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6.5x55 Swedeish OAL

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22 July 2001, 02:34
<Thunderbolt>
6.5x55 Swedeish OAL
My 96 Swede has an OAL of 3.190 with a 120gr Nosler BT. SAMMI shows a Max OAL of 3.150 for this cartridge. The magazine measures 3.220 so the 3.190 would fit (I'd like to start at 3.180)

Is this OK or do I have to follow the SAMMI recommendation?

22 July 2001, 03:27
denton
The spec creates a cartridge that will fit in all rifles. If you have measured your rifle, you can ignore the spec.

The Swedes are very long throated, because they were designed for round-nosed bullets.

You may have difficulty at very long COL because the bullet may not be seated very far into the neck of the case.

If it fits in the cartridge box, is short of the rifling, and if the bullet is well seated into the neck, you're good to go.

My Swede cartridge box is only 3.100", so I have to load to 3.090" COL. Wish I could go about another .020".

22 July 2001, 04:18
<Thunderbolt>
Bullet diameter is .265 and seating them to 3.180 would put .205 in the neck. I know the rule is to seat at least as deep as the diameter of the bullet so I will seat them a little deeper and start testing. Thanks Denton
22 July 2001, 05:04
<Scott H>
Several of the loading manuals load the 120 shorter than 3". Alliant loads all the bullets at 3" or less. I load 120 at 3", 140 at 3.06 to 3.13" and 160 at 3.06". This leaves plenty of room in the engine compartment and has sufficient neck engagement for good ignition.