6.5x55 moose loads

Pheroze

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My son has asked to use my 6.5x55 for this fall's moose hunt. The other related threads on AH indicate that he should be fine. And the experience in Europe would suggest that too. But what I am wondering is whether anyone has any cautions about max range, min bullet size or type, max size of moose etc for this cartridge. I am planning on loading either 140 gr or heavy 160gr Woodleigh power points. My gun has a 20" barrel. He shoots fine but I don't want him out past 200 yards. Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.
 
Either bullet will do fine, try to keep it under 200 yards, and put the shot where it belongs. I used a 270 Win with 130 gr Sierra's on 15 plus moose with out a problem, the 6.5x55 will do as good or better.
 
Thanks guys.

I have 140gr partitions and can easily get Woodleigh. I had hoped to try the ttsx but the place I would get it from has none in stock. I can look elsewhere but if the other two were good then I would save myself the time. I have not looked for A frames but I will to see how available they are. They would be a great alternative, I agree.
 
the 6.5x55 is an excellent cartridge and if put In the right place it will drop the animal with ease.

bullets I like (not in any specific order):

140gr Nosler Accubond
160gr Woodleigh SP (under 100 yards)
140gr Woodleigh SP (over 100 yards)
140gr Swift A-frame
130gr Barnes TSX

im not a fan of the partition because I like my bullets to retain as much weight as possible.

-matt
 
Ok, thanks. I will save the partitions for deer and get the 140 gr Woodleighs. That will give him some flexibility with the range.
 
Here is some load data for my Tikka T3 Lite SS and 160 gr Woodleigh PPRN. Incidentally, I have found that the VV N560 has the most horsepower in it (more so than anything IMR or Hodgdon or Alliant can come up with).

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The velocity was chronographed with an Alpha Chrony 10 ft from the muzzle and the Tikka has the standard 570 mm (22 inch) barrel.

Haven't had an opportunity to try the new 140 gr PPRNS yet, though it is on my to do list. I also may be revisiting this 160 gr PPRN because I believe I could do better with it. Good luck and stay safe.
 

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That's looks like a great load. I am seriously considering the round nose versions now considering he will be shooting under 200 yards. The trajectory you have there is quite encouraging.
 
I don't think there are any great moose loads for 6,5x55.
It is our national caliber and many hunters have used them
for moose during the last 100 years,mostly because you could get
cheep or free army ammo for practice. I have some friends who are
specialists in trekking wounded moose with dogs,they says that 6,5x55 is the most
represented caliber for the wounded moose.
It is still used for moose but is slowly fading out.
There are better calibers like 30-06, 8x57,9,3 calibres.
And our moose is smaller than the North American variant.
 
Thanks Peter Larsson. That is troubling news. My boy is getting very comfortable with the 6.5. I will see if he gets as good with the bigger calibers and decide.
 
poor shot placement, poor shot placement and poor shot placement, the 3 main reasons they are tracking wounded moose, likely not penetrating the shoulder blade, need to sneak it in behind with that quartering away
 
Not all North American moose are as big as the Alaskan moose. The ones we have in the North East (Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, and Eastern Canada) are comparable to the European moose.
 
poor shot placement, poor shot placement and poor shot placement, the 3 main reasons they are tracking wounded moose, likely not penetrating the shoulder blade, need to sneak it in behind with that quartering away
A good bullet and a broadside shot will kill the moose.
That's no problem at all ,hundreds of thousands have been shot here
during the years.Problem is when you don't get a perfect shot.
The margins are much smaller than with for example 30-06
or bigger calibers.
We mostly hunt with dogs or driven hunts so the animals are often
running or at least moving so it is easy to hit a bit too far back.
Than a bigger caliber is preferred.
 
Might give those American PH 156 gr. Oryx bullets from Norma a try too. I shoot mine through a Sako 85 with a 22 in barrel and it likes them well. That Oryx bullet is good and tough and penetrates very well on big, though animals in my experience.
 
Chuck Hawk has a nice write up on the 6.5 SE
http://www.chuckhawks.com/6-5x55.htm

Realguns.com has a load table based on a 20" CZ550 rifle
http://www.realguns.com/loads/655mmswede.htm

Not that Chuck hawks is wrong by any means, but personally, I think he is a hack for a gun rag and would take some of the information and just throw it out. The rest of it with a grain of salt. The Realguns info is pretty close on the muzzle velocities for those powders, but still doesn't list anything over a 140 gr bullet. Information to expand on at any rate.
 
I am going to get some 160gr Woodleighs and see how they shoot. I like the idea of the heavier round nose bullets for this caliber.
 
DSC_0144.JPG


Seriously the most ridiculous looking cartridge ever. :ROFLMAO: I think it's giving me the finger!
 
Yeah, they are pretty long in the throat, especially the military rifles. My Tikka has a fairly long throat too and I can go full COAL, but that's about it. I usually stick with either at least one caliber depth (in this case .264 deep) or .020 off the lands depending on which bullet I am loading for at the time. Obviously the lighter bullet weights are going to be shorter, 85 gr - 129 gr (unless it is a Barnes). Barnes bullets I usually load .020 from lands along with the 139 gr - 160 gr bullets. Might look goofy as hell, but the proof is in the pudding as they say when that animal drops like there is no tomorrow after getting hit with it!
 

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