The 6.5x55 is the defacto standard in Europe, they hunt everything up to moose and red stag with it. It's the European 30-06 so to speak. For deer and black bear the 140 gr bullets will work just fine out to as far as you can shoot. The M96 open sights went up to 600 meters and if not mistaken the M38's went to 400 meters ( don't quote me on that though ). For dense brush the 160 gr rn from Hornady is more than adequate. For factory loaded ammo the swede is loaded light in deference to the many M93/95 actions in circulation. For good hunting loads look to S&B which are loaded hotter and Norma ( probably the best factory hunting ammo available) the Norma ammo is rather pricey though.