6.5x55 ammo

6.5×55 ammo — the 6.5×55 Swedish (also called 6.5×55 SE) — is the original 6.5mm success story, a mild-recoiling, deadly-accurate cartridge that has taken game in Scandinavia for well over a century and proved the long-range virtues of the 6.5 bore generations before the Creedmoor. Dating to 1894, it drives high-BC .264-inch bullets at moderate velocity for excellent accuracy and clean kills on deer and moose with gentle recoil. This page covers what it’s good for and how it compares to the modern 6.5s.

Tatted Tacticals stocks 6.5×55 Swedish from Federal, Hornady, Nosler, and Prvi Partizan — 120- to 140-grain hunting and match bullets, in boxes and bulk.

What the 6.5×55 Does Best

The 6.5×55 is a flat-shooting, low-recoil hunting cartridge with a legendary reputation for accuracy. A 140-grain bullet near 2,600 fps offers a high ballistic coefficient, mild recoil, and the deep-penetrating performance that made it a Scandinavian standard for everything from roe deer to moose. It’s proof that the 6.5 bore’s wind-bucking, easy-shooting qualities are nothing new. Note that some factory loads are kept mild for vintage military rifles — modern rifles can handle warmer loads. Our 6.5×55 ballistic data guide has full numbers.

6.5×55 vs. 6.5 Creedmoor and .260

The 6.5×55 is the grandfather of the modern 6.5s. Ballistically it’s very close to the 6.5 Creedmoor and .260 Remington — in fact it has slightly more case capacity — though the Creedmoor enjoys far wider ammo and rifle availability today. The 6.5 PRC steps up to magnum velocity, and the .308 offers heavier bullets. Standards follow SAAMI specifications.

Buying 6.5×55

Federal law sets the minimum age for rifle ammunition at 18; per ATF guidance, confirm federal rules and review our ammunition shipping rules and state restrictions before ordering.

6.5×55 Ammo — Frequently Asked Questions

Is 6.5×55 SE the same as 6.5×55 Swedish?

Yes. 6.5×55 SE, 6.5×55 Swedish, and 6.5×55 Swede are all names for the identical cartridge. The “SE” is a Scandinavian designation, and the names are used interchangeably on ammo boxes. Any rifle chambered for one fires all of them. It’s the original Swedish/Norwegian military 6.5mm cartridge from 1894.

What is 6.5×55 comparable to?

It’s most comparable to the 6.5 Creedmoor and .260 Remington — all flat-shooting, mild-recoil 6.5mm cartridges with similar trajectories and energy. The 6.5×55 actually has slightly more case capacity, but the Creedmoor offers far wider modern ammo and rifle availability. In performance the three are near twins.

Is 6.5×55 better than 6.5 Creedmoor?

Ballistically they’re nearly identical, with the 6.5×55 holding a slight case-capacity edge. The practical difference favors the Creedmoor for ammo selection, rifle availability, and short-action compatibility. The 6.5×55 wins on heritage and works beautifully in its classic rifles. Neither is clearly superior on performance — it comes down to your rifle and ammo access.

What is 6.5×55 good for?

Deer, antelope, and even moose hunting, plus target shooting — its mild recoil, accuracy, and deep-penetrating 6.5mm bullets make it a superb medium-to-large game cartridge, as a century of Scandinavian use attests. It’s an excellent low-recoil hunting round, equally at home in vintage military rifles and modern sporters.

Can you buy 6.5×55 ammo online?

Yes. In most U.S. states you can buy 6.5×55 online and have it shipped to your door. The minimum age for rifle ammunition is 18, and some states and municipalities add restrictions or shipping limits, so confirm your state and local laws before ordering.