Best Powders in the 6.5x55 SE

[Exercion]

I've burnt many pounds of RL22 and H4831SC in Swedes, both my modern F-Class and hunting rigs and military Mausers. I get better velocities with the RL22, using 140g class bullets, but usually better consistency with the 4831SC.

Eric

 

[wbm]

Sophia. My M96 made in 1910. Varget for light bullets 120gr. H4831 and H4350 for heavy.

 

[r bose]

140g bullets and 4000MR works very well for me.

 

[JavmanSTX]

All good suggestions, guys. I've been playing with QuickLoad, and Re25 and 26 appear to give higher velocities than other powders at safe pressures. IMR7828ssc does well too according to QuickLoad.
Anyone chronographed loads with these powders?

Loaded some 120 ELDs with R26, haven't chronographed them but shot a few rounds at the range and noticed that a 100 yd hold was still hitting center at 200 yds. Hopefully I will chrono those these weekend or next. No pressure signs at 50grs. Using CZ Hunter.

 

[Ojr]

I load for two, both hunting rifles, modern actions [ 85 Sako] with 22"barrels
In one use the 120gr Nosler BT with ADI 2209-H4350
In the other I use 140gr Amax [ I have a goodly supply] with Vhit N560.
Both with Lapua Brass.
Others I know also use the H4350/ADI 2209 with the 140/143gr

 

[Blobby159]

All good suggestions, guys. I've been playing with QuickLoad, and Re25 and 26 appear to give higher velocities than other powders at safe pressures. IMR7828ssc does well too according to QuickLoad.
Anyone chronographed loads with these powders?

With IMR7828 and the SSC Version I have been shooting 48.5/49.0gr under 139gr Lapua Scenars held in Lapua Brass. In the first two/three years of use when the rifle was from new, somewhere around 85/90% of bullets fired grouped nicely into the Bullseye and V-Bull areas of a standard 1,000yd target on BISLEY’s range! The rifle was a heavy barrel Tikka t3. I really loved that load in that rifle!

 

[AckleymanII]

127g Barnes Long range
Lapua brass
CCI 250
R#26 .5g below what is max load for the rifle(where pressure signs first begin)
3150 fps
Groups 3/8" and less
.050 from the lands, minimum

 

[Blobby159]

With IMR7828 and the SSC Version I have been shooting 48.5/49.0gr under 139gr Lapua Scenars held in Lapua Brass. In the first two/three years of use when the rifle was from new, somewhere around 85/90% of bullets fired grouped nicely into the Bullseye and V-Bull areas of a standard 1,000yd target on BISLEY’s range! The rifle was a heavy barrel Tikka t3. I really loved that load in that rifle!

BTW, my recorded velocities for that load was in the 2,850fps range +/- about 15fps. A pretty good, reasonably fast, accurate but not overly ‘hot’ load in my rifle at least!!

 

[NZ_Fclass]

I would give Staball HD a serious look. I'm planning to try it in a 257 AI Roberts shortly.

 

[358WCF]

All good suggestions, guys. I've been playing with QuickLoad, and Re25 and 26 appear to give higher velocities than other powders at safe pressures. IMR7828ssc does well too according to QuickLoad.
Anyone chronographed loads with these powders?

Better late than never... maybe. Here's some chrono #s with an Oehler 35, center screen @ 10 feet, not corrected to muzzle velocity. The rifle is a BSA CF-2 with a 20" sporter barrel.

I've been using 43.5 gr of H4350 & 140 Partitions @2500fps or the 160 Hornady with 47gr of RL22 @2400fps for years as a hunting load & never had a reason to look for more until I got bored last winter.

140 Ballistic Tips & RL 26 in old Herter's (Norma) brass with WLRs saw 2720fps @ 49.5 gr. No pressure, but that where testing stopped with this combo.

140 SSTs with RL26 in RWS brass & WLRs pressured out at 53.5 gr, but shot best at 52gr. @2835fps

I tested with the Sierra 160SMP until they were gone & cant be replaced these days.

Herter's brass & WLR with IMR7828 pressured out at 47.5gr & 2496fps. with poor accuracy.

RWS Brass & WLRM with RL26 pressured out at 49 gr. & 2601fps. 48 gr @2555fps shots 4 into an inch # 100yds.

RWS brass & WLR with 7828SCC shot best at 48-48.5gr=2475 to 2503fps. 49 gr @ 2537fps had slight bolt lift & groups opened.