I know I had mentioned I would do the 270 Next, but I had to do one of my favorite cartridges.

After doing this extensive test, all I can Say is not only do I love the 6.5 x 55, I sure DO LOVE MAUSERS!

The Rifle: Swedish Mauser M 96, 1919 Production/Carl Gustaf Works. This rifle has a 29 inch barrel and this one was made as a sniper version of the M 96.

Cases: Winchester Previously Fired Brass

Primer: CCI Large Rifle.

OAL:
120 grain bullet: 79.56mm
129 grain bullet: 80.54mm
140 grain bullet: 80.0 mm
160 grain bullet: 79.50mm

Bullets:
120 grain Sierra Match
129 grain Hornady SP
140 grain Remington SP
160 grain Sierra SMP

Full Case Capacity 41 grains of Blue Dot.

Because of the 30/06 and 300 Win Mag cartridges not taking the full 60% of load before having pressure signs, and even had pressure signs before 50% was reached, I chose to start lower with the 6.5 x 55.

Recoil was very pleasant, especially with the lightest loads rivaling a down load 223 in a varmint weigth rifle.

Results are as follows:

A. 120 Grain Sierra Match
1. 20 grains: 2214 fps
2. 21 grs: 2318 fps
3. 22 grs: 2382 fps
4. 23 grs: 2464 fps
5. 24 grs: 2539 fps.

I chose to start at 50% of max load and see how the pressure went. I had no problems, so I did not go lower loads. This is actually the last group I did. My MAX RECOMMENDED use would be in the 23 grains range. Work up etc.

B. 129 grain Hornady SP
1. 15 grs: 1738 fps
2. 16 grs: 1737 fps
3. 17 grs: 1791 fps
4. 18 grs: 1855 fps
5. 19 grs: 1953 fps

6. 20 grs: 2121 fps
7. 21grs: 2196 fps
8 22 grs: 2261 fps
9. 23 grs: 2350 fps
10. 24 grs: 2410 fps

This had great results across the board, from 15 grains ( 36.5 %) to 24 grains ( 58.5 %). The 20 to 23 grain loads are very very useful, and had very low recoil.

C. 140 grain Remington SP
1. 15 gr: 1690 fps
2. 16 grs: 1801 fps
3. 17 grs: 1874 fps
4. 18 grs: 1927 fps
5. 19 grs: 2023 fps

6. 20 grs: 2019 fps
7. 21 grs: 2084 fps
8. 22 grs: 2179 fps
9. 23 grs: 2245 fps
10. 24 grs: 2303 fps

Everything with the 140 grain load was useful, from the 15 grains to the 24 grain loads. The Remington Corelokt is an excellent bullet for on game performance.

D. 160 grain Sierra SMP ( Semi Round Nose)
This was done as this is the original load in the 6.5 x 55 and it was the bullet used in Africa, that took elephants etc, in the Swedish and the 6.5 x 54 Mausers.

1. 16 grs: 1497 fps ( had blow back on primer, I racked this up to the individual case, not the load)
2. 17 grs: 1640 fps
3. 18 grs: 1730 fps
4. 19 grs: 1831 fps

5. 20 grs: 1739 fps ( Yeah I know less velocity than the 19 gr load)
6. 21 grs: 1918 fps
7. 22 grs: 2018 fps ( would recommend stopping here)
8. 23 grs: 2077 fps (Max Load recommended)
9. 24 grs: 2143 fps, stuck bolt and blew primer.

Notes: This was done with a Swedish Military Mauser with a very generous throat. I seated the bullets out as far as practical and still have enough left for the case to grasp the bullets. If following these loads in commercial rifles with tighter throats please work up from a much lower point as deeper seated bullets can have a different effect. These were chambered in a Ruger 77 Mk 2, for comparison and that rifle took these Cartridges with no problems.

For a Back Stop on these tests and also with the 30/06 and the 300 Win Mag, a tree with a circumference of 38 inches was used. Distance from the muzzle was about 15 ft.

None of the 30 caliber bullets penetrated completely thru the tree. ALL OF THE 6.5 MM BULLETS DID!!! With a 6.5 mm cartridge, it shows that the bullet does not have to leave the muzzle at blinding speeds. To me and to me alone, it demonstrated the capabilities of the 6.5 bore. This was just an Oregon pine tree, so that is the only media that I can base this on, and I am just reporting what I saw.

I am seeing a pattern except with the bigger bullet weights within a caliber, is that Blue Dot seems to start having pressure going into overload once the bullet hit 2400 fps.
This held true so far in the 6.5 x 55, the 30/06, the 300 Win Mag and the 338 Win Mag.

Even tho I do not have a 284 caliber rifle or a 280 Rem, both have the same powder capacity. What pattern I am hypothesizing is that the fatter case as opposed to the Cylinder longer case ( the 280), the longer case hits it pressure point quicker. This results in higher velocity, but hitting that point before 50% of max capacity is obtained.
The only thing that 50% means to me, is for the guys that are concerned about doing a double charge.

Load bench discipline is each our own responsibility.

This is all put forth and shared for those interested. Please use your head and start low and work up in your individual rifle. While developing these loads and doing the testing was fun and informative, if truth be known, I would prefer to use RL 7 for field carrying in a downloaded cartridge.

Accuracy with these Blue Dot loads is still unparalleled in other downloading powders.

This is with jacketed bullets with a load of 21 grains of Blue Dot in a 30/06 Browning ( which is far from the most accurate rifle I own usually) with a 150 grain bullet. Two groups of 4 shots each, measured .74 inches and .76 inches. That was shot at 50 yds. with a 6 x Leupold Scope with a target dot on it. Both groups were all one hole groups. The distance measured at the furthest points were the .74 and .76. This is not subtracting the diameter of the 30 caliber bullet to figure group size. Bullet was a 150 grain Remington SP. Velocity was 2050 fps at the muzzle.

Cheers and Good shooting
Seafire.
2.

Cool Roger, would love to have been around for the B 24 fly over.

YOU are going to have to quit putting all of those stars on the posts tho. People will think I am pulling a MORTIE and doing that on my own posts!!

Let us know how the results turned out.

Cheers and Good shooting
Seafire

It looks like Blue Dot likes the smaller cases...it should work in my 7.65 Argintine. If I had a chrono, I would contribute to the bank of Blue Dot knowledge but as it is, I would have little hard knowledge to offer. I look forward to your 270 info. Great posts.

Got out with the 6.5 x55 today and did some Blue Dotting

1. 140gr. HPBT ( Bulk from Bartlett) nny cases(Yugo)Wlr primers 21.5gr. Blue Dot --- Primers were a little flattened, Sooty, 1 1/2" 9 shot group. Barrel only warm.
1962 to 2017 ft./sec.

2. Same load 140gr. psp Rem. Sooty 2 distinct nice groups 1" apart barrel hot.1947 To 2006 ft./sec.

3. Here is a reduced load with 25gr. 680, the 140 gr Rem seated way out, CBC cases, Win mag primer, Cool barrel. 1907 to 2001 ft./sec. First 2 same hole. 4 shot 3/8" grp. adjuted scope zero and got another 3 shot 3/8" group.Super sooty.Primers as flat in #1

As can be observed from the sooty condition non of these sealed to well at the necks so I would be lead to believe that the pressure wasn't really up.
Thinking on this ; Im not at all certain what practicle application these loads have other than punching paper. I my be in the majority of one but I can not envision thinking of these loads as "serious" deer getters. I hope someone finds this posting helpful. roger

Roger:

With your cases being sotty like that, I have to think that your chamber is excessive head spaced. I got no where near that type of results with the same loads and a Remington 140 grain SP. My cases were very clean.

While not long range, that 140 grain bullet will penetrate quite a bit. At 2000 fps, it should still be a decent 175 to 200 yd load. Easily be an equal to the 30/30.

Thanks for taking the time tho to check that out. I went out and tested the 7 x 57 this afternoon with 150 gr SPs, just to compare the results you e mailed me.
I will post them.

Thanks again
Cheers and Good shooting
seafire

Blue dot eh?? I have used it for shotgun duck loads. It used to have a reputation as a dirty powder. leaveing alot of foul in the barrel.
Maybe the new stuff is cleaner...