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Old April 5, 2008, 03:56 PM   #1
Longfoot
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Handloading the 6.5x55mm

People who have experience with this, with what loads have you found to be successful in the following two categories:

A. Long-range target shooting
B. Whitetail Deer

Thanks
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Old April 5, 2008, 05:11 PM   #2
steve4102
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Depends on the rifle. The 6.5x55 is one of those cartridges that has data and factory ammo loaded way down to accommodate older actions. If you are loading for a rifle with a modern action then data is quite a bit hotter than the older actions. What type of rifle are you using?
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Old April 5, 2008, 09:52 PM   #3
Ralph Allen
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48.0 gr H450, 140 Sierra and 49.0 H450 with 129 Hornady is what I have loaded up for an older Kimber that I have. Would use the 140's for long range targets and the 129's on deer sized game.
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Old April 6, 2008, 12:30 AM   #4
Wildalaska
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Pending the question of what you are shooting, I would note that for correct 6.5x55 rounds you should only use Lapua or Norma brass.


WildihavemoreneverfearAlaska TM
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Old April 6, 2008, 01:23 PM   #5
Longfoot
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The rifle I would be using would be a Tikka T3.
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Old April 6, 2008, 11:12 PM   #6
Wildalaska
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Accuracy load...WARNING this is based on an OAL for my rifle, and while well below maximum in book and in my rifle you should work up

neck sized Lapua case, 210M, lapua 139gr scenar, 47 grains RL22 gives me 2675 fps out of a Blaser and 10 shot .350 group at 100

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Old April 6, 2008, 11:24 PM   #7
Rugerno1shooter
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I have yet to run anything besides VARGET through my Tikka T3 Hunter and I have yet to find a load that shoots much larger than a quarter at 100yrds unless I pull it. Most of them are consistently under .78 inches...and I haven't had much trigger time so I blame myself for most of that but as for trying random safe loads and having them all be under an inch???? I'm thinking Varget=6.5x55 swede's best friend

I've tried
100gr HP (sierra)
140gr SMKs
160 Sierra RNs (so far the most accurate for me .518 inches at 100 for 7 shots or .747 for 8)
and 140gr Hornady SSTs

all with varget...

I used Lapua brass for my 160s....
the rest was Fed brass I believe
I was using WLR primers but now use CCI BR2s
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Old April 7, 2008, 08:21 PM   #8
ligonierbill
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My best accuracy out of a newer (still New Haven) Model 70 has been with 120 gr. Speer, CCI 200, and 45.5 gr. IMR 4350. This is running just below 2,800 fps (STD 12.3) and is a grain and a half below the Speer Manual max. Not as good as Wild Alaska's group, but less than an inch. I have not shot them for group yet, but I got very consistent velocity (7.4 STD) with 140 gr. Speer, CCI 200, and 47.5 gr. Reloader 22. This time I used Lapua cases, and yes, they are superior. This is only a half grain below the Speer max, so please work up to it. No problems with the Winchester, though, and avg. 2,679 fps.
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Old April 11, 2008, 03:10 AM   #9
Bones507
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My best load was 44 grs of H-380 with a 100gr Sierra, lapua cases. This was in a older military swede.
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