Go Back   Alberta Outdoorsmen Forum > Main Category > Guns & Ammo Discussion

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 08-14-2020, 02:35 PM
ruffy71 ruffy71 is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 387
Default 6.5 x 55 ammunition options.

My son has a 6.5 x 55.

Until recently we had been exclusively shooting Nosler ammunition but I can no longer find it.

I can find Sako and Winchester. Not likely to start hand loading any time soon. Any thoughts or preferences when it comes to these two?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 08-14-2020, 03:56 PM
JamesB JamesB is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 991
Default

SAKO is better ammo, but usually much more expensive. PPU is also available and usually both cheaper and better than Winchester.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 08-14-2020, 03:58 PM
Dick284's Avatar
Dick284 Dick284 is online now
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Dreadful Valley
Posts: 14,585
Default

PPU or S&B or Lapua, or Norma, stuff made in North America, is sometimes quite funky for case dimensions.
__________________


There are no absolutes
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 08-14-2020, 05:01 PM
ruffy71 ruffy71 is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 387
Default

Dick can you elaborate on funky dimensions. I am not familiar with PPU. I used to by Norma years ago for my old husqvarna 6.5 but cannot seem to find it anywhere either.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 08-14-2020, 05:10 PM
Tortex Tortex is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 46
Default

x2 on the PPU. You can get their FMJ (138gr??) and SP (140gr) rounds in Calgary at Things Military for $30/box. This is excellent ammo for the price. The brass is very good, should you decide to reload.


Mike
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 08-14-2020, 05:10 PM
elkhunter11 elkhunter11 is online now
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Camrose
Posts: 44,830
Default

Most 6.5x55 loads are pretty anemic, because they are made to be safe in older military rifles. The Hornady Superformance load pretty much duplicates my handloads, for my Tikka and Sako rifles.
__________________
Only accurate guns are interesting.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 08-14-2020, 05:14 PM
Dick284's Avatar
Dick284 Dick284 is online now
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Dreadful Valley
Posts: 14,585
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by ruffy71 View Post
Dick can you elaborate on funky dimensions. I am not familiar with PPU. I used to by Norma years ago for my old husqvarna 6.5 but cannot seem to find it anywhere either.
Some lots of North American made 6.5x55 have been known to have .473”(30-06/308) case head dimensions instead of the correct .479”

Buy European ammo in this cartridge is all I’m saying.
Privi Partisan (PPU) is reasonably priced and of decent quality.

https://www.prvipartizan.com/
__________________


There are no absolutes
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 08-14-2020, 05:25 PM
ruffy71 ruffy71 is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 387
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by elkhunter11 View Post
Most 6.5x55 loads are pretty anemic, because they are made to be safe in older military rifles. The Hornady Superformance load pretty much duplicates my handloads, for my Tikka and Sako rifles.
Where are you buying Hornady Superperformance, I don't recall seeing that and I've checked Cabela's, P&D, and Prophet.

I have an 1940's husqvarna from when I was a teenager, fell in love with the caliber, so now my son's first gun is a Tikka 6.5. Why in the heck did Nosler stop? I can't see how sales could have gone down. I know Creeedmor rules the roost, but have people stopped shooting x 55's?
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 08-14-2020, 05:36 PM
elkhunter11 elkhunter11 is online now
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Camrose
Posts: 44,830
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by ruffy71 View Post
Where are you buying Hornady Superperformance, I don't recall seeing that and I've checked Cabela's, P&D, and Prophet.

I have an 1940's husqvarna from when I was a teenager, fell in love with the caliber, so now my son's first gun is a Tikka 6.5. Why in the heck did Nosler stop? I can't see how sales could have gone down. I know Creeedmor rules the roost, but have people stopped shooting x 55's?
I have seen it advertised, but I have never purchased factory 6.5x55 loads loads myself. I know several people that hunt with the 6.5x55, so it is still being used, but everyone that I know, loads their own.
__________________
Only accurate guns are interesting.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 08-14-2020, 05:48 PM
Hawkeye Hawkeye is online now
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Calgary
Posts: 744
Default

Apparently the North American factory ammo (and likely brass) are made with brass destined for the 30-06 and therefore, slightly undersized. Some people make handloads for 6.5 x 55 SM using 30-06 brass, but other sources say that this is not a good idea as the brass has to stretch to fill the chamber.
Also, as stated, the North American factory ammo is loaded-down but the European stuff would generally be loaded hotter.
That said, my guess is that the Hornady Superperformance would be loaded more like the European stuff.
If you have an old Mauser, the North American stuff (except the Hornady) or modest handloads would be appropriate but if you have a newer rifle, the European ammo, Hornady or appropriately loaded hand loads would be well suited
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 08-14-2020, 06:41 PM
Pioneer2 Pioneer2 is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,336
Default if you reload 6.5x55

RE#22 is your best friend followed by IMR 4350
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 08-14-2020, 11:01 PM
32-40win 32-40win is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Near Drumheller
Posts: 6,733
Default

I would try Calgary Shooting Ctr or Wolverine Supplies in MB, they may have PPU or RWS, Norma, S&B. Another would be Tradexx in Ont or Elwood Epps. Nowadays, ammo is getting to a where you find it, just grab it situation.
__________________
You should also be a member;
CCFR
CSSA
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 08-15-2020, 09:31 AM
huntingfamily huntingfamily is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 321
Default

https://www.nordicmarksman.com/RWS-65x55-DK-91g.html

https://www.tradeexcanada.com/conten...i-139gr-sbpt--
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 08-15-2020, 10:46 AM
Dean2's Avatar
Dean2 Dean2 is online now
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Near Edmonton
Posts: 14,966
Default

Tradex also carries Sellier and Bellot. I have used a lot of the ammo in 7x57 and 7x57R. If is excellent brass, the bullets kill well and in the guns I shot it out of it was hard to make hand loads that were more accurate. At $28 a box, hand loading also isn't all that much cheaper. Buy 20 boxes at once and the shipping is free.


https://www.tradeexcanada.com/conten...ion-140gr-sp--
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 08-15-2020, 10:51 AM
elkhunter11 elkhunter11 is online now
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Camrose
Posts: 44,830
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dean2 View Post
Tradex also carries Sellier and Bellot. I have used a lot of the ammo in 7x57 and 7x57R. If is excellent brass, the bullets kill well and in the guns I shot it out of it was hard to make hand loads that were more accurate. At $28 a box, hand loading also isn't all that much cheaper. Buy 20 boxes at once and the shipping is free.


https://www.tradeexcanada.com/conten...ion-140gr-sp--
The only issue is that if the load doesn't shoot well in the rifle, you are stuck with 20 boxes.
__________________
Only accurate guns are interesting.
Reply With Quote
  #16  
Old 08-15-2020, 10:53 AM
Dean2's Avatar
Dean2 Dean2 is online now
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Near Edmonton
Posts: 14,966
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by elkhunter11 View Post
The only issue is that if the load doesn't shoot well in the rifle, you are stuck with 20 boxes.

No kidding, I kind of thought he would probably buy one box each of Pivi, S&B etc figure out which one shoots good in his gun them get a large order.
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 08-15-2020, 10:58 AM
elkhunter11 elkhunter11 is online now
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Camrose
Posts: 44,830
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dean2 View Post
No kidding, I kind of thought he would probably buy one box each of Pivi, S&B etc figure out which one shoots good in his gun them get a large order.
A good idea if he can find them locally, and avoid shipping.
__________________
Only accurate guns are interesting.
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 08-15-2020, 11:09 AM
Dean2's Avatar
Dean2 Dean2 is online now
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Near Edmonton
Posts: 14,966
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by elkhunter11 View Post
A good idea if he can find them locally, and avoid shipping.

I don't know of anywhere local that carries this ammo. When you figure a box of Lapua is over $100 and Norma is close to that price,, even with shipping it is cheap. There is a guy on the AO buy and sell, selling some Privi and some Hornady for a good price. Doesn't say where he is located though.



http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/showthread.php?t=385665
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 08-15-2020, 11:25 AM
Big Thumper Big Thumper is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,066
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by ruffy71 View Post
My son has a 6.5 x 55.

Until recently we had been exclusively shooting Nosler ammunition but I can no longer find it.
https://store.prophetriver.com/nosle...nd-20ct-60022/
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 08-15-2020, 04:41 PM
ruffy71 ruffy71 is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 387
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Big Thumper View Post
Either my brain is addled or that wasn't there the last time I checked. Likely my brain.

Thank you for all the info. I'll stick with Nosler until I have to switch. We've sited the rifle in with it and shot nothing but Nosler since we bough the gun a few years ago.

I've got all the other options you guys have put out there stored in my addled brain for when the time comes.

Thank you.
Reply With Quote
  #21  
Old 08-15-2020, 04:55 PM
Moosetalker's Avatar
Moosetalker Moosetalker is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 781
Default

https://customhandloader.ca/rifle-ammunition

Could always give this company a try. I reload My own for my eldest daughters Husky.
Reply With Quote
  #22  
Old 08-15-2020, 07:48 PM
David Henry David Henry is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 816
Default

Recently picked up an unfired Ruger 77 Mk 2 in 6.5x55 and was wanting to find 100 or so brass to get started with. I will check into the Privi Partisan stuff as it seems to have a strong following. D.H.
Reply With Quote
  #23  
Old 08-15-2020, 09:34 PM
303 Hunter's Avatar
303 Hunter 303 Hunter is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: East Central Alberta
Posts: 90
Default

Backcountry supplies carries PPU 139 grain sp and Federal Fusion 140 grain ammo, although they are out of stock of the PPU right now.
__________________
Politicians talk about gun control
but they don't say how they are going to take
guns away from criminals only law abiding citizens.
Reply With Quote
  #24  
Old 08-15-2020, 11:46 PM
6.5 shooter's Avatar
6.5 shooter 6.5 shooter is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Medicine Hat
Posts: 4,205
Default

My 6.5x55 loves PPU ammo...and it is good brass for when and if you decide to reload.
__________________
Trades I would interested in:
- Sightron rifle scopes, 4.5x14x42mm or 4x16x42mm
especially! with the HHR reticle. (no duplex pls.)
- older 6x fixed scopes with fine X or target dot.
Reply With Quote
  #25  
Old 08-16-2020, 08:25 AM
303 Epps 303 Epps is offline
 
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 98
Default

If you want to buy 6.5 x 55 local to Edmonton, CX Shooters in Morinville has the PPU, and Swamp Donkey has the Sellier and Bellot. Both places are very reasonably priced.
Reply With Quote
  #26  
Old 08-16-2020, 11:12 AM
Dean2's Avatar
Dean2 Dean2 is online now
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Near Edmonton
Posts: 14,966
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by 303 Epps View Post
If you want to buy 6.5 x 55 local to Edmonton, CX Shooters in Morinville has the PPU, and Swamp Donkey has the Sellier and Bellot. Both places are very reasonably priced.

That is great info, thanks. I never think of CX even though they are fairly close to me. PPU ammo is very good stuff, used a lot of it hunting in Europe.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 08:39 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.5
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.