Out of a 22" barrel if you have them ? Looking for a lightweight close up caliber and new gun for elk hunting. I already have a 300 Winchester magnum. Looking for something a little more enjoyable to shoot and a little more challenging to hunt/ stalk with. Thanks in advance.
BB

Prvi Partizan(sold by Hansen, Century, maybe FNM?) 140gr SP ammo gives me about 2350fps in a Kimber M-96(22") and about 2600fps in an unmodified M-96(29"). This ammo's speeds pretty much clocks in with the Swede mil surp ammo's speeds. If you push a little, according to some load books you may be able to get another couple of hundred fps. Maybe soon I'll be able the give some factory 156gr Norma vels. Best-o-Luck

BighornBreath:

Unadjusted 15' velocities from a push-feed Win. M70 Featherweight, temperature around 15°C (60°F) unless otherwise noted.

Factory loads:

C.A (Century Arms) 139 gr PSPbt - 2485 fps;
F C 140 gr PSP - 2255 fps one lot, 2360 fps another;
FRONTIER 139 gr Eurospec Light Magnum - 2560 fps;
IMPERIAL 160 gr RNSP - 2235 fps;
LAPUA 144 gr FMC Match - 2355 fps;
LAPUA 156 gr RNSP - 2445 fps;
nny 139 gr PSP - 2445 fps;
norma 139 gr PSPbt - 2365 fps;
norma 139 gr HP(PPC) - 2540 fps;
norma 139 gr HP(Vulkan) - 2710 fps (~7°C/45°F);
norma 156 gr RNSP - 2345 fps;
NORMA 156 gr RNSP (Berdan primed) - 2285 fps (30°C/85°F);
R-P 140 gr PSP - 2335 fps;
S&B 140 gr PSP - 2420 fps;
WIN 140 gr PSP - 2390 fps.

Handloads:

120 gr Nosler PSPbt Solid Base / 46.0 gr /IMR4350 (½ gr over Nosler max.) - 2640 fps;
129 gr PSP Hornady / 45.0 gr / IMR4350 (1 gr under old Hornady max.) - 2540 fps;
129 gr PSP Hornady / 50.0 gr / RL22 slow lot (estimated max. from data for 140 gr bullets) - 2685 fps;
140 gr PSP Hornady / 45.0 gr / IMR4831 (IMR max. for Sierra bullet) - 2370 fps;
140 gr PSP Hornady / 47.0 gr / H4831 (Hodgdon max.) - 2510 fps;
140 gr PSP Hornady / 49.0 gr / RL22 slow lot (Hodgdon #26 max.) - 2560 fps;
140 gr PSP Hornady / 47.0 gr / RL22 fast lot - 2560 fps:
140 gr PSPbt Sierra / 45.0 gr / IMR4831 (4% over IMR max.) - 2485 fps;
140 gr PSP Speer / 46.0 gr / IMR4831 (Speer max.) - 2560 fps;
160 gr RNSP Hornady / 43.0 gr / IMR4831 (Hodgdon #26 max.) - 2370 fps;
160 gr SPSP Sierra / 43.5 gr / RL22 fast lot (Sierra max.) - 2375 fps.

Note: my M70 has a very long throat, 1/10th inch longer than my sporterized (21.5" bbl) 1912 vintage M96, and gives lower velocities. Best accuracy has been with the 140 gr Hornady and the 160 gr Sierra. RL22 has proven to be the best powder, and appears to be temperature stable in this cartridge.

Hope this helps with your decision.

Cheers, Al

Don't think anyone could give a better report, that Classic Al from New Brunswick...... eh?

Since this is on the reloading forum....

a 100 grain bullet can achieve 3300 to 3400 fps

a 120 grainer can achieve 2950 to 3100 fps ( the latter velocity may be HOT in some guns to say the least)

129 grainers can achieve the 2900 fps range.

140s can achieve 2800-2850 fps


160 Hornady and Sierra Round Noses can achieve in the 2600 to 2650 range, however their performance actually declines in those velocities for penetration as they are designed to open up at lower velocities.

This is best achieved with bullets in rifles with long throats, which is a key feature of the round. And we do Mean LOOOOONNNNNNGGGGG throats.

However another feature of the 6.5 bullets is that they have both high sectional density from the 120s and up, and anyone that has used them will tell you, that they have a way of penetrating way out of portion for their bullet weight.

They are also very aerodynanmic with high BCs so they don't have to be redlined on velocity to be awfully flat shooting. Higher velocity only gains a few inches in point blank range, so gives a declining return quickly in my opinion.

Accuracy will make you smile a Lot.... as anyone who has worked with a 6.5 x 55 will tell you.

Plus it has a lot of history, that adds class to what you are hauling in the wooods......

You have made a nice choice in a 6.5 x 55.

Cheers and good shooting
seafire

My 6.5x55 is a Remington Classic which has a very strong action so you can beef up your loads somewhat. The following weight bullets have been tested in my rifle and work very well:

Sierra HP 85gr. 3200fps
Nosler BTip 100 3094
Lapua Scenar 108 2900
Sierra HPBT 120 2875
Nosler BTip 120 2800
Lapua Scenar 123 2800
Hornady PSP 129 2815
Lapua Scenar 139 2550
Sierra SPSP 160 2386

The above are not maximum loads, merely what I've settled on for range work. The barrel is 22". I have several Swedish M96 mausers but don't load them up quite this high. Most loads in the Classic are very accurate, none are over .8" (5 at 100yds), most considerable less. The rifle has been glass bedded and the sporter barrel floated. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

quote:

Originally posted by seafire/B17G:
Don't think anyone could give a better report, that Classic Al from New Brunswick...... eh?

Since this is on the reloading forum....

a 100 grain bullet can achieve 3300 to 3400 fps

a 120 grainer can achieve 2950 to 3100 fps ( the latter velocity may be HOT in some guns to say the least)

129 grainers can achieve the 2900 fps range.

140s can achieve 2800-2850 fps

You neglected to say what speed the receiver ring acheives when it fragments.

Sane limits are:-

100gr - 3,100
120gr - 2,900
140gr - 2,700 with the possible exception of RL22/MRP which might allow 2,800fps (allthough I only acheived 2,700fps with VVN560)

It is possible to obtain higher MVs but this is an exception not the rule. My 6.5x57R with a 26" barrel manages 3,300fps with a highly compressed load of VVN160 and a faint hint of extraction feel in hot weather. It would not be fair to advise someone to buy a standard length barrel 6.5x57 and expect this 25-06 performance.

Classic Al, Thanks for all the information. All of us 22" barrel newer rifle shooters appreciate your information. I really need to get a chronograph. It is kind of like shooting in the dark to handload without one. Maybe I will have to have my dealer buddy order one for me on Friday.

2nd timer,

you have a Sportsman's Warehouse there in the Tri Cities. Drop by there and they have a Shooting Chrony for $69.00 or so.

That is all you need, because it is all I use!
And it's readings don't differ from a friend who has a Spendy full deluxed out Oehler.

He actually bought a shooting chrony also, when he noticed how quickly I could set mine up and how quickly I could pack it up when done. He doesn't like how long it takes him to set up his spendy one.

cheers
seafire

1894:

I am not using European powders for my load data.

Mid range burning powders, IMR 4064 and 4895, and 3031 are the ones I use a lot. However the same with RL 15 and even W 748.

Problems we have here in the USA is that many of the 6.5 x 55 load data available is so worried about real old Mausers, that they use that for standards for ALL 6.5 x 55 load data. By product of our sue happy society and too many dam lawyers.

So we have to use a little common sense, or else go by the books that make the 6.5 Swede compete with a 30/30.

My standards for calling a load good is being able to reload several cases with that load, 5 times in the same case without showing signs of weakness, either in the primer pocket or in the web or neck.

If it passes that test, I feel I am working with a safe case. and load. We are all the only ones responsible for the cartridges we assemble, so we have to let our own conscience be our guides.

Anyone who wants to try them needs to work up and then make up his own mind for his limits and those criterias.

If I take someone elses loads, that work fine in his rifle, but try it in mine and it locks up the bolt or worse, who is responsible, me or him?
I think the guilt is mine for not working up. If I worked up, I would have found those pressure signs before it got too late.

If people are that concerned, then they should buy their ammo from the factory. That is how I see it. None of us can be responsible for another person's lack of common sense. NO matter how many lawyers want us to think it is.

Of course I believe the joke, what is black and brown and looks good on an attorney? A Dobermann.

Cheers
seafire

2ndtimer:

You're welcome! I've derived a lot of pleasure over the years running the various loads over the chronograph. It's a bonus if someone else can find the results useful.

BTW, like Seafire I also use a Shooting Chrony. Inexpensive, but it works.

Cheers, Al

quote:

Of course I believe the joke, what is black and brown and looks good on an attorney? A Dobermann.

that's TOO good!

quote:

Originally posted by seafire/B17G:
2nd timer,

you have a Sportsman's Warehouse there in the Tri Cities. Drop by there and they have a Shooting Chrony for $69.00 or so.

That is all you need, because it is all I use!
And it's readings don't differ from a friend who has a Spendy full deluxed out Oehler.

He actually bought a shooting chrony also, when he noticed how quickly I could set mine up and how quickly I could pack it up when done. He doesn't like how long it takes him to set up his spendy one.

cheers
seafire

Thanks for the suggestion, Seafire. I had my dealer order me a Prochrono Digital chronograph today. It is a little more expensive, but still under $100 and does all the available statistical stuff, high. low, avg. extreme spread, standard deviation. It is also a self contained unit like the Chrony. I had one years ago, thought I lent it to a friend, but he thinks he bought it from me. Rather get a new one than question a friendship, so it is on its' way. It even has a remote control available for another $70 or so. Maybe later...

I load and shoot the 140 gr Hornady, using a max load of H414, from a M96 with a bbl cut down to 24 inches. Book told me to expect about 2550, chrony'd at 2527 for a 10 shot average.

Am developing some different loads, but that is all I can offer right now.

ClassicAI offered some very good info. I was surprised the Factory loads were as slow as they were. FYI, Win listst their load at 2550, Rem the same, and Federal lists theirs at 2600 fps.

So much for printed data.

quote:

Originally posted by seafire/B17G:
Don't think anyone could give a better report, that Classic Al from New Brunswick...... eh?

Since this is on the reloading forum....

a 100 grain bullet can achieve 3300 to 3400 fps

a 120 grainer can achieve 2950 to 3100 fps ( the latter velocity may be HOT in some guns to say the least)

129 grainers can achieve the 2900 fps range.

140s can achieve 2800-2850 fps


160 Hornady and Sierra Round Noses can achieve in the 2600 to 2650 range, however their performance actually declines in those velocities for penetration as they are designed to open up at lower velocities.

This is best achieved with bullets in rifles with long throats, which is a key feature of the round. And we do Mean LOOOOONNNNNNGGGGG throats.

However another feature of the 6.5 bullets is that they have both high sectional density from the 120s and up, and anyone that has used them will tell you, that they have a way of penetrating way out of portion for their bullet weight.

They are also very aerodynanmic with high BCs so they don't have to be redlined on velocity to be awfully flat shooting. Higher velocity only gains a few inches in point blank range, so gives a declining return quickly in my opinion.

Accuracy will make you smile a Lot.... as anyone who has worked with a 6.5 x 55 will tell you.

Plus it has a lot of history, that adds class to what you are hauling in the wooods......

You have made a nice choice in a 6.5 x 55.

Cheers and good shooting
seafire

RE: 140 grain bullets: Yes, they can attain +-2800 FPS. I used to get this vel in a Norwegian Krag, 24" barrel, w/ original H4831 using the Sierra 140 PSPBT. Case full, of course!!

I 'll be willing to bet that you'll find that the 6.5X55 will kill about as well as your .300 Win. Mag. It just won't shoot as flat, is all.

I can vouch for Seafire's 120 grain muzzle speed. I have an instrumented 6.5x55, and as I work up a load, I measure both muzzle speed, and peak pressure.

Depending on which numbers you believe, the older actions are good for 50-53 KPSI. All your published reloads are going to be below that.

Actually, a large ring action will gracefully handle 60 KPSI, or more. That extra 7-10 KPSI makes a lot of difference in the speeds you can safely get.

At the lower pressures, it's a wonderful round. At full modern pressures, it is flat out amazing.

It all depends on the gun . They reduced the SAAMI pressure limits because of the 100 year old guns.However they make new guns in 6.5x55 and there is no reason with the new ones that you couldn't use the older loads.The Norma load for years was 139 @ 2788 and later 2850 with a different powder.My custom M98, reheat treated,throated for 160 gr will drive a 139 @ 2733 with absolutely no pressure signs, with 46 gr of 4350.El Deguello has some good points. I have always thought that the 140 is the best weight because of the high BC and SD. Old does not mean obsolete - 6.5x55 and 45-70 still rock !!!

I don't have a 6.5x55 but I do have a Ruger Mark II in 260 Remington with a 22" barrel. I have only chronographed two loads.
140 Rem PSPCL 2525fps H-414 41gr CCI 250 Rem Brass 2.860 OAL
and

160 Hor RN 2650fps IMR-4350 42.5gr CCI 200 Rem brass 2.790 OAL
The 160 Hornady Round nose kills just as you would expect. Two holes of good size and the inside vitals destroyed.