Killing time waiting for my CZ to get here.
Anyone have some good target/whitetail loads that I should start with?
Any must have primers, brass or powders?
I figured that Lapua brass would be the best but have no experience with the Swede.
TIA

In my M96 Mauser I use 47 gr. IMR 4350 with the Hornady 120 gr. SP. I've not used this one on deer myself (the rifle is often used as a "loaner") but it has been used 3 times, one shot each for recovered deer. The rifle has a Williams FPRS NOT a scope sight. Good luck.

My Sako L691 likes 120 and 140 grain Barnes XLCs on top of RL19 (50 and 46 grains respectively) using Remington cases and WLR primers.

My serious long-range load for my heavy-barrelled target rifle uses either a 140-grain Hornady AMAX or a 142-grain Sierra Matchking pushed by 47.5 grains of H4831sc and ignited by a Federal 210M primer. I've used plain-old Winchester 6.5x55 brass and it seems to work great.

The above load put five shots into about half an inch at 200 metres the last time I was on the range.

For hunting, I'd try that load with a 140-grain Nosler Partition and be ready for anything shy of dangerous game.

I have had good results with the Nosler 140 and 125 grain partition bullets for hunting whitetail deer. My Winchester model 70 Featherweight shoots the 125 NPs best (sub-moa) over the top listed charge of Reloder 19 for it in the Nosler #5 manual. I use R-P cases and CCI 200 primers. My son's Kimber converted '96 Swede really shoots the 140 NPs well over RL19 and the same case and primer. We have both made 200 yard one shot kills with these loads. Good hunting.

Don't know if the CZ is long throated or not.

However I like using mid range powders instead of the RL 19, 22, 4831 etc.


42 grains of RL 15 over a 140 grain Remington corelokt. Seat the bullet to the lower cannelure. Velocity is in the 2800 fps range with my 26 inch barrel and 2700 fps range with the 22 inch barrel one.

IMR 4064 or IMR 4895 or W 748 are also good with the same amount of powder, 42 grains.

Good luck. Most 6.5s are one hole shooting rifles.

Hi there,

You DO realize that Lapua is Finnish, right? We (being a Swede) used to own Finland Buy Norma brass! (Although Lapua brass is considered to be somewhat better).

I would suggest Normas webpage which has some load for our 6.5x55: http://www.norma.cc/nladdtab/6555.htm

It is ironic to me that my cousin who immegrated from Sweden and used to work at Norma, owns Swedish Mausers, but hunts and shoots at the range with his Win 70 30-06.

Well the CZ came in today.
Got my Kahles 3-9x42 picked out and asked the gunshop to mount and boresight it for me.
They said they didn't have the right rings for the rifle.
I replied that it was ok, they came with the rifle and they must be in the box.
Wrong.
Now I have a few more days to get my dies and some brass ehile I wait for my rings.
Thanks for the responses!

I'm going to order some brass from midway, what should I get?
Lapua, Norma, Winchester or Remington?

I recomend Norma and Lapua brass.
I have heard (but never checked it up) that Winchester and Remington brass have to small basemeasurements.

Regards H�kan

FWIW
I am relatively new to reloading and used the SAAMI max OAL listed in the Nosler No.5 for the 6.5x55 which is 3.15.
3.14 was .06 into the lands with a 120g Nosler BT. Needless to say I backed it off a bit.
Off to the range tomorrow, sadly I haven't shot this damned CZ yet.

CAl: Do you mind telling me the size of a loaded 6.5x55 round at the neck? When I get a 6.5, I'll be also rounding up a set of the Redding Bushing dies. For Lapua brass, what bushing size are you using? Thank you.

Anybody use R-22 in their 6.5x55?