Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Mule deer, 6.5x55 enough gun for Large Canadian Whitetails?

John, I have a once in a lifetime rifle for accuracy in a 6.5x55 Tikka T3. Gun is much better than I will ever be, hunter not bench shooter. As I get older (62) I find I really like shooting this caliber. Low recoil 300 yd. 6" gong is an automatic most times with off hand shooting. I have found a 120grn Barnes TSX to be a very accurate bullet and it is long for size because it is copper and I believe the rifle likes this. I find myself hunting open bogs in Manitoba and can get long shots to 350 yds. (self imposed limit). I have a very good 30-06 and I am never bothered by it's stiffer recoil hunting but at the range after 15 shots strung over a session I can get a light head ache. Is the 6.5x55 enough firearm for my big bucks? If so any powder and bullet recomendations?
Thanks Buckfever1

Not JB - but it's the right cartridge for the job. 120 tsx? That'll do just fine but if you go to a regular cup and core bullet you may find it kills slightly quicker than the tsx. The only issue is that you would have to go up to a 140 weight and so recoil would be slightly more and your accuracy may not be as good as with the tsx.

Your kidding?

Please forgive my jumping in here as I'm certainly not JB and don't have his experience.

However - go forth with confidence with your 6.5x55. It will be enough gun with good bullets. My last one loved the 130 Accubond but I only shot smaller deer with it so can't say from experience on the larger bodies but after having a couple of Swedes I'd not hesitate to shoot any deer within my shooting range with that caliber and good bullets (doubt the TSX would be a mistake ).

Looking forward to JB's answer on loads even though I don't currently have a Swede.

buckfever,

In my experience the 6.5x55 is plenty for any size of deer. The 120 TSX is a good bullet, also the 125 Nosler Partition or anything else in that class. I've found H4350 an excellent powder for the purpose, especially in colder weather. Nosler lists a maximum of 47.0 grains for 2990 fps with the 125 in a 23" barrel, a combination that's hard to beat.

I should also note that your slight headache is due to a slight concussion, not good.

So Mule Deer what you are saying is maybe it is time to use the 6.5x55 now? Buckfever1

Don't be afraid of bone shots or lengthy shots through the animal if quick kills (drops) are desired. Monos are very capable of taking on bone, and broken bone or long holes are both ways to often get lightening-fast kills.

If I could hit a 6" gong at 300 yards offhand every time I wouldn't much care about anything else.

buckfever,

I have always found that not getting headaches is a good thing.

Buck, I think that, that is what he is saying.

Big time!

Dober

The Swede is enough cartridge for any buck on earth. Put that 120 TSX or my favorite 125 Partition on the mark and collect your deer.

That 6.5 is an awful big gun.....

Honestly, that is beyond my current ability. My 6.5x55 rifles do really like the 125 NP and they perform quite well on deer.

Love the Swede! My best loads are with Noslers and R19. Ne plus ultra for deer.
(Chui-that means none better.)

I'd pay good money to see that!

Gentlemen, I said most every time does not mean all the time . I take one shot and try later again. Leave scope on 6 power so you don't over correct. Shoot from chair with left elbow on knee. Lets not give me too much credit. I am just a hunter not a markman or bench shooter. Buckfever1

While not benchrest, that is a wee bit different than offhand.

My Bad. Buckfever1

Is the 6.5x55 enough gun for large Canadian whitetails. Of course it is, just ask all the Canadians who shoot large bodied Canadian whitetails or moose, elk and bears with 6.5x55's. .