The 6.5 x 55 Swedish is a centerfire rifle cartridge standardised by SAAMI in ANSI/SAAMI Z299.4. SAAMI sets its maximum average pressure at 51,000 psi, and measures its reference velocities in a 24.000 in standard test barrel rifled 1 turn in 8.00 in. This guide sets out SAAMI’s published reference velocity for each bullet weight, computes the muzzle energy each one carries, and compares the 6.5 x 55 Swedish with the 6.5 Creedmoor on the same basis.
6.5×55 ballistics chart: SAAMI reference data
SAAMI publishes one nominal mean instrumental velocity for each reference bullet weight, measured at 15 feet from the standard test barrel. It does not publish energy, so the ft-lb column is computed. Where SAAMI lists more than one velocity for a weight, both ends of the span are shown.
Scroll the table sideways for the remaining columns.
| Bullet weight | Reference velocity | Computed muzzle energy |
|---|---|---|
| 129 gr | 2,750 fps | 2,166 ft-lb |
| 140 gr | 2,690–2,940 fps | 2,249–2,687 ft-lb |
Manufacturer-published loads
SAAMI’s figures above are the shared reference. The tables below are different data: what each manufacturer publishes for a specific load we stock, taken from that maker’s own page for the item number shown. Each maker chooses its own test barrel, so its figures can differ from SAAMI’s reference velocity for the same bullet weight and should not be laid directly beside another brand’s.
Scroll the table sideways for the remaining columns.
| Load | Item no. | Bullet weight | Bullet | Muzzle velocity | Muzzle energy | Ballistic coefficient | Test barrel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lapua Scenar | 4316031 | 108 gr | Scenar | 2,950 fps | Not published | 0.465 G1 | 29″ |
| Nosler Expansion Tip | 40015 | 120 gr | Expansion Tip | 2,756 fps | 2,024 ft-lb | Not published | Not published |
| Sellier And Bellot SP | SB6555A | 131 gr | SP | 2,602 fps | 1,969 ft-lb | 0.389 G1 | 23 ½” |
| Lapua Scenar | 4316030 | 139 gr | Scenar | 2,625 fps | Not published | 0.578 G1 | 29″ |
| Federal Jacketed Soft Point | 6555B | 140 gr | Jacketed Soft Point | 2,650 fps | 2,183 ft-lb | .438, drag model not stated | Not published |
| Hornady SST® | 85507 | 140 gr | SST® | 2,735 fps | 2,325 ft-lb | .520 G1 | 24″ |
| Sellier And Bellot SP | SB6555B | 140 gr | SP | 2,602 fps | 2,104 ft-lb | 0.417 G1 | 23 ½” |
| Norma SP | 20166622 | 156 gr | SP | 2,526 fps | 2,211 ft-lb | 0.276 G1 | 24″ |
Scroll the table sideways for the remaining columns.
| Load (test barrel) | Muzzle | 100 yd | 200 yd | 300 yd | 400 yd | 500 yd | 600 yd | 800 yd | 1000 yd |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lapua 108 gr (29″) | 2,950 fps | 2,748 fps / 1,811 ft-lb | 2,550 fps / 1,560 ft-lb | 2,358 fps / 1,333 ft-lb | Not published | Not published | 1,832 fps / 805 ft-lb | 1,521 fps / 555 ft-lb | 1,238 fps / 367 ft-lb |
| Nosler 120 gr (barrel not published) | 2,756 fps / 2,024 ft-lb | 2,568 fps / 1,758 ft-lb | 2,389 fps / 1,520 ft-lb | 2,216 fps / 1,308 ft-lb | 2,050 fps / 1,120 ft-lb | 1,892 fps / 954 ft-lb | 1,743 fps / 809 ft-lb | Not published | Not published |
| Sellier And Bellot 131 gr (23 ½”) | 2,602 fps / 1,969 ft-lb | 2,374 fps / 1,640 ft-lb | 2,159 fps / 1,356 ft-lb | 1,956 fps / 1,112 ft-lb | 1,762 fps / 903 ft-lb | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Lapua 139 gr (29″) | 2,625 fps | 2,473 fps / 1,886 ft-lb | 2,325 fps / 1,667 ft-lb | 2,183 fps / 1,469 ft-lb | Not published | Not published | 1,786 fps / 983 ft-lb | 1,545 fps / 736 ft-lb | 1,332 fps / 547 ft-lb |
| Federal 140 gr (barrel not published) | 2,650 fps / 2,183 ft-lb | 2,450 fps / 1,865 ft-lb | 2,258 fps / 1,585 ft-lb | 2,075 fps / 1,338 ft-lb | 1,900 fps / 1,122 ft-lb | 1,736 fps / 937 ft-lb | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Hornady 140 gr (24″) | 2,735 fps / 2,325 ft-lb | 2,563 fps / 2,041 ft-lb | 2,397 fps / 1,786 ft-lb | 2,237 fps / 1,556 ft-lb | 2,084 fps / 1,350 ft-lb | 1,937 fps / 1,166 ft-lb | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Sellier And Bellot 140 gr (23 ½”) | 2,602 fps / 2,104 ft-lb | 2,390 fps / 1,776 ft-lb | 2,189 fps / 1,489 ft-lb | 1,998 fps / 1,241 ft-lb | 1,816 fps / 1,025 ft-lb | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published |
Scroll the table sideways for the remaining columns.
| Load (zero) | 0 yd | 50 yd | 100 yd | 200 yd | 300 yd | 400 yd | 500 yd | 600 yd | 800 yd | 1000 yd |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lapua 108 gr (100 yd zero) | Not published | Not published | 0 in | −3 in | −11 in | Not published | Not published | −78 in | −173 in | −328 in |
| Nosler 120 gr (100 yd zero) | −1.5 in | Not published | 0 in | −3.8 in | −13.7 in | −30.6 in | −55.9 in | −90.8 in | Not published | Not published |
| Sellier And Bellot 131 gr (100 yd zero) | Not published | −0.3 in | 0 in | −4.2 in | −15.9 in | −36.6 in | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Lapua 139 gr (100 yd zero) | Not published | Not published | 0 in | −4 in | −15 in | Not published | Not published | −94 in | −200 in | −365 in |
| Federal 140 gr (100 yd zero) | Not published | −0.1 in | 0 in | −4.3 in | −15.5 in | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Hornady 140 gr (200 yd zero) | −1.5 in | Not published | +1.9 in | 0 in | −8 in | −22.9 in | −45.9 in | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Sellier And Bellot 140 gr (100 yd zero) | Not published | −0.3 in | 0 in | −4.1 in | −15.5 in | −35.6 in | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published |
What the numbers mean for a shot
SAAMI lists two reference bullet weights for the 6.5 x 55 Swedish, 129 and 140 grains. The lighter, 129 grains, is listed at 2,750 fps, which computes to 2,166 ft-lb. The heavier, 140 grains, is listed at 2,690–2,940 fps, which computes to 2,249–2,687 ft-lb.
SAAMI lists more than one reference velocity for 140 grains. Its own note says this is because a weight can carry several introductions meeting different market needs, such as reduced-recoil loads, or because propellant and loading advances allowed higher velocities after the original load appeared.
None of this is a downrange figure. SAAMI measures at 15 feet, so retained velocity, energy and drop depend on the bullet’s ballistic coefficient, which SAAMI does not publish. Each product in our 6.5×55 ammo range lists whatever its maker publishes for that item.
Twist rate, chamber and pressure
SAAMI’s standard test barrel for the 6.5 x 55 Swedish is 24.000 in long and rifled 1 turn in 8.00 in, with a .2650 in groove diameter. That is the barrel every reference velocity above was measured in, not a statement about your rifle: a shorter production barrel will usually give lower velocity, and a twist slower than a bullet needs will not stabilise it. The maximum average pressure is 51,000 psi. Fire 6.5 x 55 Swedish ammunition only in a firearm chambered for it. Several unrelated cartridges share a number, so match the full designation on the box to the marking on your barrel.
6.5×55 vs 6.5 Creedmoor: the SAAMI comparison
A figure from one maker’s catalogue cannot be laid beside a figure from another’s: each picks its own test barrel, zero and bullet, and many publish no test barrel at all. SAAMI is the shared basis, because it fixes one standard test barrel and one way of measuring velocity for every cartridge it lists.
Scroll the table sideways for the remaining columns.
| SAAMI specification | 6.5 x 55 Swedish | 6.5 Creedmoor |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum average pressure | 51,000 psi | 62,000 psi |
| Standard test barrel length | 24.000 in | 24.000 in |
| Test barrel twist rate | 1 turn in 8.00 in | 1 turn in 8.00 in |
| Test barrel groove diameter | .2650 in | .264 in |
| Lightest reference load | 129 gr — 2,750 fps / 2,166 ft-lb | 95 gr — 3,300 fps / 2,297 ft-lb |
| A weight both list | 140 gr — 2,690–2,940 fps / 2,249–2,687 ft-lb | 140 gr — 2,690 fps / 2,249 ft-lb |
SAAMI standardises the 6.5 x 55 Swedish at 51,000 psi and the 6.5 Creedmoor at 62,000 psi, so the 6.5 x 55 Swedish runs 11,000 psi lower. At 140 grains, a weight both list, SAAMI’s 6.5 x 55 Swedish reference velocity is up to 2,940 fps (2,687 ft-lb computed), against 2,690 fps (2,249 ft-lb) for the 6.5 Creedmoor. On that row the 6.5 x 55 Swedish carries the more energy.
What SAAMI cannot settle is anything past the muzzle. It publishes no ballistic coefficients and no downrange data, so it cannot say which cartridge shoots flatter at distance; that depends on the bullet. We stock the other side of this comparison too: 6.5 Creedmoor ammo.
6.5×55 ballistics questions
What is the maximum pressure of the 6.5 x 55 Swedish?
ANSI/SAAMI Z299.4 sets the maximum average pressure for the 6.5 x 55 Swedish at 51,000 psi.
What twist rate and barrel length does SAAMI use for the 6.5 x 55 Swedish?
SAAMI’s standard test barrel for the 6.5 x 55 Swedish is 24.000 in long and rifled 1 turn in 8.00 in. Your own rifle may differ.
What muzzle velocity do manufacturers publish for the 6.5 x 55 Swedish?
For the 8 loads we stock from Lapua, Nosler, Sellier And Bellot, Federal, Hornady and Norma, the makers publish muzzle velocities from 2,526 to 2,950 fps, for bullet weights from 108 to 156 grains. Each maker measured its own load in its own test barrel, so these are not SAAMI reference figures and are not directly comparable between brands.
What bullet weights does SAAMI list for the 6.5 x 55 Swedish?
SAAMI lists 2 reference weights, from 129 to 140 grains: 129 and 140.
Is the 6.5 x 55 Swedish more powerful than the 6.5 Creedmoor?
Power is not a SAAMI measure, but reference muzzle energy is a fair proxy. At 140 grains, a weight both list, SAAMI’s 6.5 x 55 Swedish reference velocity is up to 2,940 fps (2,687 ft-lb computed), against 2,690 fps (2,249 ft-lb) for the 6.5 Creedmoor.
What is the effective range of the 6.5 x 55 Swedish?
Effective range is not a SAAMI specification and it is not a measured figure. SAAMI measures velocity at 15 feet, so it says nothing about performance at distance; that depends on the bullet and the shooter.
How much does the 6.5 x 55 Swedish drop at 300 yards?
SAAMI publishes muzzle velocity only, so it cannot give a drop figure. Drop depends on the bullet’s ballistic coefficient and on the zero range. A drop figure is unusable without its zero, so use the figure a maker prints for the specific load.
Where to buy these loads
Hilltop Armory carries 6.5×55 ammunition from Lapua, Nosler, Prvi Partizan, Sellier And Bellot, Norma and Swift High Grade Dangerous Game Hunting. Browse the full 6.5×55 ammo range.
