My 6.5x55 has an 18.5" barrel. I don't have access to a chronograph and don't reload [yet]. I have checked the specs on a few ammo producer web sites and most are showing muzzle velocities in the 2500 to 2600 fps. range. I assume these are with barrels longer than mine. Maybe 22 or 24 inch if not longer. Is it safe to say I could subtract 30 fps for every inch of barrel thats been cut off? I guess I'm probably looking at around 2400 fps give or take. Any input would be appreciated.
6.5 muzzle velocity
- Thread starter 8mmpeter
- Start date
Not chronographed, but based on trajectory I found Federal blue box ammo to be around 2400-2450fps out of my 24" barrelled BSA last fall. Someone here chrono'd them and got similar numbers to my findings. I found the Federal Fusion ammo to be even softer than the blue box. I don't know about Winchester stuff, my rifle shot patterns with it so I didn't do any more work with it. It did give a similar 100yd POI as the Federal blue box, though, so it is probably not much hotter. This was all with 140gr. bullets.
I would guess more like 50fps per inch of barrel removed, but that is just a WAG based on other results I have seen for hot handloads in longer barrels shooting 6.5x55.
Mark
I would guess more like 50fps per inch of barrel removed, but that is just a WAG based on other results I have seen for hot handloads in longer barrels shooting 6.5x55.
Mark
burnt_servo
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- right in the middle of b.c.
most of the reloading manuals i have list the 6.5x55 with a 29 inch barrel
Thanks for the replies. I might be shooting even slower than I thought. I had a carl gustaf in original condition, it must have had that long 29" barrel. I never measured it, but it looked about 30 feet longer than the sportered one. I know alot of companies load the stuff for old cartridges on the light side. I think I'll have to start reloading to bump the performance a bit. I hunt mostly northern ontario in the thick stuff and have'nt had a problem yet. The gun is light and quick handling with williams appurature. Maybe I should just leave well enough alone. I have'nt heard a whitetail complain that my gun is too slow.
I have an old Speer reloading book circa 1979 and it shows for an 18" barrel Swedish Mauser 94 a max velocity of 2599 fps with IMR4831 and a 140 grain Speer spitzer. That is the top performing powder(for speed anyways). For a 120 grain Speer spitzer, a velocity of 2820 fps was obtained.
Other powders produced down to 200 fps less from these numbers.
Other powders produced down to 200 fps less from these numbers.
Northman999
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Yukon
I would think your velocity is between 2300 and 2400 fps with factory 140's.
Does your book have any load data for the 260 rem?
My thoughts are the advantage of the extra velocity is in longer range shots.
You say you use peep sights, hmmm.
The last 3 seasons I have taken 7 WT deer all lung pass throughs with a 30 06 and 165 g AB's.
Also 1 5 x 5 elk at 160 yards broadside double lung pass, through missed ribs in and out.
Pathfinder
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Northeast Ontario
If the book was published in '79 then its unlikely that it would have 260 rem data. The Cartridge was only Commercially introduced in 1997 . Maybe it was listed in the older manuals under 6.5-08 A Square....not sure how long that one was around before Remington "invented" the 260......
The 260 Rem didn't exist (except maybe somebody's personal wildcat)in 1979.
You can get load data from Hodgdon here:
h ttp://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp
I do all of my gun hunting in northern ontario. Most of the bush is pretty thick so shots are usually well under 100 yds. Occasionally a shot may present itself accross a clear cut, pond, etc. I'm very comfortable with my rig up to 300 yards and would like to know how much energy I have at these distances. I've dropped moose, deer, black bear much closer than this but was wondering what my rig was capable of farther out.
Dumb question perhaps.
I am out of town taking care of buisness due to a death in the family.
To the other good guy who responded re hornady I have some 95g V max bullets on order...
