6.5x55 Swede

[Layton]

I've looked and searched (full history range) and I'm just not finding a whole lot on this cartridge so figured I'd put this here. If the info in already consolidated somewhere please point me to it and I'll go away. I have a new build heading this way shortly and would like to see what others are shooting/having success with. Going into a long action so COAL isn't a problem. Thanks.

L

 

[arnie19]

Go to IMR and Hodgdens web sites ,They have plenty of loading for the 6.5 swede .My favorite is 44 gr. of imr4350 and a 142 SMK win primer

 

[CapDog]

I've used H4831, H1000, IMR4350 and Rl-19. The only powder I wouldn't use again was the RL-19 as I could get better groups with the others and they aren't as temperature sensitive. Lots of luck with various bullets as well. My go to hunting bullets right now in my two sweedes are the 130gr AB in a re-barreled Savage over IMR4350 and the 120gr Speer in my wife's old mauser over H4350 (soon to change though as I can't find it anywhere). The both work extremely well on our big bodied whitetails and mulies and I wouldn't hesitate to shoot an elk or moose with the 130 AB.

 

[ddavis]

Start at middle to upper .260 loads and work up from there. You should be able to go a bit above max .260 loads, but not much. Case capacity is almost the same. Your main advantage is that 6.5x55 is usually long action. If yours is long action, you can hang the bullets way out there and get some good velocity. You can use Varget for 120 class bullets and H4350 for everything else. H4831 will be consistent but as with many other cartridges of this size, you can't get enough in the case to get all of the velocity the cartridge is capable of. If you could only have one powder, H4350 would be it.
-Dan

 

[targaflorio]

Anybody loading the new Lapua 136 gr Scenar-L?

 

[alfson]

What rifle/action are you loading it for? Krags should be low pressure loads, Swedish Mausers can go to medium pressures, and modern actions can go fairly high. Lapua has some good loads on there website. Look for loads labeled 6.5x55 SKAN. Most loads you find on US manufacturers books and websites are for the old Swedish Mausers and are lawyer limited. Also look at www.loaddata.com. They have several listings for 6.5x55. couple more sources of information would be Long Range Hunting Online Magazine and The Handloaders Bench.

As always start at your powder manufacturers recommended minimum and work up. If you have a modern commercial action, you probably will be able to work up quite a ways. H4350, H4831SC, and Varget seem to be the most popular for hunters, some target shooters use RE17 or RE22. Due to availability I use H4895 but will try H4350 when I can get some.

 

[Layton]

As an update to this I ended up settling on 51.2g of H4831sc with 140 hybrids pushing them at a steady 2970fps. Lapua brass and 210m's. I also tried N560 and H1000 but the 4831 gives the best results. COAL is right at 3.175". That's at.010" off. It groups like this with those loads. 5 shots @ 100y. In the rain, go figure.

 

[Joop]

Layton,

I'm currently doing development for my T3 in this caliber and working up with several different powders. In most cases, I'm finding that my velocities aren't approaching a lot of the claims that I'm seeing on the net. Granted, I'm only running a 24" barrel, but I'm still seeing quite a gap. I don't believe that I'm at max with any of them, but probably getting close with a couple. I would be interested if you are willing to share any other load data that you may have from your own testing. In particular, with H4350 and H4831, as both are readily available around here. So far, Reloader 17, 22 and H4350 have probably given me the best velocity vs. accuracy results. Both Hogdon and IMR 4831 have given great accuracy, but I'm not sure if they're going to produce the 2800-2850fps that I'm hoping for (but still need to work with them a little more). Seeing your results with H4831sc is giving me hope, however. It's unfortunate that I can't find Rel-17/22 around here. But, from what I'm gathering, most guys around the country would gladly trade places with me to be able to get their hands on H4350, instead! Any further info you could provide would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

John

 

[AK264]

H4350 and 140 amaxes worked best for me in the most of the 6.5 swede guns Ive owned.

 

[Joop]

H4350 and 140 amaxes worked best for me in the most of the 6.5 swede guns Ive owned.

Just curious. What loads, velocities and rifles (and barrel lengths), if you have that info?

I've worked up to 46.0gr. H4350 with both the A-Max and 142 SMK. Not sure if I want to go any higher than that and my velocities are still only around 2750. Accuracy is outstanding, though.

 

[Layton]

I haven't tried 4350 but to me I think it may be too fast for my rifle and I'll hit pressure too quickly. H1000 and N560 were both too slow and I stopped burning powder at about 49g's. I'm using a 26" 8.5tw Bartlein. I hit peek velocity and had no more gains with increased powder charges. With 4831sc I seem to be right at case capacity with my best node. I planned this around shooting 140s with a 6.5x55 in a LA though and Moon gave me a lot more free bore than you will have if this is a factory Tikka so 4350 may work well for you. Here's a pic to give you an idea here's how far out I can seat at .010" off. My experience with Tikka's is they use the same length mags as they do for their .308s which may not give you as much room. I'm more than happy to share notes. A buddy of mine shoots 4350 with 140s out of his 6.5c so I'll see if I can't get a little to test.

L

 

[Joop]

Thanks, for the input, Layton.

I'm running AI 300WM mags, so I have more length than I could ever possibly need. Also, my Tikka seems to have one of the shortest freebores of any T3 I've ever loaded for (that would be six different rifles, total). However, none of them were 6.5x55, so maybe that has something to do with it, as well.

I think I may be running into the same issue with H4350, with regards to peak pressure/velocity. At 46.0 grains, the primers are starting to flatten out and I'm getting (extremely light) ejector pin marks on the cases. I think I have more room to work with the 4831 powders and may pursue that route and see what happens. The plus side is that every powder/bullet combination that I've tried seems to shoot great. So, it's not all bad. It's just trying to juggle the accuracy vs. velocity that's the tricky part and most published load data for this caliber is of very little help, as you are surely aware.

Thanks again for your input.

John

 

[Layton]

If it's a Tikka factory it will be short of what the cartridge can do.

L

 

[battlestick]

6.5x55 velocity

I have a rem 700 LA that I had redone in 6.5x55.

Not sure what the differences are, but I can roll the 140 AMAX at 2925 with 48.1 gr of H4831, and still have a tad bit of room in the case. You are getting another 25 fps than I, with 3 more grains.

My guess is this in the freebore? I hit flattened primers at 50 gr, no way I could cram 51.2 in there safely.

In any event. Great job finding what it likes, and I hope you love it like I do mine.

 

[Layton]

My guess is this in the freebore?

I"ve got .212". A standard "American" 6.5x55 reamer is .188" I believe.

L

 

[Joop]

Bump!

I wanted to thank Layton and everyone else who has contributed on this subject. It's been a great help to me.

I finally settled on a load for my T3 Sporter. I got a chance to do some testing with the Lapua 139 Scenar. At first, I was running regular H4831 and I worked up to 49.0 grains for a very accurate load that was averaging 2851 fps out of my 24" barrel. Then, I went to buy powder and they were out of H4831, but had H4831SC. No problem, though. I did find that, due to the slightly shorter cut, I had to add half a grain to the load to get the identical performance, as this case likes to be full. So, using 49.5gr. H4831sc under the 139 Scenar, I'm getting 2850 and accuracy is .25-.35 MOA out to 500 and I'm still holding .5-.6 MOA at 850 yards. I just came back in from shooting some more of this load at 440 yards. Even in a 32mph wind that was shifting from my 6-7 o'clock, I had no trouble hitting 4" clay pigeons with every shot, then shooting the pieces after that. It was a much longer load development than what I'm used to, but I'm pretty happy at this point.

John

 

[lasrberglund]

Tried these?

Start - Norma

Products - Lapua

Why do we like the 308W and you like the 6.5x55?????

 

[Layton]

Not sure who we is. Also, you can use this chart from Lapua as a starting point for many modern 6.5x55 chambered rifles. The one you listed accounts for the older actions.

6,5 x 55 Swedish Mauser/ SKAN

 

[2ndPanzer]

lets get this back up. I just got a 6,5x55 CZ550 for shooting Silohuette with. bedded it and its a great rifle, shoots better than I thought it would. With 140 Hornady HPBT, in Rem cases 35.3 8208xbr shot same POI at 200 as 46.5 RE22 with 142 sierras, and would put 5 of them into just under an inch at that distance. No idea on the velocity, but zero pressure signs. An old Silohuette shooter on another forum swears by 38-39.0 Varget for the 140's and Rams, and then check accuracy with the 100's or 120's for CTP. I am not convinced that the slower powders are the best fit everytime. I will be trying out some more 8208 and Varget loads with the 140's when I get some time and a clear enough day to get some Chrono numbers.

 

[Joop]

lets get this back up. I just got a 6,5x55 CZ550 for shooting Silohuette with. bedded it and its a great rifle, shoots better than I thought it would. With 140 Hornady HPBT, in Rem cases 35.3 8208xbr shot same POI at 200 as 46.5 RE22 with 142 sierras, and would put 5 of them into just under an inch at that distance. No idea on the velocity, but zero pressure signs. An old Silohuette shooter on another forum swears by 38-39.0 Varget for the 140's and Rams, and then check accuracy with the 100's or 120's for CTP. I am not convinced that the slower powders are the best fit everytime. I will be trying out some more 8208 and Varget loads with the 140's when I get some time and a clear enough day to get some Chrono numbers.

My M96 has shot well with a few different bullets (139-142gr range) using both Varget and H4895. So, I know they CAN shoot well with faster powders. However, my most consistent velocities are with slower burning powders, when filling the case up further. When you start getting beyond 500 yards or so, the difference starts to show. Reloader 17 and 22 were great for me, with almost any charge I chose to load them with in my Tikka. The Rel 22 doesn't give quite the velocity, but the accuracy is always there. I think I ended up going as high as 48.0 grains of Rel 22, but other powders gave me accuracy that was just as good, but with higher velocities, to boot. Nothing wrong with Rel 22, though. It seems to be one of, if not THE most recommended powder for this caliber and I can see why. But, yes, Varget can and will produce some great groups, as well. I'm just not sure how far I would want to push it for velocity vs. volume. I have a feeling that getting anywhere near a full case of it could cause some major pressure issues.

**EDIT**: After going back and reading what I typed, I need to make a clarification. In the first sentence, I was referring to having used those powders with success in a M96 Mauser. After that, I kind of drifted into what I've been doing with my Tikka T3. BIG MISTAKE ON MY PART! Do not use my load data without working up to it, first. This is especially true if using a surplus military rifle and the loads for those will be significantly less, as Bill has pointed out, in post #27, below!!!

 

[2ndPanzer]

I was hoping H1000 would work better than it did. I don't think you can get enough of that in the case for pressure issue. I have alot of everything but H4350 or RE22. The RE22 loads I had were ld and used in a M38 Swedish Mauser. The CZ550 was a nice surprise and really got me interested in the cartridge. I don't need screaming velocity, enough to down a ram, I don't hunt with it and probably never will. Not a precision rig, but surprisingly accurate. I need to chrono the loads. Varget and H4895 are not the ideal or most efficient powders for sure, but they will do well. Especially at modern loading vs mauser loading.

FWIW, Varget and 8208 have worked exceptionally well in my 6xc. H4350 and RE17 were a little faster but accuracy and consistency were the same across all of them. 8208 is great for practice as I can dump the charges and it meters nearly perfectly. I am way to OCD with it for match ammo so I still weigh those out one at a time. Might as well use the H4350 or RE17 then for the little speed advantage.

 

[2ndPanzer]

I need around 2650 for the 140's. I did notice the lapua data for the SKAN to show N540 for the 136. I do have a fair amount of that, and some 136's I might try that with them and the 140's.

 

[Joop]

I don't think you'll have any problem getting them over 2650. I know that H4350 seems to be the preferred powder for guys running .260 or 6.5CM, but I couldn't get the velocity that I expected out of it in 6.5x55. At 46.5 grains, I was getting signs that I needed to back off, but there was still plenty of room in the case and the velocity wasn't as good as some other powders that were filling it up (accuracy was great, though). I came to the conclusion that this was either an area of a pressure spike that could possibly be bypassed by filling the case more (see that a lot in this cartridge, but didn't want to chance it in this case, as H4350 was giving far more pressure signs than any other powder I tried), or that this case/powder combo just isn't an efficient match as it would appear to be with the shorter .260/6.5CM cartridges. I was looking to get 2800-2850 out of a 139/140 and H4350, but it wasn't quite making it. I'll have to check my notes, but I think that 2750 was about tops.

 

[jsthntn247]

Bump!

I wanted to thank Layton and everyone else who has contributed on this subject. It's been a great help to me.

I finally settled on a load for my T3 Sporter. I got a chance to do some testing with the Lapua 139 Scenar. At first, I was running regular H4831 and I worked up to 49.0 grains for a very accurate load that was averaging 2851 fps out of my 24" barrel. Then, I went to buy powder and they were out of H4831, but had H4831SC. No problem, though. I did find that, due to the slightly shorter cut, I had to add half a grain to the load to get the identical performance, as this case likes to be full. So, using 49.5gr. H4831sc under the 139 Scenar, I'm getting 2850 and accuracy is .25-.35 MOA out to 500 and I'm still holding .5-.6 MOA at 850 yards. I just came back in from shooting some more of this load at 440 yards. Even in a 32mph wind that was shifting from my 6-7 o'clock, I had no trouble hitting 4" clay pigeons with every shot, then shooting the pieces after that. It was a much longer load development than what I'm used to, but I'm pretty happy at this point.

John

Sure wish I could find a tikka t3 in a Swede, where did you get yours? I'm trying to sale a few heavy weight long range guns I have a will be needing a light weight hunting rig.

 

[Joop]

Sure wish I could find a tikka t3 in a Swede, where did you get yours? I'm trying to sale a few heavy weight long range guns I have a will be needing a light weight hunting rig.

I got mine locally, but the shop happens to sell on Gunbroker, as well. Also, check out Euro Optic. I know they carry the T3 Sporters, also. But, just so you know, the name "Sporter" is kind of misleading, as most of us in the U.S. think of a Sporter as a lightweight, light barreled hunting rifle. These are actually heavy barrel target guns (I guess that's the European definition?).

 

[Bill Larson]

lets get this back up. I just got a 6,5x55 CZ550 for shooting Silohuette with. bedded it and its a great rifle, shoots better than I thought it would. With 140 Hornady HPBT, in Rem cases 35.3 8208xbr shot same POI at 200 as 46.5 RE22 with 142 sierras, and would put 5 of them into just under an inch at that distance. No idea on the velocity, but zero pressure signs. An old Silohuette shooter on another forum swears by 38-39.0 Varget for the 140's and Rams, and then check accuracy with the 100's or 120's for CTP. I am not convinced that the slower powders are the best fit everytime. I will be trying out some more 8208 and Varget loads with the 140's when I get some time and a clear enough day to get some Chrono numbers.

Owned and competed with sevseral Swede`s..in rem. actions and win.70`s.I believe you will find it will not knock over rams (500M) consistantly..... with 142 smk`s.

 

[Bill Larson]

My M96 has shot well with a few different bullets (139-142gr range) using both Varget and H4895. So, I know they CAN shoot well with faster powders. However, my most consistent velocities are with slower burning powders, when filling the case up further. When you start getting beyond 500 yards or so, the difference starts to show. Reloader 17 and 22 were great for me, with almost any charge I chose to load them with in my Tikka. The Rel 22 doesn't give quite the velocity, but the accuracy is always there. I think I ended up going as high as 48.0 grains of Rel 22, but other powders gave me accuracy that was just as good, but with higher velocities, to boot. Nothing wrong with Rel 22, though. It seems to be one of, if not THE most recommended powder for this caliber and I can see why. But, yes, Varget can and will produce some great groups, as well. I'm just not sure how far I would want to push it for velocity vs. volume. I have a feeling that getting anywhere near a full case of it could cause some major pressure issues.

MOST RELOADING MANUALS... give warnings about using modern loads in mil-surplus guns.....

 

[Joop]

MOST RELOADING MANUALS... give warnings about using modern loads in mil-surplus guns.....

Bill,

You are exactly correct and, after going back and reading what I typed, I need to make a clarification. In the first sentence, I was referring to having used those powders with success in a M96 Mauser. After that, I kind of drifted into what I've been doing with my Tikka T3. BIG MISTAKE ON MY PART! Thanks for bringing attention to it. I have added an edit/disclaimer to that post.

Thanks,

John

 

[glockmeister]

tikka

Layton,

I'm currently doing development for my T3 in this caliber and working up with several different powders. In most cases, I'm finding that my velocities aren't approaching a lot of the claims that I'm seeing on the net. Granted, I'm only running a 24" barrel, but I'm still seeing quite a gap. I don't believe that I'm at max with any of them, but probably getting close with a couple. I would be interested if you are willing to share any other load data that you may have from your own testing.

Thanks,

John

Tikka T3 Varmint Stainless with Roedale brake

VV 560 - (50.0 - hot summer\50.5 - standard\51.0 - winter load)
139 Scenar (used as well on Bergers 140 VLD and Hybrid)
OAL - 3.114
Federal primers
2890 ft\sec

brass lives for about 6-10 cycles

This is my standard load for 18 month now.
Tested on 5-6 different Tikka rifles.

 

[Underthegun]

Just a bump.

 

[Layton]

Another bump..

 

[Layton]

Bump for us 6.5x55 shooters.

 

[EasyGravy]

Anyone messed with varget in the swede with lapua brass and 123amax?