6.5x55 150gr

[XL105]

I used to have a Swede, unfortunately sold the barrel a few years back. I’m going to build another one. I shot 142gr SMK out to 1000 yards. It’s a great combo.
But I’m thinking of going with with the 150gr SMK this time around. Has anyone run this combination? I ran 4831sc with the 142s, and H4350, now in the 260 rem with 142gr SMK.
Did you run the same powders in the 150s?
What OAL did you have? (I want to max OAL possible.)
Barrel length?
Anyone try running 1:7.5 recommended for the 150 SMK, using the 142gr SMK?

 

[XL105]

Nobody has experience or even opinions on these questions?

 

[Infrequent Shooter]

not a 150 gr, but I have some older Norma 139 gr. I have not loaded them yet. back in the day, they were top stuff. I will be glad to mail you some to play with to see what you think.

 

[Bemoni]

150's could be a good idea in the Swede, but you may need a fast twist, possibly around 1:8 or 1:7,5 and get them going between 2850 and 2900 As i'm from the other side of the pond, i can't tell which of the powders you are listing, that will work, but from my own experience, i will say that the slowest would work best.

My loads are typically Hornady 153 A-Tip, backed by Reload Swiss RS70 ( close to RL26 ), in combination with a magnum primer to insure a constant ignition start and are fired from a ( rather old ) 24 inch Lothar Walther barrel in 1:8 and they are ringing steel at one mile without any issues.
Don't chase the lands, mine has a jump of 0,75 mm and groups are usually below 15 mm @100 meters.

 

[XL105]

150's could be a good idea in the Swede, but you may need a fast twist, possibly around 1:8 or 1:7,5 and get them going between 2850 and 2900 As i'm from the other side of the pond, i can't tell which of the powders you are listing, that will work, but from my own experience, i will say that the slowest would work best.

My loads are typically Hornady 153 A-Tip, backed by Reload Swiss RS70 ( close to RL26 ), in combination with a magnum primer to insure a constant ignition start and are fired from a ( rather old ) 24 inch Lothar Walther barrel in 1:8 and they are ringing steel at one mile without any issues.
Don't chase the lands, mine has a jump of 0,75 mm and groups are usually below 15 mm @100 meters.

I’m glad to hear the 150’s are good in a 1:8 barrel. Sierra recommends 1:7.5. I wanted to be able to have the option for 142gr SMK, and running the 1:8 will do that. The 142gr SMK and H4831sc in the Swede for me was extremely accurate at 1000 yards.
I will keep the RL26 in mind, the only issue is, unless I’m mistaken, that’s a temp sensitive powder? I will try the magnum primers, I usually run the BR2s. Having other options on components is key in this current environment.

 

[Bemoni]

I’m glad to hear the 150’s are good in a 1:8 barrel. Sierra recommends 1:7.5. I wanted to be able to have the option for 142gr SMK, and running the 1:8 will do that. The 142gr SMK and H4831sc in the Swede for me was extremely accurate at 1000 yards.
I will keep the RL26 in mind, the only issue is, unless I’m mistaken, that’s a temp sensitive powder? I will try the magnum primers, I usually run the BR2s. Having other options on components is key in this current environment.

Primer selection has proven to be the key to accuracy for me, much more than seating dept and case prep could do.
I have been running CCI 200, 250 and BR2, but they have all been beaten by the RWS 5333 ( magnum primer ) as the ES dropped to the low 10's when i switched to them.

 

[XL105]

Primer selection has proven to be the key to accuracy for me, much more than seating dept and case prep could do.
I have been running CCI 200, 250 and BR2, but they have all been beaten by the RWS 5333 ( magnum primer ) as the ES dropped to the low 10's when i switched to them.

Do you have the OAL on that round? I’m just wondering if I can get it in a short action seating it long. My 142gr SMK fit in the short action, but I can’t remember what my OAL was on it. I want to be able to seat above the donut in the case, and be able to get as much powder in before I see pressure signs.

 

[Bemoni]

Do you have the OAL on that round? I’m just wondering if I can get it in a short action seating it long. My 142gr SMK fit in the short action, but I can’t remember what my OAL was on it. I want to be able to seat above the donut in the case, and be able to get as much powder in before I see pressure signs.

My A-tip's are seated to 82,00 mm COL ( 3,228 inch ) which is quite long for the caliber, but the barrel may be in the last quarter of it's life, but still VERY accurate, although carbon fouling is a growing concern and requiring complete cleaning every 50 rounds.

Building a Swede in a short action, are in my view, not optimal, mine is built on a P17 action and should i build another, a Tikka action would be the answer.

 

[XL105]

My A-tip's are seated to 82,00 mm COL ( 3,228 inch ) which is quite long for the caliber, but the barrel may be in the last quarter of it's life, but still VERY accurate, although carbon fouling is a growing concern and requiring complete cleaning every 50 rounds.

Building a Swede in a short action, are in my view, not optimal, mine is built on a P17 action and should i build another, a Tikka action would be the answer.

I agree on the short action, I want the max coal, and short action will limit it.
Thanks for the numbers.

 

[swd]

I tried the 150SMK is my 1-7” 6.5x55Ackley. About 6-8 failed to make it to the target during 100 yard testing. I sold the rest of the 150’s. For heavies the 153.5 and 156 Berger’s are better bullets.

 

[XL105]

I tried the 150SMK is my 1-7” 6.5x55Ackley. About 6-8 failed to make it to the target during 100 yard testing. I sold the rest of the 150’s. For heavies the 153.5 and 156 Berger’s are better bullets.

Bergers are definitely an option, and the 156gr is a good weight.

 

[XL105]

I tried the 150SMK is my 1-7” 6.5x55Ackley. About 6-8 failed to make it to the target during 100 yard testing. I sold the rest of the 150’s. For heavies the 153.5 and 156 Berger’s are better bullets.

Is the 1:7 standard for the ackley?
What fps are you getwith the 156s?

 

[Infrequent Shooter]

Interesting thing about the 6.5x55, is the original twist was 1/8 or so. I always thought this was fast for the day and age, but it had to have a fast twist to spin those real heavy/long bullets they were shooting in the early 1900s and late 1800s.

 

[swd]

Is the 1:7 standard for the ackley?
What fps are you getwith the 156s?

I just happened to have 7”. 7.5” is plenty for the 153.5 or 156. There’s a nice node around 2890 with the 156.
A friend was blowing up 150SMK’s in a 7.5” at 2950 out of a PRC. Going slower than we we were pushing out of a straight 6.5x55 they might be ok. The BC is impressive but not so much if they don’t make it to the target. The 140 Hybrid, 142SMK, 153.5 and 156 are all good bullets that live with hard strings of fire.