I shoot the 6.5x55 and am always tickled to death with it's performance. I don't have a chrono, so can't speak to velocity, but I have 3 drop-where-they-were-shot kills on whitetails at ranges from 75 to 130 yds. I read E.A. Browns technical papers and found that I totally agree with this one: Report 3 I think he's on to something with the "hang-time" explanation. He's trying to sell his BRM cartridges, but totally convinced me to go with the 6.5 Swede. With the 140gr bullets, my practical range is at least 200 yds and I, being a Louisiana woods hunter, rarely see things farther away. I've been so please with this round that I'm thinking of taking it black bear hunting if I can round-up the doe for a fall hunt.