19 of 38 6.5x55 Swedish factory loads carry 1,000 ft·lb and expansion velocity for whitetail deer; the best reach 700 yd (Norma 143 gr Bondstrike). Ranked, with the drop chart for each.
| Load | gr | Max ethical yd | MV fps | 500 yd ft·lb | Shoulder shot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norma 143 gr Bondstrike | 143 | 700 | 2,723 | 1,305 | yes |
| Hornady Superformance 140 gr SST | 140 | 550 | 2,735 | 1,146 | behind the shoulder only |
| Federal 140 gr Power-Shok JSP | 140 | 450 | 2,650 | 923 | behind the shoulder only |
| Federal 156 gr Fusion | 156 | 450 | 2,500 | 989 | yes |
| Nosler Expansion Tip 120 gr E-Tip | 120 | 450 | 2,756 | 968 | yes |
| Nosler Trophy Grade 140 gr AccuBond | 140 | 450 | 2,600 | 995 | yes |
| Federal 140 gr Fusion | 140 | 400 | 2,530 | 831 | yes |
| Norma 120 gr Ecostrike | 120 | 400 | 2,822 | 820 | yes |
| Norma 140 gr Tipstrike | 140 | 400 | 2,592 | 847 | behind the shoulder only |
| Winchester 140 gr Power-Point | 140 | 400 | 2,550 | 853 | behind the shoulder only |
| Lapua 156 gr Mega (E471) | 156 | 350 | 2,559 | 732 | behind the shoulder only |
| Norma 93 gr Evostrike | 93 | 350 | 3,281 | 702 | yes |
| Norma 120 gr ODIN | 120 | 350 | 2,822 | 728 | behind the shoulder only |
| Remington 140 gr Pointed Soft Point Core-Lokt | 140 | 350 | 2,550 | 826 | behind the shoulder only |
| Norma 156 gr Oryx | 156 | 300 | 2,493 | 622 | yes |
| Norma 156 gr Vulkan | 156 | 300 | 2,493 | 635 | behind the shoulder only |
| Norma Oryx Silencer 156 gr | 156 | 300 | 2,559 | 663 | yes |
| Norma 156 gr Whitetail SP | 156 | 250 | 2,526 | 472 | behind the shoulder only |
| Lapua 140 gr Naturalis (N563) | 140 | 200 | 2,625 | 334 | yes |
| Lapua 144 gr MaxRange Target (MaxRT) (GB582) | 144 | wrong bullet | 2,740 | 1,381 | behind the shoulder only |
| Lapua 123 gr Scenar (GB489) | 123 | wrong bullet | 3,015 | 1,276 | behind the shoulder only |
| Norma 130 gr Diamond Line moly HPBT | 130 | wrong bullet | 2,953 | 1,323 | behind the shoulder only |
| Norma 143 gr Golden Target HPBT | 143 | wrong bullet | 2,657 | 1,239 | behind the shoulder only |
| Lapua 120 gr Scenar-L (GB547) | 120 | wrong bullet | 3,018 | 1,187 | behind the shoulder only |
| Lapua 136 gr Scenar-L (GB546) | 136 | wrong bullet | 2,674 | 1,101 | behind the shoulder only |
| Lapua 139 gr Scenar (GB458) | 139 | wrong bullet | 2,625 | 1,119 | behind the shoulder only |
| Norma 130 gr Diamond Line moly HPBT | 130 | wrong bullet | 2,756 | 1,129 | behind the shoulder only |
| Norma 130 gr Golden Target HPBT | 130 | wrong bullet | 2,723 | 1,098 | behind the shoulder only |
| Lapua 123 gr Scenar (GB489) | 123 | wrong bullet | 2,723 | 1,008 | behind the shoulder only |
| Lapua 108 gr Scenar (GB464) | 108 | wrong bullet | 2,950 | 963 | behind the shoulder only |
| Lapua 120 gr Scenar-L (GB547) | 120 | wrong bullet | 2,723 | 932 | behind the shoulder only |
| Winchester USA 140 gr Full Metal Jacket | 140 | wrong bullet | 2,550 | 955 | behind the shoulder only |
| Lapua 120 gr TRX TrueRange Expanding (N583) | 120 | wrong bullet | 2,766 | 847 | behind the shoulder only |
| Norma 124 gr Jaktmatch FMJ | 124 | wrong bullet | 2,690 | 625 | behind the shoulder only |
| Lapua 100 gr Scenar (GB504) | 100 | wrong bullet | 2,657 | 639 | behind the shoulder only |
| Norma Range & Training 124 gr FMJ | 124 | wrong bullet | 2,625 | 589 | behind the shoulder only |
| Norma Golden Target 100 gr HP Rekrutt HPBT | 100 | wrong bullet | 2,657 | 515 | behind the shoulder only |
| Lapua 100 gr FMJ (S341) | 100 | wrong bullet | 2,723 | 350 | behind the shoulder only |
The 1,000 ft·lb deer figure traces to Townsend Whelen and is the one everyone repeats; Hawks puts the floor nearer 800. An 8–10″ heart/lung zone. Legal: CO: 1,000 ft·lb at 100 yd · SD: 1,000 ft·lb at muzzle. Floor used: 1,000 ft·lb at impact plus the bullet's published expansion velocity. Orange = a target or varmint bullet (construction, not energy); red = never carries the energy. Sources: www.outdoorlife.com, www.petersenshunting.com, chuckhawks.com.