I recently picked up a Sako AV chambered in the venerable Swede. Just waiting for the brown truck to drop off some Talleys, Lapua brass, and a RCBS neck sizer die set.

While waiting, I've been searching for pet loads.

My hope is to push a 140 grain bullet (probably the Sierra Gameking) 2750'ish fps into tiny groups.

From all I have found, it would seem that Reloader 22 is the go to powder for the 140 grainers. That said, I only have about half a pound of Re22 on the bench...

I do have over 8 pounds of H4350 though. And I use H4350 in both my '06 and my .338 The prospect of using one powder for all three cartridges is very appealing to me. It might not translate into real world significance, but the temp insensitivity is nice too.

I also have nearly 8 pounds of H414 and four pounds of H4831 all circa 1970'ish that has yet to find a use.

What are your thoughts for the 140 grain pills? Go right to Reloader 22 or will one of the other three (H4350, H414, H4831) get me there?

I realize that this is speculative and my rifle will tell me which one to use. But heck, I'm stuck until I get the dies and scope mounted, so it gives me something to think about...

Any other pearls of wisdom regarding loading for the 6.5x55 SE?

I would say that you get a lot more bang for the buck with 160:s grain bullets,

if you whant speed the BT and V-max will get you that and some scary ass precision too.

Do not try to chase the lands btw, most x55 have looong throats.

Last- great buy, use it wisely,


best regards Chris

From --
http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp

140 GR. SPR SP Hodgdon H1000 .264" 3.030"

46.5 2423 37,600 CUP
51.5C 2651 46,000 CUP

140 GR. SPR SP IMR IMR 7828 SSC .264" 3.030"

44.0 2460 38,300 CUP
48.2 2678 45,800 CUP

140 GR. SPR SP Win Supreme 780 .264" 3.030"

45.0 2451 40,600 CUP
47.8 2592 45,300 CUP

140 GR. SPR SP Hodgdon H4831 .264" 3.030"

42.5 2382 38,100 CUP
47.0 2586 45,700 CUP

140 GR.SPR SP Hod. Hybrid 1000V.264" 3.030"

40.0 2418 38,300 CUP
44.5 2642 45,200 CUP

140 GR. SPR SP IMR IMR 4831 .264" 3.030"

43.0 2507 39,100 CUP
46.3 2700 45,400 CUP

140 GR. SPR SP Hodgdon H4350 .264" 3.030"

39.5 2418 38,600 CUP
44.0 2617 45,700 CUP

140 GR. SPR SP Hodgdon H414 .264" 3.030"

37.5 2393 40,000 CUP
41.5 2565 45,600 CUP

140 GR. SPR SP IMR IMR 4350 .264" 3.030"

41.0 2486 39,300 CUP
45.0 2677 46,000 CUP

140 GR. SPR SP Winchester 760 .264" 3.030"

37.5 2393 40,000 CUP
41.5 2565 45,600 CUP

140 GR. SPR SP IMR IMR 4007 SSC .264" 3.030"

39.0 2400 38,600 CUP
42.8 2591 45,300 CUP

140 GR. SPR SP Hodgdon H380 .264" 3.030"

36.5 2316 37,600 CUP
40.5 2520 45,100 CUP

140 GR. SPR SP Hodgdon Varget .264" 3.030"

32.5 2312 37,500 CUP
36.0 2528 46,000 CUP

140 GR. SPR SP IMR IMR 4064 .264" 3.030"

35.0 2394 39,500 CUP
38.0 2563 45,800 CUP

140 GR. SPR SP IMR IMR 4895 .264" 3.030"

34.5 2364 38,900 CUP
37.8 2550 45,500 CUP

140 GR. SPR SP Hodgdon H4895 .264" 3.030"

32.5 2305 38,100 CUP
35.8 2493 45,700 CUP

I personally shoot mostly 160's ,though because of my other 6.5's, I also shoot the Berger Vld hunting Bullets in 140 and 130 out of the Swede --great bullets.

This rifle seems to like MRP the best with the 160's, IMR 4831 with the 140's and XMR 4064 with the 130's.

The 140 grain spitzers are what make the Swede shine, and Re-22 has proven to be THE powder for me in terms of both accuracy and velocity.

I've used the caliber in a variety of firearms, and a 140 grainer in the 2750 fps range is one of the best droppers of medium game you'll find.

Start around 45 grains of Re-22 and work up. You'll likely find the sweet spot in the 46.5 to 47 grain range. And, 47 grains of Re-22 with a 140 grain bullet will put you in the 2700-2750 fps range given 23-24 inches of barrel length.

Unless you are going to be up close and personal with the game, the 160s have nothing to offer that isn't better done by a 140 grain projectile.

R22!
I`ve ran IMR/H4350, R19, H4831 and H1000 through mine along with a couple faster powders and have gave up trying to better R22 with 125gr and up bullet wgts. H4831 was a pretty close runner up though.......YMMV

H4350 work great for me in 100 - 130 grain bullets in the 6.5X55 Swede. I have never tried it with the 140 grainers, yes I also use R22 for them, but my guess is it will work just fine although velocity may top out closer to 2700.

Be sure to try you H4831 with the 140 grainers.

Let us know how you do!

49 gr. of Rl. 22 and a 140 gr. Sierra gave me a average of 2,723 fps. out of my 22 in. barreled Ruger.

49 grains RL22 and a 140 grain Speer produces 2684 fps out of my Model 70 22 inch barrel.
Regards, Keith

2700 seems more realistic. No matter, I'm not looking to chase 100fps. From what I have read, the Swede seems to shine at modest velocities.

On a related note, I'm going to expirament with a new bullet (to me) too - the 140 gr Berger VLD Hunting Bullet.

Now, I'm no fan of fragmenting bullets, but the 6.5 might be one of the few cartridges that I would be willing to shoot game with the VLD. We will see how it shoots.

My thought being that it is just such a long bullet that it is unlikely to peel all the way back and completely "fail." That is, on thin light skinned game anyway.

quote:

What are your thoughts for the 140 grain pills? Go right to Reloader 22 or will one of the other three (H4350, H414, H4831) get me there?

You already have the powders to make this cartridge shine. Buy no more.

quote:

Originally posted by NimrodRx:
----------On a related note, I'm going to expirament with a new bullet (to me) too - the 140 gr Berger VLD Hunting Bullet.

Now, I'm no fan of fragmenting bullets, but the 6.5 might be one of the few cartridges that I would be willing to shoot game with the VLD. We will see how it shoots.

My thought being that it is just such a long bullet that it is unlikely to peel all the way back and completely "fail." That is, on thin light skinned game anyway.

Used target VLD's on whitetail and pronhorn before Walt came out with the Hunting VLD's.
really even the target version was no issue, but the Hunting version is tougher.

I've found it pretty hard to beat RL 22 with 140 grain bullets (about all I shoot in the 6.5 x 55). I did work up a load of 100 grain ballistic tips once for a roe deer hunt and had great success with H4350.

Have fun with your 6.5 x 55,

Al

I also have a Sako AV in 6.5X55, another powder to consider is IMR 4895. I have found it to be the most accurate in my Sako with 120's and 140's. The others mentioned, RL-22 4350 also work well. Basically the Swede is not that fussy and most any medium to slow powder will work. In the Sako you can go close to or over the published max but do so with caution. A lot of the published loads keep the Krag's and 96's in mind. I get my best loads with either Norma or Lapua brass.

The 4831s and the 4350s with 140grain bullets do just fine in my two Swedes. roger

Years before the advent of RE22, I used H4831 in my Norwegian Krag. The Norwegian is much stronger than the US Krag. The guide rib is a locking lug, and the steel is better. 46 to 48 grains made a max. load. Today I'd use H4831SSC as it takes up less space in the case.

Man, I wish these dies would get here soon so I can get down to business...

A little more research has lead me to Norma MRP as a great performer in the Swede. Pretty impressive velocities at reasonable pressures.

Did some snooping in my FIL's loading room and came across an unopened can marked May 1974. One more powder to play with