6.5 x 55 Swede

gmarr · April 13, 2015, 04:13 PM

Just picked up a Mauser Custom in this caliber and so far it's been paper-punching. I've sighted in the scope and am getting consistent groups at an inch to an inch and a quarter from the prone and sitting position. Remington 140 gr Core Lokt ammo.

The question being is this ammo good for hogs and deer here in Florida? Usually a clear shot but maybe some tall grass/bushes? I'll also be heading to S. Carolina for deer. My buddies told me it's from a stand at 100 to 150 yds. Also pretty clear again with some tall grass and bushes.

Thanks

Doyle · April 13, 2015, 04:59 PM

With the exception of maybe big Alaskan bears, there is not a single game animal in N. America that a 6.5x55 with a 140 CoreLokt won't efficiently take. Yes, you can find flatter shooting loads and harder hitting loads but at the distances you'll be shooting deer and pigs they would only cost you more money without making the animals any deader.

Enjoy. That is a great cartridge.

FITASC · April 13, 2015, 06:24 PM

The Swedes use it for hunting what they call elk and we call moose. Excellent cartridge.

tahunua001 · April 13, 2015, 07:17 PM

6.5 swede will kill anything in north america short of large alaskan game and bison. you'll be solid. corelokts in particular are decent hunting loads, although I've lost a few deer with it in a 243 win, I prefer federal powershoks which are also available in 6.5 swede, perhaps shoot the two side by side and see if your gun prefers either.

Jo6pak · April 13, 2015, 07:19 PM

I've used a Swede for 20+ years of hunting; I have tried ALOT of loadings for the 6.5.

The cartridge is excellent, and the 135-140 grain bullets are the most accurate and effective loadings.
My factory load of choice is Winchester Super X 140gr SP. It will hold 1 moa if I do my part, and the bullet seems to hold together and expand better than the Remington fodder.

Granted, I have never done any gel tests, but I have shot scores of Wisconsin whitetail, dozens of coyotes, and a 330lb Russian boar. The boar was taken with a single shot through the engine room from about 70 yards away. He dropped after running about 15 yards. While skinning we found the bullet, mushroomed but intact, between the far shoulder plate and hide.

And they said I was under-gunned when I showed up with the Swede

Arizona Fusilier · April 13, 2015, 07:21 PM

Never hunted with it, but I have found it to be a superb, flat-shooting, economical, accurate cartridge. One of the most under-rated and over-looked there is. I highly recommend it.

mete · April 14, 2015, 07:15 AM

Swedes do require certain loads for moose , 156 gr .
I think overall the 140s are the best ,if more is required use premium bullets.
Finn Aagaard said it's the perfect deer cartridge .I agree and it was my deer cartridge for 25 years. Very accurate, mild recoil,. low muzzle blast very effective !

Gunplummer · April 14, 2015, 04:54 PM

Been using 160 Gr Sierras in mine for years. Accurate and they really wallop something when they hit.

Buzzcook · April 15, 2015, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Been using 160 Gr Sierras in mine for years.

Is that a round nose? Id think a 160grsp would be too long.

Gunplummer · April 15, 2015, 07:49 AM

Yup.

Coppershot · April 20, 2015, 11:43 AM

I load 160 gr. Hornady roundnose and 160 gr. Woodleigh roundnose in the Swede. The lighter Nosler Ballistic Tips also shoot well. I can run them in a 700 Classic and a K98k Mauser with a Douglas Premium barrel. There are lots of good options with a 6.5 x 55. I have even employed Norma powders.

Husqvarna · April 20, 2015, 01:32 PM

it warms my swedish heart reading you guys praising it

I don't own a rifle in the calibre myself but grew up hunting and shooting with it (yes a sporterized swedish mauser)

I shot 6,5 before 22lr

, with membership in certain shooting disciplines the ammo is almost subsidized

, and surplus ammo is still around and cheap, such a common calibre that regular new training ammo is about 30bucks for 50

yes we do have minimum requirements for moose, hogs, bears, red and fallow deer, mufflon, wolf (visent and muskoxe but we don't have huntable pops of those) and for some reason you can hunt hogs, fallowdeer and mufflon with slugs but not the other species)

the requirements are
9gram bullets and 2700joule at 100meters
10 gram bullets and 200 joule at 100 m

lighter loads/bullets are great for treetop birdhunting, geese, roedeer, fox

my dad hunted almost 40 years with his 6,5 and shot moose, bear without any problems, now he got a new rifle in 308

Coppershot · April 20, 2015, 02:07 PM

Subsidized 6.5 x 55 ammo; Now there's an idea for the Congressional Budget Office.

Jack O'Conner · April 21, 2015, 04:15 AM

My wife hunts with a custom Browning in 6.5mm Swede. She has taken a medium sized bull elk, three mule deer, and several antelope with this rifle. None got away. The cartridge has recoil a little less than .308 but hits hard at reasonable distances.

Jack

Husqvarna · April 25, 2015, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Subsidized 6.5 x 55 ammo; Now there's an idea for the Congressional Budget Office.

it was/is a shooting discipline tied to the armed forces. to keep up the skills I guess

guess it is NORMAS way of sponsoring the shooting sports

the same setup that made private ownership of the swedish-k possible in the past, nowadays it is not just jumping thru hoops it is darn near impossible, the competitions are still held but not many people are able to attend
check this video pretty cool
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pa4UAWoCBQ4

the main reason for many oldtimers to be part of the homeguard was easy access to ammo (6,5 for a very long time and 308 from the 80s and forward)
and they got to keep a ak4 (H&K G3) at home

Husqvarna · April 25, 2015, 04:35 PM

nd I have begun saving up for a sauer 404, and 6,5x55 barrel is a must

the second will be in 375HH for those big monster moose

April 13, 2015, 04:13 PM	#1
gmarr Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 2006 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 262	6.5 x 55 Swede Just picked up a Mauser Custom in this caliber and so far it's been paper-punching. I've sighted in the scope and am getting consistent groups at an inch to an inch and a quarter from the prone and sitting position. Remington 140 gr Core Lokt ammo. The question being is this ammo good for hogs and deer here in Florida? Usually a clear shot but maybe some tall grass/bushes? I'll also be heading to S. Carolina for deer. My buddies told me it's from a stand at 100 to 150 yds. Also pretty clear again with some tall grass and bushes. Thanks

April 13, 2015, 06:24 PM	#3
FITASC Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 2014 Posts: 6,446	The Swedes use it for hunting what they call elk and we call moose. Excellent cartridge. __________________ "I believe that people have a right to decide their own destinies; people own themselves. I also believe that, in a democracy, government exists because (and only so long as) individual citizens give it a 'temporary license to exist'—in exchange for a promise that it will behave itself. In a democracy, you own the government—it doesn't own you."- Frank Zappa

April 13, 2015, 07:17 PM	#4
tahunua001 Senior Member Join Date: July 21, 2011 Location: Idaho Posts: 7,839	6.5 swede will kill anything in north america short of large alaskan game and bison. you'll be solid. corelokts in particular are decent hunting loads, although I've lost a few deer with it in a 243 win, I prefer federal powershoks which are also available in 6.5 swede, perhaps shoot the two side by side and see if your gun prefers either. __________________ ignore my complete lack of capitalization. I still have no problem correcting your grammar. I never said half the stuff people said I did-Albert Einstein You can't believe everything you read on the internet-Benjamin Franklin

April 13, 2015, 07:19 PM	#5
Jo6pak Senior Member Join Date: August 5, 2010 Location: West Coast...of WI Posts: 1,663	I've used a Swede for 20+ years of hunting; I have tried ALOT of loadings for the 6.5. The cartridge is excellent, and the 135-140 grain bullets are the most accurate and effective loadings. My factory load of choice is Winchester Super X 140gr SP. It will hold 1 moa if I do my part, and the bullet seems to hold together and expand better than the Remington fodder. Granted, I have never done any gel tests, but I have shot scores of Wisconsin whitetail, dozens of coyotes, and a 330lb Russian boar. The boar was taken with a single shot through the engine room from about 70 yards away. He dropped after running about 15 yards. While skinning we found the bullet, mushroomed but intact, between the far shoulder plate and hide. And they said I was under-gunned when I showed up with the Swede __________________ NRA Life Member, SAF contributor.

April 14, 2015, 07:15 AM	#7
mete Senior Member Join Date: June 14, 2004 Location: NY State Posts: 6,575	Swedes do require certain loads for moose , 156 gr . I think overall the 140s are the best ,if more is required use premium bullets. Finn Aagaard said it's the perfect deer cartridge .I agree and it was my deer cartridge for 25 years. Very accurate, mild recoil,. low muzzle blast very effective ! __________________ And Watson , bring your revolver !

April 13, 2015, 04:59 PM	#2
Doyle Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2007 Location: Rainbow City, Alabama Posts: 7,167	With the exception of maybe big Alaskan bears, there is not a single game animal in N. America that a 6.5x55 with a 140 CoreLokt won't efficiently take. Yes, you can find flatter shooting loads and harder hitting loads but at the distances you'll be shooting deer and pigs they would only cost you more money without making the animals any deader. Enjoy. That is a great cartridge.

April 13, 2015, 07:21 PM	#6
Arizona Fusilier Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2000 Posts: 1,082	Never hunted with it, but I have found it to be a superb, flat-shooting, economical, accurate cartridge. One of the most under-rated and over-looked there is. I highly recommend it.

April 14, 2015, 04:54 PM	#8
Gunplummer Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 2010 Location: South East Pa. Posts: 3,364	Been using 160 Gr Sierras in mine for years. Accurate and they really wallop something when they hit.

April 15, 2015, 07:49 AM	#10
Gunplummer Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 2010 Location: South East Pa. Posts: 3,364	Yup.

April 20, 2015, 11:43 AM	#11
Coppershot Member Join Date: January 2, 2015 Location: Virginia Posts: 94	I load 160 gr. Hornady roundnose and 160 gr. Woodleigh roundnose in the Swede. The lighter Nosler Ballistic Tips also shoot well. I can run them in a 700 Classic and a K98k Mauser with a Douglas Premium barrel. There are lots of good options with a 6.5 x 55. I have even employed Norma powders.

April 20, 2015, 01:32 PM	#12
Husqvarna Senior Member Join Date: May 7, 2012 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,000	it warms my swedish heart reading you guys praising it I don't own a rifle in the calibre myself but grew up hunting and shooting with it (yes a sporterized swedish mauser) I shot 6,5 before 22lr, with membership in certain shooting disciplines the ammo is almost subsidized , and surplus ammo is still around and cheap, such a common calibre that regular new training ammo is about 30bucks for 50 yes we do have minimum requirements for moose, hogs, bears, red and fallow deer, mufflon, wolf (visent and muskoxe but we don't have huntable pops of those) and for some reason you can hunt hogs, fallowdeer and mufflon with slugs but not the other species) the requirements are 9gram bullets and 2700joule at 100meters 10 gram bullets and 200 joule at 100 m lighter loads/bullets are great for treetop birdhunting, geese, roedeer, fox my dad hunted almost 40 years with his 6,5 and shot moose, bear without any problems, now he got a new rifle in 308

April 20, 2015, 02:07 PM	#13
Coppershot Member Join Date: January 2, 2015 Location: Virginia Posts: 94	Subsidized 6.5 x 55 ammo; Now there's an idea for the Congressional Budget Office.

April 21, 2015, 04:15 AM	#14
Jack O'Conner Senior Member Join Date: July 11, 2005 Location: Manatee County, Florida Posts: 1,976	My wife hunts with a custom Browning in 6.5mm Swede. She has taken a medium sized bull elk, three mule deer, and several antelope with this rifle. None got away. The cartridge has recoil a little less than .308 but hits hard at reasonable distances. Jack __________________ Fire up the grill! Deer hunting IS NOT catch and release.

April 25, 2015, 04:35 PM	#16
Husqvarna Senior Member Join Date: May 7, 2012 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,000	nd I have begun saving up for a sauer 404, and 6,5x55 barrel is a must the second will be in 375HH for those big monster moose