My preferred pronghorn antelope (Antilocapra americana) hunting cartridge is 6.5x55 SE (Swedish Mauser), which is suitable for about any larger game. I shoot a Sierra 120gr Spitzer Pro-Hunter bullet in front of 40.1gr Varget, and get terrific accuracy:



Four of these animals have been taken with this rifle+load. My rifle is a Cooper Arms M22 Phoenix. See: http://www.cooperfirearms.com/rifles.php?rifle_name=phx

Here is a photo of my rifle, taken right after I finished mounting its scope, which is a Leupold VX-III 4.5-14x40mm LR:



I'd be interested to hear from others who use this cartridge, and specifically what bullet brand/weight they use, and what rifle.

Here is some history about this cartridge: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/6.5x55

Now you're talkin'! One of my very favorite cartridges...and I really don't know why! The action needed for it is standard, so it ain't really "compact"...or "light". The velocities are enemic compared to a 264 Winchester Magnum (which is the same bullet diameter) and energy is just "so-so"!
So: Why the love? Because, like my 257 Roberts it just plain "does the job". Anyone in the family can shoot it, as the recoil and noise is easy on the shoulder and ears. It will drop anything at reasonable ranges that you are hunting (with appropriate bullets and loads).
Unlike Ken, I don't own a "one-holer" in this caliber. I have owned them. I sold off one of "2" SAKOs ever imported by Stoeger in 6.5X55mm made up as what they called a "Handy Carbine". But a "Bateau Matte". The "Handy Carbine" came in a SAKO "Finnbear" (long) action with a factory McMillan black glass stock and a medium-heavy contoured "stainless" barrel. I had it topped off with a straight 7X 56mm Kahles scope with 26mm rings. Someone needed it more than me...Gone!! I regret selling it but I do that a lot. The groups were almost as good a that Cooper. Mine was a repeater. I know a good many of the Cooper rifles are single-shot, hence another reason for their exceptional accuracy.
I've also had a Ruger M-77 in 6.5 that shot about an inch and half on a good day. A Husquevarna (spelling?) "Mauser-styled" bolt that was a little better and a Remington #700 "Classic" that shot less than an inch.
Currently I own a Steyr "Mountain Carbine" in 6.5. It is very lightweight, with a 20" barrel and synthetic stock, which is adjustable for length of pull, via removable spacers between the recoil pad and stock. It shoots 1/2" all the time with factory Winchester 140 gr. PSP ammo! Elizabeth uses it to terminate whitetails! Outstanding rifle! With the Fuginon 3-9X scope it's as versatile as you can imagine. Cannot address the lighter 120's in it. When I get down to that weight I usually use my "Roberts".
Best, Capt. Chris
PS: Here's Elizabeth with a 125 lb. whitetail doe shot with the 6.5mm. Here first deer!...CCS

As many here already know, I'm able to post photos but not "multiple photos. I have to put this one up so you folks can appreciate what a 6.5 will do at 160 yards on a nice-sized whitetail. Take a look at this exit wound! (or not...if you're squeamish)
Best, Capt. Chris

If anyone is considering a caliber, in a centerfire rifle, for everyone in the family, think about the 6.5. Be sure not to get 6.5X55mm Swedish Mauser mixed up with 6.5X54mm Mannlicher/ Schoenauer. The 2 are entirely different cartridges.
Bottom line: Elizabeth is 5" 7" and weighs 120 pounds. The end result, posted in this photo, is what hunting, shooting and the great outdoors is all about. You couldn't "slap" the smile off of her face!
Best, Capt. Chris

That sounds like a good cartridge. I'm not a reloader; what's available in factory ammunition?

Everybody loads for it these days. Norma has the most unique loading for it. It is a 156 grain heavy round nose, jacketed soft point that "really" stomps when it hits! Of course, with that heavy tip and it's shape it's much more of a 200 yard and closer pick than the others. Some of the others are 139 and 140 grain in a variety of tips...ballistic, power point, etc. A 120 is available and I believe Norma (or somebody) loads a 100 grain also.
A lot of these loads will not group in some rifles as the twist rates are designed to shoot and perform best with others. My Steyr measures a 1-10 rate of twist. Ken's "Cooper" may have a 1-12, 1-14, etc. as many Coopers are set up for lighter tips. I'm sure he'll let you know. I once sold a Cooper in 257 Roberts because it would not shoot a group in your hat! Well: Actually it came with a test target (a one-holer) shot with 62 or 72 grain handloads. I shoot 115, 117 and 120 grain in 257 Roberts for whitetail and hogs. I don't shoot a Roberts for that type of game (pronghorn, etc. with light tips) so I sold it.
Remington, Federal, Winchester, Norma and even my local favorite firm, Georgia Arms all offer factory loading for the 6.5. Most factory specs show a 140 grain bullet at 2500-2600 F.P.S. and about 2000 foot lbs. of energy at the muzzle. Hope this helps.
Best, Capt. Chris

It's been edited to 2000 foot pounds, Ken. What is your rifle's twist rate?
Best, Capt. Chris

It is one turn in nine inches.

That would explain such good groups with 120's. I wish the Roberts I had would have had a tighter twist. I'd probably still own it.
Best, Capt. Chris

In terms of hunting photos, here are my 2006 through 2009 pronghorn antelopes that were taken in the NE corner of Wyoming using my M22 Phoenix chambered in 6.5x55 SE using the one-hole handload:

2006:



2007:



2008:



2009 (it was snowing):

Sorry to necropost, but when I stumbled onto this subject I had to post to it.

Here is the custom rifle I built for my project in Gunsmithing School. It was a military '98 Mauser from WWI with a Shilen 26" 1-8" twist 5 1/2 contour CM Match barrel, Vais muzzle brake, Timney Deluxe trigger, Fajen Claro Walnut stock, and a Burris 4 - 16x Signature series scope. After a lot of research on what cartridge to use for my custom project rifle, which I started off wanting to be in .25 caliber originally, I decided on the 6.5 x 55 Swedish Mauser Ackley Improved.

I always buy Norma ammo for fire forming at gun shows because the case head diameter is the correct European size, and not the .30-06 American size used here by ammo manufacturers.





A couple of shots of the rifle without muzzle brake (so it fits in my safe):







The muzzle cap:





The Vais muzzle brake:

Nice rifle, Rob! And a great cartridge too.

We should have a classic cartridges thread.