Long Range 6.5x55 loads

[Raptor]

Just got my 6.5x55 back from the smith and would like to get some good load data from you guys shooting them with 140 and 142s out to 1000yds. Built on a 700 action with a 25" Kreiger barrel so I would perfer the loads for the modern day rifles not the backed down loads for the older military rifles.

I have RL-22, VV165, VV N560, H4350SC and H4831SC for powder right now. I broke the barrel in and tried seveal loads with RL22 and N165 but it was shooting around .7 patterns for 5 shots instead of groups. Seems to have more horz. stringing than anything, could be me too its been awhile since I shoot off the bench at 100yds. I will try some jump with the bullets to see if it likes that next. Thanks guys!!!!

 

[dodgefan]

Raptor I've been using 48.5 gr RL22 behind the 139 gr. Lapua. This is in a Rem 700 LA with a Kreiger barrel. It is above Alliants data somewhat but gives no presure signs at all. Lapua brass and CCI large rifle BR primer.I only have 2 firings on the cases so I can't help you with case life questions. I know Rhino has a bunch of data for this round so maybe he'll help us both out since I just got started with this round myself.

 

[sierra22]

Remember, these loads are safe in MY rifle, maybe not yours.
AND European loads are far stouter than American - should NOT be used in old surplus Krags etc...

These are my standard loads, used depending on powder/bullet availability.

N140 43-44gr - Hollow point 100gr
N150 42gr - Scenar 107gr
N140 37gr - SMK/NBT 120gr,routinely shoots 1/3 MOA!)
N150 38gr - SMK/Amax 140gr, Scenar 139gr
N160 45gr - SMK/Amax 140gr, Scenar 139gr
Norma MRP 47gr - SMK/GK/Amax 140gr, Scenar 139gr,my LR/hunting load)

Hope this helps...

 

[Exercion]

My current F-Class load is 47+gr of 4831SC under 142gr Matchkings. I have a 30" tube on a Remington action. velocity is 2860, which is where my ammo seems to like it. I have had them as high as 3050 or so with RL22, at 3100 I saw some signs of pressure. I have gotten better groups vertical-wise with the 4831.


Eric

 

[Ogre6br]

I dont shoot LR with my 6.5x55's. hunting rifles.
But I was able to get significantly higher velocities using euro brass that I was will USA made brass and much longer brass life also.

I'm pushing the 120 core lokt in excess of 3000 fps withthe local version of 4831SC- this is a hunting load but it should be possible with the 123 Lapuas as a target projetile. The 123 L also make a very nice game getter.
Same sorts of velocitiies with a few norma 130 VLD's I was able to
try a few years back before they stopped being avail in AUS.


Hirtenberger and lapua make excellet brass for the 6.5x55.

later
P

 

[Raptor]

Thanks for the replys!!!!

I tried some VV N165 at 49 and 50grs with 140s last night and it shot quite well with it. I also tired one load of 48grs of RL-22 and it also has some promice.

The 48grs of RL-22 seemed to be hotter than the VV N-165 by a bunch with the blast and recoil would this be right??? I am not that familiar with the VV powders to know how they act or what they do for velocity. I am looking for a good slow burning powder to keep the throat errosion down. What would be the better powder to go with for doing this, RL-22 or the VV N165??? Thanks guys!!!

 

[sierra22]

No idea about the american powders.
As for VV no need for the N165.
N140/N150/N160 loads I listed are what I consider moderate to give the barrel longevity I desire.,5000+ rounds)

 

[Raptor]

Sierra22,
Two questions, do you have any data on speed for the N160 load with the 140s and why not the N165?? I do notice that at 50grs its a compressed load in the Lapua case. It seems to really shoot well so far in my rifle but its early yet and have not backed up the groups to know for sure. Thanks!!!!

 

[sierra22]

Raptor, the reason for my powder preference is price - nothing else. These three powders are used a lot by our target shooters, so they sell high volumes of it and thus is available at a better price. I guess price might not be an issue where you are.

I shoot 24-26" barrells; I don't have my reloading notes here, so the Vo's are "in the area of/ if I remember correctly). I use Norma brass. With the exception of my hunting load, nothing is loaded for high speed,for example, the 120gr bullets are good for 880-900 msec.) As you see, all my loads are "round numbers". This is due to plain laziness, I don't bother with finetuning loads.

N140 43-44gr - Hollow point 100gr - No idea, my 100m target load.
N150 42gr - Scenar 107gr - No idea
N140 37gr - SMK/NBT 120gr,routinely shoots 1/3 MOA!)- 815-820 m/sec?
N150 38gr - SMK/Amax 140gr, Scenar 139gr 790-800 m/sec
N160 45gr - SMK/Amax 140gr, Scenar 139gr 800 m/sec
Norma MRP 47gr - SMK/GK/Amax 140gr, Scenar 139gr,my LR/hunting load) - 820-825 meters/sec. It'll give me 800-805m/sec in winter.

Have a look at the Sierra reloading manual. I recall good results with their stated "accuracy loads".

 

[rhino]

49.6 grains of VIN N560 pushing a 139 grain molyed scenar. Lapua brass, pmc primer.

Jam them .010 into rifling.

This is for a 28 inch barrel.

RHINOUT!

 

[sierra22]

And here is my new LR load....

6,5x55
Powder Norma N15,equivilant of MRP) 46gr
Case Norma
Primer CCI BR
OAL 78,5mm,bullet seated 0,5mm from rifling)
Bullet Hornady Amax 140gr
Vo 824msek @ temperature 4C in 26" barrel 1:9 twist
Slightly above 1/3 MOA average
Noticed more than usual spin drift, might just be a fluke. Mirage R-L but still hitting R at earlier than expected.

 

[Raptor]

Thanks Sierra, I have been having a tough time figuring out what this gun likes. I may be loading it to hot so I am backing down on my loads.

I have tried RL-22, N-165, N-560, H4831, and now N-160 and H4350. It seems to like the 4350 much to my dismay. My plan was to use a slow burning powder for better barrel life. Just my luck it likes the barrel burning powder!!!

It seems to be inconsistant with all the other powders I have shot. I will think I am on to a good load and when I go out to retest I get mixed results. I will be retesting the 4350 to see how it does in a few days and also lighter loads of N-160

 

[overbore]

Long range target load:
Case: Lapua, no turn neck
Clearance: 0.002" in minimum chamber
Powder: VV560
CCI BR primers
Wt: 51.5gr; about 97% case capacity
Bullet: Berger 120gr molly
Barrel 31", 1-10 twist, 0.2640" groove diameter
Max chamber pressure: 47,380
MV: 3,130 fps
FOR ACCURIZED REMMY 700 ACTION ONLY

 

[sierra22]

http://www.landro.no/bilder/ladetabell.pdf

Reloading table for Vit used by our competiotion shooters. Note that all loads are in GRAM not GRAIN, so visit http://www.convert-me.com/en/convert/weight to get correct numbers.

What kind of accuracy are you looking for? Never really had any trouble getting the 6,5x55 to shoot approaching 10mm/100m,about 1/3 MOA)
,bar my present 1:9 barrel that needed 100 rds before approaching groups, and now at 400 delivers what I want, but only with Amax. SMK is 1MOA, Scenar Same, Sierra GK 3/4MOA. Never ever experienced anything like this before)

 

[Raptor]

I just had a Rem 700 built to shoot 1000yds with. It has a Kreiger 1-8 twist barrel. This is the most inconsistant rifle I have ever shot!!!

Now I find out after 3 loadings my Lapua brass is starting to seperate. About .600 up from the base I have a line all the way around the case and can feel a grove inside the case.

These cases are only on there 3rd firing. The first loads I shot left some extractor marks on the case but no loose primers or stiff bolt extraction. The other thing I have noted is on the 3rd firing I have .020 case streach.

I have not found a load it likes yet. One time it will shoot a group in the .3s or .5s and the next time it won't hardly break and inch with the same load!!! Now this case seperation thing has me thinking I may have other problems.

 

[overbore]

A barrel is made to specifications and tolerances, ; so are bullets but our first task is to learn what the dimensions are and then what,barrel) dimension is most compatible with what,bullet) dimension and then the powder and all our other variables. I suggest all read the November Precision Shooting article which verifies this finding so that we do not waste time and powder trying to get a Sierra to shoot in barrel whose dimensions are for Berger's etc. I am, admittedly, cheating, in that for initial testing a Stiller tuner is fitted to bypass hours of wasted load tweaking. Initial accuracy is giving .3's-4's before load tweaking and jamming/ jump tuning. Great load chart,Sierra, with thanks, if I could just read it---Somehow it looks like my posts/typing before spellink check -Overbore

 

[sierra22]

Overbore, the columns are:

Krutt - powder type,all are Vit)
Kulevekt - Lapua scenar bullet with weight in grams
hastighet - Vo in meters/second
Ladevekt - powder weight in GRAMS
Trykk - measured pressure in mpa

-Only minimum, then maximum loads listed
-Loads for Sauer match rifle

...sounds like the PS article is a must-read...

 

[overbore]

Sierra 22, thanks for the translation which helps us all. I happen to believe that in a modern action the 6.5X55 is quite similar to the US 30-06 in that it is versatile enough to fit many roles well with an effective use of powder and readily obtainable quality brass. It is not the optimum but then again walk into any good reloading store and find 6.5-284 brass or even -47. Overbore

 

[rhino]

humm...interesting.

I generally found that VIN N560 or Norma MRP--hard to find gave me the best groups, highest muzzle velocities and best powder to velocity ratio.

Reloader 22 is okay, but seems to vary a bit from lot to lot too much for me.

You need a hotter large rifle primer, like a Winchester. Federals, and CCI's just didn't seem to be hot enough and my es and sd suffered.

Load density is very good, but H4831SC didn't give me the velocity I looking for. I liked VIN N560 the best for the availibility though Norma MRP have slightly higher velocities, but is impossible to find.

RHINOUT!

 

[Raptor]

Sierra22,
I tried the VV N160 loads and none of them seemed to shoot well in my rifle. I have had my best luck with H4350 and H4831.

I had a small amount of 560 that shot fairly well and N165 was not to bad. I finally sent the rifle back to have the throat shortened. Its just to long to shoot the 142s or 139s. It likes the bullet to be touching and with the 139 and 142s the bullet is out of the case to far to my liking. Thanks for the info!!