6.5x55 enough for whitetail with a CB

[richbug]

Lyman's guide say bullets of 30 caliber and over are suitable for game. I have a really nice 1916 Carl Gustaf Mauser I'd like to use at least once.

I have a Lyman 266469, what alloy? How fast do they need to go to upset? I know accuracy is the big thing. I would think given the length of this bullet that it would upset easily, and cause a decent would channel.

Thoughts? Whitetails around these parts top out at 175-200#, I like shooting yearlings as they taste better, usually in the 100-125 pound range.

[jhalcott]

Since My 7TC/U has been used on several white tails in that range, I can see no problem using a 6.5x 55 Mauser on them. As to an alloy for deer, probably wheel weights straight or mixed with pure. I have used Lyman #2 alloy(BHN16) and had lots of penetration. I use a heavy for caliber bullet when ever possible. As caliber goes up this seems to be less important due to an increase in recoil. 500 grain 458 dia bullets hurt on both ends!

[waksupi]

I've shot a couple good size bucks with the 6.5X55, at around 1700 fps. Good wound channel. Just put them in the right place, and you are good to go!

[6pt-sika]

Never fired a 6.5x55 Swede . However I have killed a couple truckloads of deer with the 260 REM , although they were all killed with jacketed bullets .

I have never considered the 260 for cast bullets . But I do have a 25-36 Marlin that I shoot cast RN GC bullets in that are in the 115 grain range . And at some point I plan on taking at least one WT with this combo . I am also intrested in trying the 32-20 with the Lyman 115 grain FP GC bullet as well .

I do however have reservations about using them over say 80-90 yards . That just may be me , but thats the limit I set for myself.

[Glen]

My 6.5x55 shoots cast bullets quite nicely, but due to the very fast twist I only get best accuracy at about 1600 fps or below. For hunting deer I would either use the 266469 HP cast to a BHN of about 12, or the 266469 RN cast to a BHN of about 8 or 9 (16.0 grains of 4198 works very well for me).

[Bret4207]

I'd say cast them soft and aim to break the shoulders. The 6.5 should do that without trouble. Yeah, you lose a teeny bit of meat, but without a FN or HP or real good tracking skills I think you should try and stop the deer right there. Break both shoulders, he drops and then a humane finish is easy, neck shot high up.