6.5x55...anybody recommend a good hunting load?

[boomer mooner]

Just bought a 6.5 Swede last week. I'm fairly new to reloading and so far have just reloaded handgun rounds, mostly 9mm. It seems like the 6.5 Swede would be great caliber to reload for, especially since I have one now.
The rifle I bought has a FN Mauser 98 large ring action with a fairly new Parker Hale barrel. I have a Swaro 3x9 to mount on it but I haven't yet. This is my new deer rig and was hoping someone here might be able to steer me in the right direction to work up a good hunting round.

 

[MoBoost]

http://www.okcgunclub.org/military/mb/6.5x55.html

 

[ragsflh]

140 gr,h 4831 42.5 to 47 gr.,,rl 22 44 to 46.5,h 4350 -39.5 to44gr ,,w760 37.5 to41.5.see what gun likes

 

[boomer mooner]

Thanks for the replies gents.

 

[Rick W]

The last time I hand loaded for my 6.5 X 55, I used 42 gr of IMR 4895, and a Hornady 140 gr sp bullet.
That shot to the same point of impact as the Federal factory ammo I had been using.
I also shot a deer at about 100 yds with the handloaded ammo. I hit it high in the chest on the side, and the bullet went completely through without expanding.
My brother-in-law had previously hit it low in the chest with his .30-30. After I shot it too,it ran quite a ways before he found it.
Rick W

 

[boomer mooner]

That's discouraging since that's the very bullet I was looking to use. I don't suppose you know what kind of muzzle velocity you were getting with this load?

 

[Rick W]

I don't know what the muzzle velocity was. I didn't chronograph it, and I don't have a reloading manual to estimate it.
The first deer I shot was with the 6.5 and factory ammo. I hit it in the neck at about 50 yds. The bullet hit the spine, and expanded quite well. It was a one-shot kill.
I think the load I was using for the second deer was adequate. I just need to shoot better!
Rick W

 

[ASP785]

130 grn Barnes TSX. I have never had a Barnes fail to expand on me. For hunting they are worth every penny.

 

[boomer mooner]

Thanks for the posts. I'll try the TSX.

 

[338Shooter]

I use 41gr of H4350 and the 140 A-Max in my Swede.