Hornady 162gn round nose bullet in the 6.5 X55 Swedish Mauser caliber

[Gert Odendaal]

Shootist may I ask ?
Will it be possible when you have time on your hands , to work on another load for my 6.5 x 55 Swedish Mauser?
I bought 50x Rhino Moly Coated bullets in the 150gn bullet weight to use as hunting bullets ..It will be much appreciated, I want to see if my 6.5 x 55 Swedish Mauser can shoot very small group at 100 meters with this brand and weight of bullets as well

 

[Gert Odendaal]

I noticed that Rhino bullet company are selling a large variety of their bullets as old stock at great reduced prices. I am sure to buy a few different caliber`s bullets from them Old Stock bullets.

 

[Shootist43]

Gert here is the QuickLoad simulation for the 150 Gr. Rino bullets. This load is "dead-on" an accuracy node. Note that there is no way for me to consider the fact they are moly-coated.

 

[C.W. Richter]

I tried the Hornady 160 RN bullet out in Africa on PG in 2007. As it has excellent SD, i figured it would work wonders on med PG (penetration and mushrooming), but I discovered (in a higher V WSM case-going ~3,000 fps) it broke up and/or didn't penetrate as well as newer designs (including the 140 gr NP which I strongly recommend for your 6.5) the 130 TSX and 160 Woodleigh. IF you wish to hunt with 160s, use the Woodleighs as they have a better shape to penetrate more, and are built more sturdily to keep together once inside! I even brained a giraffe with one in Zim (as that's the rifle I was carrying!) (I did take a pile of camp meat impala with the Hdy RN 160s with no issue. Its performance may have been restricted by too high a V for this old design. I have no idea how it performs at 2,450 fps, as that would be several hundred yards out for my rigs. FYI I was equally unimpressed by the Nos Accubond and older BTs in same caliber, in Africa. Swift Scirocco IIs didn't group well, so I tossed them out of contention as well. The newest Berger Elite Hunter 156 shoots 1-hole groups and would be expected to perform well, but unnecessary on smaller cased 6.5s at modest V. GL! *Neighbor at the farm has a 6.5 Swede with a 26" bbl and folding iron sights out to 400 M! He shoots coyotes attacking livestock with it! (it was in Pristine condition when he got it at a military surplus store in the US.) Q: What is the rifling twist rate of your gun?? 1:9 is ideal, 1:8 even better for the 150-160s in 6.5 and a lot of factory (incl military are 10 or more, and some won't shoot the heavier bullets well-same applies for 757s!)

 

[Gert Odendaal]

Gert here is the QuickLoad simulation for the 150 Gr. Rino bullets. This load is "dead-on" an accuracy node. Note that there is no way for me to consider the fact they are moly-coated.View attachment 743855

Shootist, my appreciation is boundless, thank you very much..this is appreciated greatly..I will give feedback about these loads..I am awaiting delivery of my 50x Rhino bullets.

 

[Gert Odendaal]

I tried the Hornady 160 RN bullet out in Africa on PG in 2007. As it has excellent SD, i figured it would work wonders on med PG (penetration and mushrooming), but I discovered (in a higher V WSM case-going ~3,000 fps) it broke up and/or didn't penetrate as well as newer designs (including the 140 gr NP which I strongly recommend for your 6.5) the 130 TSX and 160 Woodleigh. IF you wish to hunt with 160s, use the Woodleighs as they have a better shape to penetrate more, and are built more sturdily to keep together once inside! I even brained a giraffe with one in Zim (as that's the rifle I was carrying!) (I did take a pile of camp meat impala with the Hdy RN 160s with no issue. Its performance may have been restricted by too high a V for this old design. I have no idea how it performs at 2,450 fps, as that would be several hundred yards out for my rigs. FYI I was equally unimpressed by the Nos Accubond and older BTs in same caliber, in Africa. Swift Scirocco IIs didn't group well, so I tossed them out of contention as well. The newest Berger Elite Hunter 156 shoots 1-hole groups and would be expected to perform well, but unnecessary on smaller cased 6.5s at modest V. GL! *Neighbor at the farm has a 6.5 Swede with a 26" bbl and folding iron sights out to 400 M! He shoots coyotes attacking livestock with it! (it was in Pristine condition when he got it at a military surplus store in the US.) Q: What is the rifling twist rate of your gun?? 1:9 is ideal, 1:8 even better for the 150-160s in 6.5 and a lot of factory (incl military are 10 or more, and some won't shoot the heavier bullets well-same applies for 757s!)

CW thank you for your reply, it is much appreciated. I am on a quest to get my Shilen barrel M96 Carl Gustav action rifle in 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser to be able to group extremely small groups at 100 meters from the same rifle I already achieved it with the ELD-X 143gn as well as with the Lapua Scenars 139 gn bullets ...so the 160gn RN is next, then the Rhino 150solid shank bullet, then the 140gn AXE bullet as well as the 140gn North Folk bullets I am receiving in May 2026.

My upcoming hunt is in Kathu region, Northern Cape , thick bush area...my nearest distance will be 60 meters the furthest distance between 80 meters to 100 meters distances...

Trek Kudu and warthog...are the two species ...

 

[Shootist43]

Gert, I thought about an old piece of information I received many years ago from the Ballisticians at Barnes. I was wondering why nobody had any 140 Gr Barnes TSX. He told me that the reason Barnes monometal bullets topped out at 120 Gr. for the 6.5(s) is that they could not stabilize a 140 Gr. projectile in that caliber. Isn't the 150 Gr. Rhino a monometal projectile as well? My concern is that while it looks good on paper, it may not shoot worth a sh**. But to give myself an out, I could always be wrong. Another issue is the "moly" coating. I thought that led to the formation of a hard carbon ring just ahead of the chamber that proved to negatively affect good accuracy.

Please keep me / us informed of your range results.

 

[Gert Odendaal]

Gert, I thought about an old piece of information I received many years ago from the Ballisticians at Barnes. I was wondering why nobody had any 140 Gr Barnes TSX. He told me that the reason Barnes monometal bullets topped out at 120 Gr. for the 6.5(s) is that they could not stabilize a 140 Gr. projectile in that caliber. Isn't the 150 Gr. Rhino a monometal projectile as well? My concern is that while it looks good on paper, it may not shoot worth a sh**. But to give myself an out, I could always be wrong. Another issue is the "moly" coating. I thought that led to the formation of a hard carbon ring just ahead of the chamber that proved to negatively affect good accuracy.

Please keep me / us informed of your range results.

Shootist, I will look into this information..If need be I will contact the Rhino company and ask them to provide me with clean bullets without moly powder....

Let us see how the Rhino bullets perform in regards to accuracy at 100 meters. I need to use it as hunting bullets on Kudu and Warthog ..I will definitely give feedback and upload photos of the groupings I shot..

Thank you again for all your support, it is as always much appreciated...

 

[C.W. Richter]

Not knocking Barnes bullets, but because the copper is less dense than a leaded model, they're longer than traditional bullets of the same weight. (A 140 barnes would eat up case capacity, especially on the smaller 6.5s. They even groove them such that the extra bearing surface is reduced.) I'd suggest the 160s on Kudu at close range, with the lower V 6.5s. It has the best SD for penetration. I'd personally not use a 6.5 on 750 lb animals, but to each their own. Dial it in such that you can pick out the auricle or ventricle you plan on taking out...

 

[Gert Odendaal]

Shootist some feedback:

WHAT IS A SOLID SHANK?​

These are core-bonded bullets with a hole drilled in the front part of the bullet which features a solid copper shank at the rear, and is virtually indestructible. The thick wall jackets are designed to keep the petals intact, and bullet expansion is arrested at the depth of the drilled hole. The net result is a higher weight retention ratio. The copper jacket is made from specially designed solid bar stock and then drilled to the perfect depth. Rhino's well known bigger caliber bullets are given thicker jacket walls, so as to withstand higher impact forces.



The bonded bullet with its thicker than normal copper jackets is what translates into stronger petals and ensures a high weight retention ratio typically 98% plus at typical practical hunting ranges. However, impact velocity, be it higher or lower at the range, will vary the percentage of bullet weight retained. The frontal expansion of the bullet (“mushroom”) is more than twice its original diameter and in most instances results in 2.2 to 2.4 times the original diameter.



As an example where a 286 gr Rhino Solid Shank bullet was shot into a big 5 animal at a close range of 10 paces. The bullet retained 267 grains or 93.4% and opened up to 2.3 times the original diameter, which is a perfect practical hunting result. The Solid Shank is designed for the practical hunter who is looking for high weight retention resulting in deeper penetration, and a wider expansion, creating a larger wound channel for the selected quarry, with minimal meat damage due to the bullet holding together after impact

.

The copper jackets get annealed to increase their malleability, making the bullet stronger, so the petals don't shear off so easily. The lead core that is bonded to the copper walls also strengthens the petals during the expansion process, as it flows together in unison. The copper jacket tapers towards the front, although less so on big bore calibers, so that bullets can expand more easily.



All bullets come with a 'protected point' design to avoid deformed lead tips in the magazine under recoil. All bullets go 3 times through a finishing die at the end to ensure that they are within the CIP specification and to ensure consistency of all bullets produced.

 

[Gert Odendaal]

I tried the Hornady 160 RN bullet out in Africa on PG in 2007. As it has excellent SD, i figured it would work wonders on med PG (penetration and mushrooming), but I discovered (in a higher V WSM case-going ~3,000 fps) it broke up and/or didn't penetrate as well as newer designs (including the 140 gr NP which I strongly recommend for your 6.5) the 130 TSX and 160 Woodleigh. IF you wish to hunt with 160s, use the Woodleighs as they have a better shape to penetrate more, and are built more sturdily to keep together once inside! I even brained a giraffe with one in Zim (as that's the rifle I was carrying!) (I did take a pile of camp meat impala with the Hdy RN 160s with no issue. Its performance may have been restricted by too high a V for this old design. I have no idea how it performs at 2,450 fps, as that would be several hundred yards out for my rigs. FYI I was equally unimpressed by the Nos Accubond and older BTs in same caliber, in Africa. Swift Scirocco IIs didn't group well, so I tossed them out of contention as well. The newest Berger Elite Hunter 156 shoots 1-hole groups and would be expected to perform well, but unnecessary on smaller cased 6.5s at modest V. GL! *Neighbor at the farm has a 6.5 Swede with a 26" bbl and folding iron sights out to 400 M! He shoots coyotes attacking livestock with it! (it was in Pristine condition when he got it at a military surplus store in the US.) Q: What is the rifling twist rate of your gun?? 1:9 is ideal, 1:8 even better for the 150-160s in 6.5 and a lot of factory (incl military are 10 or more, and some won't shoot the heavier bullets well-same applies for 757s!)

This is why I do not go after fast muzzle velocities at all in any of my rifles. The 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser in not build for speed, it is build for functionality and efficiency....
The 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser is delivering the best results in penetration and accuracy at 2728f/s with a 139 Lapua Scenar bullet out of my rifle out to 500 meters with good accuracy ...from 100 meters out to 500 meters ..I have not shot out further than 500 meters..no need it is not hunting distances...my limit of shooting at a game animal with the 6.5 x 55 Swedish Mauser is 300 meters.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

This is why I do not go after fast muzzle velocities at all in any of my rifles. The 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser in not build for speed, it is build for functionality and efficiency....
The 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser is delivering the best results in penetration and accuracy at 2728f/s with a 139 Lapua Scenar bullet out of my rifle out to 500 meters with good accuracy ...from 100 meters out to 500 meters ..I have not shot out further than 500 meters..no need it is not hunting distances...my limit of shooting at a game animal with the 6.5 x 55 Swedish Mauser is 300 meters.

@Gert Odendaal
Every bullet has velocity parameters in which the work as designed. Push them to fast and they become dismal failures.
I bought a few boxes of 100gn 25 cal noslers ballistic tips.
These were reputedly very accurate and great game bullets. Loaded them up in my 25 and headed to the range. Chronoed them at over 3,600 fps and I thought that's good. Then settled in to fire some groups. After 5 shots not a hole in the target. A fellow shooter said he noticed something strange down range but couldn't really describe it. It was just strange. Moved the targets back to 50 yards and tried again. Result a few strange looking holes and a lot of little holes.
Those so called good bullets were coming apart somewhere around 50 yards.
When I got home I checked the box, low and behold max velocity was 3,200fps. Never saw that on a noslers box before.
Just glad I didn't load them up and go hunting without testing. Would not have been a fun hunt.
Bob

 

[C.W. Richter]

We have farms (and friends/neighbors farms) with fields out to 1,500 yards, and my region has been known for rifles/riflery for 400 yrs so it's just natural to learn to stretch out and take game at longer yardages when necessary (i.e. a costly mountain sheep hunt or typically an Asian sheep hunt, an occasional shot in AK) so it started with smaller caliber rifles, and then practicing by taking varmints out to 750ish (and punching paper out to 1,000) using properly set up .257s and .264s destined for bigger stuff. My 2 big 6.5s did land a few nice long range deer and sheep, and a pile of coyotes/woodchucks. I couldn't help myself in Zim taking rock hyrax at long range, but as you know most African hunting is well, well within the ranges discussed. The famed Williamsport 1,000 yd range is not too far from me, so I am not alone in this regard. The hot (big cased 6.5s are excellent performers with the correct bullets, and they're only necessary for longer shots.) The bullet issues I mentioned were when I had just received the gun and was testing out terminal performance of what was available 20 years ago. Now, it's Nosler Partitions for anything under 400-450 yds and Berger Hunting bullets for any shots beyond that. Factory rigs, ammo and cheap optics have virtually no place in long range shooting, though ammo has gotten better over the decades. I wildcatted a 6.5-300 WSM in '06, and it took some sorting out, but once I did that, a 750 yd shot is a piece of cake (using a lightweight mountain rifle weighing 5.5 lb, 23" bbl). It's been everywhere with myself and my son (never having to take a shot over 300 yards in Africa, and that was on hyrax.) We've shot and hunted with it so much it had to be rebarreled last year (went with a faster twist 1:8" and 2" longer bbl to take advantage of the 156-160 gr slugs, and the V was slowed down to 3,000-3,100 fps). That should last for the rest of our lives at this point!

This is why I do not go after fast muzzle velocities at all in any of my rifles. The 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser in not build for speed, it is build for functionality and efficiency....
The 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser is delivering the best results in penetration and accuracy at 2728f/s with a 139 Lapua Scenar bullet out of my rifle out to 500 meters with good accuracy ...from 100 meters out to 500 meters ..I have not shot out further than 500 meters..no need it is not hunting distances...my limit of shooting at a game animal with the 6.5 x 55 Swedish Mauser is 300 meters.

 

[C.W. Richter]

Some pics-the 1st being the maiden voyage of the 264 WSM to Africa (where more premium bullets 140 NP, 160 Woodleigh) worked exceptionally well on dik-dik, springbok, impala, warthog, bushbuck, hartebeest, gemsbok, a pile of non-trophy camp meat (including impala, gemsbok, plains zebra and smaller eland), and a head-shot giraffe as well. We gave up on the old 160 RNs straight away on the med-sized stuff as the impact V was just too high. We've taken many, many antelope-deer sized game in NA, sometimes out to 450-750 yds as there was no way to get closer than the end of the grass we crawled in (and we had schedules to keep and the right equipment in-hand and experience to make clean, 1-shot kills. Many practicing for same at the ranges did not possess the gear for longer shots (if required.) I recall the hartebeest vividly...feeding out in an open savannah at 440 yards..but we did manage to crawl to 225 yds through small drainages and high grass with stickers, in shorts. It was a lot of excitement, and the right thing to do! I might have a full box of the Hdy RN 160s lying around in the reloading area at the farm, as they're not suitable for our purposes (in the WSM and Wby cases.) A DG PH in Africa was impressed by the 6.5 WSM, so much so that he said I could take a buff with it if I got the 160 gr solids available. I know it'd do the job per Bell, Selous and Jameison, but they were usually taking head shots using similar, heavy military FMJs in 6.5 and 7, but I much prefer the .416 and .375 for that work!

 

[C.W. Richter]

sry these didn't upload on AH (slow)...

 

[Gert Odendaal]

CW thank you very much for your informative reply it is much appreciated. I have up to date manage to shoot out to 500 meters using the M96 Carl Gustav 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser military version. At 300 meters I hit the gong every time I pulled the trigger...

( Shootist/Bob Nelson is there a after market adjustable trigger I can fit to my M96 (1922) 6.5X55 Swedish Mauser????

I manage to shoot the gong at 500 meters ..it was quite a good feeling hearing the sound of metal ..I will be focusing on 500 meter shooting events to increase my skill using the M96 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser . Old meets new...

 

[Gert Odendaal]

@Gert Odendaal
Every bullet has velocity parameters in which the work as designed. Push them to fast and they become dismal failures.
I bought a few boxes of 100gn 25 cal noslers ballistic tips.
These were reputedly very accurate and great game bullets. Loaded them up in my 25 and headed to the range. Chronoed them at over 3,600 fps and I thought that's good. Then settled in to fire some groups. After 5 shots not a hole in the target. A fellow shooter said he noticed something strange down range but couldn't really describe it. It was just strange. Moved the targets back to 50 yards and tried again. Result a few strange looking holes and a lot of little holes.
Those so called good bullets were coming apart somewhere around 50 yards.
When I got home I checked the box, low and behold max velocity was 3,200fps. Never saw that on a noslers box before.
Just glad I didn't load them up and go hunting without testing. Would not have been a fun hunt.
Bob

I would never experience this phenomenon , my scope on high velocity muzzle f/s shooting is non existent...threshold is 2750f/s for my 6.5x55 and the only caliber I have to be able to reach over 3000f/s , I am not even sure a 6.5 caliber can reach the 3000f/s muzzle velocity at alL

 

[Gert Odendaal]

I guess these bullets are in real Hornady Interlock 160 gr.
I have never used such these big round nose bullets with the 6.5x55, but I reloaded them for my 6.5 Creedmoor that is more or less the 6.5x55's ballistic twin.
View attachment 742013
I pushed them at ~ 2500 f/s with a good success on wildebeests, waterbucks and impalas. It's a classic cup and core bullet but the weight retention tends to be better than the Hornady ELD-X that is too fragile for my liking when you shoot something bigger than a kudu.
Here is one recovered in water jugs.
View attachment 742014
Here is the two bullets I recovered.
View attachment 742016
1) Hornady Interlock recovered in a waterbuck shot at ~ 100 meters : 98.8 gr ( 61.75%)
2) Hornady Interlock recovered in a wildebeest at ~ 100 meters : 101.9 gr ( 63.7 %)

I don't have your barrel length, and the real case capacity to adjust it, but Quickload already gives you an idea of what you can expect from this recipe.
View attachment 742017

Kevin ,thank you very much, it is much appreciated. I did receive about the similar load from Shootist as well...I have loaded your load as well as his load, I can`t wait to shoot group at 100 meters for my upcoming bush hunting trip.

 

[Gert Odendaal]

Gert here is the QuickLoad simulation for the 150 Gr. Rino bullets. This load is "dead-on" an accuracy node. Note that there is no way for me to consider the fact they are moly-coated.View attachment 743855

Shootist, I did receive the Rhino 150gn solid shank bullets..I did re-load to your data .I can not wait to shoot groups at `100 meters with it..