T3 Varmint 6.5x55 Pet Loads

[wasrupzuk]

Finally got my Tikka T3 Stainless Varmint in 6.5 x 55 to the point of shooting it.
So it's time to start working on a load.
For humour, what's your go to load?
How far off the lands do you like ?
Which bullet?
Preferred powder? (starting & max charge if possible)
Primer?
What performance are you getting?
In what weather conditions?

I know every rifle is it's own animal but I thought maybe this would save me a few poor choices...or at least give me a better starting point.
Thanks
Rick

 

[K0na_stinky]

My girlfriends t3 sporter likes 51gr of h4831 using norma brass with a CCI large rifle primer and a 139gr Lapua scenar OTM.

With that load shes getting about 2870fps at 20*C with no pressure signs other then a slightly flattened primer. Keep in mind that its way over book max and you will have to work up slowly and stop when your rifle tells you to.

I can't remember how far off the lands. If I remember correctly the rifle was throated to long to get to the lands.

It shoots well under 1/2 moa.

Good luck and don't try this load with out working up to it.

 

[ntm]

Lapua brass, br2 primer.
-139 scenar, 3.060, 45.3 gr of n550. 2930 fps.
-140 hornady hpbt, 3.060, 44.9 gr of n550.
-135 berger vld, 3.030, 44.5 gr of n550.
-108 lapua scenar, 3.000, 42 gr of varget.
Around 60,000 for chamber pressure for all four.

All shoot into half moa or smaller with five round groups at 300 yards, consistently.
It's a 6.5x55 sporter configured like so:



Getting my hands on some n560 next week, supposed to be magical, as is reloader 22, with most 6.5's.
You'll never be able to load to the lands with a swede unless you rebarrel with a custom reamer that shortens the lead. Doesn't seem to matter, it's still dirty accurate.

 

[Ryan.M.Anderson]

My girlfriends t3 sporter likes 51gr of h4831 using norma brass with a CCI large rifle primer and a 139gr Lapua scenar OTM.

With that load shes getting about 2870fps at 20*C with no pressure signs other then a slightly flattened primer. Keep in mind that its way over book max and you will have to work up slowly and stop when your rifle tells you to.

I can't remember how far off the lands. If I remember correctly the rifle was throated to long to get to the lands.

It shoots well under 1/2 moa.

Good luck and don't try this load with out working up to it.

Holy cow is that a hot load! I worked may way up to 48grs of 4831SC and then called it quits.

I run 47Gr 4831SC through my custom swede and it chronies about 2,700fps with a 139gr Lapua Scenar.

 

[K0na_stinky]

Holy cow is that a hot load! I worked may way up to 48grs of 4831SC and then called it quits.

I run 47Gr 4831SC through my custom swede and it chronies about 2,700fps with a 139gr Lapua Scenar.

Depending on how your chamber is throated that could change the pressure.

The brass looks good with that load. No ejector marks even in +34*C temps we shot in last winter and no loose primer pockets.

 

[ntm]

51 grains of h4831 works out to 70,000psi chamber pressure. And 3000fps.
Something is funky there. Even seated really long, longer than physically possible, pressures are still at 68,000.
20" barrel perhaps ?

 

[K0na_stinky]

51 grains of h4831 works out to 70,000psi chamber pressure. And 3000fps.
Something is funky there. Even seated really long, longer than physically possible, pressures are still at 68,000.

Keep in mind different powder lots can have different burn rates. Up to 10% if I remember correctly.

 

[Ryan.M.Anderson]

Depending on how your chamber is throated that could change the pressure.

The brass looks good with that load. No ejector marks even in +34*C temps we shot in last winter and no loose primer pockets.

My apologies if my comment came off as offensive - every rifle is a bit different. I just meant that was good high velocity load. There is a thread vover on SH about modern swede users and a couple of them are pushing those speeds. The old swede is certainly and overlooked cartridge.

 

[ntm]

That right there is a great example of why you work your way up when loading, from an overly safe starting point.

The swede and the tikka were made for each other, since the tikka accepts long action calibers without giving up receiver rigidity, like you do going from something like a 700 sa to a 700 la.