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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.
You are right in that most USA factory loads are mild, to account for the multitude of old 96/38 Mausers.Quote:
Originally Posted by LOC
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... :oh noes:
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. :D
+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 RifleQuote:
Originally Posted by stevodog
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
I chrony'd the Hornady 140 SST's and mv was pretty well spot on. 2735 out of 22 inch bbl.
That is good speed for factory ammo woody
Yeah. It didn't group quite as tight as handloads, but pretty fair at 1.1moa at 100m.
Different day, different light, different chrony, I got just over 2500 from an 18" barrel and just over 2600 from a 22.5 barrel, both T3's, from the superformance load - handloading leaves factory loads for dead. 130 Berger goes 2950 for me in a 22.5 barrel T3.Quote:
Originally Posted by Woody
Anyone know who selling the Fiocchi 6.5x55 140gr in NZ ? bought 20 pkts a while back and down to last 2 packs but cant find any in shops.. on the other hand ive been looking at reloading kits and starting to think why not..
If you already have a heap of 6.5 brass, then that's a help to start with.Quote:
Originally Posted by oneipete