6.5 swede question for Cal

moosenuggets · #1 03-25-2005, 10:56 PM

Hello Cal... I just purchaced a Tikka m695 in 6.5 swede and noticed you recommend Lapua and Vihtavuori for the most accurate reloads. I was wondering if that included using Lapua brass or whether you used north american brass. Also it looks like the Lapua bullets (gb458 139 gr.) are only for target and not for hunting. I have some 140 grain cor-locs and some 140 grain sp interlocks that should be good for deer as long as my rifle likes them. I bought some n 160 because the Lapua book recommended that powder for 139gr. bullets though you seem to prefer the 550 and 560 powders. Did you try the n 160 first or go right to the 550, 560 powder. Being relatively new to reloading I don't muck with anthing my books don't say to use and none of my books recommend 550, or 560. My main objective is good hunting loads so I don't need perfection but like many of us reloaders I do try to find a load so the gun can outshoot my abililities. I have been reading your threads as well as others for some time now and yu'all helped me to choose to shoot this great little cartridge. Thanks and please others feel free to respond

Cal Sibley · #2 03-27-2005, 07:08 AM

Hello moosenuggets,

Congratulations on your Tikka. I feel fairly sure you'll really like it.
You've got one advantage over me right from the start. Your rifle has a 1 in 8" barrel twist. My Remington Classic, while a very good rifle has a 1 in 9" twist and is touchy with most 140gr. bullets. Some, such as the Sierra 140gr. HPBT it flat refuses to shoot well. I'm guessing it's the twist because this bullet merits praise from most quarters. The VihtaVouri 540, 550 and 560 powders are high intensity powders (you use less, higher velocity) and fairly recent on the market. I use the Lapua Scenar bullets mainly at the range. For hunting I prefer the Nosler 100 and 120gr. Balistic Tips and the Hornady 129gr. PSP. Like most bullets they group well in this rifle. Your 1 in 8" twist should handle the 140gr. bullets nicely. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

moosenuggets · #3 03-27-2005, 11:50 AM

Thanks Cal for your quick reply. I was hoping to get to the range and try out the Tikka with some factory ammo I had on hand but unfortunately never got there. I will try the Rem. 140 gr. psp's and the Hornady 140 gr. sp interlock's that I have on hand first. For powders I have Vihtavuori n160, imr 4350 and 4831 and Hodgdon 4831sc, h414 and h380 so something should work for me, especially with the reputation the Tikka's have. When I have more time I will try some lighter bullets. I will be only hunting deer with the rifle. Once moose season opens I will get out my Finnlight in 300 wsm, another beautiful rifle. Thanks again for your reply and will let you'all know how it shoots.

BILLY D. · #4 03-27-2005, 12:20 PM

HI MOOSE

DON'T OVERLOOK RL-19 POWDER, I'VE FOUND IT TO BE AN OUTSTANDING PERFORMER WITH 120'S AND 129'S. CAN'T WAIT TO TRY IT WITH THE BARNES TRIPLE SHOCKS.

GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR SWEDE, I'M SURE YOU WILL BE ENAMORED WITH IT.

Jack · #5 03-27-2005, 01:25 PM

IMR-4831 and the 6.5x55 go together like coffee and doughnuts- don't overlook that powder.
Your 140 CorLokt's and Hornady's should work fine. If you want a lighter bullet for deer, try the Nosler 120 Ballistic Tip or the 125 Partition.

338winmag · #6 03-29-2005, 02:43 AM

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Cal Sibley · #7 03-29-2005, 10:50 AM

Hello moosenuggets,

Don't be hesitant to take your 6.5x55 on a moose hunt. I got my moose in Northern Ontario last year with mine. The Sierra 160gr. SPSP (round nose to me) in front of VV550 39.2grs. gives me 2400fps velocity, and really messes up the old boiler room. It's a pretty accurate load in my rifle, .796" (5 at 100yds.) and runs counter to the twist rate vs bullet weight thinking. I've heard bullet shape and configuration offset the twist rate to some degree. Maybe this is an example of that. I'm not sure, but it works. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

moosenuggets · #8 03-30-2005, 11:36 PM

Thank you all for your replies. I have never tried any of the reloader powders as I have had no reason to yet but hopefully in the future I will have some on my shelf. Unfortunately I don't have the time to play with loads as much as I would like to so if I find a load that will shoot the bullet I want to hunt with that will shoot a group an inch or less I am happy. I will certainly be trying the 4831 powders. Cal, I have read in previous threads of yours and others on just how effective the 6.5 is on moose, but if I started hunting moose with it too then I would have no reason to hunt with my Finnlight, and that would be a real shame. thanks again yu'all...Talk at you later...Moosenuggets