Today I shot a wonderful group (seven shots in 3/4") using 140 gr Sierra GK and 47gr of RL 22.

Till here everything OK but when I measured the MV it was only 2,580 fp/s I thought it will be near 2,700 as advertised on the Reloading Manuals.

My rifle is a Sako Finnlight.

I am not an expert about powders (I don't know nothing to be more clear), but a friend recommend me to use RL-19.

What do you think about it ?

Please God help me keeping my hands out of using a 6,5-06 reamer on that rifle !!!!!!

L

RL-17 has been very good to me in my Tikka 6.5 x 55 with 130 grain Accubonds at 2850 fps out of the 22" bbl.
I've never tried the 140's.

I'd say your speed is about right, you're only off about 100 fps. Don't always trust the speeds printed in the manuals!!!

If you get your reamer out, don't overlook the 6.5X284. The Finnlight makes an ideal conversion.
Throw the chrono away and just shoot your load. I use the same load with 140 Partitions and big northern deer (250 pounds) just fall over.

Use magnum primers.

Try Vihtavuori N560.

Nordic,

I don't have that powder down here but we have RL 22 and RL 19 (smuggled from Argentina ).

Do you think that magnum primers will help to achieve better velocities when using RL 22 ???

Have you use the Hornady's 160 grains Round Nose on pigs ??

Are they better than the 140 gr ?? I'm afraid of they being too tough on game and passing through shots without expanding too much at those velocities.

L

quote:

Originally posted by Lorenzo:

I don't have that powder down here but we have RL 22 and RL 19 (smuggled from Argentina ).

I think you'll do better with RL-19 but IMR-4831 and either H-4350 or IMR-4350 would be my choice. You should be able to get 2,700 FPS with any of them!

Do you think that magnum primers will help to achieve better velocities when using RL 22 ???

You might gain some accuracy but I really doubt that you'll see better velocity.

Have you use the Hornady's 160 grains Round Nose on pigs ??

Are they better than the 140 gr ?? I'm afraid of they being too tough on game and passing through shots without expanding too much at those velocities.

L

Lorenzo.....consider the 129-130 grain bullets for the 6.5 X 55.....I love the 120s in mine and push them 3,000+ FPS with H-4350.

Check out loads from Hodgdon's website....

www.hodgdon.com

Thanks !!

Now I need some gringo travelling down here with a couple of 130 gr Accubonds..

I noticed the Accubonds come in boxes of 50 and the Sirocco II on boxes of 100..How good are these Sirocco II ???

Is not the same to pass through customs with two boxes than with four no matter the quantities..

L

Don`t let speed or need for big bullets get in the way of using the Swede on plains game. Here is a post on a guys kids using a 260 with 120gr TSX bullets out of a 260 Rem in Africa. The 260 drives same bullets to very near the same speeds as the Swede.
http://www.24hourcampfire.com/...rip_pics#Post3308234

My model 70 with a 22 inch barrel shooting the 140 grain Speer and 49 grains of RL22 only produces 2680 FPS but like yours is very accurate.
Regards, Keith

I have used 155gr norma bullets (similar to hornady 160) for moose and expantion is never a problem.
Heavy bullets is the way to go for pigs.

Norma use magnum primers for MRP powder it gives more pressure, more powder do the same.
Both Reloder22 and MRP is manufactured by Bofors.

I have done some load development with 6.5X55 in two rifle - a Sako AV action and a Model 70 Winchester Sporter.

My experience is that the book loads for this caliber are low pressure for the M96 action with 28" barrels most of the time.

I used Hornady 139 gr bullets as well as the 125 gr Nosler partition on red deer. With Re22 I went to 50 grs and was safe in my rifles but velocity was still not that high. I found IMR4831 with 49 gr gave best velocity, with Re19 & VV N160 coming next with around 48 grs max. Now that VV N550 & N560 is available I would try that as well. You should max out at 2800 fps for the 140 gr bullet & 2600 for 160 gr RN Hornady. With the Nosler 125 gr Partition or the 120 gr BT you should get 2950 fps.

All my load development was done with micrometer reading of case head expansion and looking for bolt extractor groove marks on the case head as an indicator of high pressure. Primer re-seating was firm. Most of my cases lasted more than 10 reloads with max loads & I don't remember ever retiring any lot of cases!

BUT PLEASE BE CAREFUL AND USE A CHRONOGRAPH. Your rifle may give max pressures at lower powder charge.

Good luck with a great cartridge.

Couple things, First I think your speed may be right on, Lyman 48 lists 47gr of R-22 at 2576fps with 24 inch barrel. Second, could be the Chrony, they do act up now and then in certain light condidtions. Third, could be your particular lot of R-22. I have found it to be pretty inconsistant from lot ot lot, I no longer use it, I switched to MRP, more consistant from lot to lot than R-22.

All great answers!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you vey much gentlemen !!

I will follow your advices.

Thanks
L

I try to comparison test factory ammunition to my reloads. Here I have Swedish ball velocities in Swedish service rifles and in my 22” Rem 700.

Swedish ball really takes a velocity tumble in 24” and 22” barrels.

So your velocity may be a little hot for this cartridge.

quote:

M1896 Infantry Rifle 29' barrel Carl Gustafs mfgr 1903

17-Aug-06 T = 85 °F
143 gr FMJ 1986 Swedish Ball

Ave Vel = 2610
Std Dev = 14.38
ES = 45.59
High = 2633
Low = 2587
N = 8

quote:

M38 Infantry Carbine 24" barrel
28-Oct-94 T ≈ 60 °F

143 gr 1986 Swedish Ball OAL 3.065" 47.4 grs powder average

Ave Vel = 2427
Std Dev = 22
ES = 62
Low = 2395
High = 2457
N = 10



M700 22" Barrel

143 gr Swedish Ball 1986 headstamp

2 Feb 2008 T = 54 °F

Ave Vel = 2470
Std Dev = 18
ES = 48
High = 2491
Low = 2443
N = 5





140 gr Hornday Spire Point 43.0 grs AA4350
R-P new brass CCI-200 OAL 2.990"

2 Feb 2008 T = 52 °F

Ave Vel = 2512
Std Dev = 27
ES = 72
High = 2547
Low = 2475
N = 5

Lorenzo

Switch to the RL19 and work up to 49 gr under the 140 gr bullets. That gives me 2800+ fps with the 140 Hornady SP out of my 23.75" M38 6.5 Swede.

Larry Gibson

Thanks Larry

A friend of mine and avid pig hunter is using EXACTLY that same load with very good results.

I will try it.

L