Went to the range today with my first batch of reloads for my M70 FWT in 6.5X55. I had made 4 loads last week taking date from my Barnes and Hornady manual. I used the method in the Barnes manual to determine the max loads for my rifle (start 2gr below max and work up to max to see if there's signs of pressure in your rifle). These are the loads I made:

Load #1
Winchester brass
Federal 210 primers
Barnes 130 TSX
Powder H4350 at 44gr, 45gr, 46gr, 46.5gr, 47gr, 47.5gr, 48gr
Barnes says max is 46gr but can use 1-2 grain more with TSX.

Load #2
Winchester brass
Federal 210 primer
Barnes 130 TSX
Powder H4381sc at 46gr, 47gr, 48gr, 49gr, 50gr

Load #3
Winchester brass
Federal 210 primer
Honady 140 SST
Powder 4381sc at 44gr, 45gr, 46gr, 47gr, 48gr

Load #4
Winchester brass
Federal 210 primer
Hornady 140 SST
Powder RL22 at 46gr, 47gr, 48gr, 49gr, 50gr

I was hoping to see some pressure signs so I could find my max and back down. But I can't see any difference between my minimum and maximum loads. No flat primers, no extractor impressions, no stiff bolt, nothing out of the ordinary. Some of those loads should be max and maybe a little more (it's hard to find modern data for the swed). So what do I do now? Get a chrono? Today's session didn't really tell me much .

With 140 gr bullets Id say 48gr of R22 is about my comfortable max with my m70

I'd chrono the loads and compare the results to the Barnes and Hornady data.

Do remember that the published maximums are based on the strength of the norwegian-Krag and Swede Mauser.

There is probably no good reason why you could load the pressures into the mid-50K range, but I'm sure you'll find an accuracy sweet spot before you get anywhere near that high.

AllanD

The Barnes loads are for modern action (I'm assuming because the velocity are to modern standard). The Hornady ones were made up of modified .260 Rem loads (starting mid range and going a little over max). At this time point I'm looking for safe, maximum loads. I can taylor them for accuracy after.

I agree with craigster.....chronograph the loads.

Further reload the brass you have just fired....see if any of the primer pockets have loosened up.

I've seen the time when I thought all looked well until I discovered that the primer pockets wouldn't hold the next primer well.

If you're not getting any pressure signs and no expanded pockets and the velocity isn't over 2,800 I'd add another 1/2 grain and go to the range with a five shot group.

Interpolating from other 6.5 data in a winchester action all I'd be willing to shoot for is 2,800'/sec with a 140 grain bullet as a max velocity. This isn't a whole long ways behind the .264 win mag. I suspect you're not too far from it now.

You need a chronograph and to mike the case heads for expansion.

Also, to those who typicaly say "no signs of pressure": If the bullet leaves the case, there is pressure. Period. There may be no signs of excessive pressure, but there IS pressure.

What you have loaded are all within safe ranges also for the 3 different 6.5 x 55s I own...

As pointed out above, a chronograph will tell you what kind of velocity you are getting....

As an avid 6.5 bore shooter....I have to ask.. why do you need to push any of the loading any further than you have it right now?

Sure, You can tweak an extra 100 to 150 fps out of the loads potentially... but what is that going to give ya in the real world???

6.5 bores are flat shooting because they are so aerodynamically efficient....

Most bullets made for the 6.5 bore are also made to open up at lower speeds... as the world is full of older military 6.5 bores that have much lower MV than the ones that have high MV like the 264 Win Mag and the 6.5 Rem Mag....

There high sectional density will also allow them to penetrate like no tomorrow... and you are using the premo bullets any way.....

I'd call it good and get ready to when you can go hunting with what ya got... zero the scope and call it a day....

cheers
seafire

I'll give you some data.

140 gr. hpbt Sierra, WLRM, 49gr. accurate 4350, ****primer popper pulled bullets.

Same bullet, 45gr. IMR 4350, 2675fps. primer somewhat flattened. I consider it max for my rifle.

140gr. psp, REM. 45gr. Acc.4350, WLRM. 2725 fps.5 shot 3/4" grp. No pressure sign.

140 gr hpbt Sierra, 47gr accurate Data 86 , WLRM. 2735fps. 3 shots touch, No pressure sign.

roger

Old age is a high price to pay for maturity!!! Some never pay and some pay and never reap the reward. Wisdom comes with age! Sometimes age comes alone..

Seafire, I don't necessarily want to push them further, I just want the full potential of the 6.5x55 with modern pressure.

I was "hoping" to see some excessive pressure signs so I would know where's my max and back up a bit. From the data I've seen I should be in the max zone with my top loads. I guess I'll have to buy myself a new toy . The chrono should be able to tell me if I'm stepping too hard on the gas pedal. What do you guys think 2750-2800fps with the 140 and 2900-2950fps with the 130 TSX?

Those velocities are entirely doable, safely, in most modern guns. Please notice the provisions set forth in my statement. One of my most accurate loads in a blue printed Sako is 49 gr. RL 22, 140 gr. A- Frames. I get 2785 fps. and one hole groups. Your results may vary.

Geronimo

Geronimo

quote:

Originally posted by BCSteve:
...The chrono should be able to tell me if I'm stepping too hard on the gas pedal. ..

Hey BCSteve, You might want to read Chronographs and Pressure written by a guy who frequents this Board.

Chronographs can be fine tools, but they also have the potential to be very mis-leading.

Lots of folks using chronographs just keep dumping in Powder until they see the same Velocity written in a Manual. That may be SAFE and then again it might not be.

If you do get a chronograph, be sure to keep watching for all the traditional Pressure Indicatiors (including CHE/PRE) and don't go by Velocty alone.

Velocity DOES NOT equal Pressure.

Best of luck to you.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Hot Core:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by BCSteve:
...Hey BCSteve, You might want to read Chronographs and Pressure written by a guy who frequents this Board.

**********
Great information, Hot Core. Who is the author? roger

My 6.5 tikka will happily push 120grain sierras at 2950 but I agree with the thread starter, there never seems to be any indication of a difference in pressure sings between 45 and 50 grains of Viht 160? My gun was accurate and had plenty of ooommph for the red hinds in scotland with the 50 grain load at 2950 fps so i never pushed it any further. I did wonder whether it would though but decided i didnt need any more velocity. It did a nice job on the reds just short of 300 yards and the accuracy is dependable!

Steve your vel goals seem OK.

"Chronographs can be fine tools, but they also have the potential to be very misleading." This would be true if one looked at only one sign(speed) and ignored all others. If one looks at all the signs available, including a strain gage, some valuable info can be obtained.

Chrono's can be had for cheap. It would be an excellent work-up tool. If you keep dumping in powder you can find excess pressure sign.

Modern pressures? Swede's and their loading's are anything but mild(well maybe in someone's mind). The Swede is a strong action too. It is real easy to push the M-96(29"barrel) with a 140gr bullet from a normal Swede type vel of 2600fps to 2900fps(46grains of H-4350). That is right there where Seafire said one is approaching 264WIN territory. Load books usually show 264WIN vels of 2900-3200fps using 24 and 26" barrels with the 140gr bullets. What is the barrel length of your rifle?

quote:

Originally posted by bartsche:
Great information, Hot Core. Who is the author? roger

Hey Roger, That would be our very own poster who goes by "asdf".

He also has an interesting take on Powder Selection.
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A non-Calibrated Home Strain Gauge System(HSGS) = Reloader's Pyrite(aka Fool's Gold)

Loadtech says your loads are in the 57-59550psi range.

Thanks ramrod, my goal is a max of 60000 psi, same pressure as the .260 Rem, since I'm using a modern Winchester M70. That's in my ball park. I know that computer programs aren't 100% accurate but it gives me an idea. I'll order a chrono this week and reload the same loads. I'll see that velocity I'm getting. With the combination of visible signs, computer pressure estimate and velocity I should be able to get an idea..... maybe.

Thanks for the info guys, keep it coming.

BCSteve,

Not trying to sidetrack the issue or anything, but what kind of accuracy did you get out of those initial loads you tested?

I'm shooting the 130TSX out of my M700 in 6.5x55, 47gr of rl-19, standard .050" off seating depth. accuracy is good enough by my standards and I think that's just a tic under max load for the standard 'X'. I could probably tweak the seating depth and squeeze a little more velocity out without giving up too much accuracy, but would I really be gaining anything? That bullet looks like a freakin' pencil and I doubt the extra 50fps would make it 'more' of a pass-through projectile on a lung shot.

Not trying to sway you either way, just something to consider. If a chrono would make you feel more comfortable with your reloading, by all means get one.

irwin