What kinda speed can I get from a 6.5 Swede, 140ELDX bullet?
- Thread starter jaygorski
- Start date
Depends on how long your barrel is. I have a sported Model 96 Swede Mauser and with loads that are under 46000 CUP according to the Accurate manual I am getting some high velocity. The M-96 has a 29" barrel. With 45 Grs Accurate 4350 I am averaging 2850 fps with 140 Sierra Game Kings. I get 3000 fps with 120 BT or Sierra Pro hunter with 46 grs Accurate 4350. Both loads are 1/2 moa accurate.
30" with RL-23....I'd say you could get to 2900 safely unless you have a a throat that is short enough to require seating your base deep in the case. It would be about the limit for this powder and may not produce precise loads. In a 6.5 x55 BJAI...49.2-49.4gr RL-23 will push a 142gr pill at mid 2900's. I could easily get it up to 3100's but the groups open up to an unacceptable level for F-class. If I was hunting I would run it up there. I have 10 firings on Lapua cases and have not lost a single case yet and the pockets are still in great shape.
The standard case will hold around 3 grains less RL-23 than a BJAI case.
Correction- 10 firings, not 14 as originally posted
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wboggs
Gold $$ Contributor
As 25-06 posted, it depends on your barrel length. With a 28-30" you could 2900 with acceptable pressure. With a 24 you can get 2800 with ease. For hunting you can drop down to 120 Barnes TTXS and get your 3000.
But, realize that at about 400 yds or less, the game won't be able to tell the difference. I told some large animals with the 160 gr Woodleigh at 2750.
But, realize that at about 400 yds or less, the game won't be able to tell the difference. I told some large animals with the 160 gr Woodleigh at 2750.
Quickload shows 3,000 fps with a handful of powders at 60,000 psi from a 30" stick.
This means a modern action and strong Lapua brass.
Quickload also shows a node from a 30" bbl right around 60,000 to 62,000 psi. How this translates in the real world I can't say. Sorry.
However... For F-class there is no reason why I would go with the 6.5x55 and not the 6.5x55 Ackley Improved.
This means a modern action and strong Lapua brass.
Quickload also shows a node from a 30" bbl right around 60,000 to 62,000 psi. How this translates in the real world I can't say. Sorry.
However... For F-class there is no reason why I would go with the 6.5x55 and not the 6.5x55 Ackley Improved.
Just built a 6.5x55 on a savage target action, 8 twist, finished just at 31". 140g Nosler RDF at 3080 FPS with no pressure signs. 220 Yard group measured .65 in tall and .85 in wide, 5 shots. Very pleased so far. Lapua brass, 48g 4000MR powder, CCI 250 primer. Bullet likes to jump seating 45 thou off the lands.
With some of the current powders the 6.5 x55 can get you low/mid 2900's with a 30" barrel without pushing too hard but...with the high degree of wall taper the bolt thrust may be a bit more than desirable and the 25deg shoulder would mean I would be trimming brass quite often and likely not get great life out of the cases; Lapua 6.5 x55SE brass is pretty cheap however. The main advantage of the AI, IMO, is that the brass lasts a LONG time while easily getting that mid 2900 fps node. Downside is a bit of initial brass prep for the AI.
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In that case I'll keep my 6 Creed, with Hornady brass, Tula primers and H4350, hahahaha
STOMP442
Gold $$ Contributor
I just spun a 30" Shilen onto an old military swede for my brother and he is getting 2902fps with 41gr of H4350 and the 140 Hornady with excellent accuracy. Barrel length plays a big part but I think in a modern action 2900 should be attainable pretty easy. I haven't tried it yet but I bet R26 would yield some pretty impressive velocities.
In that case I'll keep my 6 Creed, with Hornady brass, Tula primers and H4350, hahahaha
No doubt the 6mm's are great calibers. I have a 6xc that pushes a 115 DTAC just at 3000FPS with very good accuracy. But, None of the 6mm bullets have the BC of the 6.5mm RDF. I Built it as a 1000yd prone scoped rifle and it does very well there. BTW, very nice group!!!!!
Thanks!
The little the 6mms give up to the 6.5s in windage the more they makeup in trajectory, and it's quite a bit.
Using the example above (105 RDF at 3015 fps vs 140g RDF at 3080), the Swede with 140s is better in windage and trajectory/drop. The 105g RDF would be 3.3 minutes flatter to 1000 yards than the 140g RDF. That is almost a yard difference (34.5") in trajectory, so how does the 6mms make it up in trajectory??
The 105g RDF would have to be started at 3200fps to beat the listed Swede load in trajectory to 1000 yards (21.9 MOA vs 22 MOA).
What are you getting with 25-28" bbl in the Swede, let's be fair about this comparison, everything I see the best you can load a 6.5x55 is to about 2800 max. And I can easily load a 105Hybrid or JLK to over 3100 with no pressure signs, now lets go back to the ballistic tables, shall we. Wait, lemme whip out my new DTACs or 110MKs, it's all over but the crying like my dad used to say. LOL
Have you seen the BC on the new 6.5mm 150g SMKs?
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