You guys were such a big help when I posed this question about the .308, I thought I would ask about the 6.5

What is your favorite powder for the 6.5 X 55 with 120 grain bullets(preferably Ballistic Tips)?

Thanks for all the help. You guys have gotten me off to a GREAT start with this reloading stuff!!

My Ruger 6.5x 55 thrives on RL 19. 49 gr. and a 120 gr. ballistic tip spits out right at 3,000 fps. It is also my most accurate load.

Norma 204

I seldom use bullets as light as 120 in the 6.5 but when I do I use either 4350 or win 760. For proper 6.5 bullets (139-142) I use vihtavouri 165. I can easily exceed 2900 fps from my 26"barrel with 142s. Another favourite is 4831SC. Not as fast but maybe more accurate. I use the 6.5 primarily as a long range target round. Regards, Bill.

Anyone care to share what there favorite powders/recipes are for the old Swedish Masers?

For 120 to 140 grain bullets, nothing has come close to Re-22 in my 6.5x55 rifles, which range from standard military issues in carbine & rifle configuration to a 24" Encore and a customized M98.

In the 24" Encore:
With 46 grain Re-22 (2 grains under max), I get 2740 fps with the Hornady 140 grain SP using Lapua brass and Fed 210s. 48 grains gives an even 2800 fps with the Speer 140 grain Hot Core.

Using the same brass & primers, 49 grains of Re-22 speeds the 120 grain Ballistic Tip along at 2963 fps and gives groups in the 0.5 MOA range (when I do my part).

My M38 prefers 43 grs of IMR4350 at an average of 2646 fps with 120 gr Sierra HPBT Match bullets.

My M96's are best with 42 grs of IMR4350 at an average velocity of 2580 fps.

Both loads are extremely accurate, but it also took a while to find the perfect load. Now, I won't use any other load then the two listed above.

Shawn

H-4350 From 41.5 grains to 47.0 grains
Remington 9-1/2 Primer

I have to agree with Bobby Tomek - Stick to Reloader 22 .
The Swede favours slower powders .

I load from 120 to 160 in the Swede and get more accurate loads out of Rel 22 than any other powder .

Currently using Somchem S385 ( as Rel 22 not available in SA) but burnrate almost the same as Rel 22 .

Ben

Bobby T I know you are a bit of a 6.5 fan-you had any working with a 260??

Thanks

"GET TO THE HILL"

Dog

36 gr Varget.

For Balistic tip I use 46grs Accurate 4350

Using Lapua brass, Sierra 120SP and CCI primers in a standard Tikka rifle the following all gave sub 1/2 minute groups centre to centre.
IMR 4831, 47gr (most consistant powder)
RL 19, 46.5gr (poor obturation in the cold)
V160, 49.5gr (chrono'd at 2850fps)

My M38 likes 49.0 grs(max load)of RL-19 behide a Speer 120 gr sp. ~2800 ft/s.

[ 08-01-2002, 06:49: Message edited by: chuckwalla ]

[ 08-01-2002, 06:47: Message edited by: chuckwalla ]

46.5 grs. of Reloader 22 and Nosler 140 Partition, Winchester case and Fed 210M primer....very accurate.....recovered the Nosler Partition bullet from a end to end quartering shot my wife made on a big moose.....she pretty much shoots all her game with the 6.5 x 55 and loves it....with its moderate recoil and all.

Paul

I reload the 6.5x55 for competition and just general shooting, all with swedish military rifles. My favorite powder is R-22, current match load is Lapua brass, Win primers, 45.5grs R-22, Sierra 140gr HPBT Match Moly bullets. Velocity is right at the 2600fps mark from the M96 barrel.

I have tried a few different types of powder, after not being successful and satisfied with the groups I got off the bench. Every rifle shoots differently. I asked competitive shooter what there loads were and tried them... My rifle didnt like it. I tried IMR 4064 - IMR 4831, but after two years of trying I found my sweet load 1/2 to 3/4 inch open sights off the bench.... Yeah...yeah... I hear ya!... give us the details. Well I'm using a 140gr HPBT Match with 40.6grs IMR 4350. OAL is 80mm. I'm shooting a Carl Gustav 1902 Swedish Mauser.

My m94 swedish likes
norma brass
cci 200 primer
42 gr win 748 powder
140 gr nosler partition

I have used Norma MRP, Norma 204 and Vihtavouri N160. I have always had the best results with 204, although MRP enables a little more velocity. Vihtavouri seems to be afraid of lawsuits since their stated loadingweights are very low.

Accurate 4350 46grs works fine with 120grs BallisticTip

I use Norma MRP With good result for hunting purpouse in my Varberger 757

In addition to my Post above I will say that the use of Norma MRP is very convenient since I can use it for all my reloading, 6,5x55, 7x57R and 300 WM.