Does anyone out there have a good load for a tikka using 120gr interlock. Beeman

With the 129 grainer, my Sako likes IMR4831, though I don't recall the charge off the top of my head...

With Barnes X bullets (120 and 140 grain XLCs) it really shines with RL19.

mine likes 45.5 grns IMR4350 and a 129 grn hornady. good huntin........bud

I don't have a load for your bullet but do have one for other 120gr. bullets. My 6.5x55 is in a Remington Classic with a 24" sporter barrel. I can get .822" (5 shots/100yds.) with Sierra HPBT
Match bullets pushed along by Rel-19 51.0 grs. If I use Nosler 120gr. Bal.Tips in front of
Vihtavouri 550 43.0 grs. I can get .709". Truth be known the best results occur with Lapua Scenar bullets in 108, 123 or 139grs and Vihtavouri 560 powder. It produces very accurate loads. With the 120gr bullets my muzzle velocities run about 2800fps. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

42 grains of RL 15

42 grains of IMR 4064

42 grains of IMR 4895

44 grains of W 748 ( for a velocity load)

Also check to see how long a throat your Tikka has. Long throated rifles are less accurate if you seat your bullet regularly and they have to clear a fair amount of freebore. The Ruger and Winchester 6.5 x 55s have a long throat for the 160 grain Traditional loads. Not sure on the Remington or the Tikka as I do not own either, and have not had the opportunity to look at either up close.

I prefer mid ranged powders in mine 6.5s as they seem to be more accurate, you are not dealing with compressed loads and they also appear to have less recoil than the slower burning powders, and also seem to make less BOOM when they are shot. Also less of a muzzle flash, if that really matters where you hunt.

For a mild load, 30 to 35 grains of RL 7. with a 120 grain bullet.

Good hunting.

Don't overlook RL-22 for the 6.5X55. I have four rifles chambered for this cartridge. All four love the RL-22. Start with 46.3 grains and work up from there. My hunting rifle is a Large ring, small thread barrel shank Mauser action with a Swedish Military barrel mated to it. My barrel has been cut to 22". Last five shot group measured .383 outside to outside. I won't list my load because it's well over the 46.3 stated above and above book max. Give it try. I think you'll like the results.

51.5 gr of RL-19 with the 120 gr Barnes XLC in a 23.5" CZ. Chrono'd at 3100 fps, no pressure signs, and 3 shots made a clover at 100 yds. Last weekend at the YO Ranch, two head of game dropped from a close of 125 yds, and a max of 145 yds. The guide was impressed....no bloodshot meat and 2 animals that we only had to track...3 feet...straight down. I was skeptical of the Barnes bullets....not any more. For me, for any game I might take with the 6.5 Swede, I found my load. Period.

Gary