog

+1 for the Winchester x. I've found some fiocchi (haven't fired yet) that is a bit quicker and cheaper than the hornady superperformance.

i'm seeing Fiocchi 140 SST stating 2625fps shown here: Centerfire Rifle

but Hornady 140 SST stating 2735fps shown here: Hornady Manufacturing Company :: Ammunition :: Rifle :: Choose by Caliber :: 6.5X55 :: 6.5 x 55 Swedish Mauser 140 GR SST® Superformance®

have you by chance checked it via a chrony? i gather printed velocities are not worth the cardboard they are printed on...

Yeh sorry...i mean't quicker than the winchester