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Old November 10, 2007, 04:28 PM   #1
Big Dog
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Do you have a load for 139g - 6.5??

Guys I'm not sure that many of you in the States use 6.5s but if you do I would love some help.

Today I bought 100 Lapua 6.5/ 139g/ HPBT which I hope to use for deer stalking in my 6.5x55.

I have the "Modern Reloading" manual by Lee.

I have H-Varget extreme power.

PROBLEM, there is no load data for 6.5 with 139g in Varget in my Lee manual.

My question:
Do any of you have a load for Varget power with a 6.5 x 139g HPBT???

If so min to max would be great as in the manual.
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Old November 10, 2007, 04:56 PM   #2
VaFisher
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Off their site for 140 gr. starting loads.

140 GR. SPR SP 140 Varget .264" 3.030" 32.5 2312 37,500 CUP 36.0 2528 46,000 CUP

http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp
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Old November 10, 2007, 05:13 PM   #3
Wildalaska
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My best groups with the 139 scenar is with RL22...44 grains in surplus swedes and 47 grains in a Blaser.

What kind of rifle you using?

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Old November 10, 2007, 05:42 PM   #4
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My rifle is a 6.5x55 Steyr Pro-Hunter with SS barrel.

I know there is data for the 140g sp in Varget but I don't know how to judge the power when dropping 1g bullet weight.

Although I haven't openned the power yet I bought it to do my 6.5 and my .222. I am new to this and it can be a bit scary when you don't see a load to suit the power and pill choice.

Help welcome

Thanks
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Old November 10, 2007, 06:07 PM   #5
Wildalaska
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I use the same data for 140SMKs and 139 scenars and they perform almost idnetically.

Make sure you have porper OAL and start low with the 140 datas., you wont have a problem.

Shooten em in the pickets are ya? or head?

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Old November 10, 2007, 09:35 PM   #6
Schmeisser
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One thing is for sure: you'll never be happy with 139s pushed by Varget. This powder is simply a tad too fast for this bullet weight. Nevertheless, many Germans and Scandinavians are very happy with VV N 140 (36 ... 38 grs) although it is not much slower. My advice: try a slow powder which fills the case well and burns up by 98 - 100%, something like RL 22. Today, I worked up a new load, using 139 Scenars pushed by Norma MRP (the parent of RL 22). The initial load of 44.1 grs, intended as a fouler only, produced a 5 shot group of less than a nickel's diameter. If your rifle has a long barrel (e.g. 29.1" like my m/96), you may reach a second sweet spot on the upper end of the ladder - 46.8 grs in this case.
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Old November 10, 2007, 09:53 PM   #7
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Varget is the wrong powder.

Look at using H4831SC. Start maybe 45gr and work up.
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Old November 11, 2007, 10:46 AM   #8
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Thanks for the advice guys it is appreciated.

I have some problems with the abreviations in my Lee manual:

E.g Am I right to assume that OAL or Min OAL means the Over All Length of the cartridge with the bullet fitted??

If that is the case then why is there different lengths for different bullet weights and powers??

At the bottom of each page in the Lee manual is a "C" which says = Compressed charge and come after the power weight e.g. 22.2c power??

Also the press unit has PSI and CUP?? what do these mean?
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Old November 11, 2007, 01:25 PM   #9
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You need to measure your own OAL in conjuction with the magazine, but never go below the min OAL in the books (bullet and cartridge)

In my Blaser the OAL of my 139 gr rounds is 3.1...Lapua published OAL (max) is 3.150 which is what I load in my Swede M41B

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Old November 14, 2007, 07:25 AM   #10
Big Dog
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Schmeisser what calibre of rifle are you shooting the 139g from?

My local dealer has H4831, N160

I will edit this post.
I have just gone down to my dealer and purchased the H4831

I will keep the Varget for my .222 Rem and the H4831 for my 6.5x55 SM.

I hope to load some up at the weekend so I will post results when I v'e got some.

In the mean time thanks for your comment and support.
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Last edited by Big Dog; November 14, 2007 at 08:23 AM.
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Old November 27, 2007, 02:31 PM   #11
Big Dog
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Ok loaded up the following:

.222 I loaded up to the recommeded max of 25g Varget and this was a lot better than 23g - 3/4 or 1" group. I did have some 23g left on Saturday at the range and with less distraction etc the group within 25-30 mm. Now I will work my way up from 23g and get the best groups. I think it will be around 24g or 24g+.

6.5x55 best load was 45g H4831 and this grouped 3/4 to 1" at 100yrds. Two holes touching and one a wee bit higher. Not bad now will adjust to get better.

Problem: the bullet heads are very easy moved the brass not tight enough. I think I stated this earlier. I want to play around with the neck sizer a bit.

Question: will it help if I set the decaper up a bit so the brass goes up into the sizer more???

Can't wait to test more. Going deer stalking next week for sika does. I have just bought some Lapua 155g sp for the job so this Saturday will be zeroing in for the heavier pill.
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