6.5x55 any good for deer

[emp1953]

My Tikka T3 stainless 6.5x55 has set for years. Had worked up a couple loads, but never hunted it. Still like new. So broke down & decided to hunt with it this year. Here in Montana I have to hunt deer & elk at the same time. So, Worked up a load using the Barnes 6.5 127gr LRX, at 2900fps. Having taken elk for years with my 260 Rem & Barnes bullets , I knew I could count on the 6.5x55. White tail here are plentiful. Muley's are few in my zone, & a special tag must be drawn. Therefor, because I can just walk out the door & hunt white tail, it makes it easy. Our land is heavily forested, so shots can be close. I've taken deer at 15yds & elk at 30. This deer came at the long range of about 70yds. So, long range shooting for me. Had to shoot thru a narrow spot between trees. Shot was down hill a bit , angling away to my right. Bullet entered at the back of the right shoulder , angled across & out the neck.

just had a successful hunt with a 6.5Creedmoor. Nearly everyone in camp had a 6.5CM. 12 deer shot, all one shot kills at ranges out to 275yds. So your 6.5x55 pushing a bullet faster than the Creedmoor can, has to be able to perform to your expectations. Let me also add that all rifles in camp were 1:8 twist and there was quite the selection of bullets being used, from Hornady ELD and ELDx, Nosler partitions and accubonds, Hammers, Barnes, Swift......

 

[nomspc]

Couple years ago, my hunting buddy and I went to Greenland for muskox and caribou. Because of some complicated travel logistics, we borrowed a rifle and ammo from the outfitter. The rifle turned out to be a Tikka T3X in 6.5X55; ammo was Sellier & Bellot 131 gr JSP. That combo cleanly took two muskox bulls and two caribou and made a believer out of me.

 

[Sdvldog1371]

I have a coupkenof 6.5 Addictions (basically 6.5x55 swede improved meant to fire a 140 from a short action). Love the 6.5x55 swede, I was just telling my brother it has probably taken more moose and other animals than any other cartridge in Europe with as old and popular as it is.

Ammo can be a pain to find in stores, but is plentiful online. I've burned about 600 rounds of Lapua 139 scenar for the brass to reload. And 600 or so of sellier and bellot 140 to break in the barrels. I specifically chose it to build my one rifle for everything. It should have no problems taking most North American big game.

 

[Hespco]

Nice work, what powder did you use under that LRX ?

I using Rel 19 for just a bit over 2900 fps. Rem brass, Win LR primers