6.5X55

[stewie333]

I have a 6.5X55 Swede with an original but shortened barrel. Lapua offers bullets in gr. sizes 155,139,144,123 and 108. I can't afford to buy all of them to test, can someone make a recommendation? I will be using a mild,41.5grns) load of H4350.

Thanks

Cam

 

[Ogre6br]

What for- paper punching or hunting??

Does it have the original chamber?? the 123 or 139's might be a good choice if the chamber is it's original long throat.

Mine likes the 107 sierra's and 108's

USE EUROPEAN BRASS if you want to run high pressures

later
P

 

[6Dasher]

The 139 is definitly a good bullet for long range. The 123 has the same ogive, so seats the same distance as the 139, but is a bit shorter in the rear. Both are good bullets, with the 139 winning the edge at long range. The 155 is a pure hunting bullet, may not be suited for LR target shooting.

 

[stewie333]

I run very low pressure 41.5grns of H4350 as I don't like a lot of recoil. Not that recoil is a major issue with the Swede. I believe the chamber is original but I don't have a set of headspace go/no-go gauges to check. I like the idea of using the lighter 123's or 139's as I don't hunt with this rifle at all. I will not in any likelihood ever be running at high pressures. There are zero pressure signs using cheap PMC brass so far with full length sizing. How well would the H4350 work using the 2 sizes mentioned? Is there a gauge I can buy to measure the OAL using the ogive so that my seating depths are consistent? Maximum accuracy out to 300M is the goal right now, as I live only 30 minutes from the Connaught ranges and the NCRRA shoots 300-900M mostly.

Thanks

Cam

 

[stewie333]

Sorry, one other question.

Is the 6.5X55 Swedish Mauser the same as the 6.5X55SE?

Thanks

 

[Raptor]

I don't want to hijack this thread but I am having a 6.5x55 built and will be using it for long range tactical matches. I am going to replace my 260 with the 6.5x55 and try using slow burning powders to increase barrel life, sort of like joser is doing with his .243CM.

I am hoping by doing this I will be able to increase the barrel life over the 260. I would still like to push the 140s around 2700fps though and was wondering if any of you guys have any good loads for the 6.5x55 in the slow burning powders. Thanks!!!!

 

[norpacmiami]

Stewie,

Yes, they are both the same thing. Don't worry much about measuring the throat. Military throats are rather long. Go by book suggestions and keep it simple. I shoot mine around 3.010 - 015 long,SIE 120s and 142s). It seems that IMR 4064 is the powder of choice, although 4831SC and h1000 work as well. Some VV perform excellent, specially in match actions.

Don't get aggressive with pressure. Swede m96s manufactured during the 1941-1944 period by Husquavarna had better steel tempering compared to the CG made samples of previous years.

Have fun, safely.

Andy

 

[6Dasher]

Slower powders shorten barrel life, they don't extend it. Do 30 shots with a fast powder and then 30 with a slow powder; feel the difference.

 

[WayneShaw]

Raptor, You need to be careful in what you are doing. Swede brass is a few thousands bigger,.008 I think)at the rim than normal .473" cases. Depending on which action you are using, it may present a problem. I'm doing one on a M700, and I am turning the cases down to fit the bolt face. Not a big deal with a lathe, but just wanted you to be aware.

 

[JER]

Slower powders shorten barrel life, they don't extend it. Do 30 shots with a fast powder and then 30 with a slow powder; feel the difference.

Nonsense. Feel tells you nothing about what is going on with the throat's metallurgy.

H1000 has one of the slowest bur rates AND one of the lowest energy values around. That means it burns cooler and spreads its burn over a longer length of barrel.

THAT is why Joe Hendricks can get over 3K rounds of useful accuray with a 243 Winchester.

 

[JER]

I'm doing one on a M700, and I am turning the cases down to fit the bolt face.

Wouldn't it make more sense to open up the bolt face with said lathe and do the job once, instead of every time you add a new case to your prepped brass? And then you will never have to wonder if your brass has the correct rim diameter.

 

[WayneShaw]

I don't think it wise to open a bolt face for one specific cartridge. The only option would be a Sako extractor, and I rather not do that. It doesn't take long at all to cut down the cases.

 

[rhino]

Remington and the 6.5x55 won't work. Works with Savage with no modifications.

6.5x55SE is swedish mauser.

I suggest VIN N560 and Reloader 22 for the swede and heavy 139-142 bullets.

RHINOUT!

 

[stewie333]

I am having poor results with the 120gr Speer with 41.5gr of H4350 with an OAL of 3.000 +.01/-.00 so I am increasing the powder charge to 43.0gr and a OAL of 3.085+/-.005,I don't have a seating Mic yet so this is a best guess with a vernier). I think I am going to try 142gr SMK with 40.0grn H4350 with an OAL of 3.03 +/- .005 after I have used all of the 120's. I have a feeling that the fast twist of the Mauser barrel is not stabilizing the smaller bullets. Any opinions on using the SMK's with that charge? Could it be better?

 

[rhino]

actually if your using a Mauser 96 swede it has plenty fast enough twist like 1-7.76 or something like that.

4350 might work with the 120's, but trust me VIN N560 and Reloaer 22 work best with the 142's.

RHINOUT!

 

[stewie333]

Sorry, what I meant to say was that I thought that some smaller bullets don't like a fast twist. And that 142's would likely be a better match for the 1/7.5 twist. As far as powder goes, I have quite a bit of H4350 left so that's what I have to work with. I will try the VIN N560 when I run out,Thanks for the heads-up). How much does brass play a part in this in terms of run-out, I am using PMC brass right now. Any other ideas? Bedding, perhaps the barrel is done,I guess I'm fishing for the excuse to buy a new barrel at this point)LOL.
Hmmm where did I put Ted Gaillards number..

 

[Forum Boss]

Trade off that PMC brass and buy Lapua. It's really outstanding 6.5x55. I've tried the Norma 6.5x55 also and it's very good, but the Lapua is the best IMHO. Very consistent weight-wise and it seems to hold up to high pressures better. You should easily get 15 reloads on Lapua brass so don't fret on the slightly higher initial price. It's worth it.

 

[2644ever]

And that 142's would likely be a better match for the 1/7.5 twist.

With such a fast twist, have you considered using the Sierra 155 grains? I understand it's been designed to match the twist and the freebore of some Swedes as it shows no improvement of BC over the 142 grainers, but it's the only one likely to reach the land on some warhorses...

 

[stewie333]

I don't see 155grn on the Sierra site, I do see a 160grn SMP pro-hunter. Is the 155 new? I have read the Lapua brass is good, is the PMC total junk? I'm on a bit of a budget here, how's the Winchester brass.

 

[Raptor]

So, are you guys saying the 300 rounds of Lapua brass I bought won't work in my Remington in the 6.5x55???