6.5x55; no eldx available, what else can I use?

Joined
Jun 19, 2024
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Hi,

I am looking to build a new rifle, and could use some advice regarding ammo options. I would like to build a 6.5x55 (swedish), but I'm struggling to find ammo that will be both good for hunting (White tail and Moose, eastern Canada) and also consistent enough to be fun to practice with at the range (600-1200y).

I am currently using a 6.5CM for hunting because it is very easy to find good precision-driven ammo (Sako, Hornady ELDX) that is good for hunting, and still precise enough to have fun with at the range (SD of 8-12FPS)

(My 'just for fun' rifles are a Mauser M96 and M41B, both in 6.5x55).

*I do not handload* (which I realize is the solution to my problem, but requires a level of investment (money, space, time) that I cannot make at the moment.)

Thanks in advance
 
I'm confused. You say you don't have the money, space or time to begin reloading, but have 5X the money, and time to build a custom rifle?
 
Build a 6.5 PRC and this “no ammo” problem will go away.

Ya that's a good idea for sure, and I'm leaning 6.5CM, PRC, or somebody in this forum recently suggested 6CM. For my purposes, they are all interchangeable.

I just wanted to make sure I'm not overlooking some high-quality ammo that's out there for 6.5x55. I currently use Match PPU, which does not perform anywhere near as well as my Hornady or Sako ammo in my 6.5CM. I asked a few local shops and nobody has any good options for 6.5x55.
 
This would be exceptional in your 6.5x55's. If it shoots them well, the 140 gr. Accubond is a superb bullet.
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The 120 gr. E-tip would also be fantastic. They will penetrate way above their pay grade!
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Here's an example of punching above it''s fighting weight. My son uses a Nosler 90gr. E-tip handload in his 6mm Remington. He shot his first elk with that load in his Ruger MKII at 350 yards. One shot tight behind the right shoulder opened up nicely as the wound channel showed, and it penetrated like a much larger bullet and exited the center of the offside shoulder. His cow staggered about 20 yards and went down. Three antelope at about 300 yards each and a nice mule deer buck at about 200 yards were all one shot kills with the 90 gr. E-tip.
 

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If you already have a 6.5 Creedmoor I wouldn't bother with building a 6.5x55, it won't do anything the Creedmoor won't do. If you want to build something a little bigger then the Creedmoor, you're a 6.5mm fan like I am and looking for factory ammo then go 6.5 PRC.
 
As a Swede owner and fan, I wouldn't own one if I didn't reload as the factory offerings are very weak due to the old military rifles, not being able to hand modern high pressures. Only way to solve this problem is to handload, but then there's not a ton of reloading data for modern swedes that don't have pressure problems.

If you don't want to handload, I'd stick with the 6.5 CM or PRC, as you need to handload to get to even 6.5 CM speeds.
 
Custom loaded ammo via UM, Choice, etc could be an option. Uncertain if shipping would be a deal breaker…
 
I setup a mobile reloading rig. Table folds up and can fit into the closet.

Just for reference.
 

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Sellier & Bellot factoryloads are good are pretty decent, for example the FMJs, but they have a slew of SPs and BTs too:
https://www.sellier-bellot.cz/en/products/rifle-ammunition/rifle-ammunition-fmj/detail/172/

And I've shot Winchester FMJs. They're pretty good:
https://winchester.com/Products/Ammunition/Rifle/USA/USA6555

Winchester also makes this, but I haven't shot it:
https://winchester.com/Products/Ammunition/Rifle/Power-Point/X6555

And Remington makes one factory load as well:

I just started to load for my Swede and working on 130 gr Sierra Gamechanger BTs over Ramshot Hunter, working up my ladder now.
 
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