A question for all. I just read on a web page that Remington loades the .260. Rem to higher pressures than the 6.5X55 using the transducer method. What is the transducer method? This seemed to have nothing to do with the 6.5X55 being shot out of older guns. It more or less said the 6.5X55 could never meet the .260 Rem. because of this method.

Simply put, A transducer measures the electical current caused by a change in dimension of an object. Transducers are calibrated and the current is very small. When a round is fired the chamber changes size, gets bigger basically and the transducer tranlates the size change into elecrical current which is read into a computer progran and comes out as information an engineer can use. A simple answer to a very complicated process. You can buy the equipment yourself and test your rifles. Rick Jamison of Shooting times, I think, did some tests a while back. If you are interested you might contact the magazine for the information.

I have used peak strain meters from www.fabriquescientific.com with good success. They are very helpful in load developement and are much cheaper than the Oehler pressure measurement system. They are about the price of a chronograph.

The 6.5x55 actually holds a couple grains more powder than the .260 (both are excellent cartridges, IMHO).

In a well-made modern bolt gun and using good brass and loading techniques, both could be loaded to the same pressure level with the same safety.

Since there are so many former military M94, M96, and M38 Swede Mausers running around, and since the original pressure design spec for the 6.5x55 is much lower than the .260, most published 6.5x55 data is held to the original design specifications. Wisely so.

In a M70 Winchester, Ruger M77, Rem 700 (etc., etc.), the 6.5x55 can be loaded to do anything the .260 will, and just a smidgen more, due to the slightly greater case capacity and the fact that most 6.5x55 rifles have a magazine & throat long enough to accommodate heavier bullets without the deep seating required by the .260.

Last time I looked the strain gauge & meter from Fabrique Scientific was about $150.00 - a good investment.

[This message has been edited by BigIron (edited 02-08-2002).]

I can see trying to measure pressure if I were loading ammo that could be used in a million different guns of a dozen designs, but for use in my one gun, why?

Why would I measure pressure to aproximate where the bolt will not stick, if I can measrure it exactly in a load work up?

Ahhhhhh Clark, you miss the point my friend . I agree with your method, to a point, but the real answer is ... gadgets ... some of the guys in this hobby just can't get enough !!

I do agree it's good info though ...