Is anyone getting 3000 fps with a Std 6.5x55 Swed Mauser - 140 gr. bullet?

[Broncazonk]

Looking at the Nosler Reloading Guide (5th ed.) it shouldn't be too difficult to get 3000 fps with a standard 6.5x55 case. RL-22 and H-4831 at 100% load density both look like they might get there.

A 6.5x55 AI would almost certainly get you there, no?

Bronc

 

[Steve Blair]

In what action and barrel length?

 

[DukeDuke]

I'm right there with RL-22 and RL-17 using 140 A-MAX in my M96

 

[Broncazonk]

Yeah... Lets say a 24" nominal barrel length (or longer) on a modern bolt action.

Bronc

 

[DukeDuke]

Not a problem at all. Modern bolt action is an interesting term, especially after the report about an FN SPR loosing a lug.


http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Main=138498&Number=1514839#Post1514839

 

[Broncazonk]

"Modern" bolt action

Yeah DukeDuke, but your view point is tainted. You're shooting one of the finest rifles ever created. There are very few "great" rifles and the Swedish Mauser is one of them.

Bronc

 

[watercam]

DukeDuke I'm amazed at the pressures your '96 is tolerating. My son's 6.5x55/Shilen barrel combo can't handle it. Doing anything out of the ordinary?

 

[jlmurphy]

I have been shooting the 6.5x55 for about 10 years in many different actions. You can almost reach 3,000 fps with Re22 and a long barrel, but it is over pressure and Re22 is a temp. sensitive powder, better to keep it at 2,900.

 

[1000yardstare]

I am driving the 140 AMax at 2800fps in my 6.5 Swede Tikka T3 Lite, 23 inch barrel, using IMR 4831. Very accurate, 3 shot 3/8 inch group at 100 metres. Pressure signs look good.

Went up to 2900 fps with RL22 and the groups opened up, probably due to increased recoil and muzzle blast as much as anything else. Primers were definitely flatter than at 2800 fps.

I think you are flirting with potentialy high pressure problems on a hot summer day or letting a cartridge "cook" in a hot chamber while examining a target if loads are much faster than 2900 fps.

Quite frankly, I don`t want to go any faster than 2800 fps with 140s, and the Tikka is a strong, modern action.

 

[DukeDuke]

Re: "Modern" bolt action

Yeah DukeDuke, but your view point is tainted. You're shooting one of the finest rifles ever created. There are very few "great" rifles and the Swedish Mauser is one of them.

Bronc

No doubt! Loving it!

Watercam, I don't think I'm doing anything out of the routine. I seat the bullets far out, still fit the mag, but barely and RL-17 is my powder. What pressure signs do you get?

 

[olympian]

Duke,
You are likely on the hairy edge for a small ring Mauser. The brass will hold the pressure without any signs/symptoms of excessive pressure, but the action will not fail. I have seen it in M96s.

Small ring Mauser actions (including M95 and M96) will not handle the pressure a M98 will. I am not cautious compared to many people when it comes to working with a modern action, but a modern action will give you some warnings on the brass. Small rings come apart without the typical warning from the brass. You are doing something out of the routine and your barrel or chamber are likely on the large end of the range. Put that load in another M96, M38, or Norwegian Krag (all designed for the same round) and it might come apart in a few shots, which is not pretty. Stay out of the heat, too.

 

[Steve Blair]

I concur with Olympian's point. The M96 is a well-made action but it is not the strongest of early Mausers. The loads DukeDuke describes are too heavy for that action. Given the production capabilities during that period, his could easily have a large chamber, long throat and loose bore. As Olympian noted, the next, apparently identical, rifle could fail almost immediately.

I once had a caliber .50 barrel fail catastrophically while shooting and I would not wish the experience on any decent person. I was fortunate and recovered. Some people who have similar experiences carry scars or are only memories.

 

[DukeDuke]

I was very cautious and fired a number of shots remotely. I knew the M96 has a weaker action. Also, I don't shoot those loads all the time. I communicated with Steve from http://stevespages.com/264_9_140.html particularly about the 139-142gr. bullets and he told me that his M96 handled the loads he lists just fine, so I had faith. I remember I had to be very careful!

 

[olympian]

Just remember it only takes one round of slightly greater pressure to potential rupture a rifle designed in 1895 with 1895 metallurgy.

 

[DukeDuke]

I knew/know I run the risk. When we shoot any type of firearm, what guaranties do we personally have, or count on?