Any load suggestion for 129/140/144gn bullets
in a T3 Tikka varmit in 6.5x55 to be used for
target pigs kangaroos 7 GOATS

First off, welcome to the forum!

I've burned up lots of ammo with various 6.5x55s, and one thing is for certain: In the weight range you mention, nothing has topped Re-22 for a combination of both accuracy and velocity. In fact, 47 grains of Re-22 with virtually any good 140 grain bullet is a standard load around here.

Of course, backing off a couple grains and working up is the prudent thing to do here, but chances are, you'll find the sweet spot around 47 grains with the 140 grain projectiles.

Re-19, H4831SC and H4350 also do well, but in my usage, Re-22 has been the hands-down winner.

I must agree with Bobby Tomek, Reloader # 22 is a great powder for the 6.5X55 with those bullet weights. My Ruger 77 MKII like's the 120gr. sierra, the M96, like's the 140gr. sierra, IMR-4350,H-4350,IMR-4831 H-4831, and I have also used H-380, H-4895 for bullets in the 100gr. weights. Welcome
homer j.

thanks have been using ADI2208
will try and source RE-22

normtm1048, you are probably aware that AR2208 is Varget and AR2209 is H4350 (but the variations from lot to lot put it closer to IMR4350?). Anyway, a friend is getting good results with AR2208 and of course AR2209 is one of the recommended powders if you can't get any Re 22.

thanks
its all good fun playing with the tikka & M96

Has anyone found a good load for the 130 grain Barnes TTSX bullet in the 6.5x55?

I have a Sako M85 Finnlight in 6.5x55 that shoots 139/140 bullets great. However, in some areas of California where I hunt we can only use non-lead bullets (Barnes X) and the heaviest bullet that Barnes makes in 6.5 is 130 grains.

Thanks!

Tim

quote:

Originally posted by Shumba:
Has anyone found a good load for the 130 grain Barnes TTSX bullet in the 6.5x55?

I have a Sako M85 Finnlight in 6.5x55 that shoots 139/140 bullets great. However, in some areas of California where I hunt we can only use non-lead bullets (Barnes X) and the heaviest bullet that Barnes makes in 6.5 is 130 grains.

Thanks!

Tim

Tim

I got some nice groups with my 6.5 from the new Hybrid 100 powder, I was doing my load development with 120gr ballistic tips. FS

4320 has always been a go to powder for 6.5x55

oops wrong one 4350 is the one

quote:

Originally posted by Bobby Tomek:

... but chances are, you'll find the sweet spot around 47 grains with the 140 grain projectiles.

Ditto! My "sweet spot" load for my CZ550 FS is 46.5 gr Re-22 and Hornady 140gr SP Interlocks. As normal, work up load carefully.

I use 129 gr Hornadys with a Lapua case, Win WLR primer. Powders are H4350 46 gr, H4831 49gr This is in a VZ33 M98 action with a 24" Swedish M38 barrel. I also have a M98 action with a 22" barrel. I prefer to use 120gr Corelockts with 46 gr of Norma N204 or 46.5gr of H4350 in this rifle.

thanks
looking to buy a chrono
will use all the info from the post & advise the outcomes
yesterday the temp was 40.0C chrono ave 2660 with 140g + 35.5 2208

I currently have two Tikka 6.5x55's...in my load development I've found its really hard to beat RE22...RE19 or H4831sc...I use Lapua & Rem brass with Rem 9.5s....OAL is kept well under max mag length....2.980" w/140 SGKs...the 6.5 also likes 120 NBT and 130 NABs...140 NPTs...not very fussy at all...still load testing the 160 RN Hornaday's yet...here's a typical target with three @ 100....

impressive thanks

Well I shot my 6.5 Steyr today using this Re22 data with 140gr Bergers, started at 45.5,46,46.5, all with zero pressure signs. The 46 shot the best in my rifle. We had a very blustery day wind wise.
Shot some factory 250 Savage which was very pleasant to shoot and some 25-06 with 115 Btips. They shot real well in the wind.

Took my 10 year old out of school for the day, he shot a bunch of 7.62x39, tried the 250 Sav and the 6.5 as well. He has a Limbsaver shoulder pad and it wants to try everything. FS

Well I just had to try those Sierra bullets in my 6.5x55, golly they group very well had 2 touching with both 47 and 48 gr of R 22, and the third and fourth shots were close by. My rifle is a Steyr Pro Hunter, no pressure signs in either load.
Then I had a box of Hornady light mags in 129gr and they shot very nicely as well. I had one of those targets of a deers vitals that turns colours when you hit it. 2 inches high at 100 had me bang on at 200. Must go load some more 140gr Sierras.
Thanks Greg

I guess I am different than the other guys..

I prefer mid range powders and fast powders..

I don't need max velocity.. and less powder equates to less recoil and less throat wear...and longer barrel life..

I use the RL 15, IMR 4895, IMR 4064, W 748, BLC2 burn rates of powders for normal use.. example 40 grains of anyone of them with a 140 grain bullet yields 2800 fps in my Ruger and Model 70...

If I don't need a long range load, then I use 30 grains of RL 7 or IMR 4198...

with bullet weights from 85 to 100 grains, these make some really nice varmint loads.. with MVS in the 3000 fps range.. and a lot less recoil than the slow powder loads..and for something the size of a kangaroo, these are good effective loads out to about 250 meters..without much sight compensation..if any needed at all..

so If I was located in Oz and wanted to keep things simple...you'll be more than served with Varget and whatever ADI calls 4198 down that way....or the equivalent of 4350 if you still have to use one of the slower powders...

I find RL 22 has too much lot to lot variation for my tastes... and I am usually not that picky on that sort of thing.. RL 22 just goes beyond, even my lack of picky-ness...

on the flip side, I ran across old data from the 1960s, taken in a short barreled Mauser..

putting it into a modern rifle.. that will more easily take the pressures... I've got loads that will produce 3200 fps with a 120 grain bullet.. and 2950 to 3000 fps with a 140 grain bullet...

however I don't use them, because I have never seen the need.. or any difference in real performance with the higher velocities at the normal hunting ranges.....

and if I need that higher velocity.. then I can drag out the 270 Win then...

Gidday Normtm 1048,

For the brasties you are going after I would be really happy with a soft 120 gr projectile like a ballistic tip or a coreloct.

The game you mention is not particlularly large or hard to put down, though some of the porkers can get a bit big (the reason I would go with a 120gr rather than the 100). I use 45.5 gr of 2209 with 120s and it knocks over everything from deer to goats, pigs and wallabies.

There is bugger all difference between the ballistic tips and the corelocts out to 300 metres as far as terminal performance goes. They are both accurate and everything falls over right smart.

You won't go far wrong with the 6.5 as long as you stay away from Banteng, Crocs etc. I wouldn't feel undergunned if I was taking on donkeys and camels with a well constructed 140gr like a partition. Other wise the 120 will do all you want with 2208 or 2209.

Happy Hunting

Hamish

I use 2208/2209 with all my loads at present
100/120/129/140gn projectiles.
in a sierra,lapau,highland & Hoardry
all the info from the post is being worked on .
will advise results

Re shot the Berger 140 VLD's in the Steyr, used 47 and 48gr of Re22, with a COL of 3.20 inches, both grouped nicely but the 48's were a little tighter.
Went back to the range today and shot them at 200 yards and some more fine groups well under MOA. There is going to be some doe deer getting in their way come thursday, hopefully.
FS

quote:

Originally posted by butchloc:
oops wrong one 4350 is the one

Darn right. Either 4350 is a great powder for the 6.5 X 55

Yet another vote for H4350 in the Tikka.
46gns with anything 120gn flavoured and 44gns for the 140's.

Out of my T3 that equates to 2700fps for 120gns and 2550 for 140's
It's a terrific combination of rifle and calibre in my view.

48gr Re 19 and Horn 129gr SP. Started using this load years ago, possibly before 22 was even out. Don't see any need to change. It works.

To all who have replied Thank You
it proves the 6.5 x 55 is a world calibre still
once again thanks

I have had wonderful results with 49.5-50.5 gr of Norma MRP and 120 gr Nosler Ballistic Tips. In my Tikka T3 lite. I use MRP instead of RL 22 because I don't get the large lot to lot variations that I got with RL22.

My heavy barrel custom really likes VV 165 with 142 gr matchkings.

Awesome calber, took me a long time to try it but now that I have it has quickly become a favorite.