The Ultimate 6.5x55 Load Thread - Page 3

ojibweindian · July 3, 2010, 11:43 AM

I just recently bought a "sporterized" M96. It's not actually too bad a job. Anyway, I've a bunch of RL-19 and Winchester Supreme 780. Will be testing RL-19 tomorrow, 42.5 - 44 grains of RL-19 using a Hornady 140 grain Interlock. At some point, I'll start work developing a load using 780.

Should be interesting. I'll report my results tomorrow, after returning from the range.

COMike · July 5, 2010, 01:10 PM

I have a CG sporter. I have absolutely no idea of what model it started off as. Year on action is stamped 1916.

Am assuming most of these were fairly similar in their actions and barrels. Mine has a "new" military barrel for whatever that is worth. Slightly used maybe less than 1,000 rounds counts as new... who knows.

From what I read here, twist rate on these are all 7.5 to 1? With the rifling starting out so far on these military barrels, is there a load for a varmint round that will work? I understand these rifles were made to shoot longer bullets like in the 140 g size. I have a box of Sierra 1700's which are 85 g HP but think these may be too small to work as they can't be seated close enough to the rifling.

Any thoughts or help would be really appreciated.

Mike

COMike · July 5, 2010, 01:20 PM

Just another note as I am surprised at how different some factory loads will shoot.

I have a Williams peep on this rifle. 15 years ago when I had it made I also had better eyes, now I am rethinking putting some optics on it.

At any rate. I had 2 boxes of Norma 155 g ammunition that I shot yesterday. At 200 yards this rifle was able to keep the shots in a group of about 1.25". I picked up a box of Imperial 160 g ammunition which someone told me were made in Denmark? I have no idea but they were not even on paper. I was thinking *** is up with this? Could the factory loads be that much different? I guess they were...
The Imperial ammunition felt hotter to me as the recoil was quite a bit harder, almost similar to a 30-06 in felt recoil. Not bad but noticeably different. Also the primers on the Imperial cases were bulged out some.

COMike · July 6, 2010, 08:12 AM

OK, so nobody has ever developed a good performing load for varmints using a Husk or CG rifle? Seems like a good cartridge choice.

ojibweindian · July 10, 2010, 04:08 PM

Just to let everyone know, I've not forgotten my promise to post data; I've yet to get to the range.

ojibweindian · July 18, 2010, 09:12 PM

Finally got to the range today. Was raining intermittantly, and the humidy, as is typical for this time of year in the south, was horrid. The bugs loved it, though

Anyway, I'd brought several hand loads to test, using Supreme 780 and Reloader 19. The best group of the day came with 44 grains of Reloader 19, a Hornady 140 grain Interlock, WLR primer, and Remington brass. My best group with Supreme 780 was 1.24" (45.5 grain charge). The best Reloader 19 group was 1.02" (44.0 grain charge).

Overall, Reloader 19 averaged 1.43" and Supreme 780 averaged 1.64".

David_S · July 20, 2010, 11:42 PM

Here's the hunting load I use for a Sako M995 in 6.5x55. My son shot two 4-shot groups under 3/4" at 200 yards with it using bipod and sandbag under butt.

Powder: ADI AR2209 (= Hodgdon H4350)
Charge: 45.2 gr
Primer: Federal
Cases: Lapua neck sized, no factory crimp.
Projectile: Hornady 129gr SST seated 2mm off lands. LOA 80.0mm
MOA: 0.63, Velocity 2,670 fps

Those SSTs sure work on deer and chamois.

David

Oldschool280 · March 23, 2017, 06:55 PM

My sporterized husky m38 puts three 140 sierra gamekings ( softpoint) through the same hole often with 45.5 grains of rl22 and lapua brass. Full length sized. At 2.5755 on the hornady comparator. Similar results with 140 sst/mrp powder

Don Fischer · March 23, 2017, 08:15 PM

My mod 70 Feather Weight shoot's just over an inch at 100 yds with boring regularity. Nothing done to the rifle and not a lot of load development.

stealtre · October 8, 2017, 01:39 PM

Anybody have 6.5x55 swede loading data for the new 147 gr ELD-M, specifically with vihtavuori or norma powder?

October 8, 2017, 01:39 PM	#60
stealtre Junior Member Join Date: October 8, 2017 Posts: 2	Load data 6.5x55 Anybody have 6.5x55 swede loading data for the new 147 gr ELD-M, specifically with vihtavuori or norma powder?

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

July 3, 2010, 11:43 AM	#51
ojibweindian Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2000 Location: Huntsville, Alabama Posts: 1,198	I just recently bought a "sporterized" M96. It's not actually too bad a job. Anyway, I've a bunch of RL-19 and Winchester Supreme 780. Will be testing RL-19 tomorrow, 42.5 - 44 grains of RL-19 using a Hornady 140 grain Interlock. At some point, I'll start work developing a load using 780. Should be interesting. I'll report my results tomorrow, after returning from the range.

July 5, 2010, 01:10 PM	#52
COMike Junior Member Join Date: July 5, 2010 Posts: 3	I have a CG sporter. I have absolutely no idea of what model it started off as. Year on action is stamped 1916. Am assuming most of these were fairly similar in their actions and barrels. Mine has a "new" military barrel for whatever that is worth. Slightly used maybe less than 1,000 rounds counts as new... who knows. From what I read here, twist rate on these are all 7.5 to 1? With the rifling starting out so far on these military barrels, is there a load for a varmint round that will work? I understand these rifles were made to shoot longer bullets like in the 140 g size. I have a box of Sierra 1700's which are 85 g HP but think these may be too small to work as they can't be seated close enough to the rifling. Any thoughts or help would be really appreciated. Mike

July 5, 2010, 01:20 PM	#53
COMike Junior Member Join Date: July 5, 2010 Posts: 3	Just another note as I am surprised at how different some factory loads will shoot. I have a Williams peep on this rifle. 15 years ago when I had it made I also had better eyes, now I am rethinking putting some optics on it. At any rate. I had 2 boxes of Norma 155 g ammunition that I shot yesterday. At 200 yards this rifle was able to keep the shots in a group of about 1.25". I picked up a box of Imperial 160 g ammunition which someone told me were made in Denmark? I have no idea but they were not even on paper. I was thinking *** is up with this? Could the factory loads be that much different? I guess they were... The Imperial ammunition felt hotter to me as the recoil was quite a bit harder, almost similar to a 30-06 in felt recoil. Not bad but noticeably different. Also the primers on the Imperial cases were bulged out some.

July 6, 2010, 08:12 AM	#54
COMike Junior Member Join Date: July 5, 2010 Posts: 3	OK, so nobody has ever developed a good performing load for varmints using a Husk or CG rifle? Seems like a good cartridge choice.

July 10, 2010, 04:08 PM	#55
ojibweindian Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2000 Location: Huntsville, Alabama Posts: 1,198	Just to let everyone know, I've not forgotten my promise to post data; I've yet to get to the range.

July 18, 2010, 09:12 PM	#56
ojibweindian Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2000 Location: Huntsville, Alabama Posts: 1,198	Finally got to the range today. Was raining intermittantly, and the humidy, as is typical for this time of year in the south, was horrid. The bugs loved it, though Anyway, I'd brought several hand loads to test, using Supreme 780 and Reloader 19. The best group of the day came with 44 grains of Reloader 19, a Hornady 140 grain Interlock, WLR primer, and Remington brass. My best group with Supreme 780 was 1.24" (45.5 grain charge). The best Reloader 19 group was 1.02" (44.0 grain charge). Overall, Reloader 19 averaged 1.43" and Supreme 780 averaged 1.64".

July 20, 2010, 11:42 PM	#57
David_S Senior Member Join Date: February 11, 2008 Location: New Zealand Posts: 149	Here's the hunting load I use for a Sako M995 in 6.5x55. My son shot two 4-shot groups under 3/4" at 200 yards with it using bipod and sandbag under butt. Powder: ADI AR2209 (= Hodgdon H4350) Charge: 45.2 gr Primer: Federal Cases: Lapua neck sized, no factory crimp. Projectile: Hornady 129gr SST seated 2mm off lands. LOA 80.0mm MOA: 0.63, Velocity 2,670 fps Those SSTs sure work on deer and chamois. David

March 23, 2017, 06:55 PM	#58
Oldschool280 Junior Member Join Date: March 23, 2017 Posts: 1	My sporterized husky m38 puts three 140 sierra gamekings ( softpoint) through the same hole often with 45.5 grains of rl22 and lapua brass. Full length sized. At 2.5755 on the hornady comparator. Similar results with 140 sst/mrp powder

March 23, 2017, 08:15 PM	#59
Don Fischer Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2017 Posts: 1,868	My mod 70 Feather Weight shoot's just over an inch at 100 yds with boring regularity. Nothing done to the rifle and not a lot of load development.