6.5 Swede in a strong action.
- Thread starter RichardSlinger
- Start date
I have a new CZ 550 that I decided to try RL19 in.Worked up to 50.5 grs. (I know over what the book says) no signs of pressure and when I got to that load it put 3 in one hole. Should mention this is a 130gr accubond.
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The data that I’ve seen is anemic though
Not even flattening primers. Not so much as reducing the rounded corner. However this is in my rifle I would not recommend someone jump in and start with that load in another rifle.
tactical lever
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Fox Creek, Alberta
I'd go heavier. The case volume is greater than the .260. What I would probably do is extrapolate the useful case volume from the .260, and add that increased percentage to the powder charge.
A chain is only as strong as its weakest link, and the load data is normally for the oldest and weakest action in a given caliber.
So why can't a brand new Remington 700 30-06 be loaded to the same chamber pressure as a Remington 700 .270 winchester?
Why could my.270 Remington 760 Gamemaster pump be loaded to higher pressures than a 760 Gamemaster pump in 30-06?
The 30-06 has a max pressure of 60,000 psi and the .270 has a max pressure of 65,000 psi.
A Metric Marvel: 6.5×55 Swedish Mauser
http://www.shootingtimes.com/ammo/hunting-ammo/a-metric-marvel-6-5x55-swedish-mauser/
Below from the link above
"Pressure limits for the 6.5x55mm Swedish have been a source of some confusion for American shooters for decades. Popular wisdom has it that the Mauser 94s and 96s are “significantly weaker” and must not be used with the heavier loads intended for “modern” bolt actions, such as the Mauser M98 and American-made Winchesters, Remingtons and Rugers.
Be that as it may, in Europe, the round is certified by C.I.P. at a maximum pressure of 55,114 psi, with proof loads listed at 125 percent of that, or 68,893 psi. All Swedish Mausers are proof tested (with one round) at 65,992 psi, and Swedish military ammunition was loaded to a modest 46,412 psi.
In the U.S., S.A.A.M.I. maximum pressure is listed as 51,000 psi, so all U.S. ammunition is completely safe in the Krag and M94 and 96 Mauser rifles, but it’s seriously underpowered in modern sporters. Handloaders for these rifles can improve ballistics considerably."
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This is what I was thinking
A chain is only as strong as its weakest link, and the load data is normally for the oldest and weakest action in a given caliber.
So why can't a brand new Remington 700 30-06 be loaded to the same chamber pressure as a Remington 700 .270 winchester?
Why could my.270 Remington 760 Gamemaster pump be loaded to higher pressures than a 760 Gamemaster pump in 30-06?
The 30-06 has a max pressure of 60,000 psi and the .270 has a max pressure of 65,000 psi.
A Metric Marvel: 6.5×55 Swedish Mauser
http://www.shootingtimes.com/ammo/hunting-ammo/a-metric-marvel-6-5x55-swedish-mauser/
Below from the link above
"Pressure limits for the 6.5x55mm Swedish have been a source of some confusion for American shooters for decades. Popular wisdom has it that the Mauser 94s and 96s are “significantly weaker” and must not be used with the heavier loads intended for “modern” bolt actions, such as the Mauser M98 and American-made Winchesters, Remingtons and Rugers.
Be that as it may, in Europe, the round is certified by C.I.P. at a maximum pressure of 55,114 psi, with proof loads listed at 125 percent of that, or 68,893 psi. All Swedish Mausers are proof tested (with one round) at 65,992 psi, and Swedish military ammunition was loaded to a modest 46,412 psi.
In the U.S., S.A.A.M.I. maximum pressure is listed as 51,000 psi, so all U.S. ammunition is completely safe in the Krag and M94 and 96 Mauser rifles, but it’s seriously underpowered in modern sporters. Handloaders for these rifles can improve ballistics considerably."
This is only with the vihtavuori powder unfortunatly but this is what kind of modern performance you could expect from a 6.5x55 SE
https://www.vihtavuori.com/reloading-data/rifle-reloading/?cartridge=70
by comparison the maximum load shown in my Lee manual list the same powder 2 or 3 full gr below what the European website list.
Because US data caps the pressure at 51,000 PSI I use the max load as my starting load in my Tikka. I do this because I have worked over max with the rifle already with no pressure signs.
https://www.vihtavuori.com/reloading-data/rifle-reloading/?cartridge=70
by comparison the maximum load shown in my Lee manual list the same powder 2 or 3 full gr below what the European website list.
Because US data caps the pressure at 51,000 PSI I use the max load as my starting load in my Tikka. I do this because I have worked over max with the rifle already with no pressure signs.
The answer is yes, because 260 Rem loads use less powder than the 6.5X55, due to the 260 Rem's smaller capacity.
You'd be better off working up in increments from established 6.5X55 loads to about 1/4-way up to 6.5-06 or 6.5-284 loads.
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Yes, you can load to higher pressure in 6.5x55. Start from known 6.5x55 data from a reputable source and work up, avoiding pressure signs like flattened or cratered primers and difficult extraction. You also have to be aware of the risks that you undertake when loading to higher than recommended pressures.
Conservative data is a good idea because of the catastrophic results of case failure and loose gas in an action. The Mauser 96 does not handle escaping high pressure gas as well as the later designed actions.
The Mauser 96 military rifle is well designed for its purpose, strong and fully adequate for the 6.5x55. The Krag rifle chambered in 6.5x55, with its single locking lug, is probably the reason for conservative loading data.
You need to be careful about getting your information from random Internet sources, including this site. You also need to educate yourself about reloading procedures and safety.
There is no substitute for case capacity. You cannot make a .264 Magnum out of a 6.5x55. You cannot make a 6.5/06 out of a 6.5x55, and to suggest that is nonsense.
The 6.5x55 cartridge, as loaded by conservative American manufacturers is a perfectly adequate big game hunting cartridge. SAAMI recommends conservative pressures to accommodate the weakest rifle that has ever been chambered in a cartridge, and because of the American tendency to "sue your butt off" when something goes awry.
Conservative data is a good idea because of the catastrophic results of case failure and loose gas in an action. The Mauser 96 does not handle escaping high pressure gas as well as the later designed actions.
The Mauser 96 military rifle is well designed for its purpose, strong and fully adequate for the 6.5x55. The Krag rifle chambered in 6.5x55, with its single locking lug, is probably the reason for conservative loading data.
You need to be careful about getting your information from random Internet sources, including this site. You also need to educate yourself about reloading procedures and safety.
There is no substitute for case capacity. You cannot make a .264 Magnum out of a 6.5x55. You cannot make a 6.5/06 out of a 6.5x55, and to suggest that is nonsense.
The 6.5x55 cartridge, as loaded by conservative American manufacturers is a perfectly adequate big game hunting cartridge. SAAMI recommends conservative pressures to accommodate the weakest rifle that has ever been chambered in a cartridge, and because of the American tendency to "sue your butt off" when something goes awry.
- Location
- Western Manitoba
Look up the published numbers for Norma Factory loaded ammunition. They have never been accused of "anemic" loads. 140 grain Partition @ 2690; 156 grain Vulkan, Oryx or Alaska at 2560-ish. It may or may not be possible to match Norma performance with available components in your rifle. If those numbers aren't enough for your purposes, then you might consider selling your 6.5x55 and get something chambered in a larger cartridge.
Many of the new rifle actions are not very good at dealing with escaping gases either, my M38 does 2550fps without feeling weird with a 143gr bullet, jumped up 1 gr in powder and noticed a large velocity jump, tons more recoil but no pressure signs, still backed it off to shoot 100fps over factory, good for my purpose.
Thanks for all your input everyone.
The take away I think is to look at modern data (Speer #14) manual which I happen to have, and slowly work up from there.
I never wanted to make the 6.5 into a howitzer but get it to a point where I’m not chucking tiny potatoes at deer either.
The take away I think is to look at modern data (Speer #14) manual which I happen to have, and slowly work up from there.
I never wanted to make the 6.5 into a howitzer but get it to a point where I’m not chucking tiny potatoes at deer either.
Ha ha ha ha, you are making it sound like a factory 6.5x55mm loading is a joke, 140gr bullet at 2450fps from a 24in barrel, 2000 ft lbs of energy give or take at the muzzle.
Speer manual has two load sections. Weak actions and strong actions.
Yeah I meant the strong action section.
Buggers don't have a section for 130gr bullets so I'll have do do some maths ( load halfway between 120gr and 140gr) and maths is hard...
Just remember that those 120 and 140gr bullets are lead core unless they state otherwise, if by any chance you are using Barnes or other lead free bullets your bullet will be longer and consume more case capacity so the pressure will increase so find data for that lead free design specifically.
I have found the 6.5x55mm data is all over the place when listed under SAAMI specs, IMR and Nosler have 2 very different max loads for IMR 4831, my load ended up being near max for Nosler and middle of the road for IMR, for me pushing it up to max velocity for my M38 would not really do much but I think the idea of a 6.5mm screamer is very interesting and the 6.5x55SE specifically.
