I got a great deal on a Tikka Hunter model in this cartridge and have also purchased Hornady 95gr V-max and 120gr A-max bullets for range work and maybe some jackrabbit hunting.
I'm not going to load for max velocities (maybe just under) for these and would appreciate some powder suggestions, especailly in Hogden's 'extreme' series as I may load the rounds and have them last into various seasons before firing them all.

Thx!

Mike

I've never loaded for either of these Hornady bullets. But for the 120BT I loaded RL19 gave me best results. IMR 4350 was second. I would think a powder in this burn rate would work well for either bullet.

If your focus is extreme powder only I would focus on H4350.

I choose not to bite on the Hodgdon extreme sales pitch. Even looking at their data it is suspect to me. We loaded for how many years before it came along? It you are pushing the thin edge with a load developed at a low temp you could have issues on a hot summer day. If you develope a normal load at the times most of choose to shot at the range you should have no problem year around.

I have not loaded them in the 6.5x55, but in my 260, the 95 Vmax and 100 Sierra & BT work well with IMR 4064 and Re15 for me. It is what I use for coyote hunting.

The 4895s should be as good as any for below max. loads. Accurate 2520 WOULD BE A GOOD ALTERNATE! roger

Thanks for the suggestions. I've got some of the powders mentioned so will have to get to work.

I shoot a 260ai, close enough. It likes the med. burners for the 95gr-100gr like RL15, IMR4064, VV150 (my fav.), Varget. For the 120gr, H4350 or H4831sc.

Varget is my choice for 100 and 120 gr bullets in 6.5 Swede. Accuracy is excellent, it is an "Extreme" powder and velocities with both are more than adequate.

Larry Gibson

I've got a new lb of Varget that I'm itching to play with so I'll see if that wants to yield "best" loads for these bullets. I grabbed 100 Lapua brass on a coupon deal at Cabelas and have a Lee collet neck die and Forster BR seater die. This gun went .75" for 5 shots with some cheap Fed factory 140gr so I'm looking forward to see how it does with what I've got to work with.
Only downside is I'm picturing myself out in snow covered sagebrush, desperately looking for my Lapua empties after a couple of quick shots at a Jack

100s and below - N150
120s N160 or H4350.

120s are not that light for 6.5x55 so more normal powders are called for. Pressure rises quite fast with the faster powders and these bullets.

quote:

Originally posted by Nomo4me:
I've got a new lb of Varget that I'm itching to play with so I'll see if that wants to yield "best" loads for these bullets. I grabbed 100 Lapua brass on a coupon deal at Cabelas and have a Lee collet neck die and Forster BR seater die. This gun went .75" for 5 shots with some cheap Fed factory 140gr so I'm looking forward to see how it does with what I've got to work with.
Only downside is I'm picturing myself out in snow covered sagebrush, desperately looking for my Lapua empties after a couple of quick shots at a Jack

I use 47 gr Varget under the 100 gr Sierra HP for 3225 fps in WW cases with WLR primers. With Nosler BTs or Sierra and Remington 120 gr SPs I use 44.2 gr for 2950 fps. This is out of my M38 Swede. Work up to those loads as always using your componants.

Larry Gibson

quote:

Originally posted by 1894mk2:
100s and below - N150
120s N160 or H4350.

120s are not that light for 6.5x55 so more normal powders are called for. Pressure rises quite fast with the faster powders and these bullets.

I agree. I love VV150 in my 260ai. 95grV-max @ 3300fps & 1/2moa.

VihtaVuori N-150 and N-540.