Finicky 6.5 Swed

paknheat · December 27, 2006, 01:27 PM

I have been trying to work up a load for a little 6.5 Swed carbine. It has a 18'' barrell and is based on a '96 Mauser action. I would like to use the Hornady 129 gn bullet. Powders i have already tried are h-414 , Varget, and H-4831sc. Anybody have any pet loads in this caliber that have provided consistant results?

tINY · December 27, 2006, 01:58 PM

18" is a bit short for 6.5x55.

Try some slower powders anyway. RL-19 and IMR4895 come to mind.

Have you played with seating depth?

You did glass bed the action and free-float the barrel, right?

-tINY

paknheat · December 27, 2006, 02:38 PM

Afirmitive, i have'nt tried any 4895 yet. IMR-4895 works well in my 8mm Mauser, but only for the 125gn bullets.

Wildalaska · December 27, 2006, 02:47 PM

RL 22 is the powder of choice for swedey, use 140s

Wild6.5Alaska

archeomania · December 27, 2006, 06:25 PM

+1 for the RL-22. That is definitely the powder that the Swede prefers. All my best loads have been with that powder. I have also had success with Varget.

paknheat · December 27, 2006, 08:44 PM

Thanx for the input , this little rifle was a project rifle that a friend built. Most load data i have found for the swed usually relies on a 20'' or longer barrell.I know this thing is capable of really great accuracy, for when i sighted it in,i used a box of PMC 139gn factory ammo and it gave MOA @ 100yds. Has anyone tried this round with H-4350, i just picked a can of this up and am going to try it , as well as some IMR-4895.

Pthfndr · December 29, 2006, 09:46 PM

Another RL22 user here. It's what Swedes like.

Wildalaska · December 30, 2006, 02:21 AM

RL 22 as I understand it is an updATED VERSION of the original swede military powder

WildiircAlaska

Schmeisser · December 30, 2006, 10:28 PM

+1 for RL 22. Fine powder. But you'll use it to fertilize your garden with once you've experienced the accuracy of N 140 (w/ 139/140/144 grs bullets).

archeomania · December 31, 2006, 11:59 PM

Quote:

+1 for RL 22. Fine powder. But you'll use it to fertilize your garden with once you've experienced the accuracy of N 140 (w/ 139/140/144 grs bullets).

So what is your load data using N140. I would be willing to give that a try. I find it hard to believe it could beat RL-22 but I will give it a try.

Schmeisser · January 1, 2007, 12:53 PM

@archeomania:

WARNING: Vihtavuori does NOT recommend N 140 anymore for 140++ grs bullets.
NEVERTHELESS: In Europe very many Swede shooters use this powder and attain a surprising accuracy with it. I've seen it myself and talked to a number of them. They mostly use 140 grs bullets w/ 36 to 37 grs N140, COL about 3.150" or less.

I'll study how I can attach an image and post an example of my OCW test.

paknheat · January 1, 2007, 01:01 PM

Cool, i'd like to see it myself. would'nt the slower burning powders not perform well due to this rifle having a short barrell?

Schmeisser · January 1, 2007, 02:59 PM

Here we are:
100 yds from the sandbag over iron sights, under rain & wind (hence the flyer):

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g8...III/L373-1.jpg

The two neighboring groups looked almost the same. As I said: This is MY load, developed for MY rifle.

paknheat · January 1, 2007, 03:03 PM

not to bad, what kind of iron sights are you using? Also what is the velocity of your pet load

Wildalaska · January 1, 2007, 03:10 PM

I got this thing about reloading...if a powder manufacturer says no, dont use it, I dont care who does it anyway. Your posting of a load thats directly against an manufacturers reccomendation is seriously wrong.

The rest of the post of how wonderful n140 vis a vis rl22 is is just silly.

WildyoushouldedityourpostAlaska

**44 AMP** · January 4, 2007, 01:09 AM

I have had good results with IMR 4320 as well. But each rifle is different. Yours may or may not like a particular powder. Or it may be indifferent. Rifles are funny that way. My Swede is the long rifle (29" bbl), but I did have a carbine (18", I think) many years ago.

They do seem to shoot best with the 140, and the 160gr FMJ RN does pretty well also, accuracy wise, if you can get them. Many of the Swedes don't shoot their best with lighter bullets.

One more thing, I can't remember about the carbine, but the rifles are "battle sight zero" for about 300 meters. Anything closer, and they tend to shoot high. One fix is to replace the front sight. Replacements in different heights are available. Most of us just learn to hold under a bit.

Thanks for the info about RL 22. I haven't tried it yet, but the next batch I load, I will.

mete · January 4, 2007, 04:39 AM

I always used 4350 when used to load my 6.5 and I used a 140 gr bullet.Better than 1 MOA with my custom M98.

Foxman · January 4, 2007, 05:33 AM

+1 on Wildalaskas advice. RL22 or Vit N560 both work well a little more velocity with the 560 as it is a double base powder, the Hornady 140sp does very well in mine, with either above powders and Federal match primers it will give between .25- .5 groups at 100 yds, depending on the shooter.
Use the powder manufacturers advised loads, they change things from year to year, for many reasons. So use an uptodate manufacturers manual and stick to their advice.

paknheat · January 4, 2007, 09:24 PM

I got some sierra 140gn BTSP to try out with the H-4350.Hopefully this will work.

December 27, 2006, 01:27 PM	#1
paknheat Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2006 Location: East Texas Posts: 334	Finicky 6.5 Swed I have been trying to work up a load for a little 6.5 Swed carbine. It has a 18'' barrell and is based on a '96 Mauser action. I would like to use the Hornady 129 gn bullet. Powders i have already tried are h-414 , Varget, and H-4831sc. Anybody have any pet loads in this caliber that have provided consistant results?

December 29, 2006, 09:46 PM	#7
Pthfndr Senior Member Join Date: June 19, 1999 Location: Sierra Nevada Mtns, CA Posts: 320	Another RL22 user here. It's what Swedes like. __________________ Proud Parent of a United States Marine, and a CA gun owner.

January 1, 2007, 01:01 PM	#12
paknheat Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2006 Location: East Texas Posts: 334	Cool, i'd like to see it myself. would'nt the slower burning powders not perform well due to this rifle having a short barrell? Last edited by paknheat; January 1, 2007 at 02:33 PM.

January 4, 2007, 01:09 AM	#16
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,817	One other I have had good results with IMR 4320 as well. But each rifle is different. Yours may or may not like a particular powder. Or it may be indifferent. Rifles are funny that way. My Swede is the long rifle (29" bbl), but I did have a carbine (18", I think) many years ago. They do seem to shoot best with the 140, and the 160gr FMJ RN does pretty well also, accuracy wise, if you can get them. Many of the Swedes don't shoot their best with lighter bullets. One more thing, I can't remember about the carbine, but the rifles are "battle sight zero" for about 300 meters. Anything closer, and they tend to shoot high. One fix is to replace the front sight. Replacements in different heights are available. Most of us just learn to hold under a bit. Thanks for the info about RL 22. I haven't tried it yet, but the next batch I load, I will. __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

January 4, 2007, 05:33 AM	#18
Foxman Senior Member Join Date: August 13, 2005 Posts: 466	+1 on Wildalaskas advice. RL22 or Vit N560 both work well a little more velocity with the 560 as it is a double base powder, the Hornady 140sp does very well in mine, with either above powders and Federal match primers it will give between .25- .5 groups at 100 yds, depending on the shooter. Use the powder manufacturers advised loads, they change things from year to year, for many reasons. So use an uptodate manufacturers manual and stick to their advice. __________________ Better the man suspected of being a fool keep his mouth shut, than to open it and remove all doubt.

December 27, 2006, 01:58 PM	#2
tINY Senior Member Join Date: April 26, 2005 Location: Orygun Posts: 2,589	18" is a bit short for 6.5x55. Try some slower powders anyway. RL-19 and IMR4895 come to mind. Have you played with seating depth? You did glass bed the action and free-float the barrel, right? -tINY

December 27, 2006, 02:38 PM	#3
paknheat Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2006 Location: East Texas Posts: 334	Afirmitive, i have'nt tried any 4895 yet. IMR-4895 works well in my 8mm Mauser, but only for the 125gn bullets.

December 27, 2006, 02:47 PM	#4
Wildalaska Junior member Join Date: November 25, 2002 Location: In my own little weird world in Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 14,172	RL 22 is the powder of choice for swedey, use 140s Wild6.5Alaska

December 27, 2006, 06:25 PM	#5
archeomania Junior Member Join Date: August 29, 2006 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 11	+1 for the RL-22. That is definitely the powder that the Swede prefers. All my best loads have been with that powder. I have also had success with Varget.

December 27, 2006, 08:44 PM	#6
paknheat Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2006 Location: East Texas Posts: 334	Thanx for the input , this little rifle was a project rifle that a friend built. Most load data i have found for the swed usually relies on a 20'' or longer barrell.I know this thing is capable of really great accuracy, for when i sighted it in,i used a box of PMC 139gn factory ammo and it gave MOA @ 100yds. Has anyone tried this round with H-4350, i just picked a can of this up and am going to try it , as well as some IMR-4895.

December 30, 2006, 02:21 AM	#8
Wildalaska Junior member Join Date: November 25, 2002 Location: In my own little weird world in Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 14,172	RL 22 as I understand it is an updATED VERSION of the original swede military powder WildiircAlaska

December 30, 2006, 10:28 PM	#9
Schmeisser Member Join Date: November 14, 2005 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 52	+1 for RL 22. Fine powder. But you'll use it to fertilize your garden with once you've experienced the accuracy of N 140 (w/ 139/140/144 grs bullets).

January 1, 2007, 12:53 PM	#11
Schmeisser Member Join Date: November 14, 2005 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 52	@archeomania: WARNING: Vihtavuori does NOT recommend N 140 anymore for 140++ grs bullets. NEVERTHELESS: In Europe very many Swede shooters use this powder and attain a surprising accuracy with it. I've seen it myself and talked to a number of them. They mostly use 140 grs bullets w/ 36 to 37 grs N140, COL about 3.150" or less. I'll study how I can attach an image and post an example of my OCW test.

January 1, 2007, 02:59 PM	#13
Schmeisser Member Join Date: November 14, 2005 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 52	Here we are: 100 yds from the sandbag over iron sights, under rain & wind (hence the flyer): http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g8...III/L373-1.jpg The two neighboring groups looked almost the same. As I said: This is MY load, developed for MY rifle.

January 1, 2007, 03:03 PM	#14
paknheat Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2006 Location: East Texas Posts: 334	not to bad, what kind of iron sights are you using? Also what is the velocity of your pet load

January 1, 2007, 03:10 PM	#15
Wildalaska Junior member Join Date: November 25, 2002 Location: In my own little weird world in Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 14,172	I got this thing about reloading...if a powder manufacturer says no, dont use it, I dont care who does it anyway. Your posting of a load thats directly against an manufacturers reccomendation is seriously wrong. The rest of the post of how wonderful n140 vis a vis rl22 is is just silly. WildyoushouldedityourpostAlaska

January 4, 2007, 04:39 AM	#17
mete Senior Member Join Date: June 14, 2004 Location: NY State Posts: 6,575	I always used 4350 when used to load my 6.5 and I used a 140 gr bullet.Better than 1 MOA with my custom M98.

January 4, 2007, 09:24 PM	#19
paknheat Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2006 Location: East Texas Posts: 334	I got some sierra 140gn BTSP to try out with the H-4350.Hopefully this will work.