6.5 X 54r - Resurrecting A Champion

[D-4297]

A young shooter whom I have been mentoring ; has had a 6.5 X 54r rifle built , and has called on me to help with load data for his project rifle . The idea came from reading about the Russian rifle that had dominated International competition for a period back in the late 1950's and early 60's . Knowing that there are still some knowledgeable shooters around who know of the cartridge , and that we have some of the most knowledgeable loaders in the world on this site , I turn to the Experts . If you have any information tucked away in the back of your loading manuals , or old load books concerning this cartridge , please help a young shooter out on this .

I've worked out a couple of very safe starting loads for him to form brass with , but since I have very little knowledge of the lighter 6.5 bullets , and normal velocities within this caliber , I am asking for any help you can proffer . Please ; Let's keep Safety at the fore-front when submitting starting load , and useable powder data . Thanks Ladies & Guys .

 

[Clark]

oct 25, 2021 out in the sage brush

Mosin Nagant 6.5x54r Vostok
129 gr NAB moly 48.5 gr IMR 4451, 3.04", 27" stainless thin barrel
Quickload: 65kpsi, 3102 fps
1" (3) shot group at 100 yards
chrono: 2917, 2919, 2936 fps

 

[fkimble@charter.net]

What twist is the barrel? What bullet weight does he have or want to use? What powder does he have?

Frank

 

[D-4297]

Twist rate on his barrel is 8-1/2 , and it is 26" in length .

Available powders are : Bullets to be used :
H - 4350 120gr.
A - 4350 130gr
IMR - 4895 140gr.
H - 4895 143gr.
Varget 150gr.
VV N-530

 

[D-4297]

Apologize for the delay in providing the requested information . My friend is a first responder with a odd schedule , and lives 1,500 miles away . Makes it difficult to communicate at times , but do appreciate any and all responses .

 

[Sniperhandle]

A young shooter whom I have been mentoring ; has had a 6.5 X 54r rifle built , and has called on me to help with load data for his project rifle . The idea came from reading about the Russian rifle that had dominated International competition for a period back in the late 1950's and early 60's . Knowing that there are still some knowledgeable shooters around who know of the cartridge , and that we have some of the most knowledgeable loaders in the world on this site , I turn to the Experts . If you have any information tucked away in the back of your loading manuals , or old load books concerning this cartridge , please help a young shooter out on this .

I've worked out a couple of very safe starting loads for him to form brass with , but since I have very little knowledge of the lighter 6.5 bullets , and normal velocities within this caliber , I am asking for any help you can proffer . Please ; Let's keep Safety at the fore-front when submitting starting load , and useable powder data . Thanks Ladies & Guys .

I know this is an older thread, But Reloder 22 works excellent with the 140 class bullets and heavier. Here is mine, I built it in 2016, I built 2 at the same time, One on a Remington and the other on a Westinghouse. I shot out the Westinghouse and I have since rebarreled it to 6.5 PRC. Here is the 6.5x54R it wears a Broughton 5C barrel.
I have done them in many caliber conversions.

 

[ebb]

The load that Clark has posted is about a max load of 4451 for a 6.5-06. I would be looking at 6.5-06 loads and back off some, and work up. 6.5-06 , 6.5-284 and 25-06 all have near identical case capacities. Powders like H4831, IMR 4831, VV165, H100v, 25-06 people love Retumbo. I don't know what a starting load is for these in a Russian case but I think these would be where I would start.