6.5x55 Quickload help

[Fordnutter]

Hi Guy's,
I was wanting some help from those with Quickload to run some numbers for me to help establish a base line of best powders to use in my Blaser R93 in 6.5x55 that will give best velocity with safe pressures with a 140gr Amax. I know accuracy trumps velocity every time but a fast, accurate load is even better

Calibre: 6.5x55
Case: Lapua brass (don't have any capacity yet as waiting on brass still to arrive)
Projectile: Hornady 140gr Amax
OAL: 3.015"
Barrel length: 22.75"
Max Pressure: 380 MPA (max pressure recommended for Blaser)

I'm an experienced reloader & completely understand the implications of theoretical data & take full responsibility for any of misadventures as a result!

 

[jonbearman]

I don't have quickload but in my trials rel-22 worked well in my rifle as I recall. I also used h4831 I think but these types of powders are good in this cartridge.. The r-22 was best around 46-48 grains with 140 class bullets. Always start low and work up in your rifle as they all differ depeneding on the actual chambering reamer and groove diameter. So drop 10 percent and start testing.

 

[Laurie]

380 MPA (55,000 psi) is the standard 6.5X55 PMax for the cartridge and therefore mild in a modern rifle with virgin Lapua. Using QL's default water capacity of 57gn, here's what it says for this pressure plus COAL and barrel combination:

Cartridge : 6.5 x 55 Swedish
Bullet : .264, 140, Hornady A-MAX 26332
Useable Case Capaci: 52.038 grain H2O = 3.379 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.150 inch = 80.01 mm
Barrel Length : 22.8 inch = 577.9 mm

Predicted Data for Indicated Charges of the Following Powders.
Matching Maximum Pressure: 55000 psi, or 379 MPa
or a maximum loading ratio or filling of 105 %
These calculations refer to your specified settings in QuickLOAD 'Cartridge Dimensions' window.
C A U T I O N : any load listed can result in a powder charge that falls below minimum suggested
loads or exceeds maximum suggested loads as presented in current handloading manuals. Understand
that all of the listed powders can be unsuitable for the given combination of cartridge, bullet
and gun. Actual load order can vary, depending upon lot-to-lot powder and component variations.
USE ONLY FOR COMPARISON !

110 loads produced a Loading Ratio below user-defined minimum of 90%. These powders have been skipped.
Powder type Filling/Loading Ratio Charge Charge Vel. Prop.Burnt P max P muzz B_Time
% Grains Gramm fps % psi psi ms
--------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Norma MRP 99.4 49.7 3.22 2831 99.3 55000 12715 1.209
Ramshot Magnum (Big Boy) 103.8 53.3 3.45 2819 97.6 55000 12773 1.196
Vihtavuori N560 100.9 49.5 3.21 2817 96.7 55000 12853 1.205
Accurate MAGPRO 101.4 51.7 3.35 2808 95.2 55000 12908 1.212
IMR 7828 SSC 99.6 49.1 3.18 2803 97.1 55000 12463 1.197
Alliant Reloder-22 101.2 49.1 3.18 2798 98.3 55000 12431 1.212
Winchester WXR 103.9 49.3 3.19 2796 98.2 55000 12438 1.212
IMR 7828 105.0 48.9 3.17 2794 97.0 54475 12431 1.202
ADI AR 2213 100.5 48.7 3.16 2788 97.0 55000 12317 1.196
ADI AP 2214 104.6 52.1 3.37 2781 97.2 55000 12232 1.194
Alliant Reloder-25 105.0 50.1 3.25 2772 99.9 51149 12217 1.240
ADI AR 2209 97.2 46.4 3.00 2755 98.1 55000 11714 1.203
Alliant Reloder-19 97.6 46.8 3.03 2752 98.2 55000 11772 1.212
Ramshot Hunter 93.2 46.2 2.99 2751 99.7 55000 11480 1.218
Norma URP 92.6 44.0 2.85 2732 100.0 55000 10997 1.226
Norma 204 92.6 45.8 2.97 2730 98.0 55000 11455 1.213
Hodgdon H4831 SC 99.0 48.0 3.11 2729 96.3 55000 11571 1.208
Hodgdon H4831 103.0 48.0 3.11 2729 96.3 55000 11571 1.208
Accurate 4350 96.3 44.2 2.86 2729 100.0 55000 11001 1.245
IMR 4831 97.3 44.7 2.90 2716 100.0 55000 10777 1.235
Winchester Supreme 780 96.6 48.9 3.17 2713 98.0 55000 11233 1.216
Vihtavuori N165 103.2 49.0 3.17 2709 98.6 55000 11064 1.221
Hodgdon Hybrid 100V 98.5 44.2 2.86 2698 100.0 55000 10153 1.225
Hodgdon H4350 94.8 44.5 2.88 2694 98.8 55000 10837 1.218
IMR 4350 93.1 44.4 2.88 2693 98.9 55000 10817 1.218
Vihtavuori N160 102.9 47.3 3.07 2686 96.9 55000 10950 1.218
Norma MRP 2 105.0 50.4 3.26 2686 95.7 46585 12471 1.306
Vihtavuori N570 105.0 53.1 3.44 2670 88.9 44902 13100 1.319
Accurate 3100 105.0 47.6 3.09 2659 99.4 51380 10960 1.287
Vihtavuori N150 92.6 41.9 2.71 2635 100.0 55000 9511 1.239


I deleted results for Lovex, Somchem, Raufoss, Eurenco, and Bofors powders which I assume you won't see in NZ (we don't see them in the UK either bar Lovex.)

It appears that with this pressure and barrel length, slower burning powders than the 4350s won't give 100% charge burn.

I hope these results help - good shooting when you get the rifle.

 

[1shot]

Laurie did a very good work up on the Swede. I have been shooting a slightly improved Swede fore several years now. As you said, you are an experienced reloaded so I will give you a couple of my pet loads with the standard disclaimers. Please remember that I'm shooting a cartridge that holds 7% more H2O and I'm running them from 30" tubes. I'F YOU VALUE YOUR BLASER, DON'T RUN THESE LOADS IN YOUR RIFLE. They shoot great in my Pandas, but my partner shoots about a grain lower than I do.
53+ of H-4831sc w/140gr. JLK bullet = 3,100 fps +-
48+ of H-4350 " " " " =2,990 fps +-
52+ of R-22 SAME 3,050 but still testing

Good luck,
Lloyd

 

[Changeling]

It would be really interesting to see a load work-up on Quickload (that program is amazing) for the 6.6-06 and a 6.5-280 AI. I believe the results would be awesome! 8)

 

[Fordnutter]

Thanks for all the information guys. Laurie the information is greatly appreciated, it gives me a great place to start with my load development once all my components arrive.

 

[dzelenka]

47.5 - 48.0 gr of RL22 under a 140 shoots pretty well in a lot of rifles. It is my go to load for a Swede.

Dan