6.5x55 Varmint loads

Au revoir, Gopher · #1 01-16-2013, 09:15 AM

I'm looking at working up some varmint loads for the Swede. I was planning on trying Sierra 85 and/or 100 grain bullets, but I can't seem to find any around Calgary. Back to the drawing board...

Any recommendations for bullets 100 grain or less for gopher to coyote sized varmints? Seems that most of the bullet makers stop making varmint bullets at 6mm. So far I'm looking at:

Hornady V-Max 95 grain
Nosler Ballistic Tip 100 grain
Speer TNT 90 grain

Biggest problem is I haven't found a lot of load data, especially for the powders I have available, for any of these bullets.

ARG

catnthehat · #2 01-16-2013, 09:22 AM

I have quite a bit of data for te varmint loads in the 6.5X55, I'll get it to you this eening.
Cat

Au revoir, Gopher · #3 01-18-2013, 04:00 PM

Not much of a decision... the only bullets under 100 grains that I could find were the 95 grain V-Max.

As an aside... Bass Pro has a horrible selection of bullets! Wholesale Sports has a better selection, but just about everything I was looking for was an empty spot on the shelf

ARG

Duramaximos · #4 01-18-2013, 05:38 PM

I believe Nosler makes a 85gr BT.

Lefty-Canuck · #5 01-18-2013, 06:18 PM

The Sierra 100gr HP shoot really well in my 1 in 8 twist barrel on my 260 improved, Sierra also makes an 85gr HP....I think they would be great varmint bullets but I have yet to shoot them at anything other than paper.

LC

Duramaximos · #6 01-20-2013, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duramaximos

I believe Nosler makes a 85gr BT.

Nope I was wrong. The 85gr is 25 cal.

madluk18 · #7 01-20-2013, 09:49 PM

hey cat, if you wouldn't mind sharing your knowledge with I also, that would be great,
i'm looking at different varmint loads currently for my 6.5.

I've recently had good success with 41.5 grains of varget I believe (can't remember off hand) and the 95 gr v max. Was hitting gophers at 150 yards or less consistently.

Faststeel · #8 01-20-2013, 10:55 PM

What kind of varmints do you want to shoot with a 6.5? Coyotes, just shoot you regular hunting ammo. Sierra does make an 85gr HP bullets and I have shot them out of my 6.5x55, there are 10 powder choices in the Sierra manual for this bullet. FS

elkdump · #9 01-20-2013, 11:22 PM

I did not know it is possible kill coyotes "DEADER" with an 85 gr bullet .........

than can be DONE with a 140gr Berger VLD ????

madluk18 · #10 01-21-2013, 10:07 AM

Ive shot coyotes and gophers with my 6.5 Coyotes would be fine, but I prefer the little flatter shooting 95gr bullet. I've talked to people who have used the 85gr on ground hogs I believe it was.