6.5x55 + 140gr Bullets = Velocity?

[ThunderDownUnder]

I'm curious about the velocities than can be reached by this cartridge in a modern bolt action target rifle. The 140 grainers have the highest BC so they are of primary interest to me.

The case capacity sits between the 260 Rem and the 6.5-284 and it fits a 308W bolt head. Does the velocity fall somewhere between these two cartridges? My 6.5x47L is just about at its limit at 2920fps and I would like to know what the Swede could do in a 32" barrel.

If anyone has shot the 140s in a long barrel I would like to hear from you about the velocities you achieved. It would be great if you could include some load data on what you used to reach the velocity. I'm hoping 2960+fps is possible and dont really want to use the 6.5-284 case as its overkill for the velocity I want.

Ian

 

[DukeDuke]

With RL-22, RL-17 and the looong barrel, 3000fps should be no problem. Now tell me how do you get the 6.5x47L up to 2900fps with the 140s

 

[ThunderDownUnder]

Its no secret getting the 6.5x47L up to 2920+fps, 32" barrel and 38.5gr of Varget and your there, without any pressure issues in my rifle! I have posted this before elsewhere on the site.

Now back on topic, I dont want opinions on what the possible velocities are with the 6.5x55, I would like to hear from shooters that have measured the velocity and the accuracy of this round (no offence Duke).

Ian

 

[ChrisNZ]

You need an Ackley Swede Ian ;D
But they're not much better than a 6.5-284 in barrel life which is what you'd expect being 95% there..

ChrisNZ

 

[ThunderDownUnder]

Chris, I think the 6.5x55 will do it in its standard form. I just would like some feed back from people that have experience with this oldie but goldie cartridge. I dont want a barrel burner but would like to be able to launch the 140s at 2950-2960fps. The Lapua brass is a big plus and the case appears around the right capacity, just need some info.

Duke, Thanks for the PM and details on your use of this cartridge, I agree with your comments!

Ian

 

[savageboy]

If you want to launch a 140gr long skinny bullet like a 6.5mm one at 2900+ fps you are going to have a barrel burner- sorry. Its a combination of the long bearing surface and the amount of overbore (lotta powder for little hole) that does it.
I did a 260AI to get "6.5x284 performance w/ less powder". I sold my 1st bbl b4 it wore out as I got my 2nd barrel- longer, heavier contour, etc. so I can't actually say if I got more rounds than the 6.5. I am keeping track of this bbl though.
I have read that the Straight Sweede is better on barrels than the 6.5x284, but compared to say a .223 or .308 its a barrel burner due to the above mentioned physical properties.
My 6.5x55 is a Sweedish Mauser so I don't push it, I run it around 2600-2700 fps. and it is fine. You should be able to get above 2900 fps w/ a long barrel and a stout load of H4931 SC or similar slow powder.

 

[jmm03]

Hi there,havent finished load testing but these are my chrono'd loads for H4831SC in a Lapua case,142 Sierra,BR-2,out of a Rem.700,Bartlein 5R,1 in 8.5,27 inches long.
43.5gr average 2576.8 fps
45.0gr " 2661.2 "
45.5gr " 2693.4 "
46.0gr " 2746.0 "
averages are from 5 round strings,chrono approx. 10 feet from muzzle.
all were under a US quarter at 185 yards,43.5 load and 46.0 load were tightest,SD was smallest on the 45.5 load but it was the largest group,47 grains is the book max for this powder and projectile weight.Hope this helps.Regards, Jim

 

[tsiero]

http://www.accurateshooter.com/forum/index.php/topic,3739971.msg35822959.html#msg35822959

I get 2860 FPS with that load ES is 11 fps.

Accuracy wins more matches than velocity. Once you learn that rifle load and the hold is relative to what you know the bullet will do in that wind condition. An extra 50-100FPS woun't make you a better shooter.

 

[Raptor]

I have a 6.5x55 on a Remington action with a Kreiger 26" barrel. I had several 6.5x284s and am on my 4th 260. I built the 6.5x55 with the idea that it would fall between the two and with slow buring powders I might be able to push the 140s the same speed as my 260 only with better barrel life than either the 260 or the 6.5x284.

During my load development I found the this gun to be very picky on what it liked. I wanted to shoot N160 or H4831SC but it loved H4350. It would not shoot the RL22 loads that everyone else claimed was the powder of choice for this caliber.

I found two sweet spots with it. One was at either 45 or 46grs of H4350 with the 139s and with this load it shot great but it was to fast for what I wanted. With this load it shot within .5 MOA of my 6.5x284 data out to 1000yds. I never cronographed the load but in my 6.5x284 I was pushing the 140s at around 2990fps so I had to be very close to this speed with the 6.5x55.

I dropped the load back down to around 42 or 43grs of H4350 and its right at where I was with the 140s in my 260 and it shoots great with this load. I am now hoping I will get better barrel life than the 260s. Time will tell!!! Hope this helps.

 

[Raptor]

I also agree with the post that says if you push the bullets that fast you will have a barrel burner. It doesn't make any difference if you use a smaller case or not it will still be hard on barrels.

You may want to go with a 6.5x284 and never look back. Its the king of the 6.5s period!!

I have a friend who is from Norway and got me on the 6.5s and said they get 6000+ rounds out of the 6.5x55 barrels over there using factory Lapua match ammo. I think it cronographs only around 2600fps if memory serves me correctly. There is always a trade off!!!!!

 

[peter6mm]

I shoot a 6.5 x 55 in UK F-class up to 1000 yds. Chose this over 6.5 x 284 for better barrel life, accepting I will need to deal with a bit more wind drift.

Barnard action, Krieger 30 inch, tight neck, Berger 140 gr VLD, Lapua brass, VV 165 powder. these are measured velocities, average of 5 rounds.

47 gr - 2800 ft/s
47.5 - 2835
48 - 2862
48.5 - 2892
49 - 2937
49.5 - 2967
Target load for up to 600 yds - 47gr
Target load for beyond up to 1000 yds - 49gr.

No excess pressure signs

 

[savageboy]

"There is always a trade off!!!!!"

If you want to play, you gotta pay- in this case in the cost of barrel wear. But you get low recoil and great BC's w/ the 140's.

 

[Matt Pitchon]

I'm using 50gr of 4831sc behind a 142SMK in a 30" Broughton 8 twist. I get 2900fps, and no pressure signs. Accuracy is less than 1/2MOA. I'm not far enough into this barrel to know its life, but I would guess it will be short. I'm considering Nitrocarburizing as a method to get more rounds per barrel. The process costs about $60.00/barrel, so it might make sense.

 

[ThunderDownUnder]

Great info, thanks everyone!
This is what I have picked up from the info contributed on the Swede...

1. No free lunch, barrel life drops as velocity and powder charge increases.
2. Swede could do what I want and achieve 2960fps with 140 grainers.
3. 6.5-284 will do it better with maybe a touch more barrel wear.

Peter6mm loads according to range, less velocity for the shorts and more for the longs, this would extend the barrel life at the expense of a little ballistic loss on the shorts. I have thought about doing this as it makes good sense but I hate giving up any ballistic advantage.

I think the solution might be to use my 6.5x47L out to 800 yards and then chamber for the 6.5x284 and 3000fps for out to 1000 yards. looking at the ballistic charts for my 6.5x47L it hangs with the 6.5-284 in wind drift out to 800 yards and then starts to get left behind. I'm not worried about the drop difference but wind is what beats me now at the longs and the 140s at 3000fps would close the gap on the 7mm/30cal big boys.

Ian

 

[Raptor]

Trust me, there is no way your 6.5x47 will stay with a 6.5x284 on wind drift. Like I said I am on my 4th 260 barrel and they are really close to the 6.5x47s in nearly everything and there is a "LOT" of difference between my 260s and my 6.5x284s.

I live in South Dakota where the damn wind blows most the time. A 10 to 15mph wind is a nice day out here and the 6.5x47 may look good on paper compaired to the 6.5x284 out to 800 but in the real world it just doesn't seem to work out that way for some reason and I have shot them side by side for seveal thousand rounds and that is what "I" have found with my set ups. Hope this helps!!!

 

[ThunderDownUnder]

Trust me, there is no way your 6.5x47 will stay with a 6.5x284 on wind drift. Like I said I am on my 4th 260 barrel and they are really close to the 6.5x47s in nearly everything and there is a "LOT" of difference between my 260s and my 6.5x284s.

I live in South Dakota where the damn wind blows most the time. A 10 to 15mph wind is a nice day out here and the 6.5x47 may look good on paper compaired to the 6.5x284 out to 800 but in the real world it just doesn't seem to work out that way for some reason and I have shot them side by side for seveal thousand rounds and that is what "I" have found with my set ups. Hope this helps!!!

Thanks Raptor, good advice!

Ian

 

[OKIE2]

6.5 x 55mm Swedish Mauser
loads
from 85 to 160 grainers
http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp

 

[BBTC48]

Thanks peter6mm for the experience with N165/140grainers. I too built a Swede, not as an F class but as a light weight hunter. This is a new 22 1/2" Sako Finnlite S/S 8"twist on my WinMod 70 long action. Works super with tight neck and long throat can seat bullet long and cycle up out of mag just right. RL22 and the 4350's have been so-so with 140's. N160 is perfect for 120's. Very accurate. This barrel needs 2 fowling shots then will shoot 1/2 MOA. 139Scenar, 140Amax shoot the same. Even 155Megas shoot well. Can load with authority due to strong modern action. No recoil. Sweet rifle.