Thread: 6.5x55 factory ammo on deer ??

Question what 6.5x55 Factory Ammo does everyone use on deer?

youll probably find most x55 guys handload. What rifle do you have?

Originally Posted by Marsh

Question what 6.5x55 Factory Ammo does everyone use on deer?

I used the norma training ammo in my 6.5 shot a lot of deer with it, very slow but killed well.
https://www.norma-ammunition.com/en-...0gr---20165420

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I use Federal Fusion 140gr and still have some Sako Gamehead Pro 130gr left (no longer produced). I wish Sako they still made these - super accurate out of my Sako 75.

Hornaday Superperformance looks mint but pretty exy.

I also have some Norma 156g but haven't tried it hunting yet given I'm sighted in on lighter ammo.

My understanding is that European ammo is often loaded "hotter" than American ammo so as long as you have a modern rifle could be better option.

Otherwise roll your owns are the way to go.

Cheers

Don't use the S&B soft point stuff. Has a steel (copper washed) jacket. May as well use fmj, super hard projectile. A shame as it shot well in my old rifle. That said this was awhile ago. Like others have said best handloaded for.

I use a tikka T3x 19” barrel/suppressor

Second vote for SAKO GAMEHEAD PRO 130grn @ 2790fps.
Sad to hear it's ceased production.... Shop around for old stock.
Guncity is advertising SAKO 120grn, might be OK or a bit light, subject to bullet placement and range and species size.
GunCity also advertising Norma.
Advice from my Gunsmith was, "Buy European ammunition for European rifles." That excludes Hornady and Winchester.
European ammunition is 100 to 200fps faster than American brands, which typically overstate muzzle velocity.
Also you have a short barrel (not a 24 or 26" factory test barrel) so buy the fastest European bullets you can, subject to appropriate weight for species.

I used to use the Belmont produced rounds religiously, I think they were 114 grn SP. Almost always found them balled up just under the skin, they accounted for a lot of deer. Then getting them consistently was a issue so I began to use a lee (whack a mole) reloader. They still performed just as well. As you know with reloading the desire to achieve a better trajectory etc, eventually lead me to a 25-06 Ackley improved. I still have but it hasn't seen the light of day in a long time.

I see the latest H&F catalogue has Norma "bondstrike" 143gr and "Tipstrike" 140gr advertised. You may be able to get your local store to get some for you if not near a H&F.

@Marsh I have pretty much the same barrel length, also suppressed, and the Hornady Superformance 140gr SST works well in my rifle. I have also used the Sako Powerhead Blade 120gr (Copper projectile) but only on fallow so far. Have also previously used Federal blue. Also works well. Buy a box of a couple of different types and see what is most accurate in yours.

You could use a 6.5x55 barrel to make a blow gun and it would still kill deer at 300 yards.
All the suggestions here sound good. I hand load for mine but 140 grn Federal are very accurate and I keep a box up my sleeve as a spare. Have only shot one deer with it but it fell over just fine. They shoot 1.5" lower at 100 yards than my hand loads so I doubt they are galloping.

I have a part pkt if you want to try them. No trouble to drop off.

Most of the European produced 6.5x55 ammo (Norma etc) will be produced with moose in mind. And have been working just fine for decades.
Why would there be any doubt about their ability to kill deer?

I have found the S & B 139gn bloody good in my Howa, but have always struggled to find all 6.5 x 55 ammo locally. Have just decided to get into reloading my own due to being unable to easily access ammo when needed.

Originally Posted by 7mmwsm

Most of the European produced 6.5x55 ammo (Norma etc) will be produced with moose in mind. And have been working just fine for decades.
Why would there be any doubt about their ability to kill deer?

Exactly. Also been used extensively in Africa over the years. Don’t overthink it. 223 has accounted for untold deer in NZ so 6.5x55 isn’t going to have any trouble. A mate doesn’t have any problems with his.

Never had any trouble with mine either.
Launching norma 120gr BT

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