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6.5x55 modern rifle reloading
#7050660
01/24/18 02:52 AM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 12,221
wp75169
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I recently purchased a T3 Hunter and started researching load data. I can’t find any actual published data for modern firearms. I understand the liability with all the M96/94s out there but I don’t actually know what my expectations should be. I always err on the side of safety and work my way up but I don’t want to start 5-10 grains low if I don’t have to. Any actual experience would be helpful. I’m reading that 4350, R22, and R26 are all decent powders for the 140 grain bullets. I think I have a decent supply of Midway Amax blems to work with. I went to the trouble to put decent glass on the rifle so I’m looking for a dual purpose load. Target/hunting. Yes I know a wood stock T3 is not a bench rifle but I’m going to do the best I can with it.
I do have a reasonable amount of loading experience and understanding. Thanks again.
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Re: 6.5x55 modern rifle reloading
[Re: wp75169]
#7050676
01/24/18 03:06 AM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,173
J.G.
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6.5 Creedmoor, 52.5 gr H20
.260 Rem, 53.5 gr H2O
6.5 X 55, 57.9 gr H20
Having said that, for .260 Rem and 140 gr bullet, I've safely loaded as heavy as 43.8 gr of H-4350. For 6.5 Creedmoor I've safely loaded as heavy as 43.0 gr of H-4350, and as heavy as 44.0 gr of IMR-4451.
If it were me, I'd get some IMR-4451, and begin at 43.0 gr, working up in .3 gr increments. I'd go and look for maximum for THAT chamber, going to compression. If I found pressure before I shot all I had loaded, I would stop, and pull the hotter loaded cases.
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Re: 6.5x55 modern rifle reloading
[Re: wp75169]
#7050828
01/24/18 11:59 AM
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,174
scottfromdallas
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I started this thread on another forum that has a lot of 6.5X55 shooters. Good 6.5x55 Loads
Last edited by scottfromdallas; 01/24/18 12:00 PM.
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Re: 6.5x55 modern rifle reloading
[Re: wp75169]
#7050842
01/24/18 12:25 PM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 12,221
wp75169
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I see the 4451 is right between the 4350s on the burn rate chart. It took me a while to find data on it since my books are a few years old. Is the suggestion of 4451 because of availability or is it proving to be a better powder. The reason I ask is I have imr 4350 although I never mind trying new powders.
Scott thank you for the link. I’ll check it out.
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Re: 6.5x55 modern rifle reloading
[Re: wp75169]
#7050853
01/24/18 12:37 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,173
J.G.
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Availability and good reports of temp stability, and low ES. Think I read here Hodgdon is trying to get us to migrate awat from H-4350 as it is made in Australia, and go to IMR-4451 as it is made in USA. http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/rifleI use that site almost daily. I plugged in your parameters, they've got a 6.5 X 55 and IMR-4451 maxed out at 43.0 gr. Keep in mind, they also say maximum charge for a 6.5 Creedmoor is 40.0 gr H-4350. And that just isn't so, all of us run it between 42.0 and 43.0. So I would go past 45.0 gr in your rifle, if it were me. Again in .3 gr steps. Start low, ease up. If you see pressure, stop, and pull apart the hotter charges.
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Re: 6.5x55 modern rifle reloading
[Re: scottfromdallas]
#7051207
01/24/18 04:42 PM
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 925
BigDad
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I started this thread on another forum that has a lot of 6.5X55 shooters. Good 6.5x55 Loads Thanks for sharing this link Scott, there's a lot of useful info here. I'm putting together a 6.5X55 as soon as I receive my barrel and I'm looking for some modern action data.
Joe
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Re: 6.5x55 modern rifle reloading
[Re: wp75169]
#7051503
01/24/18 08:19 PM
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,174
scottfromdallas
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45.5 of H4350 was good for 2710 FPS with 143 ELDX using Lapua brass.
Last edited by scottfromdallas; 01/24/18 08:19 PM.
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Re: 6.5x55 modern rifle reloading
[Re: scottfromdallas]
#7052354
01/25/18 02:16 PM
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 925
BigDad
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45.5 of H4350 was good for 2710 FPS with 143 ELDX using Lapua brass. Barrel length?
Joe
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Re: 6.5x55 modern rifle reloading
[Re: wp75169]
#7053159
01/26/18 01:43 AM
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,174
scottfromdallas
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Re: 6.5x55 modern rifle reloading
[Re: wp75169]
#7053383
01/26/18 04:48 AM
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,407
WileyCoyote
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Noslers on line manual is pretty close to the other Modern data I;ve been able to find.
Several years back I had a T3 Hunter Swede and used the old One Load book to get started and then shopped the loads across several different manuals. Only my Hornady books were "soft" load wise, and the Sierra data particularly with the 120gr Sierra Pro Hunter wasvery successfull in RL19 under WLR'son game with sub moa groups. Got boringly good accuracy and just never felt the need to run any 140gr'ers. Also used Nosler 130gr AB's with Hornday 129gr data and got good results accuracy wise. Never ran the loads over a chrono though. Be sure to look at the Nosler on line manual IMO it seems to be the great average load data, or real close and then let the rifle tall you what it wants. Ron
It is TIME for Term Limits, cause Politicians are like childrens diapers and for the same reasons...Robin Williams "These are the times that try men's soul's"...Thomas Paine
"Those who fail to learn from History are doomed to repeat it" ....Santayana
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Re: 6.5x55 modern rifle reloading
[Re: wp75169]
#7054142
01/26/18 08:41 PM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 12,221
wp75169
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Thanks for all the info. I’m going to start with 140 Amax and Hornady HPBT match. Turns out I have more H4350 than IMR 4350. I looked for the 4451 today but they didn’t have it. Oddly the had H4350 in abundance. $$$$$$ though. $37.95/# I hope I don’t fall in love with the H then have to pay the price.
These are components I already own, if I’m not happy with it I will definitely come back to this thread as I generally trust the advice I get here. Thanks again guys.
I did get a chance to shoot with some factory ammo today, not at all impressed with the Fiocci ammo but it is super cheap so you get what you pay for. The new VX-6 HD is very nice glass. If I can make the rifle shoot then we can talk about tracking.
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Re: 6.5x55 modern rifle reloading
[Re: wp75169]
#7074631
02/11/18 08:03 PM
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 60
thejimmster
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I load for the 6.5 Swede. Savage action with 24 inch barrel.
Hunting load 129 Hornady SST - 48gr RL19 -2800-2825 (CCI Benchrest primer) 140 Sierra Game King - 47.4 H4831SC - 2650ish CCI 200 LR Primer 143 Hornday ELDX -46.9 RL 22 CCI Benchrest primer (no chrono data)
Target loads 47gr H4831sc 140 SMK CCI Benchrest primer 2667 2688 2692 avg 2682 fps
47.5 H4831sc 140 SMK CCI Benchrest primer 2715 2690 2699 avg 2701 fps
47.5 H4831sc 140 SMK Winchester large rifle primer 2719 2734 2729 avg 2727 fps
47.8 H4831sc 140 SMK CCI Benchrest 2716 2728 2736 avg 2726 fps
47.5 H4831sc 140 Amax Winchester large rifle primer 2755 2747 avg 2751 fps
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Re: 6.5x55 modern rifle reloading
[Re: wp75169]
#7074710
02/11/18 09:43 PM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 12,221
wp75169
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Interesting the Winchester primers netted you more speed than the cci in the same load. Thanks for the info, I finally have my table set back up and will start loading again tomorrow.
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Re: 6.5x55 modern rifle reloading
[Re: wp75169]
#7074840
02/11/18 11:25 PM
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Joined: May 2017
Posts: 5,198
Smokey Bear
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I have been a fan of the sweede for quite a while. 3 shots is not a big sample, but I like the ES of your A Max load at 7. If it groups tight, that is something to work with.
Smokey Bear---Lone Star State.
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Re: 6.5x55 modern rifle reloading
[Re: wp75169]
#7075156
02/12/18 04:37 AM
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,407
WileyCoyote
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Dunno what the load was, but when I first started using a Swede umm in 2008 and wanted something "good enough for elk" in another caliber, sent me some pics of the Elk his wife had killed with a custom barreled Swede and 125gr Nozzler Partitions that were running at about 2950 fps MV's out of a 22" barrel, but don't remember the brass he was using, but probably was Lapua.
Lately I keep hearing about folks getting up to 100+ fps boost out of RL26 too, and will give that a try once I burn up the couple lbs on hand of RL19 & Rl22 first.
FWIW I've always used WLR's and felt like they were a little hotter, but again need to burn up the on hand stuff 1st before I go 'xperimenting for just another 50fps. East Texas hogs will make a great year round test medium. Ron
It is TIME for Term Limits, cause Politicians are like childrens diapers and for the same reasons...Robin Williams "These are the times that try men's soul's"...Thomas Paine
"Those who fail to learn from History are doomed to repeat it" ....Santayana
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