Ammo Reports Team
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Primary Use | Target shooting, training and plinking |
| Bullet Type | Full Metal Jacket Boat Tail (FMJBT) |
| Bullet Weight | 139 gr |
| Case | Brass (long-action cartridge) |
| Primer | Boxer (Large Rifle) |
| Packaging | 20 rounds per box |
| Typical Price | $33.99/box – $1.70/round |
| Closest Competitors | Sellier & Bellot 140 gr FMJBT; PPU 139 gr SPBT as a hunting counterpart |
Official Specs
| Specification | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Prvi Partizan (PPU) | Manufacturer |
| Cartridge | 6.5×55 Swedish Mauser | Manufacturer |
| Product Line | Metric Rifle | Manufacturer |
| Bullet Type | Full Metal Jacket Boat Tail (FMJBT) | Manufacturer |
| Bullet Weight | 139 gr | Manufacturer |
| Manufacturer SKU | PP6SWF | PPU official product data |
| UPC | 8605003812715 | PPU / verified distributor data |
| Muzzle Velocity | 2,540 fps | PPU official ballistics |
| Muzzle Energy | 1,991 ft-lbs | PPU official ballistics |
| BC G1 | 0.522 | PPU official ballistics |
| BC G7 | – | Not found in verified official manufacturer sources |
| Case Material | Brass | Manufacturer / verified product data |
| Primer | Boxer (Large Rifle) | Manufacturer / verified product data |
| Reloadable | Yes | Boxer-primed brass case |
Source labels identify the verified origin of each value. Missing official manufacturer values are left blank rather than estimated.
Ballistics Table
| Distance (yd) | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lbs) | Trajectory (in) | 10 mph Wind Drift (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 2540 | 1991 | -1.5 | 0.0 |
| 100 | 2375 | 1744 | 0.0 | 0.7 |
| 200 | 2220 | 1522 | -5.3 | 2.9 |
| 300 | 2070 | 1323 | -17.7 | 6.9 |
| 400 | 1916 | 1133 | -36.4 | 12.6 |
| 500 | 1776 | 974 | -65.8 | 20.5 |
| 600 | 1644 | 834 | -106.3 | 30.6 |
| 700 | 1520 | 713 | -159.7 | 43.2 |
PPU manufacturer velocity and energy data is shown through 300 yards, with the manufacturer’s 100-yard-zero trajectory values at 100, 200 and 300 yards. The muzzle trajectory, all wind drift values and the 400- through 700-yard rows are calculated references from the official 2,540 fps muzzle velocity and 0.522 G1 BC.
Key Takeaway
PPU Metric Rifle 139 gr FMJBT is a target and training load, not an expanding hunting load. PPU officially publishes 2,540 fps muzzle velocity, 1,991 ft-lbs muzzle energy and a 0.522 G1 BC.
The 6.5×55 Swedish Mauser — Why This Cartridge Still Matters
The 6.5×55 Swedish (also designated 6.5×55mm SE) was jointly developed by Sweden and Norway in 1891 for military service and has remained in continuous production for over 130 years. Its combination of a long, high-BC 6.5mm projectile with moderate case capacity gave it inherent accuracy and mild recoil long before those qualities became fashionable in modern precision rifle cartridges. The cartridge is chambered in original Swedish Mauser rifles (Model 1894, 1896, 1938), Norwegian Krag-Jørgensen variants, and a wide range of modern bolt-action sporters. One important technical note: original Swedish Mauser actions were designed for lower maximum pressures (approximately 51,000 psi CUP) than modern SAAMI-spec chambers. PPU loads this cartridge to standard pressure levels appropriate for modern rifles; shooters using original vintage actions should verify pressure compatibility with a qualified gunsmith before use.
Best Uses
Good fit:
- High-volume range sessions and target practice where FMJ construction is required or preferred
- Military surplus and vintage Swedish Mauser rifle owners seeking affordable practice ammunition
- Competitive shooters using the 6.5×55 in service rifle or vintage military rifle matches
- Zeroing and function-testing rifles chambered in 6.5×55 before transitioning to premium loads
- Jurisdictions or ranges that mandate full metal jacket projectiles
Not the right tool for:
- Hunting — FMJ bullets are illegal for taking game in most U.S. states and many international jurisdictions, and are not designed for reliable terminal expansion
- Long-range precision work where a published and verified ballistic coefficient is essential for accurate firing solutions
- Shooters using original low-pressure Swedish Mauser actions without first confirming safe pressure compatibility
- Applications requiring lead-free or frangible projectiles for compliance with range or environmental regulations
Reliability Notes
No structured submissions yet.
Based on manufacturer claims and open-source information, PPU (Prva Partizanska Ustanova) is a Serbian manufacturer with decades of experience producing military-specification and commercial ammunition. The company is known for consistent brass case quality and Boxer-primed construction that supports reloading. Open-source feedback from military surplus rifle communities generally describes PPU 6.5×55 as producing consistent chamber function across a variety of bolt-action platforms, including vintage Swedish Mausers and modern sporters. No recurring failure modes specific to this load have been identified in available sources. All notes here come from manufacturer claims or open sources, not structured data collected by this database.
Competitors
| Load | Weight | Bullet | Muzzle Velocity | BC G1 | Best Distinction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PPU Metric Rifle 139 gr FMJBT | 139 gr | FMJ Boat Tail | 2,540 fps | 0.522 | Closest same-purpose PPU load |
| Sellier & Bellot Rifle 140 gr FMJBT | 140 gr | FMJ Boat Tail | 2,582 fps | 0.491 | Published G1 and G7 values |
| PPU Metric Rifle 139 gr SPBT | 139 gr | Soft Point Boat Tail | 2,540 fps | 0.491 | Same weight hunting counterpart |
| Sellier & Bellot Rifle 131 gr SP | 131 gr | Soft Point | 2,602 fps | 0.389 | Lighter hunting counterpart |
Price Reality
- At $33.99 per box of 20, the per-round cost is $1.70/round, which sits in the mid-tier range for factory 6.5×55 ammunition
- Sellier & Bellot’s comparable 140 gr FMJ-BT frequently appears at $28–$32/box, making it the primary budget alternative at roughly $0.15–$0.30 less per round
- Federal American Eagle 6.5×55 typically runs $36–$42/box, placing this PPU load below that benchmark
- Premium precision loads such as Lapua Scenar command $55–$70/box — appropriate for competition but not justified for range training
- A fair price for this load is $30–$36/box; paying above $38 for a single box of FMJ practice ammunition in this caliber would be above market rate unless supply is constrained
- Case pricing (when available) typically offers modest savings; verify current case availability and per-round pricing before committing to bulk purchase
Prices change. Check the Where to Buy block for current listings.
Where to Buy
PPU Metric Rifle 6.5x55 Swedish 139 Gr FMJ BT 20 Rounds (Box)
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FAQ
What exact factory load does this report cover?
PPU Metric Rifle 6.5×55 Swedish Mauser with a 139 gr FMJBT bullet, SKU PP6SWF and UPC 8605003812715.
What ballistics does PPU publish?
PPU lists 2,540 fps muzzle velocity, 1,991 ft-lbs muzzle energy and a 0.522 G1 BC, with manufacturer trajectory data through 300 yards.
Is this FMJBT load intended for hunting?
No. It is intended for target shooting, training and plinking. Choose a legal expanding hunting bullet for game.
Which table rows are official manufacturer data?
PPU velocity and energy through 300 yards and its 100-yard-zero trajectory at 100, 200 and 300 yards are official. The remaining cells are identified calculated references.
Is this ammunition appropriate for a vintage Swedish Mauser?
Have any vintage firearm inspected by a qualified gunsmith and use ammunition appropriate for that specific rifle. Condition and chamber dimensions must be checked individually.
