Hi all

I have some questions and some "facts" that I would like to get straightened out.

What I believe....

SAAMI does pressure evaluations and sets pressure limits on cartridges

SAAMI does this for "standard" rifle calibres not necessarily for all wildcats or "improved" versions of existing cartridges.

These questions are specifically for the 6.5x55.
The basis for my information is at
http://www.hodgdon.com/data/rifle/65x55sm.php

The pressures listed ranged from 45,300 to 46,000
CUP's

The pressures listed at the same site for a .260 remington range from 49,300 to 59,500 CUP's

The lowest pressure of the .260 was greater than the highest pressure of the swede.

1. Why are the pressure limits so low for the swede? I would guess that it is because of the older/inferior guns.

2. Would a new gun such as a ruger or remington in 6.5 x 55 be able to handle .260 rem pressures?

3. Would the brass for a 6.5 at those pressures be questionable?

4. Are there any pressure limits (other than good common sense) set by SAAMI on a slightly modified (improved) version of the swede?

5. Would doing this let the round have the ability to utilize the newer propellants and rifles of today?

Thanks

Jim B.

Jim,

Factory ammo and most published reloading data for the 6.5x55 takes into account that those loads may find their way into a hundred year old Mauser 94.

In a modern rifle, some reloaders lot hotter.

I take a conservative approach. The 6.5x55 will do anything I want to do as is. If I wanted or needed higher velocities, I would have bought a bigger cartridge.

IMHO, there is no earthly reason to take a nice medium sized cartridge and load it to the ragged edge. It's hard on your rifle, hard on your cases, and the performance increase you get just is not worth the effort.

At least, if you rechamber to an AI, you remove the possibility that your loads will get fired in a hundred year old rifle and you put any future owners of that rifle on notice that it has likely been used with hotter than standard loads.

Jim B. ,
I'm with Leftoverdj and his answer.

If you have a recently made rifle, you can test this loads, start, of course, from a lower load, 140grs bullet, 46grs of N160 Vithavuory Oy powder, I use Federal GM primers, OAL 79mm
120 grs bullet,49 grs of N160 Vithavuory Oy powder, or 50grs of NormaMRP.
they are not precision loads, but hunting loads with a good precision.
I use Lapua cases that have less volume then Norma and these loads are 1 / 2 grains under the loads made with Norma cases. Otherwise you obtai to throw away the brass after 3 or 4 times that you have shooted them
Make me have some feedback if you test tham.
bye

I believe the conservative data stems more from the much weaker action of the 6.5 Krag-Jorgenson action with a single locking lug. The m-96 action is much stronger than most give it credit. That said, I try not to hot rod any action but have pushed a 140 grain bullet to 2880fps with 4350 in a m-96. Typical military 139-142gr has a velocity of approx 2600fps in the m-96. Good Shootin'n'Good Luck

I forgot a few things. I didn't have any pressure signs in my gun with the higher vels. The brass seems to last with no problems noted yet. Modern action can take higher pressures and velocities but that goes along with quicker throat erosion and shorter barrel life. Modern propellants like 4350, 4381, and R-22 work well in the 6.5