Gents,

Does anyone have a good load for the Swede using Varget and Sierra 140's? The rifle is barreled with a LW barrel if that matters.

I tried some loads last weekend was not impressed. Varget has been my catch-all powder for everything else, but I'm thinking of trying some IMR 4350 and Re 19. Until then, I'm using Varget so if anyone has a good load to share, I would appreciate it.

Thanks in advance,

The Swede works best with slower powders. The best luck I`ve had in mine is with R22 and the 120gr and up bullets. I`d try the R19 you mention haveing on hand and see if the performance is better.

Varget works well in my 6.5X55 w/100 grn bullets, R22 for the 140.

RL-19 works best in my Ruger.

RL 22 works best for me with 130-140 grainers. H-4350 seems to work best with 120 grainers.

Geronimo

Re-22 has been THE powder for me in a number of 6.5x55 rifles. In terms of accuracy and velocity (in my rifles) with 140 grain bullets, Re-22 knows no equal.

I use 40grns of ADI 2208 (Varget) behind the Sierra 140GK for a 1 inch group @ 100. It is my centrefire silhouette ram load out of my tricked up swede. I also use 39grns of the same powder behind 123gn Lapua for 1/4 inch group @ 100. Entirely happy with both loads.

I have a preference for IMR 4064 or RL 15 with the 6.5 x 55....

Better accuracy than the other mentioned powders and with velocity just as good...

cheers
seafire

Tex, I tried the same Varget/140 SMK combination for my 1899 Oberndorf, but wasn't quite happy with it. Varget (which gives me brilliant results in .308 and 8x57IS) is a tad too fast for 6.5x55. The Swede likes slower powders, otherwise you get blackened casemouths at milder loads. Therefore I tried RL 22 (44.3 grs accuracy load) and got 1.5 MOA out of it over iron sights. Nevertheless, after using up my bulk pack of 140 grainers I'll try Varget + SMK 100 grs, as has been recommended above.

Jason-

I'm using 43.5gr RL19 with the 140gr Hornady.

flaco

I like RL19, but have had better luck with IMR4350 and IMR4831 with sierra 140's in the swede.

And though the Sierra 140's shoot well I won't use them on game due to the fact that they simply blow up....

Nosler Partitions?
125gr RL19 works best but it's hard to tell the difference in accuracy compared to IMR4350

RL22? 140 partitions and uncharacteristicaly RL22 burns "dirty" in this application

atleas that's how things shake out in my 1943 M38 Husqvarna.

AllanD

Re-22 for 140 grainers. 6.5x55s like slower powders.

Allan DeGroot wrote:

quote:

And though the Sierra 140's shoot well I won't use them on game due to the fact that they simply blow up....

Allan-If it's the 140 grain Sierra BTSPGK you are referring to, that is one of the most absurd statements I have heard. Take it from someone who shoots 6.5s, shoots them A LOT and has done so for years: at Swede velocities, the Sierra 140 grain GameKing is one of the toughest of the conventional 6.5mm, 140 grain bullets available.

And even if you are referring to the MatchKing, you are well off base. While I don't consider the MK suitable for hunting (yes, I know, so swear by it), it will not simply "blow up" at Swede speeds -- that is, unless you shoot it into a concrete wall.

And while I'm not trying to nit-pick, you really need to consider the information you spout. You recently wrote: the "single shot pistol" bullets are made with thinner jackets so they'll still "blow up"
when fired from the typical 12-14" TC barrel

Think of them as "super Explosive" varmint bullets."

That couldn't be farther from the truth. I won't get into that explanation here, but let's just say the "info" you gave was not even close to the actual facts.

another vote for rl-19, works for me.

wmr powder for the sweed get away from the stick yeah i know they pulled the wmr but find it buy it and if you can find it ill send some loads but almost any ball powder will work better but i like 4064 a lot i use it in708 also

vit n160 orn560 are exellent in the 6.5 swede. paul T. Ireland.

While I haven't tried Varget in my 6.5x55 and got decent results with IMR-4064 and IMR-4350. I am now using the Accurate Data 86 extruded powder available in bulk from powder valley. It is very close to AA-3100 and H-4831 in burning rate and am getting very acceptable results with 129 gr Hornady SP, 140 gr Hornady SP and the 160 gr Sierra RN. I didn't have as much success with Reloder 19 or 22, or H-4831...