6.5X55 Loads - 140 gr AMAX and 12 Different Powders!

Andy

Andy

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M98 Action, 1:8 twist 26" Barrel

140 gr Hornady AMAX, 3.210" OAL

Norma Brass

1. RL17 - 44.0 grs - 2725 fps
2. H4350 - 46.0 grs - 2780 fps
3. H4831 - 48.0 grs - 2750 fps
4. RL22 - 49.0 grs - 2850 fps
5. IMR7828 - 51.0 grs (full) - 2920 fps
6. RL26 - 52.0 grs - 2900 fps, 53.0 grs (full) - 2970 fps, 54.0 grs (compressed) - 3025 fps
7. RL25 - 54.0 grs (compressed) - 2900 fps
8. H1000 - 53.5 grs (full) - 2820 fps
9. Norma 217 - 54.0 grs (compressed) - 2800 fps
10. Ramshot Magnum - 55.0 grs (full) - 2810 fps
11. Retumbo - 53.0 grs (full) - 2650 fps
12. US869 - 59.0 grs (compressed) - 2740 fps

In rough order of Burn Rate - confirms again that RL17 is faster than H4350 and that RL26 is faster than RL25. Loads in RED are considered Max @ ~60K psi or higher. I'll drop the charge by at least one (1) gr.

Accuracy is still best with the H4350 load, but all others were close. RL26 seems to have the optimum density and burn rate from among the powders tested. If only a powder with the density of US869 and Burn Rate of H1000-Retumbo existed, we've have it about perfect - slightly compressed load, Max MV and at Max Pressure. I think that in this gun, that mythical powder would deliver about 2950 fps at below 60K psi.
 
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Thanks for sharing this; I think the 6.5x55 is one of the most underrated cartridges out there, very handy for those of us southern Ontario.

Semi Sidebar, I have noticed there seems to be a sweet spot/range in accuracy for mid weight for the caliber bullets 1 MOA and velocity in nearly everything I shoot.

2700-2800 fps for 6.5x55, 308, 30-06
3100-3200 fps for .223, 17 Hornet
3300-3400 fps for 6 ppc
3700 -3800 fps for 17 Remington, 22-250

Wondering if anyone else has observed this?
 
parksb2 said:
Thanks for sharing this; I think the 6.5x55 is one of the most underrated cartridges out there, very handy for those of us southern Ontario.

Semi Sidebar, I have noticed there seems to be a sweet spot/range in accuracy for mid weight for the caliber bullets 1 MOA and velocity in nearly everything I shoot.

2700-2800 fps for 6.5x55, 308, 30-06
3100-3200 fps for .223, 17 Hornet
3300-3400 fps for 6 ppc
3700 -3800 fps for 17 Remington, 22-250

Wondering if anyone else has observed this?
Click to expand...

I don't disagree that shooters observe that in practice, but rather than being a "sweet spot" with regard to ballistics, I suspect that it's related to the shooter, i.e. recoil and its effect.
 
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I like it because it's an Alliant powder slower than RL15 and faster than RL19 - both great powders. It also has a bit higher density than H4350, and is a bit faster. This makes it just right in some applications (but not here IMO). I have some RL16 now too, but haven't tried it yet.

X-Reload has it in stock.
 
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This is a great thread, good job !! I did much the same when I first started loading my 7X57. I tried a bunch of different powders I had using 140 grain bullet and found that although some were faster ( especially the reloader 22 ) the IMR 4350 worked the best. It was plenty fast enough and the accuracy was fantastic. I use the same powder in my 7mm mag.
 
Andy said:
M98 Action, 1:8 twist 26" Barrel

140 gr Hornady AMAX, 3.210" OAL

Norma Brass

1. RL17 - 44.0 grs - 2725 fps
2. H4350 - 46.0 grs - 2780 fps
3. H4831 - 48.0 grs - 2750 fps
4. RL22 - 49.0 grs - 2850 fps
5. IMR7828 - 51.0 grs (full) - 2920 fps
6. RL26 - 52.0 grs - 2900 fps, 53.0 grs (full) - 2970 fps, 54.0 grs (compressed) - 3025 fps
7. RL25 - 54.0 grs (compressed) - 2900 fps
8. H1000 - 53.5 grs (full) - 2820 fps
9. Norma 217 - 54.0 grs (compressed) - 2800 fps
10. Ramshot Magnum - 55.0 grs (full) - 2810 fps
11. Retumbo - 53.0 grs (full) - 2650 fps
12. US869 - 59.0 grs (compressed) - 2740 fps

In rough order of Burn Rate - confirms again that RL17 is faster than H4350 and that RL26 is faster than RL25. Loads in RED are considered Max @ ~60K psi or higher. I'll drop the charge by at least one (1) gr.

Accuracy is still best with the H4350 load, but all others were close. RL26 seems to have the optimum density and burn rate from among the powders tested. If only a powder with the density of US869 and Burn Rate of H1000-Retumbo existed, we've have it about perfect - slightly compressed load, Max MV and at Max Pressure. I think that in this gun, that mythical powder would deliver about 2950 fps at below 60K psi.
Click to expand...


Andy, if it means anything, I use a load of IMR7828 over CCI 250 primers under 140 grain SST Interlocks and I get very close velocities to yours. My load is 50.0 grains. My Chrony couldn't tell the difference between the 50.0 load and the hottest at 52.0.

At 50.0 I can't measure any expansion at the base at all on virgin Lapua brass and I have used them several time since. The rifle I'm using is a stainless Tikka T3 Lite. One thing I do notice though is a substantial increase in recoil. I also find the accuracy to be good in my rifle. Right around 1 moa at all ranges I've shot it. Great load for most of the hunting I do.

The accuracy load my rifle likes is 46.0 grains of H4831SSC with CCI 250 under 140 SST IL. It will consistently shoot this load into 1/2 moa from the bench but only give me 2600fps.

Now to play with this powder in the Mod 70 6.5-06 with this powder and those bullets.
 
Andy said:
I don't disagree that shooters observe that in practice, but rather than being a "sweet spot" with regard to ballistics, I suspect that it's related to the shooter, i.e. recoil and it's effect.
Click to expand...


I always felt it related to the bore diameters ability to efficiently burn the powder in a given length barrel.
 
Here is some charge weight vs. velocity data I recorded today. Something funky is going on with IMR 4955 but I'm not sure what as I am pretty confident that I read/recorded the data correctly and that I poured my powder charges correctly. I was pretty cautious with the 4955 as I've never loaded it before but I didn't see any pressure signs so I'd like to try loading it a little bit hotter to find another velocity flat spot further out.

Load specs:

Caliber: 6.5x55
Rifle brand: Tikka
Rifle Model: T3 Stainless Varmint
Projectile brand, model and weight: Hornady ELD-x 143gr
Powder brand and weight: Hodgdon H4831 and IMR 4955
Primers: CCI Large Rifle
Coal: 3.170"
Brass:Nosler Custom F/L sized
Brass length:2.155"

ePV4R2g.png
 
One of the best powders I have found for the 256 Remington, is Bruce Hodgdon's 414 version of the old Winchester ball powder 760, with any large rifle primer you happen to have on your bench. It's fast and very accurate.
 
H4831 said:
One of the best powders I have found for the 256 Remington, is Bruce Hodgdon's 414 version of the old Winchester ball powder 760, with any large rifle primer you happen to have on your bench. It's fast and very accurate.
Click to expand...
414 is a good powder and versatile over a wide range of cartridges. I like it a lot for mass production of hunting loads as it meters great. I don't find it great for target loads as the ES is wonky as most ball powders tend to be.
I'm slowly gravitating to IMR4831 from the H4831, it's not hard to get ES down to single digits with almost the same velocity as the H4831.
 
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