Any extensive data on 6.5x55 SE?

[65swede]

Old thread, but I'll jump in.

I load for two Tikkas in 6.5 Swede. A 22" superlite hunting rig and a 20" T3 Sporter. Vitavouri publishes data for the 6.5X55 SKAN which is for modern rifles. IIRC published N560 loads achieve ~2880 fps with 139 scenar. I commonly use a little over Max published loads for the 260 rem as a starting point for the Swede with comparable projectiles. Both my swedes shoot very well with R23. The 20" rifle, H4350 and 147 eldm are superbly accurate, 47.2 gr and COAL is ~3.0". Velocity is 2740 and Lapua brass has 9 loads on it. Primer pockets are good as new. I could push this harder but I doubt the accuracy could be any better.

The 22" rifle shoots 143gr Eldx right with the Vitavouri Skan data. I exclusively use R23 in this rifle, the throat is very long as shown in the pic below. This load is half a grain below where I begin to see pressure signs.

The 6.5X55 is a hell of a performer for a 120 year old design.

 

[KMart]

Here are some groups shot with my 6.5x55
Mod 70 Push feed
Krieger 27" 8t
RE-16 is your friend
The sighter on the bottom picture is 1.5"

 

[MAGNUM44270]

Lapua brass, norma mrp, im pushing 142 ablr ar 2920fps, 22in barrel

 

[BlackGrouper]

Just received a new 32" Bartlein barreled action for 1000yd prone chambered in standard 6.5x55, has about .208" freebore.
Going to try H4831sc w/139 Scenar, 140 hybrids and maybe 142 SMK's at 2800 to 2850fps range. Should get me decent windage and barrel life.
I'm used to competing with 155's @ low 2900's in 308, if I can get the better part of one scoring ring inside that with same wind call I'll be happy.

 

[S3silver]

You should be able to get 2800 easy with that combination and 32” barrel. Would be very surprised if you didn’t. I get just over 2800 fps with a 140, h4831, and 24”.

 

[wboggs]

I posted on this 2-3 months ago. I have a Savage LA all trued up, bedded in a Boyds stock and a Criterion/Krieger barrel 1-8 twist, 26"varmint taper, arriving tomorrow. I want to push this setup to its top velocities while keeping safe. I have been shooting and loading the 6.5x55 for over 30 years, and one of my best loads is 1 grain over the max in Sierras Manual for 120 grs. The only data results I got here before, was the starting load should be the max load for the SE data. By the way, my most accurate loads, in my 96 Swede build was all using IMR-3031. I did load workup over 2 years using 4 different primers, 12 powders and Sierra and Hornady bullets. This was around 30 years ago, and it was not the preferred powder in the load manuals, but using Winchester WLR primers 85, 120 and 140 gr Sierras, all 3 bullets shot a 3 shot group in the .300's. This was a hunting rifle, not a bench gun and still shoots 3 rounds under an inch at 300yds. All feedback appreciated, powders and bullets have changed a lot since then.

I used to load the old Woodleigh 160s to 2750 using Norma MRP with 1/2" 3shot grps. Rifle was a push feed m70 la. with a 24" barrel. Wonderful load for up to elk.

 

[South Pender]

I have a 6.5x55 and was running QuickLoad to find a powder that would give me the highest velocities. Of all the powders I entered into QL, Alliant Re26 showed the highest velocities with most bullet weights--averaging about 40-50 fps higher than the next-best powder. I haven't been to the range lately to chronograph my loads, but I'd suggest trying Re26. If accuracy is good, it's a winner.

 

[Infrequent Shooter]

Old thread, but I'll jump in.

I load for two Tikkas in 6.5 Swede. A 22" superlite hunting rig and a 20" T3 Sporter. Vitavouri publishes data for the 6.5X55 SKAN which is for modern rifles. IIRC published N560 loads achieve ~2880 fps with 139 scenar. I commonly use a little over Max published loads for the 260 rem as a starting point for the Swede with comparable projectiles. Both my swedes shoot very well with R23. The 20" rifle, H4350 and 147 eldm are superbly accurate, 47.2 gr and COAL is ~3.0". Velocity is 2740 and Lapua brass has 9 loads on it. Primer pockets are good as new. I could push this harder but I doubt the accuracy could be any better.

The 22" rifle shoots 143gr Eldx right with the Vitavouri Skan data. I exclusively use R23 in this rifle, the throat is very long as shown in the pic below. This load is half a grain below where I begin to see pressure signs.

The 6.5X55 is a hell of a performer for a 120 year old design.

View attachment 1408157

Is your T3 Sporter the one with the laminated stock, sort of an older model from a few years ago? Not to be nosey, but how accurate could/did it shoot? I have almost bought one a few times over. Thnks in advance. Mark W.

 

[AckleymanII]

26", 8T Brux, Rem 700
127g Barnes Long range
cci 250 primer-sealed the deal on small groups over other primers
R#26
3150 is the accuracy node

 

[S3silver]

26", 8T Brux, Rem 700
127g Barnes Long range
cci 250 primer-sealed the deal on small groups over other primers
R#26
3150 is the accuracy node

That's smoking. The only load I tried with the 127 lrx was with H4831 and hit low 2900's. It shot little itty groups at 100 so I didn't do any further load work up. 3150 is cooking right along.

 

[AckleymanII]

We had no loading data, just kept going up in powder charge shooting two shot groups, and 3150 was the bug hole load, jumping bullet .050. We also found the 127 to be very easy to tune in the 6.5x47 and 6.5/06, jumping .050. Lapua brass.

 

[BlackGrouper]

Shot a 1000yd match with new rifle, 48.3gn H4831sc 140 hybrid. 030" jump. About 2900fps with the 32" barrel.
Still fine tuning stock setup but did OK for me with irons.

 

[Hammer101st]

Shooting 150 sierra match kings at just over 2800 with my AI and 7828ssc

 

[65swede]

Is your T3 Sporter the one with the laminated stock, sort of an older model from a few years ago? Not to be nosey, but how accurate could/did it shoot? I have almost bought one a few times over. Thnks in advance. Mark W.

Mine is in an orange laminated stock. It's an honest .5moa rifle out to 500yards. I didn't do much more that shoot ladders with 142smk and 147eldx and load in the middle of a node. I'd buy one in 223 in a heartbeat if I could find one.

 

[Infrequent Shooter]

thank you for the reply. helpful for me. Mark W

 

[Frankm]

If top velocity ( and obviously accuracy) are what you re looking for then slow powders are in order for the Swede. I tested with IMR4831, R22 and R26 with my Barrett Fieldcraft 24”. R26 shot just as accurately but ran about 50-75 fps more velocity at similar pressure. ( based on new case expansion)

I ve used 140-147 gr bullets. 47 grs, work up to it!!, of R26 push’s a 147 Eldm 2800 fps. Other caution…. I had to back my powder charge down 1 grain once barrel broke in at 150-175 rounds. Velocity was still 2800 with fps.

The Swede in a modern action will open your eyes!! Your 26” barrel should help velocity too!!