First,Lynn welcome aboard! I use a heavier bullet than most. 50.4 grains of RL22 under a 140gr Sierra. I don't have any chronograph data for it but it works well in my rifle. Great cartridge, good luck.
Posts: 1361 | Location: congress, az us | Registered: 27 February 2001
55gr of IMR 4831 flattens primers big time with 140 gr bullets. not as bad with 129 gr bullets. Is there a big difference between IMR & H 4831? Im looking for accuracy loads for 100gr thru 140 gr bullets
I have found that 50 grains of RL 22 in a 6.5 x 55 and a 6.5 x 57, give me just short of 3,000 fps with a 140 grain bullet. Barrel lengths are 28 inches for the 6.5 x 57 and 26 inch with the 6.5 x 55.
Seems to me you should be able to work up a little more velocity in a 6.5/06 case and obtain a little better. Although a stout load, neither show any pressure problems in either of these rifles, both are the newer pre 64 style Model 70s.
125 grainers, and 120 grainers give me 3250 in both of these rifles using W 748 ( 44 grains).
Once again the /06 case should do a hair better, but these should give you a starting point. Oh and this is using Winchester brass, if that matters to anyone. ( 6.5 x 57 is the 257 Roberts brass necked up to 6.5 mm)
My 6.5-06 has seen quite a few bullets go down it's barrel but still shoots 5 shot groups in the .8's with 140 Noslers and 53.0 grains RL 22. This is a near max load (way over max according to the Nosler manual)so work up to it slowly. I have gotten good accuracy with 140 Hornady's and Sierra's as well as 120 Sierra's and 95 Vmax's. The 125 Noslers and 129 Hornady's never shot well for me. I've only loaded for two 6.5-06's, so I don't have enough experience to give universal accuracy loads but, if you are using a 140 grain bullet, start with 50 grains of RL 22 and work your way to max. 120 grain bullets do well with RL 22 and RL 19. John
