Does anyone have any loading data for 6.5x54 M-S using Tu 7000 (Vectan/ Nobel) for 140gr or 156 gr bullets? Tu 7000 is supposed to be pretty close to IMR4350, so it seems like a logical choice for this bullet/ cartridge combination.

Thanks,
Washougal Chris

Dear Chris,
I tried the VEctan in my ols 03 MS and didn1t get too much accuracy with it. I was using the old Norma 156 bullets. I started with 34.4/Vectan and went up. Be careful as this powder seems to have a funny pressure curve. Good luck with a great cartridge!

Aloha, Mark[in Or]

Dear Bohica,

Thanks for the datapoint. I have some loads with IMR4350 and 140gr bullets that I'll chronograph to establish a baseline, and then see how close the Tu 7000 is.

Thanks,
Washougal Chris

Now that's an interesting question. I suppose you are asking it online because the Nobel Sport handbook does not cover this cartridge. The best guy to ask here would probably be Edmond. Try to email or PM him.

En lieu de lui, my own impression is a bit critical, since the manufacturers themselves do not suggest Tu 7000 even for the 6,5x55 or 6,5x57 or the 7x57. I would be inclined to feel that the Mannlicher-Schönauer case is too small for this powder to achieve any kind of reasonable performance...

Best regards,
Carcano

The "Hornady Handbook of Cartridge Reloading" (4th Edition) shows maximun velocity being achieved from the 6.5x54 M-S for 140gr and 160gr bullets with either IMR4350 or H4831 powder. I've actually used IMR4350 quite a bit and have been satisfied with. Since, according to Vectan, Tu7000 is "closely" related to IMR4350, it seemed logical to try in the 6.5x54 M-S.

I do have the Vectan Reloading manual, and must admit I am often surprised and puzzled by their powder choices. As you noted, they do not show any Tu7000 loading data for 6.5x55, 6.5x57, or 7x57, and yet U.S. manuals (Hornady, Nosler, etc) show many loads for these rounds using IMR4350 and even slower powders (RL-22, IMR/H4831, etc). Their choices definitely trend towards the faster powders wherever possible. I've heard this is because powder is so expensive in Europe that the goal is often to maximize the number of rounds can be loaded per pound - any truth to that or just an urban myth?

Thanks,
Washougal Chris

I could kick myself that I did not think of the most obvious reason *blush*. It is the RWS/DNAG handbook that led me to realizing it.

The classic civilian 1903 Mannlicher-Schönauer is a Stutzen - and as thus, mostly only has a 45cms barrel. Of course, long rifles have also been built - but they have always been quite rare.

For this frequent and expectable barrel length, Tu7000 would be quite unsuitable IMHO. For a Greek military long rifle or for a Romanian or Durch 6,5x53R rifle, it might be worth a try.

Carcano

quote:

Originally posted by carcano91:
I could kick myself that I did not think of the most obvious reason *blush*. It is the RWS/DNAG handbook that led me to realizing it.

The classic civilian 1903 Mannlicher-Schönauer is a Stutzen - and as thus, mostly only has a 45cms barrel. Of course, long rifles have also been built - but they have always been quite rare.

For this frequent and expectable barrel length, Tu7000 would be quite unsuitable IMHO. For a Greek military long rifle or for a Romanian or Durch 6,5x53R rifle, it might be worth a try.

Carcano

The powder which gives maximum velocities from any given rifle cartridge does so whether the barrel is long or short. This is assuming the load is one generating the maximum permissible pressures. It is possible that for a tiny case like the M/S, it is not possible to get enough of a slow powder into the case to generate the max. possible safe pressure. In this case, a faster powder would do better as long as it permitted all the case volume to be filled with powder. An example of this is the use of Re 22 or Norma MRP with 175-grain bullets in the 7X57mm. Either of these powders will permit the safe attainment of over 2700 FPS with the 175-grain bullet in a 22" 7X57mm barrel, but it takes a case full to do it. However, when a faster powder is used (IMRs 4064, 4320, or even 4350), the velocity possible with safe pressures is over 100 FPS (or more) less than with RE 22 or MRP .....

FWIW the Hornady manual referenced above used a Steyr carbine with an 18" barrel, and they report the slower powders (IMR4350, H4831) giving the max velocity for the heavier bullets.

Washougal Chris