6.5x55 with Woodleigh

[wboggs]

Have finally found two good loads for the 160 gr Woodleigh. R22 and NMRP2 give 2725 and 2716fps at 20' respectively and are below max hunting loads with 3/4" accuracy. I can go up to 2750 with the MRP2 before pressure signs appear.

 

[6pt-sika]

What is your 6.5x55 ?

I have two Husqvarna Mausers still in full military dress that I've been half way messing with . But military iron sights are not the best for testing loads LOL's !

 

[wboggs]

It is a Model 70 long action with a 24" PacNor barrel. Bullets can be seated long and still function in magazine. Olan to use it for deer this Fall.

 

[6pt-sika]

I picked up a Husqvarna 98 barreled action the other day . It has a 9.3x57 barrel on it now . But I'm giving seriouse consideration to putting a 6.5 barrel on it and making a 6.5x57 out of it .

I'm thinking a Shilen #3 cut to 20 or 22" . Put it in a Hogue piller stock for starters and if it shoots to my liking perhaps a semi decent piece of walnut also piller bedded .

 

[wboggs]

The 6.5x57 would be a great caliber. Just take quality 7x57 brass and neck it down. You won't be giving up much to a 6.5-284. I like a 24" barrel but your short one would be real handy.
Plan to give the 160 Woodleigh a good testing this fall on deer and will keep you posted on the results.

 

[6pt-sika]

The 6.5x57 would be a great caliber. Just take quality 7x57 brass and neck it down. You won't be giving up much to a 6.5-284. I like a 24" barrel but your short one would be real handy.

Actually from everything I've read they say take 6mm REM , 257 Bob or 7x57 brass and neck it up to 30 cal and then size it to 6.5mm to leave a sort of false shoulder for it to headspace on .

Around all the spots I normally hunt a 200 yard shot normally is a long one however I have a couple spots I can stretch out to 450 or so . Typically on short action or medium cartridges I like 22" or less . On 06 length cartridges I like 24" and on magnums I prefer 26" .

 

[2506]

I am glad to hear that you have a M-70 action with loads that stiff. You would be waaaaaaay over pressure as to what a Mauser 96 action is designed for. You are just shy of what a 264 Win mag would do with those 160 gr bullets. I still have some 160 gr Sierra .264 bullets. I load for M-96's and AA or IMR 4350 has been very accurate for me but around 2400 fps is all you can get safely with them out of the 29" barrel. I get a touch over 2800 fps with 140s and 3000 fps with 120s safely though. I have never killed a deer with the 160s but have with the 140s and 120s. Never seen the need for anything heaver than the 140 nosler partition. I like the 120 Nosler ballistic tip for deer. It kills them DEAD on the spot.

 

[6pt-sika]

The 6.5x57 would be a great caliber. Just take quality 7x57 brass and neck it down. You won't be giving up much to a 6.5-284. I like a 24" barrel but your short one would be real handy.
Plan to give the 160 Woodleigh a good testing this fall on deer and will keep you posted on the results.

Well the Husqvarna that fell in my lap got sent back yesterday !
Whoever drilled and tapped it did a pee poor job of setting the jig or maybe didn't use a jig as the rear hole for the back mount is a bit off center !
So , so much for the 6.5x57 rebarrel !

 

[wboggs]

The strong Win. action shows just how good the old 6.5x55 is when loaded up to modern pressure levels. The Woodleigh bullet is very accurate around 2700fps in my rifle, some loads going 1/2". No doubt that the 140's would do just as well. Plan to use it this Fall and will post results.

 

[kyreloader]

I too had good accuracy with the 160g Woodleigh. I loaded my 6.5x284 with RS Magnum powder to just over 2700fps. I did kill a whitetail doe 2 years ago with that load. It blew through her opposite shoulder with a nice gaping 3-4 inch hole noted. I really liked that bullet in that rifle.

 

[wboggs]

That is exactly what I expect from it. I do notice it has some recoil and I'm going to put a recoil pad on it. My .30-06 has been made into a target rifle so I will use the the 6.5x55 as a primary deer rifle. I hunt in an area where there are lots of deer at various ranges so it will get a real evaluation starting in Oct.

 

[stinkitup]

Good to see some decent results with the woodleigh's. I have been trying them (140's) but had major pressure signs with with AR2209 (Australian Powder) so backed of a little more then I locked up the old mauser, think I had a Secondary explosion or whatever they call it. As they are seated way out there it doesn't help.

Have checked the manual will be trying AR2217 quite a bit slower max charge is compressed so will be able to fill that big case up and some RL22 which is not much quicker than 2217 by the looks.

I would love an M70 but seem as rare as hens teeth down here in Australia in 6.5x55. Sounds like they perform well on game too which is good to know.

Good luck on the deer shoot.

 

[wboggs]

There is nothing magical about the Model 70, I just happened to have one. Any strong modern action woul be just as good. The Winchester brass I am using is very good and stands the pressure without excessive expansion. These are hunting loads, shot slowly, and hepefully only one at a time. I want complete penetration from any angle since many of the deer start to move just before dark and you need a good blood trail.

 

[6pt-sika]

There is nothing magical about the Model 70, I just happened to have one. Any strong modern action woul be just as good. The Winchester brass I am using is very good and stands the pressure without excessive expansion. These are hunting loads, shot slowly, and hepefully only one at a time. I want complete penetration from any angle since many of the deer start to move just before dark and you need a good blood trail.

I like Model 70 Pre 64 actions quite a bit . But I couldn't bring myself to tearing one apart to build a rifle .

I can however bring myself to tearing Remington 700BDL's from the 70's to the early 90's apart to build rifles .

 

[wboggs]

A Rem LA will allow the long bullets to be seated out for an overall length of around 3.1" and the use of slow powders.