Hi Daryl,

I´ve got a M38 Swedish-Mauser with 23,5" barrell and a hunting-stock.
First I shot the 139gr. Hornady Spirepoint loaded with 39gr. Rottweil R907. Often the lead disapear from the buillet-coat.
Than I shot the 156gr. Norma PPC Vulcan with a load of 45gr Rottweil R905. The coat or the lead were to hard for row-deers and wild-boars. Most of these games had a weight between 20 an 100lbs.
These good penetration-buillet was made for moose in northern Europe.
Than I changed to the 120gr. Nosler Ballistic-Tip with a load of 38gr. Kemira N550. Was the PPC Vulcan to hard for 20-100lbs wild-boars, the Ball.-Tip was to soft. Lots of bloody meat-parts were the results.
Now I shoot the 156gr. Norma Alaska. But till doday I haven´t shoot a game with that load.
A good buddy of me shoot since years, with good results the 140gr. Nosler Partition.

The 6,5x55 needs long barrells to burn the slow powders. When the barrel-length is under 24" dont use the slowes one like IMR 4831, Rottweil R905, MRP or N160. The next faster powders like Rottweil R904, N205/204 or N150 are the better choise. Every 2" shorter barrell use the one class faster burning powders.

regards
Manolito