Playing with a 6.5x55 Husqvarna 1600. Pretty good shooter. Just trying out some different bullets. In the Handloaders Digest (7th Edition) they list max loads for a number of powders and bullet weights. In the 6.5x55 with 140 gr bullets they list a Max load of 52 grs of Norma 205 powder yielding 2946 fps. If that is possible that has to be well over the normal 45,000 psi that the old Swede is loaded to. With good brass (I'm using Win) and a modern rifle pressure can increased up to 50,000psi safely. Anyone care to share what velocity they can get with the 140 gr bullets in a modern 6.5x55 rifle. What powders are you getting the top velocities with? Could someone with Quickload calculate what pressure 52 grs of N205 would generate ? I'm thinking RL 19 or RL 22 might be a couple powders that achieve top velocities. Thanks for any comments.

http://www.norma.cc/en/Ammunit...5x55-Swedish-Mauser/

N205 is not made anymore mrp and rl22 is close to it. Norma URP. 2900 should be well over 45000psi.

I have a small ring (96) Swede recently re barreled to 6.5x55. I use modern Speer brass I got in bulk a few years ago.
My loads safe in my rifle are 140 grain Matchking with 44 grains of IMR 4350, 3.03" oal. I worked up to this load and stopped here because it shoots 5 shots in 5/8", I could push it further but why bother it is going 2800 fps.
120 grain Matchking goes 2900 fps with 44 grains of RL 17.
100 grain Sierra HP goes 3125 fps with 46 grains H380.
All of these loads are safe in my gun and plenty fast and in my rifle sub MOA for 5 shot groups.
I do not know the pressure but in my rifle easy bolt lift and no pressure signs.

With a Stevens action and a custom barrel I have pushed 140gr. bullets a scosh over 2800 fps with no pressure problems. If that velocity makes you cringe a little load it down a bit. The game will never know. roger

unlike saami and us ammo makers limited to 46KCUP, a number of euro makers load up to 50KCUP. 2800-2900fps is not unheard of. Be cautioned as you are entering 264mag territory

quote:

Originally posted by lonniemike:
unlike saami and us ammo makers limited to 46KCUP, a number of euro makers load up to 50KCUP. 2800-2900fps is not unheard of. Be cautioned as you are entering 264mag territory

50KCUP is what the .30-06 is loaded to. The Win mag is loaded to considerably higher pressure.

I did a lot of load development for a Sako & a Win Mod 70 in 6.5X55.

The frustration was 2 fold - low pressure load data from most sources and secondly military rifles with 28 or 29 inch barrels that gave very high velocities!

In the Husky I would try N160 or IMR4831. They worked best for me along with Re19. I found Re21 & MRP too slow.

Nosler 125 gr bullets gave me 2950 fps and as good as 270 Win trajoctory out to 300 meters.

Nosler 120 gr Bal tip was also good. Regular Hornady 140 gr were great. I never tried Barnes in those rifles (long since sold) but I am sure you will get great results with 100 gr or 120 gr TSX & TTSX.

quote:

Originally posted by Nakihunter:
I did a lot of load development for a Sako & a Win Mod 70 in 6.5X55.

The frustration was 2 fold - low pressure load data from most sources and secondly military rifles with 28 or 29 inch barrels that gave very high velocities!

In the Husky I would try N160 or IMR4831. They worked best for me along with Re19. I found Re21 & MRP too slow.

Nosler 125 gr bullets gave me 2950 fps and as good as 270 Win trajoctory out to 300 meters.

Nosler 120 gr Bal tip was also good. Regular Hornady 140 gr were great. I never tried Barnes in those rifles (long since sold) but I am sure you will get great results with 100 gr or 120 gr TSX & TTSX.

Naki That is very close to my situation. I have the 1600 Husqvarna which is a strong mauser type action and am considering getting a new Tikka T-3. And yes I would like to load them up to pressures in the 55-57,000 psi range similar to the 270 Win. I'm not looking to reach crazy pressures where one or two loads expand the primer pockets and ruin the cases. I'm thinking either RL 19 or RL 22 would achieve top velocities with the 125-130 and 140 gr bullets. IMR 4831 should also be very good. Would sure appreciate if someone with Quickload could tell me what pressure 52 grs of RL 22 and a 140 gr Hornady SST would produce. Thanks to all for the comments.

z and when you chrono 140 gr Swede loads in excess of 2900fps with a 29" or shorter barrels you should/will be in high pressure magnum territory. the chrono is your friend

Snowman, my two rifles could not get the velocity up with a case full of Re 22 or MRP. N 160 & re 19 were very consistent. IMR 4831 gave highest velocities.

In the 22 inch barrels - I got 2950 fps with 125 gr, 3030 fps with 120 gr & 2800 + fps with 140 gr bullets. I also got 2600 + fps with the Hornady 160 gr RN - a very good bullet for large deer. All these loads gave me 10+ reloads with Norma or Lapua brass and firm primer reseating. But trying those velocities with ADI 2209 (H4350) or a hotter charge of N160 opened up the primer pockets.

I did a lot of checking of the case rim & base with micrometers and still have the logs.

Another trick I developed was to actually mic the ejected primers! This showed me if the primers started to develop a "hat brim" - a sure sign of primer pockets opening up. I know that this is not a proven reloading test or procedure, but I just do it along with the other conventional ones and it gives me an idea of what is actually happening to the primers in that load.

quote:

Originally posted by Nakihunter:

Another trick I developed was to actually mic the ejected primers! This showed me if the primers started to develop a "hat brim" - a sure sign of primer pockets opening up.

Well, not quite. loose head space will also develop the top hats. roger

I only shoot 120 grain bullets in my custom Mauser-98 6.5 X 55 and with either IMR or H, 4350 I can muster over 3,000 FPS with no detectable pressure signs.

For deer hunting, I can find no real need for heavier bullets than the 120s

like vapodog have no reason to use 140 gr bullets unless my gun won't shoot the 120's , noslers with r22 is the best deer killer I've ever used.120 sierra's also good.