Who

I am new to rifle reloading and would like to ask a question. Sunday a gentleman I met a our range gave me some loading data he use.
I have not used it and would like some thoughts on the loads.

Calier 6.5x55 swedish
case RP trimed 2.150
Bullet type Sierra MK Bt
Bullet Weight 140
Powder type IMR-4895
Powder Weight 37.8
Primer Fed 210 GM
.010 off lands
Total die length RCBS 4.326

2nd

140 gr BT matching
37.8 gr IMR 4895
Primer Fed GM
Case Lapor
Length 2.150
O.A. Length 3.141

3rd

140gr sierra match king
Fed 210 GM primer
37.8 gr IMR 4895

What do you think.
Rick

Bad officials are elected by good citizens who do not vote.

Edited by - Who on 10/08/2002 11:19:35

thndrchiken

First I have to ask what type of rifle you intend to load for. For example, if your loading for a swedish mauser, there is no way you'll ever be able to seat the bullet .010 off the lands due to the length of the throat. In that case seat the bullet out as far as you can while ensuring that it will fit in the magazine and cycle properly. I have had really good results with 42.0 gr of I4350 and WLR primers, with the col of 3.15". This load produces an average three shot group of 1/2-3/4" at 100 yds. Now mind you the rifle is a Husqvarna commercial with a deep-throated milsurp barrel factory cut to 26". Bullet selection, these groups are with 140 gr corlokts, which I WILL not use for hunting due to what I feel is poor quality, for hunting I would prefer Hornady Amax, or Sierra Gamekings. As far as trim to lengths on the brass I use the Lee case trimmer guides which take you to the SAAMI trim to length. If you shoot the swede regularly I think you'll find it to be quite a nice choice for accuracy, mild recoil and terminal performance. For many Europeans the swede is the standard and is used to hunt all variety of big game. It will certainly take just about anything on the North American continent with the exception of the largest of dangerous game.

Who

Tc,
Yes, sorry, its for a 6.5x55 swedish mauser.
This is interesting. After reading your post I took a round out of a box of PMC target ammo and it is the exact same mesurments. What do you think?
Rick

Bad officials are elected by good citizens who do not vote.

Briman

Watch your PMC ammo for high pressure signs when shooting it- it might be a little hot for a 96 mauser. I have a few boxes of the stuff that I'm just going to pull the bullets from and reload because I got a sticky bolt and flattened primers while trying the stuf in 2 different rifles.

Ditto to what thndrchiken said about the throat- even with the extremely long 6.5 bullets, its still not possible to seat anywhere near the rifling, just set the bullets so that they fit and feed from the magazine properly. I also get good groups with 140 gr rem corelocts- thankfully as I bought a box of 500 of them

With the 4895 I would start a few grains lower and work up to that load- its about a 1/2 grain above the maximum load listed in the Hornady manual though a Sierra manual might have different listings for maximum charges. I use 4064 at 46.5 gr. with the 140 gr bullets.

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thndrchiken

I also get quite good performance with H380, with the 140 gr corlokts, there are two crimp rings, if you seat to the bottom ring and put a light to moderate crimp I think you'll find you'll have quite a nice shooting milsurp. The Swedes like just about any mid to slow burning powder, the choice of Winchester primers is my preference, depending on what weather conditions are like by you Federal match primers would also be a good choice. After getting several bad boxes of CCI primers, I won't buy them anymore.

eldeguello

My experience with the 6.5X55mm also indicates that slower powders, like IMR 4350 and H4831 work very well with the 140-grain bullets, permitting the highest safe velocities with accuracy with this weight bullet.

Keep yore powder dry!!