I am looking for a reliable scource for modern 6.5 loading info. Spoke with Sierra and was told that they will not publish and data other than what is safe in the old 1895's. I'm not looking for super speed stuff just would like to jack up my load for 140 grain bullets in a mod. 70 Win. Thanks smoker1

The 6.5x55 case head is .480".
The 22-250, 243, 6mm Rem, 250 Savage, 257 Roberts, 25-06, 260 Rem, 6.5x55 [US brass], 270, 7mm-08, 7x57mm, 280, 308, 30-06, 8x57mm, 338F, 358, and 35W all have a .470" case head.

American brass manufacturers will sell you a 6.5x55 piece of brass with a .470" case head, because that is what they have tooling for.

I happen to know that the .470" large Boxer case head is good for ~ 62,000 psi and long brass life without the primer pockets getting loose.

Plugging 140 gr Nos Part 6.5x55, 62,000 psi, 24" barrel into Quickload:
Re22 51.2 gr 2944 fps
H4350 46.5 gr 2878 fps
IMR4895 41.6 gr 2824 fps
And dozens of others

H-4350 is the powder I use but anything near that burn rate will work.....
start with published data and work up.....like we all do.....it's safer than using published data as you tailor the load for your rifle instead of what worked in others.

You'll find that you can load a full two grains over Hodgdon's data

The Lee Manual publishes a load for the 6.5x55 ,140 gr.bullet, of 48 gr.H450 at 2797 fps. and 2700 fps with 48.1 gr. of RL22. It appears that these loads produce pressures no higher than 51000psi.so as tnecckk points out you have room to move and still be safe with your modern rifle. Those published loads and velocities will do a job on most game animals in the lower 48.

If you must have higher velocities gradually work up loads with something close to the 4350s burning rates untill you start to see some indication of higher pressure. Than back off.

If you are not comfortable gradually increasing loads beyond what's published don't do it.If you need that extra 100 fps get a .270. roger

quote:

Originally posted by bartsche:
If you are not comfortable gradually increasing loads beyond what's published don't do it.If you need that extra 100 fps get a .270. roger

I fully concur! Good post Roger!

Try: steve's reloading pages

Thank you gentlemen, appreciate your info and advice. I thought somewhere there might be published data on the modern rifle. Thanks again, smoker1