I am looking for some real world load data for a 6.5x55 in a Win. mod 70. Case volume indicates loads should be closer to a 6.5x284 than what the loading manuals offer. Any loads for 120, 130 or 140gr. bullets would be greatly appreciated. If you have velocity and barrel length numbers, I would like that as well.

Thanks,

Lance

That begs the question "why"? The mild manners of the 6.5x55 in "traditional" load levels is one of the the attributes that have endeared it to we American shooters. If I wanted 6.5x.284 performance I would get one, or a 6.5-06, or a .270, or...

I feed my M70 XTR Fwt 6.5x55 average loads, and have done so for the near 30 years I've owned it. It has killed all manner of beasts, given countless hours of pleasure at the range, and is still going strong. There must be a couple thousand rounds of 46gr. IMR4831/129 Hornady etc. bullets through and not a scintilla of noticeable throat erosion yet. It still slops 10 shots into an inch if I cooperate with it.

quote:

Originally posted by gnoahhh:
That begs the question "why"? The mild manners of the 6.5x55 in "traditional" load levels is one of the the attributes that have endeared it to we American shooters. If I wanted 6.5x.284 performance I would get one, or a 6.5-06, or a .270, or...

I feed my M70 XTR Fwt 6.5x55 average loads, and have done so for the near 30 years I've owned it. It has killed all manner of beasts, given countless hours of pleasure at the range, and is still going strong. There must be a couple thousand rounds of 46gr. IMR4831/129 Hornady etc. bullets through and not a scintilla of noticeable throat erosion yet. It still slops 10 shots into an inch if I cooperate with it.

Rational , Mature thinking I'd say. roger

If I wanted a hot rod I'd buy a hot rod, not a sedan.

It's only hot rodding if it's not capable. As stated, it's a mod.70, not ANY of the numerous other (weaker) rifles it was originally designed for. Furthermore, it's my Mod. 70, and I asked for modern loads. If I had wanted 124 year old ballistic data for a 6.5mm rifle not intended to handle the pressure of modern rifle, I would simply have consulted a Sierra loading manual and loaded some 160gr. RN 6.5x54 ammo for my 1903 and been done with it. But instead, I am sitting here typing a smart ass response to unhelpful suggestions as to how I should use my own equipment.

As to wetibbe's responce, THANK YOU!!! The info was very helpful and spot on to the query.

Isohopper:


Glad it worked for you.

I have a King Gustav, Swedish, military, Mauser 6.5x55 that I acquired from my regional gun dealers shop. It was an estate gun on consignment for disposal. It has all original matching part numbers. It is in excellent condition and it really shoots.

I also have some apparent original ammo with steel jacketed bullets, other appurtenances, box marked in a foreign language. I have no idea how old it is.

There are thousands of calibers. However, some are really unique taking their spot in the history and performance, grandfathers in status and respect.

6.5 PPC, 30-06, 375 H&H MAGNUM and the 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser. Grandfathers with seeming unique qualities.

For whatever mysterious reason the 6.5x55 has some unique quality about it for the way it shoots, it's ballistics and performance. It's a rather long bullet with some inherent internal and external ballistics features that stand it out from most of the pack.

I have passed my rifle along to my grandson and he is absolutely delighted.

I'm reluctant to pass on reloading data derived by voodoo methods. (I suspect most reloaders are as well)

Having said that here's some info I use to decide if going past published max loads are worth the time.

ROUGHLY an extra grain of powder past the published max will generate an extra 3,000 CUP or PSI....yup, I know they are not the same but remember, I said ROUGHLY.

Further ROUGHLY an extra grain of powder past the posted max will yield about 40-50 FPS gain in velocity.

Hodgdon's posts the pressure data with almost every load they publish.....and for the 6.5-55 this is true.

Almost every load posted there for the 6.5-55 can be increased two grains without noticing any pressure signs. But one works up from starting data just the same as always.

Further even compressed loads can be compressed even more by various methods.....I like to load a half charge and compress it with a brass rod and then adding the balance of powder. It's a lot of extra work but in so doing my 6.5-55 (built of a VZ-24 Mauser) shoots 120 grain bullets to 3,050 FPS....I thinks it's a .25-06!

I've been cautioned that my load of "warmish" but it's not showing pressure of any kind so I continue to use it. I use IMR 4350 BTW and also use a chrony to see what's happening.

Given that Hodgdon's data lists a load for the 120 grain bullet at over 2,900 FPS, it makes one wonder if the gains are worth it.....only you can decide that.

I don't know you and you don't know me so let me say that I'd be wrong to list my load and you'd be wrong to use that data as safe.....you have to work up the load same as I did.....and you just might be asking in the end if it was worth it.