Some Pet 6.5x55 Loads

Woodyed · January 12, 2011, 09:36 PM

Would like to hear from some reloaders out there that reload for the 6.5x55 Swede. I'm primarily interested in loads that use the Hornady 129 gr. SST or the 129 gr. flat base bullets. The powders I'm interested in are H4350, H4831sc, or H414/760. If you know the velocities of any that you suggest, please include that also. Thanks for any reply. Accuracy results would also be appreciated.

stu925 · January 13, 2011, 11:31 AM

I can't help much with either the bullet selection or powders you have listed, but I can tell you that my rifle (sporterized Mauser) really likes the sierra game king 140gr SPBT over 42.0gr of IMR 4320. I have not yet chronographed the load (I've been meaning to for some time now) but it drops deer like Thor's Hammer. I have never recovered one of these bullets from a dead critter, they have always penetrated straight through. I've tried other bullets in my rifle, but I always come back to the 140gr GameKings.

Stu

GeauxTide · January 13, 2011, 01:20 PM

Good bullet choice, but stick with the flat base for the velocity you'll get. My 6.5-06 and 260 like them.

Hornady 7th says:
H4831 - 40gr
760 - 38gr
IMR 4350 - 39gr. - NO LISTING FOR H4350.

These loads are 4-5 gr. off book max. Download Hodgdon's manual.

Woodyed · January 14, 2011, 09:48 AM

I forgot to mention that I'll be using these loads in a Tikka T3 rifle. Thanks for all replies.

mustang66maniac · January 15, 2011, 02:55 AM

Here's a good starting point..
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=306394

The best load I have found for my sporterized M96 is 43.7 grains of RL-22, Lapua brass, Lapua 139gr scenar, 3.15 OAL, CCI-200 gets me 0.7" 3 shot groups.

tkofoid · January 15, 2011, 08:19 AM

I have dabbled with the 6.5x55 swede for years in four different rifles.
Each rifle liked RE22 much better than any other powders I tryed. Re22 is slow burning and very forgiving. A strong dose in the swede produces very good accuracy.

Wildalaska · January 15, 2011, 01:15 PM

Agreed. The go to powders for the Swede are RL22, VN560, Norma MRP, URP and 204.

I would not hot rod a Tikka T3 and would keep to M96 velocities, ie 140 grainer at 2600. Thats basically around 44 grains of RL22.

Heres all the info you need

http://thefiringline.com/forums/show...=ultimate+5x55

WildofftoworkAlaska ™©2002-2011

ojibweindian · January 17, 2011, 01:53 PM

140 grain Hornady SP, Winchester large rifle primer, and 44 grains of Reloader 19 gives 1.02" five shot groups at 100 yards out of a sporterized M96.

Woodyed · January 19, 2011, 02:58 PM

Wildalaska----I'm a little curious why you suggest not to hot-rod a Tikka T3 and stick to M98 velocities. The Tikka is a very strong rifle and in the so- called "modern catagory" class of rifles made today. I don't intend to push any pressure signs that I encounter in my working up good and accurate loads for this Tikka, but I'm also not going worry if I exceed any docuemented loads pertaining to the M98's. I think the Tikka T3's are stong enough to handle and digest any M98 load that might possibly be exceeded.

January 12, 2011, 09:36 PM	#1
Woodyed Senior Member Join Date: February 24, 2010 Location: Central NYS Posts: 104	Some Pet 6.5x55 Loads Would like to hear from some reloaders out there that reload for the 6.5x55 Swede. I'm primarily interested in loads that use the Hornady 129 gr. SST or the 129 gr. flat base bullets. The powders I'm interested in are H4350, H4831sc, or H414/760. If you know the velocities of any that you suggest, please include that also. Thanks for any reply. Accuracy results would also be appreciated.

January 13, 2011, 11:31 AM	#2
stu925 Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2010 Location: New York Posts: 953	Hunting round I can't help much with either the bullet selection or powders you have listed, but I can tell you that my rifle (sporterized Mauser) really likes the sierra game king 140gr SPBT over 42.0gr of IMR 4320. I have not yet chronographed the load (I've been meaning to for some time now) but it drops deer like Thor's Hammer. I have never recovered one of these bullets from a dead critter, they have always penetrated straight through. I've tried other bullets in my rifle, but I always come back to the 140gr GameKings. Stu

January 15, 2011, 02:55 AM	#5
mustang66maniac Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2008 Location: Sac, CA Posts: 143	Here's a good starting point.. http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=306394 The best load I have found for my sporterized M96 is 43.7 grains of RL-22, Lapua brass, Lapua 139gr scenar, 3.15 OAL, CCI-200 gets me 0.7" 3 shot groups. __________________ "aerodynamics are for people who can't build engines" -Enzo Ferrari

January 13, 2011, 01:20 PM	#3
GeauxTide Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Helena, AL Posts: 4,424	Good bullet choice, but stick with the flat base for the velocity you'll get. My 6.5-06 and 260 like them. Hornady 7th says: H4831 - 40gr 760 - 38gr IMR 4350 - 39gr. - NO LISTING FOR H4350. These loads are 4-5 gr. off book max. Download Hodgdon's manual.

January 14, 2011, 09:48 AM	#4
Woodyed Senior Member Join Date: February 24, 2010 Location: Central NYS Posts: 104	I forgot to mention that I'll be using these loads in a Tikka T3 rifle. Thanks for all replies.

January 15, 2011, 08:19 AM	#6
tkofoid Senior Member Join Date: October 10, 2008 Location: N. D. Posts: 149	I have dabbled with the 6.5x55 swede for years in four different rifles. Each rifle liked RE22 much better than any other powders I tryed. Re22 is slow burning and very forgiving. A strong dose in the swede produces very good accuracy.

January 15, 2011, 01:15 PM	#7
Wildalaska Junior member Join Date: November 25, 2002 Location: In my own little weird world in Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 14,172	Agreed. The go to powders for the Swede are RL22, VN560, Norma MRP, URP and 204. I would not hot rod a Tikka T3 and would keep to M96 velocities, ie 140 grainer at 2600. Thats basically around 44 grains of RL22. Heres all the info you need http://thefiringline.com/forums/show...=ultimate+5x55 WildofftoworkAlaska ™©2002-2011

January 17, 2011, 01:53 PM	#8
ojibweindian Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2000 Location: Huntsville, Alabama Posts: 1,198	140 grain Hornady SP, Winchester large rifle primer, and 44 grains of Reloader 19 gives 1.02" five shot groups at 100 yards out of a sporterized M96.

January 19, 2011, 02:58 PM	#9
Woodyed Senior Member Join Date: February 24, 2010 Location: Central NYS Posts: 104	Wildalaska----I'm a little curious why you suggest not to hot-rod a Tikka T3 and stick to M98 velocities. The Tikka is a very strong rifle and in the so- called "modern catagory" class of rifles made today. I don't intend to push any pressure signs that I encounter in my working up good and accurate loads for this Tikka, but I'm also not going worry if I exceed any docuemented loads pertaining to the M98's. I think the Tikka T3's are stong enough to handle and digest any M98 load that might possibly be exceeded.