I went to the range today and shot my rifle at 100 yards trying to come up the best load. I loaded 12 rounds starting at 46.0 gr of H4831sc and ended with 48.2 gr. I was surprised that from 46.4 gr to 48.2 grains I only increased the velocity about 10 FPS. The highest velocity was 2710 FPS. What is that about? Is it possible that the powder was too slow to increase beyond 2710? I'm trying to understand how you can increase the powder by 1.8 grains and only increase the velocity by 10 FPS. I guess I must be missing something here.

i believe you will have better luck with 4350,

quote:

Originally posted by butchloc:
i believe you will have better luck with 4350,

+1

H-4831SC is a very slow burning powder, possibly too slow burning to see velocity increase with a 2 grain addition.

I have found that the 6.5 Swede does well with any suitable rifle powder, especially the slow ones. What you didn't list however, was bullet weight. I would save 4831 for 160 grain bullets.

A good general rule of thumb states something to the effect that when one reaches maximum pressures, velocity increases become incrementally smaller. It's probably not the case in this your example, but it is good advice none the less.

I'm using 140 gr Bergers. I also have 130 gr bullets but haven't tried them yet. I will try 4350. What do you think the max load would be? I didn't see any pressure signs with 4831.

quote:

from 46.4 gr to 48.2 grains

Did that charge fill the case? Was there powder compression with either charge? Just wondering whether compressing or increasing the compression may be slowing the ignition down a bit.

Add another person suggesting IMR4350 for the swede.

You MIGHT get 4831 to work but as far as I've seen
you aren't going to do it within published specifications.

I long ago decided that If there's something I can't do with the swede with either IMR4350 or RL19 it probably isn't worth doing at all.

AD

quote:

Originally posted by 303Guy:

quote:

from 46.4 gr to 48.2 grains

Did that charge fill the case? Was there powder compression with either charge? Just wondering whether compressing or increasing the compression may be slowing the ignition down a bit.

The charge did not fill the case but I was leery of going too far from the max load without checking with you guys first.

quote:

Originally posted by buckshot:
I have found that the 6.5 Swede does well with any suitable rifle powder, especially the slow ones. What you didn't list however, was bullet weight. I would save 4831 for 160 grain bullets.

A good general rule of thumb states something to the effect that when one reaches maximum pressures, velocity increases become incrementally smaller. It's probably not the case in this your example, but it is good advice none the less.

I was using 140 gr Bergers.

For an M96 barrel, it will make a bigger difference. I use IMR4320 and 4064 for 87..140gr w/ shorter barrels including my M1600. jp

Just a suggestion... I am using 120Gn Nosler BTs, in a 22" barrel, Lapua brass, Federal GM210 primers, and 49Gns RL22. This is giving less than .5MOA groups out to the max I have attempted @ 420metres. Muzzle Velocity is just under 2800 fps from a Lothar barrel and a Lawton7000 action.

Good for Fallow, Roe, Fox in UK, and I guess Whitetail in US ?

This is not a 'hot load' ; but as always work up to any load that you develop, just to be sure of what pressures you may be seeing.

T260

Thanks to you all for the input. I picked up some IMR 4350 today and will load a few rounds. What would be a good starting load? I believe the Nosler manual says the max load in this powder is 43.0 grains.

I like IMR 4350, but have also had good luck with RL-19 for 120s and RL-22 for 140-160s. Lou

Some of the people I shoot with are having good luck with Varget under 140 gr pills. Just a thought.

quote:

Originally posted by Road Dog:
Thanks to you all for the input. I picked up some IMR 4350 today and will load a few rounds. What would be a good starting load? I believe the Nosler manual says the max load in this powder is 43.0 grains.

what kind of rifle?

IF you are loading for an original Obie or GC m96 or M96/38 mauser stick to the book.

If you are working with a clean Husqvarna M38
You can push the envelope a bit.

If you are loading for a Remington M700 or a win M70 you can nearly ignore the book except to use the middle load as a starting point.
and working up with due caution until you see obvious pressure signs or the groups start tightening up.

and before jackoff spouts out about the dangers of "hotrodding" a cartridge there is no point in restricting yourself to an arbitrary low
pressure limit in a 65,000 psi action like a Rem700.



AD

quote:

Originally posted by Road Dog:
Thanks to you all for the input. I picked up some IMR 4350 today and will load a few rounds. What would be a good starting load? I believe the Nosler manual says the max load in this powder is 43.0 grains.

quote:

IF you are loading for an original Obie or GC m96 or M96/38 mauser stick to the book.

If you are working with a clean Husqvarna M38
You can push the envelope a bit.

If you are loading for a Remington M700 or a win M70 you can nearly ignore the book except to use the middle load as a starting point.
and working up with due caution until you see obvious pressure signs or the groups start tightening up.

and before jackoff spouts out about the dangers of "hotrodding" a cartridge there is no point in restricting yourself to an arbitrary low
pressure limit in a 65,000 psi action like a Rem700.



AD

Generally I concurr.....and if you're shooting a M-98 Mauser you can load a lot warmer as well.

My 6.5 X 55 shoots a 120 grain bullet 3,045 FPS from a 21" barrel using 48 grains H-4350

I'd guess that you could put 46 grains of that powder behind a 140 grain bullet and about 2,800 FPS.....but those loads are reserved for modern strong actions.....1898 and after!

quote:

Originally posted by Allan DeGroot:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Road Dog:
Thanks to you all for the input. I picked up some IMR 4350 today and will load a few rounds. What would be a good starting load? I believe the Nosler manual says the max load in this powder is 43.0 grains.

what kind of rifle?

It's a Remington 700 BDL with a Shilen #5 contour. the "smith" that built it said it could handle 60,000 or so foot lbs.

Road Dog, I was playing with Lapua brass and IMR 4350 w/Bergers, Amax's, SMKs etc and 43.5 was safe in MY rifle. I do not think going higher will give a significant increase in speed or improved accuracy, only higher pressure and shorter brass life. More speed is to be had with RL 22, 4831 but I was getting good accuracy and speeds hovering 2700ish....another 100-150 yds is not going to alter the outcome in the field IMHO.

FWIW, Loaded around 45 - 45.5 grains under 130 abonds and grouped 3 at 200 yds in hair under 1.1", that from a Ruger #1 out the box. Dropped a deer DRT a week ago at 250 steps.

Since its built on a modern action, you might have a ways to go powder wise before you start seeing signs of pressure. Gotta remember on a lot of the older cartridges, they keep the pressures low due to old actions which might not be as strong. Such is the case with the 6.5x55, the 7x57, 8x57, 257 Bob....

I loaded a few rounds with IMR 4350 and 140 gr Bergers: one each starting at 46.1 grains and increased the load by .3 grains all the way up to 50. After 47.0 I started to see signs of pressure(i.e. extractor marks on the bases). The velocity with 47.0 gr was right at 3000 fps. I also loaded about 10 rounds of 130 Bergers with 45.5 gr IMR 4350. The grouping was a lot better with the 130's (about .5") @ 100 yds and no pressure signs. I kind of wanted to stay with the heavier bullet, but I sure like the way the 130's shot and no pressure signs. Thank you all for your input.

I have a M700 Classic in 6.5x55 Swed. that my son hunts with. I reload for it. The load I have been using,
120gr Ball. Tips or 125gr Partition
Imr 4831 at 48.5grs. ( over max in book)
Fed 210match Primers
Rem. or Winch. Brass
O.A.L for 125 part.= 2.985in
O.A.L for 120 Ball tip= 2.990in
These loads chrony at 2900-2950 10ft in front of muzzle.
I have some 140gr gamekings but with the 6.5 I don't feel like I need to shoot these for deer.
The Ballistic Coeffients and sectional density for the 6.5 bullets are pretty high. this means the 130gr will cut through the air and shoot flatter than you may think and hold together than bigger bullets of same weight.
In 2005 I shot a 180lb 10-point at 200yds with the 125gr part. and the deer dropped in his tracks with the bullet blowning right through.

I am new to 6.5x55 and was recommended RL-22 when I started loading for it. I haven't seen the need to change. I am shooting 49 grs RL-22 over CCI 250 primers in Lapua brass pushing 120 gr Corelokt. I am shooting a Blaser R-93 Professional topped with a Swarovski 3-9 scope, and this load has proved to be a tack driver and a killer. I have dropped 5 deer and a coyote this season.

I am in the process of buying a Sako 75 Finnlite in 6.5x55 and am planning to use some 140 gr PRVI bullets in it. I have been told that the Sakos are throated a little deeper than most guns, and the larger bullets should work better in it.

I have a VZ33 (small ring) fitted with a 24" surplus 6.5x55mm Swedish M38 barrel (when they were available brand new) and a Brazilian 1908 M 98 with a 22" Parker Hale 6.5x55mm barrel. Both like the Hornady 129 gr SP in Lapua cases and 48 gr of H4831 (known as AR2213 here in New Zealand). While this is shown as a max load on the ADI reloading website, there are no pressure signs, extraction is easy and both rifles qualify as "modern" actions. Very effective and accurate in both rifles.

On checking my notes, the 48gr load of H4831 in Lapua cases, with a Hornady 129gr SP gave a 10 shot extreme spread from 2747 to 2775 fps, with an average of 2762 fps in the M38 barreled VZ33.
The 200 yard 3 shot group was 1.5" x 0.5".
The 120 gr SP with 49 gr of H4831 gave an average of 2796 fps. A

In the 22" Parker Hale barreled 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.

i killed a buck tonight with a 140 grain a-max hornady loaded to book max RL-22. quick and right. great bullet, left a nickel exit.

quote:

Originally posted by 390ish:
i killed a buck tonight

Pictures???

try imr 4064 powder it will get the job done my friend swears by it in his 65x55.

Jeff,
Great picture!
Be careful with those privi prin bullets, they are very soft. 140 grain coreloct are great, I shoot them in my Tikka 6.5x55. Both the Sako and Tikka have long throats but are built on action long enoughto utilise them.
Good luck and happy hunting.

quote:

Originally posted by oldun:
Be careful with those privi prin bullets, they are very soft. 140 grain coreloct are great, I shoot them in my Tikka 6.5x55. Both the Sako and Tikka have long throats but are built on action long enoughto utilise them.

Thanks for the info. I like Corelokts and as I said am already using the 120 grs. I bought the PRVI's mainly for cheap target practice, and they shoot very well. I figured for doe culling that they would be OK.

I also bought some 160 gr bullets to try as well. Do you have any experience with them?

Jeff.
No, I have not used 160 grain bullets, with the 140s working so well, I don't feel the need to step up in weight.
I too found that Privi bulets shoot very well but they break up if bone is hit, and make a mess.
Let us know how you find the 160s

quote:

Originally posted by Jeff Sullivan:

quote:

Originally posted by 390ish:
i killed a buck tonight

Pictures???

I didn't bring my camera the other night. He was not very big. Used a Hornady A-Max 140 grainer. Went in the liver and came out of the shoulder. Nickel sized exit. Quick work. Shooting a Steyr SBS and a Kahles fixed 6x. Had Kahles Austria send me a ballistic cam in 6.5 swede from overseas. Fierce ride with no recoil.

Road Dog, re: heavier bullets, keep in mind the 130 AB is a long bullet, .488 BC w/good SD, not sure offhand, but it may hold up or better while penetrating, perhaps retaining as much or more wt. than traditional cup/core 140s. If I need more bullet, it'll be a TSX likely. A 140 partition and the 160 class do well, but those 160s are not going to fly as flat if you are shooting long distances.

Not sure if you said the twist rate on that Shilen, but if it's a 9, it may not handle the heavier bullets as well, if an 8, you are good with any weight.

If you are hunting deer, about the only 6.5 bullets I'd hesitate using are 95 vmaxs, 90 TNT's, and 85 HPs. Anything 100 grains and up have a proven track record on deer FWIW.