Gentlemen, I think I need your piece of advice on a better 6.5 x 55 load. My Swede (m96) simply won’t shoot well, despite good preconditions:

- The firearm is in good state, the bore shines mirror-like
- Components are good: Lapua cases, SMK 140 grs, RL 22, CCI BR2
- Test rds loaded to BR standards
- Shooting conditions on the range without problems (sunny, no wind)
- Barrel only mildly warm: 2 min. pause between 2 rds, 5 min. between 2 groups
- Had a good day: shot v.g. groups w/ my .308 during cool-off phases of the m/96
- Having shot a load ladder based on the Sierra manual, Quick load and Load from A Disk, found a sweet spot between 44.0 … 44.4 grs

However, with loads in .1 grs intervals the results were not satisfactory, given the generally good performance of a Swede. My son shot it, too, but his groupings were only slightly better.

What would you suggest me to do? Changes in C.O.L. didn’t bring any improvement. I would like to stick to RL 22 because it is very similar if not identical to the original propellant. No doubt about the Lapua cases. I am considering to switch to Lapua 144 grs FMJBTs as they are very similar to the original bullet. Any experiences?

Your advice is very welcome.

I found that my M96 shot right to the sights using hornady 139 interlocks and H414. I don't remember the charge, but I can look it up latter.
I have found that H414 works great in my three favorite guns, MKII VLE .22-250, m96 6.5x55 and m98 7x57 brazillain 1908. I have found it to be very flexable with changes in bullet wieght and charge wieght.

Actually I believe that RL19 is much closer to the original propellant than RL22, though RL19 won't deliver the velocity that RL22 will with 140's.

FWIW my M38 Swede with the shorter 24" barrel
shoots best with IMR4350, enough better that
all of the handloaded 6.5x55 ammo I have on hand
at this time is loaded with IMR4350.

AllanD

I have to agree with Allen, My Swede is A 96 and it works well with H 4350 43 grains and A 140 Gr. Speer BTSP. The 120 Gr. Speer works with Reloader #22 in 50.5 Gr.

quote:

Originally posted by Jennerwein:
Gentlemen, I think I need your piece of advice on a better 6.5 x 55 load. My Swede (m96) simply won’t shoot well, despite good preconditions:

Well I've found a couple M96 Swedes over the years that just do not like boat tail bullets. Many Swedes (all of the 5 I have do) have .266" barrels. The MKs you are using are .264" and you are using light charge of a really slow powder. The BT bullets do not fit the barrel nor are they obturating to fit it because the pressure is too low. I'd bet a lot of gas is escaping around the bullets as they go down the bore. You probably have uneven exit pressure to. As suggested a switch to a faster powder like RL19 ir H414 and flat based bullets will probably give much better accuracy. I use 49 gr of H4831SC under a 140 gr Hornady SP with MOA accuracy. The Hornady 129 gr SPs or the Sierra 120 SP also give excellent MOA accuracy with Varget and 4895. Some find reasonable accuracy with BT bullets and 4895 also.

You have just found out why the "ladder" theory is just that, a theory. The "ladder theory" nor the Sierra Manual, nor Quick load nor A Disk will tell you how your rifle will shoot nor will they give you a "sweet spot", your rifle will give that to you.

Larry Gibson

quote:

However, with loads in .1 grs intervals the results were not satisfactory,

Those increments are so small they are not likely to show much.

Jennerwein

In my opinion your using all the right components in your 6.5. The RL22 is known for its accuracy in your rifle. One question is your action bedded?

quote:

Originally posted by Larry Gibson:

quote:

Originally posted by Jennerwein:
Gentlemen, I think I need your piece of advice on a better 6.5 x 55 load. My Swede (m96) simply won’t shoot well, despite good preconditions:

Well I've found a couple M96 Swedes over the years that just do not like boat tail bullets. Many Swedes (all of the 5 I have do) have .266" barrels. The MKs you are using are .264" and you are using light charge of a really slow powder. The BT bullets do not fit the barrel nor are they obturating to fit it because the pressure is too low. I'd bet a lot of gas is escaping around the bullets as they go down the bore. You probably have uneven exit pressure to. As suggested a switch to a faster powder like RL19 ir H414 and flat based bullets will probably give much better accuracy. I use 49 gr of H4831SC under a 140 gr Hornady SP with MOA accuracy. The Hornady 129 gr SPs or the Sierra 120 SP also give excellent MOA accuracy with Varget and 4895. Some find reasonable accuracy with BT bullets and 4895 also.

You have just found out why the "ladder" theory is just that, a theory. The "ladder theory" nor the Sierra Manual, nor Quick load nor A Disk will tell you how your rifle will shoot nor will they give you a "sweet spot", your rifle will give that to you. Larry Gibson

FWIW, I concur with Larry, at least as far as my modern 6.5x55 goes. It shoots much better with the 140 gr Hornady flat base bullet than the 140 gr Sierra BTGK. It seems to like the 129 gr Hornady flat base even better. I would be curious to see if your Model 96 also might prefer the flat base. To test my theory further, I just got in some Sierra 120 gr MKHP bullets to try in mine. Since it hasn't seemed to like boattails or bullets lighter than 129 gr in general, it may be a waste of effort, but there is only one way to really find out.

Now, I'm cautious about giving out load data that works for my guns. That said, you are using the same components I use in my highpower and mil silhouette match loads. However, behind the moly coated Sierra 140gr HPBT Matchkings I use 46 gr of R-22. This load clocks about 2700fps in my barrels on average.
Accuracy has been very very good with these for me. I do confess that my first inclination was to help solve the accuracy issue by buying the rifle from you

Eric

Re-22 is THE powder for the Swede. Try another bullet -- or several others. Like Larry mentioned, try some flat based projectiles as well.

BTW, 0.1 increments in the 6.5x55 are too small to be of significant value unless you have found a decent load and are simply fine-tuning it.