I have been reloading .243, .308 and 8x57 with IMR 4895. But I am more than willing to buy a couple pounds of something else if you guys think I can do better. I want to hunt with the 130 accubonds but like to shoot the lighter stuff at paper. What is the most efficiant and accurate powder you guys have been using?

Thanx, Matt

From 120 grains on up, Re-22 gets the nod.

For bullets lighter than 120 grains, Re-15 and Re-19 are topflight choices.

IMR-4895 will do just fine.....I wouldn't buy another powder if you already have that one.

RE22 w/140 NPTs
VVN560 w/140 SGKs
H4831sc w/130 NABs
H4831sc w/120 NBTs
Varget w/120 NBTs
I think you'll find 4895 too fast...stick with the slow powders...my out of the box Tikka w/100 yd target & one inch dot..

I am in New Zealand where our game animals top out at Wapiti - Elk (few of these and in a small herd), but mainly Sambar, Red Deer, Fallow, Sika and a small herd of Whitetail on Stewart Island, Thar and Chamois in the Southern Alps and lots of goats all over the place. No hunting seasons or tags - only permissions needed for private land or Conservation Land access.

I shoot a sportered VZ33 with a Swedish M38 24" barrel - Lapua cases, Win WLR primer with a 129 gr Hornady. On checking my notes, a 48gr load of H4831 gave a 10 shot extreme spread from 2747 to 2775 fps, with an average of 2762 fps in the M38 barreled VZ33. 100yd group - best 3 shot group 0.5" - average on checking zero is under 1 MOA, it is a hunting rifle and very effective whether I meet up with a red deer at 200 yds or at 30.

The 200 yard 3 shot group was 1.5" x 0.5".
With a Sierra 120 gr SP with 49 gr of H4831 gave an average of 2796 fps. This rifle shoots best with the Hornady 129gr.

I also have a 6.5 x 55mm 22" Parker Hale barreled Brazilian 1908 M98. With 120 gr SP and Lapua cases, 49 gr of H4831 gave an average of 2812 fps for 10 shots - and a 1" group at 100yds - off a rest. This rifle simply shoots best with the 120gr.

Experimenting with a 140gr Remington Bulk Corelockt in the 22" barrel - Norma case, Fed 215 primer, 45 gr H4831 - 2584fps, 46 gr H4831 - 2630 fps - 1" group (5 shot at 100yd).

My recommendation, H4831. Other projectile weights and in your rifle may do better.

I load a ton of 6.5 x 55....

other powders listed above, by some of my knowledgable fellow forum members will get you some slightly faster velocity...

truth be known, the velocity really won't be that much faster, but the recoil will be increased.. compared to using the IMR 4895 you list having above for your loads..

IMR 4895, W 748, RL 15, IMR 4064, AA 4064 all of those powders will give as good of velocity and accuracy as each other..

use what ya got and if it doesn't give you what you are looking for then go shopping for some alternatives...

I don't think the powder you have now will disappoint you tho.. I use a lot of it in my 3 different chambered Swedes...a Model 70, a Ruger and a REAL factory Sniper Mauser rifle, built in 1919 and all original...

Well here is why I am thinking of something besides the 4895.
I loaded up 20 rounds to fire form: Norma brass, Berger 130VLD, CCI BR2 primer and 40gr of 4895. I used 40gr just because it seemed to hit the middle of the listed loads on Steves Page ( I have had good luck using the info on Steves page). The bullets are seated .010 into the lands. When I shot the rifle, a Tikka T3 hunter, and extracted the brass it came out covered in soot. I have never had this happen with any other gun/caliber I have reloaded for. The factory stuff I shot did not do this. With a max listed load of 42gr, I didn't think that I was using a load that was too light.
This is why I think a powder that will fill the case a bit more would be better.
Thanx for the replies, I think I will try some of the RE22. It looks like that might fill the case a little better.
Matt

I load for 30-30, 308, and 9.3x62 and use Varget for all of them with great success, but when I started shooting a 6.5x55, I was recommended RL-22 and have no reason to try anything else.

I am shooting 120 and 140 gr bullets.

I use N-160 and N-560 with 120 and 140 grain Sierra bullets. Works well.

A shooting buddy loads his 6.5x55 using Varget/AR2208 and 125gr bullets. His rifle is a Tikka T3 Lite. From what I have seen, this rifle shoots very accurately with his loads and he is not an overly particular reloader, mixing bullets and ammo.

i have had great luck with varget in the 6.5x55, and the others you load for, i have heard the same although i do not load for those.

-Matt

How about IMR4350?

Well I tried the Re22 this weekend. I had great luck. I shot several 5 shot groups that looked like Armed_In_Utah's group. I worked the load up to the 46.5 that AIU prescribed and it just kept getting better. I didn't go any further but I had no signs of pressure and could probably go a bit higher. That being said, I guess with groups like that I am pretty satisfied.
Thanx for the help, Matt

I believe Alliant's data shows 48 grs as a max load for the 140s in the Swede...my Chrono says 2636 fps with that 46.5/RE22 load...not terribly fast...but they go where you point them...stay with the slow powders..

+1 for IMR 4350

quote:

Originally posted by ghostrider272:
+1 for IMR 4350

With IMR 4350 and 130 gr Bergers I shot 4 three shot groups of .50 or less (one group was .35). No signs of pressure. It chronographed at 2865 avg.

In my Sako IMR4895 is a top powder for accuracy. Also have had good luck with IMR4350, RL19, and Varget. The Swede is not really all that fussy as long as the powder is on the slower side of medium burn rate if you want the velocity.

I use H335, IMR4831, 4320, and 4064. H335..4064 for 87..100gr,4064 or 4320 for 120..129gr, 4320..4831 for 140..160gr.

I went out today after loading a few rounds with 130 gr Bergers and IMR4350:
46.4 gr= .25" @ 2862 fps
46.7 gr= .50" @ 2881 fps
47.0 gr= .89" @ 2918 fps

The rifle sure likes IMR 4350. Is that about the max I can expect in the way of velocity and still have that kind of accuracy?