The Ultimate 6.5x55 Load Thread
- Thread starter Wildalaska
- Start date
mustang66maniac
New member
I think we should also be sharing the rifle twist of our barrels, since bullet weight and rifle twist seem to have a favorite combination.
Wildalaska- what is the twist rate of your modern 6.5x55 rifle?
If memory serves me correctly, the M96 has a twist rate of 1:8" which is why it likes the heavier bullets (139,140,142gr), right?
Wildalaska- what is the twist rate of your modern 6.5x55 rifle?
If memory serves me correctly, the M96 has a twist rate of 1:8" which is why it likes the heavier bullets (139,140,142gr), right?
I have been using 44.5 grains of IMR 4350 with 140 grain Nosler Partitions in my 1921 Gustaf, and getting 3 round groups right about 1" at 100 yards. Winchester brass and CCI300 primers. Wonderful hunting load in the old girl.
I first tried Speer hot core 140 grainers, and couldn't get this thing to group at all, had trouble even tracking shots at 100 yards, until I got this:
You'll notice the 1.5" Partition group above this keyholed Speer. Any ideas why there would be such disparity, why one bullet would keyhole and another group well?
I first tried Speer hot core 140 grainers, and couldn't get this thing to group at all, had trouble even tracking shots at 100 yards, until I got this:
You'll notice the 1.5" Partition group above this keyholed Speer. Any ideas why there would be such disparity, why one bullet would keyhole and another group well?
I have just finished loading my first 6.5x55 Swede rounds. Do you crimp these rounds? I have a Lee FCD and used it to crimp. If you do crimp, how much do you crimp?
I own several old military Swedes.
BTW here is my starting load.
Bullet: 140 gr. Remington CoreLokt (JSP)
Powder: 42.1 gr. of RL19
Case: RP trimmed to 2.155"
Primer: WLR
OAL: 2.985
I have been loading lots of pistol, .223 rifle and shotshells but this is my first with the wonderful Swede cartridge. Of course, I will be working my way up to the "sweet spot".
I am open for criticism.
BTW, this is an awesome thread!!
Thanks,
I own several old military Swedes.
BTW here is my starting load.
Bullet: 140 gr. Remington CoreLokt (JSP)
Powder: 42.1 gr. of RL19
Case: RP trimmed to 2.155"
Primer: WLR
OAL: 2.985
I have been loading lots of pistol, .223 rifle and shotshells but this is my first with the wonderful Swede cartridge. Of course, I will be working my way up to the "sweet spot".
I am open for criticism.
BTW, this is an awesome thread!!
Thanks,
CZ 550 American
160g Sierra Semi-Point
43.5g Alliant Reloder 22 (exceeds Sierra's load by 3 grains but safe in my rifle)
PMC Brass @ 2.155"
Federal 210 primer
COAL 2.990" (0.008" off the lands in my rifle)
2,415 fps out of a 23.6" barrel
First three shots @ 100 yards measured 0.171", with shots #4 and #5 opening it up to 0.860". So sad this bullet is no longer available...
160g Sierra Semi-Point
43.5g Alliant Reloder 22 (exceeds Sierra's load by 3 grains but safe in my rifle)
PMC Brass @ 2.155"
Federal 210 primer
COAL 2.990" (0.008" off the lands in my rifle)
2,415 fps out of a 23.6" barrel
First three shots @ 100 yards measured 0.171", with shots #4 and #5 opening it up to 0.860". So sad this bullet is no longer available...
RamSlammer
New member
Opinions on the sweet spot for powder weight of RL22 for a M96? Using 140 gr. Hornady Interlock SP bullets, once fired Privi Partisan cases and Federal 210 LR primers.
Holy smokes, I see I posted CCI 300 primers in my post. That is a typo of course, CCI 200 large rifle primers are what I and anyone else using CCI should use. fav 6.5x55 loads
I have a Sako 75, and a 'sporterized' 1914 Carl G. with a new M38 barrel (bought 4 of them from SARCO in the 90's in the whit - beautiful barrels). Ramline stock, updated safety, downturned bolt, bedded. (I had one of those 6.5x55mm Remmy 700's they made in the 90's but could never get it to shoot as well as the others).
The Sako and the old 1914 rifle shoot similar groups - always under 0.75 MOA, often 0.5 MOA and sometimes smaller with the following handload:
120gr NBT
46gr H4350 - trickle-charged
CCI 200 LRP
Lapua or Norma brass - (neck-size only most of the time).
Seat bullets either just into or just-off the lands - OAL is over 3" but they fit in the magazine and chamber w/o problems.
Interstingly, the Sako actually has a slightly deeper throat than the old mauser, but that may be how it was headspaced.
Chronograph very consistent 2,900+fps with this load - warm summer temps; about 150-200 fps slower in winter.
This a great load to anchor Whitetails. They just drop.
Also load some Hornady 160 GR roundnose at 43 gr H4350 - they impact within 2" of the 120gr NBT.
I love the swede.
I have a Sako 75, and a 'sporterized' 1914 Carl G. with a new M38 barrel (bought 4 of them from SARCO in the 90's in the whit - beautiful barrels). Ramline stock, updated safety, downturned bolt, bedded. (I had one of those 6.5x55mm Remmy 700's they made in the 90's but could never get it to shoot as well as the others).
The Sako and the old 1914 rifle shoot similar groups - always under 0.75 MOA, often 0.5 MOA and sometimes smaller with the following handload:
120gr NBT
46gr H4350 - trickle-charged
CCI 200 LRP
Lapua or Norma brass - (neck-size only most of the time).
Seat bullets either just into or just-off the lands - OAL is over 3" but they fit in the magazine and chamber w/o problems.
Interstingly, the Sako actually has a slightly deeper throat than the old mauser, but that may be how it was headspaced.
Chronograph very consistent 2,900+fps with this load - warm summer temps; about 150-200 fps slower in winter.
This a great load to anchor Whitetails. They just drop.
Also load some Hornady 160 GR roundnose at 43 gr H4350 - they impact within 2" of the 120gr NBT.
I love the swede.
ojibweindian
New member
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.
Should be interesting. I'll report my results tomorrow, after returning from the range.
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
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
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.
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.
ojibweindian
New member
Just to let everyone know, I've not forgotten my promise to post data; I've yet to get to the range.
ojibweindian
New member
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".
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".
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
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
Inactive
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
New member
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.