So I am having a rifle built in the old caliber. I want to test Varget first. I can't find any good Varget data. I did some pet loads for a 142gr SMK in Lapua brass. I started at 44gr and went in .4 grain increments to 46.4. I think I might work down from 44 gr in .4 increments too as I am worried starting at 44gr is not safe. Anybody have any insight. Side note, I also plan on trying 4831SC.
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6.5x55 Varget loads. (modern action)
- Thread starter JWV
- Start date
Re: 6.5x55 Varget loads. (modern action)
The old Swede has always liked slow burners like 4350 or 4831, I found this true for both the lower pressure rounds for the pre-98 mausers and for modern pressures.
I shoot the 6.5 x 55 AI in f-class competitions with 139 g Scenars and have found that it is hard to find a load with H4831 SC that shoots over 1 MOA (5 shot at 100 yards).
The old Swede has always liked slow burners like 4350 or 4831, I found this true for both the lower pressure rounds for the pre-98 mausers and for modern pressures.
I shoot the 6.5 x 55 AI in f-class competitions with 139 g Scenars and have found that it is hard to find a load with H4831 SC that shoots over 1 MOA (5 shot at 100 yards).
Re: 6.5x55 Varget loads. (modern action)
The Lyman Manual has varget loads for 140 grain bullets with Varget as between 33.5 and 37.0 This is for the 6.5 X 55mm Swedish Mauser. Most of their accurate loads are showing RX22, IMR-4895, IMR-4064 and N-150 powders as propellants in the most accurate loads.
While I'm sure Varget can make some very accurate loads, your charge weights are quiet tall. You might want to rethink your powder charges. Just to be on the safe side.
The Lyman Manual has varget loads for 140 grain bullets with Varget as between 33.5 and 37.0 This is for the 6.5 X 55mm Swedish Mauser. Most of their accurate loads are showing RX22, IMR-4895, IMR-4064 and N-150 powders as propellants in the most accurate loads.
While I'm sure Varget can make some very accurate loads, your charge weights are quiet tall. You might want to rethink your powder charges. Just to be on the safe side.
Re: 6.5x55 Varget loads. (modern action)
I have a 29" barrel on my Tikka 695 (also shoot it in prone matches with iron sights). I was using RL22 to good effect, then tried some RL17 with Wolf Primers. 2950 fps with 43.5gr and great accuracy, summer (110 degrees) or winter (35 degrees).
I have a match chamber and slightly shorter than sammi throat.
VV N560 would be my second choice, but it's expensive and not always in ready supply.
I have a 29" barrel on my Tikka 695 (also shoot it in prone matches with iron sights). I was using RL22 to good effect, then tried some RL17 with Wolf Primers. 2950 fps with 43.5gr and great accuracy, summer (110 degrees) or winter (35 degrees).
I have a match chamber and slightly shorter than sammi throat.
VV N560 would be my second choice, but it's expensive and not always in ready supply.
Re: 6.5x55 Varget loads. (modern action)
RL 22 is best in my rifle. Fed 215 primers. 140 AMAX. Touching lands then back off .003 works for me. LOW SD. Great groups. JMHO
RL 22 is best in my rifle. Fed 215 primers. 140 AMAX. Touching lands then back off .003 works for me. LOW SD. Great groups. JMHO
Re: 6.5x55 Varget loads. (modern action)
Im definitely going to take those catridges apart and start in the mid 30's. What would get me overall higher velocity, RL22 or 4831 SC?
Im definitely going to take those catridges apart and start in the mid 30's. What would get me overall higher velocity, RL22 or 4831 SC?
Re: 6.5x55 Varget loads. (modern action)
I need someone to correct my logic. In Hodgdon's reloading data page, it says a 308Win with a 140gr bullet can take 47 grs of Varget. Why couldn't the 6.5x55. It has a higher case capacity. Is it because the surface area of the base of the bullet?
I need someone to correct my logic. In Hodgdon's reloading data page, it says a 308Win with a 140gr bullet can take 47 grs of Varget. Why couldn't the 6.5x55. It has a higher case capacity. Is it because the surface area of the base of the bullet?
Re: 6.5x55 Varget loads. (modern action)
You start out talking about a 6.5 X 55. Then you're talking about a 308. ????
Ford makes a 302 engine. Chev makes a 307. They both do a fair job of doing what they are designed to do. But you can't mix parts from one into the other and expect it to work.
Different calibers have different specifications and capacities. If you are serious about comparing one to another and each having different chamber dimensions, maybe you need to go back and read the first few chapters of whatever manual you are looking about. The part about safety.
Different powders work in different chaberings in different ways because of the different geometry of the burn of the powder column. The geometry is what makes the difference. If not we would all be shooting either 30-06 or 308 and very little else. The manufacturing companies that make the "standard" calibers make many different designs of chamberings. A very small change in that powder column can make a very big change at the weakest point.
Personally, I like to keep "controlled explosions" within inches from my face and eyes well within accepted normal ranges published in well known manuals of such information. To fill up a case to full capacity to just see what happens is asking for a major malfunction.
You start out talking about a 6.5 X 55. Then you're talking about a 308. ????
Ford makes a 302 engine. Chev makes a 307. They both do a fair job of doing what they are designed to do. But you can't mix parts from one into the other and expect it to work.
Different calibers have different specifications and capacities. If you are serious about comparing one to another and each having different chamber dimensions, maybe you need to go back and read the first few chapters of whatever manual you are looking about. The part about safety.
Different powders work in different chaberings in different ways because of the different geometry of the burn of the powder column. The geometry is what makes the difference. If not we would all be shooting either 30-06 or 308 and very little else. The manufacturing companies that make the "standard" calibers make many different designs of chamberings. A very small change in that powder column can make a very big change at the weakest point.
Personally, I like to keep "controlled explosions" within inches from my face and eyes well within accepted normal ranges published in well known manuals of such information. To fill up a case to full capacity to just see what happens is asking for a major malfunction.
Re: 6.5x55 Varget loads. (modern action)
I was just curious about what makes the difference in various loads of the two calibers. I am breaking down my previously loaded rounds rounds and starting way lower as I already stated.
I was just curious about what makes the difference in various loads of the two calibers. I am breaking down my previously loaded rounds rounds and starting way lower as I already stated.
Re: 6.5x55 Varget loads. (modern action)
Sorry if I stepped on your toes. But it sounded like you were about to become unsafe very fast.
Sorry if I stepped on your toes. But it sounded like you were about to become unsafe very fast.
Re: 6.5x55 Varget loads. (modern action)
Its no problem Victor, when I loaded the rounds I quickly realized my mistake. Just wanted to educate myself further. I am not going to use Varget anyway, seems that 4831SC and RL22 are the way to go with the Swede.
Its no problem Victor, when I loaded the rounds I quickly realized my mistake. Just wanted to educate myself further. I am not going to use Varget anyway, seems that 4831SC and RL22 are the way to go with the Swede.
Re: 6.5x55 Varget loads. (modern action)
Keep in mind that most manuals list loads for the Swede that have low enough chamber pressures to operate in pre-mauser 98 actions. If you want to compare loadings of one cartridge to another compare the 6.5 x 55 to the .260.
When I fireform brass I use a max 260 load for that powder and bullet. I am using a modern action this is not a good idea for an pre-98 style action.
wade
Keep in mind that most manuals list loads for the Swede that have low enough chamber pressures to operate in pre-mauser 98 actions. If you want to compare loadings of one cartridge to another compare the 6.5 x 55 to the .260.
When I fireform brass I use a max 260 load for that powder and bullet. I am using a modern action this is not a good idea for an pre-98 style action.
wade
Re: 6.5x55 Varget loads. (modern action)
That makes good sense wade. I am using a modern savage action so there are no worries there. Is the 6.5x55 capacity about 10% more than the 260?
That makes good sense wade. I am using a modern savage action so there are no worries there. Is the 6.5x55 capacity about 10% more than the 260?
Re: 6.5x55 Varget loads. (modern action)
Just started loading for my first (modern) 6.5 in a Tikka T3 lite. I'm using 4831 sc with good results.
Just started loading for my first (modern) 6.5 in a Tikka T3 lite. I'm using 4831 sc with good results.
Re: 6.5x55 Varget loads. (modern action)
Are you finding better accuracy at higher velocities or mids?
Are you finding better accuracy at higher velocities or mids?
Re: 6.5x55 Varget loads. (modern action)
I hav not measured the volume of the standard swede nor the 260 to be able to tell you the volume difference. All I know is that the swede has greater volume than the 260. I know when the shoulder gets blown out the volume of the AI version is equal to the that of the 6.5 x 284.
I was going for the high node as I built the gun for the 600 yard on windy days and the 1,000 yard line on any day.
wade
I hav not measured the volume of the standard swede nor the 260 to be able to tell you the volume difference. All I know is that the swede has greater volume than the 260. I know when the shoulder gets blown out the volume of the AI version is equal to the that of the 6.5 x 284.
I was going for the high node as I built the gun for the 600 yard on windy days and the 1,000 yard line on any day.
wade
Re: 6.5x55 Varget loads. (modern action)
Ic. I should have went for the AI. But, I will only be shooting 600 yard Fclass with this, so no big deal I guess.
Ic. I should have went for the AI. But, I will only be shooting 600 yard Fclass with this, so no big deal I guess.
Re: 6.5x55 Varget loads. (modern action)
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JWV</div><div class="ubbcode-body">That makes good sense wade. I am using a modern savage action so there are no worries there. Is the 6.5x55 capacity about 10% more than the 260? </div></div>
I load for both.. start a little low with 260 Data and work up, to see what your rifle likes..
to get good accuracy and velocity, you don't need to go with the slower 4350 and 4831 burn rates..
Varget is a good powder, as is RL 15, W 748, H 380, IMR 4064 and IMR 4895, IMR 4320, IMR 3031, BLC 2...
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JWV</div><div class="ubbcode-body">That makes good sense wade. I am using a modern savage action so there are no worries there. Is the 6.5x55 capacity about 10% more than the 260? </div></div>
I load for both.. start a little low with 260 Data and work up, to see what your rifle likes..
to get good accuracy and velocity, you don't need to go with the slower 4350 and 4831 burn rates..
Varget is a good powder, as is RL 15, W 748, H 380, IMR 4064 and IMR 4895, IMR 4320, IMR 3031, BLC 2...
Re: 6.5x55 Varget loads. (modern action)
Anyone interested? I have two boxes of Lapua 6.5 X 55mm Match ammo.
Anyone interested? I have two boxes of Lapua 6.5 X 55mm Match ammo.
