6.5 x 55 takes big bull

Tikkam65 · Jan 18, 2015

LAST EDITED ON Jan-19-15 AT 00:41AM (MST)[p]LAST EDITED ON Jan-19-15 AT 00:41?AM (MST)

My little 6.5 x55 takes this bull at 400 yards taken by

Www.riflecaddy.com

Gator · Jan 19, 2015

Nice looking Bull.

"I have found if you go the extra mile it's Never crowded".
>[Font][Font color = "green"]Life member of
>the MM green signature club.[font/]

Zeke · Jan 19, 2015

It's not MY first choice for an elk round but it seemed to work just fine on your big bull! Big critters still have to be hit right, regardless of the cartridge, and you obviously did your part. Well done!
Congratulations on a fine trophy and thanks for sharing.
Zeke

2lumpy · Jan 19, 2015

I've been using a 6.5 284 Norma, as of late. i am stunned at the force with which that small caliber hits meat and bone, you could have never convinced me without having seen it with my own eye, (I only have one good one) on numerous occasions. I've shot some small stuff over the years and never could get warmed up to small caliber rifles, but the 6.5 is different, or so it seems to me. Soft, soft, soft recoil and a super hard hitting, deep penetrating, bone busting caliber.

I don't know enough physics to know why, but I'm betting there is something strange going on with that caliber that I don't understand. It's seems like a freak to me.

I've put down a fair number of elk over the years, after what I've seen, I wouldn't hesitate a second to hunt elk with mine.

Good looking bull, congratulations.

DC

desertpointbrian · Jan 19, 2015

I have taken a few elk with my 6.5 284. And I am in the same boat I am amazed at the damage this caliber is capable of. It has dropped elk dead In their tracks my longest shot at 450. It took one shot and that cow took a dirt nap. What a great caliber imo

desertpointbrian · Jan 19, 2015

LAST EDITED ON Jan-19-15 AT 07:02PM (MST)[p]And it is alot funner to shoot than my 300 ultra mag

deerslayer88 · Jan 19, 2015

Where are all those naysayers now that a big bull was taken with the 6.5x55? I have been talking up this call for awhile now and no one complaining now that a huge bull was taken with it. The ballistic coefficient with this caliber is amazing to say the least.

?If men were angels, no government would be
necessary.? John Adams

BIGJOHNT · Jan 20, 2015

LAST EDITED ON Jan-20-15 AT 08:31AM (MST)[p]LAST EDITED ON Jan-20-15 AT 08:30?AM (MST)

No surprise . Poachers have been killing elk with 22 long rifles and other big game for years. You just got to hit them in the right spot. But then again hit them in the wrong spot and you'll be wishing you had that 300 RUM. ;-)
Huge bull?

ArrowheadWy · Jan 20, 2015

It looks like a Rosevelt Bull?

desertpointbrian · Jan 20, 2015

>LAST EDITED ON Jan-20-15
>AT 08:31?AM (MST)
>
>LAST EDITED ON Jan-20-15
>AT 08:30?AM (MST)
>
>No surprise . Poachers have been
>killing elk with 22 long
>rifles and other big game
>for years. You just got
>to hit them in the
>right spot. But then again
>hit them in the wrong
>spot and you'll be wishing
>you had that 300 RUM.
>;-)
>Huge bull?
What difference is a 300 rum going to make if you hit one in the wrong place. Intrigued

BIGJOHNT · Jan 20, 2015

Texas heart shot !

Hit it in the shoulder with a 6.5. or a 300 RUM? Which would you like to drive threw a elk shoulder to get to the vitals .

Weiserbucks · Jan 20, 2015

Something else to consider is that Europeans have been using the 6.5x55 almost exclusively on moose for decades . Most of their shots are pretty close but the little 6.5 has a well earned reputation for putting big critters on the ground . Just some food for thought . . . . .

Zeke · Jan 20, 2015

The 6.5 does enjoy a nice SD and a high BC. This contributes to it's success.
I could have killed my moose with my "triple deuce" this year but had the .338 WM ready but the "sharp stick" got the job done.
Like I said, it's not MY first choice but I have no issues if it's used by another sportsman.
Jack O'Conner always said you usually end up killing with whatever gun you hunt with.
Zeke

deerslayer88 · Jan 20, 2015

I wish I had time to go back to the other post and show you what some guys were saying about 6.5 vs even deer. My go to rifle has continued to be the 30-06 not because I don't love my 6.5x55 or my 32 W.S. (my two fav calibers), its the rifle I have the most trigger time behind so I know where to aim plain and simple. I honestly wish I would have got used to the 6.5 sooner because for what it does it kicks like a 22 LR and is a beauty to shoot.

?If men were angels, no government would be
necessary.? John Adams

Tikkam65 · Feb 1, 2015

It's because of the sectional density
I have shot 7 animals in 2 years all have had large exit wounds
It kills way better than both my 3006 and 308
I even like it better than my 7 mm mag .
This bull was at 400 yards
I can be pin point accurate

Tikkam65 · Feb 1, 2015

I'm running this 6.5 x55 super hot
I'm pushing 3050 out of a 26 inch bull barrel
And at 1000 yards im pushing 960 ft lbs of energy
That's not far off of a 300 win Mag

We built this gun around a 140 and the target of 1000 ft lbs at 1000 yards

Tikkam65 · Feb 1, 2015

No he's a rocky bull
About 327 in size
2 Bulls came off this cut 2 days apart
Wait till you see what www.riflecaddy.com
Brings in 2015

Zeke · Feb 2, 2015

LAST EDITED ON Feb-02-15 AT 10:55AM (MST)[p]""""Never say anything negative about a guy's wife or his rifle regardless of the truth""""!

It's certainly a great bore size, since you've got to have a hole down the barrel to call it a rifle anyway, but it's not magic so let's not make it out as such.

The Slight BC edge is not really helpful until shots exceed 6-700 yards. This puts any minuet advantage beyond the reach of most hunters anyway.

Most guys are great at reading ballistic charts but damn few have the moxie or skill to differentiate between .435 and .600 in the real world.

While sectional density aids in penetration, the actual construction of the bullet is by far more critical than SD and those who worry most about SD & BC usually worry the least about proper construction.

There's nothing wrong with a 6.5 (my longest elk kill was with one) but it's not the only great caliber.... as thousands of dead elk can attest. Let's not make it out to be something it isn't! Remember, you'll kill with whatever you use.

My 2 cents based on the "real world",
Zeke

deerslayer88 · Feb 2, 2015

Zeke,

I want to say great post

. I know I have forgotten a time or two to explain that the edge on the 6.5's is all in the 500+ range and anything lower a good ole 308, 30-06 or any other does just fine, also great point on the bullet selection. Another key factor in any great shot. All around great write up and as I have said just because something works wonders for me and I have a fondness for it doesn't mean its right for you. Oh and Zeke good luck in the draw this year hope to see more photos come Nov-Dec

?If men were angels, no government would be
necessary.? John Adams

REDDOG · Feb 3, 2015

Someday the more astute might put 2 and 2 together and figure out RPM matters..and that 6.5's are fast twist by default.SD means nothing,bullet construction does.

Put a 9 twist on a 270 and watch it become "magical" like the 6.5's.

BPKHunter · Feb 6, 2015

While I agree a well constructed 140gr bullet started at 3050fps can handle an elk out to 400yds, I wouldn't argue, or even highlight as you have here, that a 6.5x55 is a strong option for elk. It is an option. As are many others.

All things being equal, when it comes to bullets that fly well, the 7mm bullets are better. Plus I would argue that a 6.5x55 would not be a likely candidate to push a 140gr bullet at 3050, even out of a 26" barrel, certainly not at safe pressures. Of course you may have a fast barrel.

Nice elk!