Rifle is Remington 700 Classic 6.5x55 Swedish 1:8 twist.
This is a knock around Hog and Deer lease hunting rifle. I shoot the s&*%t out of it. My usual ammo is the cheap PPU 139s SP. It is not the greatest ammo, but has done me well for low recoil and it's purpose on typical Texas game at short range. With an hunt that is coming up and from what I have available I am considering one of two Swift options to sight in this rifle. Game hunted will include Sambar Deer which are a little smaller than Elk and could present a little farther shot than I usually use this rifle for. What better place to ask for opinions than here with all the ammo and reloading techies(I'm not) in this forum. Which would you choose between these two only and why?


130 Grains
Muzzle Velocity
2709 Feet Per Second
Muzzle Energy
2118 Foot Pounds
Bonded Polymer Tip
Swift Scirocco II

140 Grains
Muzzle Velocity
2550 Feet Per Second
Muzzle Energy
2021 Foot Pounds
Bonded Round Nose
Swift A-Frame

What do you consider a little farther shot? Both are great bullets but if the range is not so great that 140 A-Frame is losing too much velocity I would choose it just for the extra 10g.

With my old ammo almost all shots have been under 100 yards, occasionally no farther than 200 yards. I'm guessing "a little farther out" would not likely be more than 250 yards. I'll be doing two or three different days of warm up shooting at various distances out to 300 yards.

Wow if that’s factory ammo that’s some weak sauce!

I’ve seen sirrocos expand to large diameters and stay together basically bullet looks like a quarter, sounds good but limits penetration. I’d prefer the A-frame but at those velocities question it’s ability to expand.

The Swift A-Frame is a good bullet, and is almost identical to the Nosler Partition. That is a great choice. The Scirocco's have been a finicky bullet to dial in for me, so they typically don't get the nod for my first choice. But it's a decent bonded bullet once on target. I'd lean towards the 140 A-frame.

My barrel is 22" so these numbers are probably lower in my rifle.

Just did some looking up on those choices and I would go with the Siroccos of those 2 loads, at those velocities it is not going to turn inside out and will expand about half way down the shank or a little further so should work very well for intended purpose. The A-Frame would certainly penetrate but afraid it would not expand much at 200+ yard velocity

A lot of the 6.5X55 is loaded to lower pressure / velocity considering there still are those using Mausers from 120 years or more ago. Loaded up in a modern action like the 700 to its normal operating pressures for that size cartridge and it would be more.

Of the two I would say the A-Frame
Why? Well although the Scirocco is a super well built “tipped and bonded” bullet, I have had it flat out not shoot worth a flip in several rifles. However I have seen it shoot well in others so it is just a personal observation.
Like mentioned earlier the A-Frame is a partition type bullet that would be super on larger than whitetail species.

I'd go the 140 gr A-Frames. My Swedes almost always prefer the longer bullets.

Thanks for the help in choosing between these two. For any inquiring minds on my choice. I am trying out the Scirocco round at the range, but not for the hunt I mentioned. Rest of the story is I had found I only had 8 rounds left for my 300 wby. Originally having a case of 300wby ammo, I had no idea I was into my last box already. That left me with 5 rounds after a three round check at the range. Though I had to order the last box each from two different sources I was able to get two boxes of current 180gr norma oryx bonded for the 300 in time to do some sight in and shooting with it. So the 6.5 is only going to be a backup rifle now for this hunt and only on whitetail or smaller game after that. If I only had the 6.5 to take, I probably would have gone with the more expensive A frame because of the 400-500lb Sambar opportunity.