6.5 x 55 handloads 156 gr oryx

[swedehog]

Does anyone have any favorite loads for the 6.5 x 55? I am particularly interested in loads developed for 156 grain Norma Oryx. I am shooting a Sako
AV.
Thanks.

[Ursus horribilis]

Check out http://www.norma.cc/
Usally the best load for your rifle will be found in the rather narrow span given in this table.
Have fun,
Ursus Horribilis

[Roman Knoll]

From powders available in Scandinavia I would suggest Norma MRP or Vihtavuori N560. Norma MRP_2, new magnum powder is bit to slow to get top velocities for 6.5 (above 2600 f/s). Maybe compressed, but I never tried.

Slow powders is a must for 6.5x55. This an overbore cartridge.

I don't know where you are located but if in US then getting Norma or Vihtavuori may be difficult. I would suggest following US-made powders (some starting charges/expected velocities aprox):


Ramshot Magnum (Big Boy) 47.0 grains / 2500 f/s
PB Clermont PCL 517 47.0 grains/ 2500 f/s
IMR 7828 44.0 grains/ 2500 f/s
Alliant Reloder-22 44,0 grains/ 2500 f/s
Winchester WXR 44,0 grains/ 2500 f/s

Anyway, you'll get best results with Norma MRP. In perfectly safe load you should be able to do slightly over 2600 f/s. That's what I got from 22" barrel

Hope it helps

Roman

[swedehog]

Thanks for the response. I finally got to the range this weekend and got good results with :
1. 40.5 gr of IMR 4350 156 grain Oryx ( 2.5" 5 shot group- probably me or the stiff crosswind or both )
2. 42.7 gr of IMR 4350 140 gr Sierra Gamekings (sub moa 3 shot group)

Roman you are right, I do live in the southern part of the U.S. and do not know where to buy Norma or Vihtavuori, the IMR 4350 is a slow powder and almost fills the case, but not quite.

[mtnbkr]

My favorite load is a 140gr Gameking over 36gr of Varget. It doesn't come close to filling the case, but it's been the most consistent and accurate load for my gun. I haven't shot it at 100yds yet, but it's been well under .5" at 50yds (my longest indoor range). Half of the groups have been under .3" @ 50yds.

4350 worked well, but wasn't quite as tight grouping as Varget. I shot a couple half MOA groups with RL22, but it wasn't consistent at all (groups ranged from 1.5" to .5" at 100yds).

I couldn't get my gun to group with 120gr bullets. I'm trying 160gr bullets next.

Chris