6.5x55 Swede load for Bobcat?

azsixshooter

azsixshooter

New member
I got a CZ 550 American in 6.5x55 SE for mainly Antelope hunting and target shooting but I like pred-calling a lot and I'm planning to invest in reloading equipment after a bow hunt I'm going on at the end of the month.

I'm wondering if any of you happen to know of a load for the Swede that wouldn't be too explosive on Bobcat but would still get the job done. All I have right now are some Federal 140gr @ 2600 fps and some 139gr FMJ surplus stuff I got in a battle pack. An old trapper/pred hunter I know said I'd probably be okay with the 140gr soft points, he said they'd probably just zip right through a Bobcat and wouldn't be too bad. My only other rifle (other than my 10/22) is a 17HMR that I've been using with 20gr XTPs and promising myself I'd pass on any shot outside of 70 yards.

Thanks for any advice on this, eventually I'm planning to pick up a Savage 110 in .223 Remington and I think that should fill in this gap I've got here pretty well. But that will probably have to wait until next year since all the reloading equipment will set me back a bit. Until then I was thinking I might be able to hand-load something that will do a fair enough job.
 
Sierra has some 85 gr hp and hornady has an 95 gr v-max. Hornady also has an 100 gr sp. These are some of the loads I was thinking of trying. I am still trying to make a scope mount for my mauser, so I haven't got to try reloading for it. I ain't to fast of a cartridge, so the hp or v-max might get a little more penetration before blowing up. All I really can tell you is it sounds like a good excuse to go call some yotes and try the loads on them.
 
I would listen to that old trapper/predator hunter, he's giving you good advise. I would not use the FMJ's. They may very well be illegal for hunting, many states restrict FMJ's from hunting use for humane and safety reasons. The big game softpoints will do less damage than the lightweight varmint bullets. Bobcats aren't all that tough and their hide is fairly fragile so a quick expanding bullet that doesn't stay inside the animal can cause a pretty large tear in the hide. It'd be hard to keep a 6.5mm bullet inside a bobcat, so I'd stay with a heavier weight and tougher constructed bullet. Try to place that carefully to avoid the shoulder and it may turn out alright for you.
 
Try the ulta cheap Remington PSPCL (protected soft point) bullets. Bet a 140 grainer would be just right for your purpose.
 
I'd also recommend a stout big game bullet, like a 140 gr soft point, or maybe a 120 or 130 gr TSX. I have a 95 gr Vmax load worked up for my own 6.5x55mm, but I expect it would absolutely destroy a bobcat.
 
That's great, thanks for the good advice guys. I'll stick to these 140 gr. soft points until I get set up for reloading then I'll look into those Remington PSPCL bullets and the lighter ones mentioned. I was thinking about something like the 108 grain Scenars over a moderate charge. I've never heard of those PSPCL's before so I'll go have a look at them.

I figured that FMJ stuff would be illegal to hunt with, I don't even buy the FMJ for my 17HMR. Too bad though, I shot a 6 round 2.5" group yesterday at 200 yards with them. Pretty good for 50 cents a piece.
 
You must be kidding? I shoot them with a 22 mag and it makes a mess. They aren't that big and you are going to have to take a trip to the next county to find the pieces to sew together with a 6.5 Swede. I would use a 20gr 17HMR round, they won't go anywhere after that hits them.
 
Hey Juliang, based on your location, you could go up the road, buy a Barrett and try that out on bobcats! Just kidding. Don
 


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