I know, I know, another 6.5 load data question, sorry. I just purchased a Win 70 Featherlight in 6.5 X 55 for my 11 year old son. As most of you know the data for the Swede is all over the place, some for modern actions and some not, and some not specified either new or old. So, my question for you is, what would be a realistic velocity to expect from the Model 70 22in barrel in 6.5x55 Swede using 125 and 140gr bullets??
Thanks

Steve..in my m98 mauser(turk action/m96 swede barrel)my hunting loads, using 129gr Hornady bullets, runs right at 2850fps..It will do better than that but accuracy falls off. Some of my friends use 140gr bullets and approach 2900fps using reloder 22...with fine accuracy.

Zeeriverrat

The 6.5x55 should approach 2800 fps in 140g loads, but I question the need. One of the joys of the Swede is its accuracy and killing power from a mild-mannered cartridge. Pushing it to the top improves its abilities a bit, possibly, but it certainly gives it .270 Winchester recoil! If you need the 270's power, perhaps the 270 would be a better choice.

Go to the Ramshot website and look at their interactive load guide. It shows realistic power levels along with the associated pressure. It's the best source I've found for recipies for increased power, and the powder is fine, too.

Jaywalker

Steve-
I would stay at the lower range of the load tables for now.
Why? The Sweed is an effective killer with those lo-ong 6.5 bullets, and the speed just isn't needed to make it effective. 140s and 160 plain old work, so no need for speed.
Secondly, with an 11 year old driving it, why kick it up a notch when it's not necessary? No need to add recoil with a new shooter.
Last, save the power increase for the shooting skill your son is sure to develop. Given all that the 6.5X55 is capable of, especially in modern rifles, your son will never out grow that rifle.

sorry double post...

I would totally agree with buckshot. Especially with a younger hunter behind the trigger 2400-2500 fps with a 120-140 bullet should do the trick just fine. Please look at the write-up about 6.5 bullets at http://www.eabco.com, they have a 6.5 wildcat based on a 30-30 case. (It's probably all the gun most North American hunters will ever need)
Regards,
Woody

as a rule of thumb one can plan on velocities from good reloads that are about 100'/sec over the .260 remington.........and this assumes you have a good action.....

Vapodog,

Not nessecarily. Even in a good action (M-98, M-70) the 260 is still rated for a slightly higher pressure than the 6.5X55 in most manuals. Im guessing that this is because of the difference in brass. ??

quote:

the data for the Swede is all over the place, some for modern actions and some not, and some not specified either new or old.

You dont have a swede!

The "swede"name is reserved for The Swedish Mauser, the Swedish army rifle during the union of Norway and Sweden. Norway choose the krag-Jørgensen. One can look at it like a "NATO cartrigde" in the military union between the two members of the union. Different rifles, but same standard cartrigde.

The correct name of the of the original union cartrigde is just 6,5x55. The 6,5x55 has evolved just like the 30-06 reaching higher velocities over the years.
However, since both the Krag and the swedish mauser vere weaker than modern actions, one adopted different loads. This was done after the union ended in 1905.

Use modern load data marked with 6,5x55 and disregard those named 6,5x55 swede or 6,5x55 KJ.