I need some loading data for the 129 grain Hornaday bullet for my 94 Swede. Any help would be appreciated.

Jacobite,

In my Ruger, I pretty much use a load of 40 grains of IMR 4064 and seat the bullet to magazine length....It is very accurate with that bullet..

I also have used 40 grains of RL 15, 3031, W748... and each time I seat the bullet to mag length, so the cannelure is way high.. that bothers some guys.. I think it looks pretty stupid too.. but I ignore the looks and use it..

That is about 10 % lower than you can actually use of 4064 and still be safe..

at least in my Ruger, Mauser and Winchester...

Thanks Seafire I figured you would have some info. Anyone have any info for IMR 4350 and the 129 grain bullet or is it to slow for the light bullet?

Don't have any handy, but I would say you could use 260 data, knowing the Swede has about 1.5-2 gr more capacity. DO keep in mine there are suggestions to keep pressures down in the Swedes, I think it is a cautionary measure, and perhaps not a bad idea in old mausers. I got into trouble years ago reforming 30-06 and 2506 brass, OD on neck was .310 IIRC, and the spec called for .297 IIRC, when loaded, it essentially crimped the bullet, skyrocketed pressures and the bolt froze, blew firing pin back so hard (primer blew, case head cracked) and when the firing pin bottomed out so hard when fully reward, it cracked the bolt threads, never will know how close I came to having a firing pin blow thru the bolt rear and thru my head!

Be reasonable in your loads and use correct brass that is now widely available, no need to try hotrodding this great round.

quote:

Originally posted by Jacobite:
Thanks Seafire I figured you would have some info. Anyone have any info for IMR 4350 and the 129 grain bullet or is it to slow for the light bullet?

4350 will work just fine also...what kind of velocity are you looking for? Remember a 6.5 doesn't need high velocity to open up, in fact, to high of velocity and the bullets will blow up. depending on what they hit...

if you can live with about 3000 fps, start at about 43 grains of IMR 4350, and you should be able to work that up to about 47.5 grains...

But as 6.5 BR pointed out, use proper brass, not something made out of 06 brass...or even 57 mm brass...

also make sure you seat the bullet to magazine length...the closer you get to 47.5 grains..of 4350/IMR's

I have ran old data to 50 grains with no problems, but I recommend that 47.5 is plenty for your needs...

Seafire,
I am not really worried about velocity.
I don't try and max anything I shoot. Just want an accurate load. I have 4064 but also have the 4350 and that is why I ask about a load with it. I plan on trying 140 grain bullets also and have the 4350 and R22 to try with them. For some reason I have a thing for slower powders. BTW I am using proper 6.5x55 brass.

I shoot 129 grain Hornady Interlocks in my CZ 550 6.5x55. I use Lapua brass, CCI primers and 45 grains of H4350. I have yet to chrono this round so I have no idea of it's velocity. I do know it is very accurate and devasting on Sika, they tend to fall down after the shot and stay there.

Hope ths helps

John

Hi Jacobite,

In my Tikka T3 I use for the 129 grs. Interlock Vihtavouri Powder, it was more accurate than any other powder, even more accurate than Norma MRP. I use 51 grs. of N560, Lapua Cases, Fed. 210 primers, OAL = 78 mm (3,078"), V0= 911 m/s (2990 fps), and it groups 11 mm (0,43") at 100 m (109 yds.). I used new brass.

This is actually my preferred hunting load for roe buck and red deer and also smaller red stag (Have shot a red stag, dressed without head weighing 142 kg (312 pound). Most roe buck and red deer dropped in their tracks, shot shortly behind the shoulder, like being hitted by Thor's hammer. Also shot three wildboar (from 56 to 91 kg) without noticable difficulties, they were down within a few yards, two of them had an exit with a very good blood trail.
Altough I have no pressure signs at all in my rifle, this load may be a little bit stiff for an older rifle and you should start with a lighter load and work up carefully (as usual).

This was the most accurate load I ever found for the Hornady Interlock 129 grs.

Good Luck,

Gerald

Just to add, the '94 shorter 17.7 " barrel will give you about 150-200fps less speed vs a 24 or so.

I had about 25-30 fps change per inch in my 21" vs 24" '96 mausers.

I'd guess around 2700, no more than 2800 in that short tube would be max but not sure on pressure and those bores sometimes vary in dimensions. If you have the brass circle plate for the gun (on rear of stock), it has the groove dimensions, not sure how to read it but there are references on the web how to read the specs for each guns markings. A tight bore would have higher pressure, perhaps lower speeds but just keep watch for pressure signs and be safe, those mausers were well made, but steel is somewhat soft I believe, not perhaps as bad as one that is too hard/brittle, but lugs can set back with high pressures.

Sounds like you have a great starting point for loads that should get you to 300 yds on deer if needed. There are some good aftermarket triggers if you need i.e. Timney that work well, easy to install. Good luck.

125gr nosler partition 36gns H4895 2760 fps .45gns H4350 2750 fps.40gns H4895 2834 fps.48gns H4831 2870 fps.46gns H4350 2944 fps. 129 gn hornady sst. 44gns H4350 2810fps.41gns H4350 2638 fps.45gns H4831 2732fps. 140gn nosler partition.46gns H4831 2733 fps(super)45gns H4350 2708fps.47gns H4831 2712fps

Thanks guys. This gives me plenty to start with.


6.5BR the trigger om this rifle is so sweet I won't need to put an aftermarket on it.

Enjoy, you have a nice set up, saw a sporterized on years ago, before my getting 6.5's by an older gunsmith who put a nice stock, sporterized bolt handle, safety, and drilled/tapped, and and it was a handy rifle.

Jacobite,

I use 140gr Hornady SPs in my 6.5x55 and 129gr Hornady SPs in my .260 Rem. Both 140s and 129s are great choices in mid-capacity 6.5s for deer. Both are accurate in my rifles and have efficiently killed deer without excessive meat lost to "bullet burger".

45.5 grns imr4350 and a 129 grn hornady.

in my rifle it shoots about 2800 and so far, kills deer about like a bolt of lightning.

I have used 46-48gr Re19 with the 129 in my M38 Swede with excellant results.