6.5x55 modern reloading

[dieselten]

I just got a Tikka T3 in 6.5x55 with 23.7" barrel. I have a question for those of you with experience in modern loading for this cartridge. All the posted data is for the older rifles with max pressure around 45k. I would like to know if it reasonable for me to expect to achieve 2800-2850 with a Sierra 142 Matchking in this rifle. I would like to start with H4350 in new Lapua brass. Any comments or suggestions from those with experience would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[JRu]

Not exactly what you were looking for (H4350 for SMKs), but maybe this will help to see what kind of figures you can expect from the swede in modern rifle actions:

 

[Matt Pitchon]

I shoot 142SMK at about 2900fps using 50gr of 4831sc. This load completely fills the case, but is not compressed. Barrel is a 30" 8 twist Broughton. Action is a 1960s vintage FN Commerical Mauser. Very accurate, and no pressure signs. A 23" barrel would not generate these velocities.

Your experience may vary.

 

[dieselten]

Thanks very much everyone for your help. I do have some H4831SC to try. I have never see the Vit powders available locally that is why I focus on the Hogdon stuff. Like everyone else I try to consolidate my powders to 3 or 4 types for the majority of my reloading and that has worked well for me up to now.

Dave how was your accuracy with N560?

 

[wboggs]

You should be able to get a velocity roughly midway between the .260 Rem and the 6.5-284.
Keep your pressures around 60,000. Some of the loads you see are from target rifles with long barrels, special throats, etc.
I assume you bought your rifle for hunting. My most effective game loads are some of the 140s and the 120 BarnesX.
Bill

 

[wboggs]

CZ makes an under rated rifle. Have one in .458 Lott that will put 3 500gr.s in a cloverleaf at 100yds.
I have thought about one in the 6.5x55 and am glad to hear how accurate yours is. Did you do any bedding, trigger work, etc.?
Bill

 

[jlmurphy]

I shoot a Winchester Model 70 in 6.5x55 with a 26" barrel, I get 2850 fps using 48 grs. of H4831. No pressure and extremely accurate and consistent.

 

[flatlander]

I'm not crazy about paying the price that Viht powders bring nowadays, but I got really fine accuracy with S142MKs out of a 30" Krieger med. Palma on a Nesika K action at just over 2900fps with N160.

 

[dieselten]

I actually got a Tikka Sporter for target use.
http://www.tikka.fi/t3models.php?sporter

It is a heavy 23.7" barrel with fully adjustable laminated stock. I wish the barrel was longer but it looks like a pretty nice rifle. I want to use it in our local 500 meter bench match on 4" x 6" steel plates. They are placed with the 6" up & down and our range is very windy so all my misses are usually from wind changes.

I will start with H4350 & H4831SC and the 140-142's. I can get the RL22 locally and I will also try that while I am sourcing the Vhit powder. I am also going to try some 123 Amax with H4350, the bc is pretty good at .510.

Thanks everyone for all of your help.

 

[longarch]

I use 48831SC in my 6.5 Rogue and get under 3/4" accuracy at 150 uards and pushes 142gr SMK's near 3K fps but remember it's a Rogue and not a standard 6.5x55.

 

[jmm03]

Hi there, using 46.0 gr.H4831SC,lapua case,142 sierra HPBTM, BR-2 primers,27" Bartlien 5R heavy varmint barrel mated to a model 700 action with a no turn neck chamber (PTG reamer),I have chronoed that load at 2840 avg. with very good accuracy and still 1 grain under book max from my older sierra load manual.Bullets are seated to the lands.No pressure signs that I have been able to measure,appears easy on the brass,I have loaded one batch of brass 6 times so far and just had to run them through a body die to bump the shoulder on the most recent reload.All had been previously loaded with Lee collet neck dies.I still shoot my older m96's although my eyes are not what they used to be unfortunately,they seem to like slow powders and heavier bullets. Jim

 

[244ack]

I picked up a Tikka T-3 last week in 6.5x55. I am using 49gr of H4831sc,Lapua brass and 140 bergers and 142 Sierra's. haven't had a chance to run them over the cronograph yet but they shoot well with no presure signs.