New to reloading, looking for some help with my 6.5x55 CG M96

As above, the original 96 barrels have a long throat, compared to the 38 barrels. The long throat keeps the pressures down. Your rifle may have either. I've had the best luck with flat base bullets - I shoot to 300 y max.
I would see no problem starting at 42 - 44 grains, but I would stop at 46 - even if there are no pressure indications. (They didnt have radiography 100 years ago!)
I've stopped using RE 22 in favor of H4350, as it seems to consistently give better accuracy. This may have something to do with my tendency to stay at the low end of the load spectrum - I believe some powders deflagrate better at low pressures than others.
 
I'll have to check my OAL, but assuming the long throat - am I understanding that Lapua brass may not be worth the premium of tracking down? If not, what would you suggest?

Cheers
Ryan
 
I dont use premium brass - not justified in my opinion. I use Remington or Winchester, as available. I've never done this, but a lot of folks check the brass weights, and segregate or discard accordingly.
I suggest you focus on developing your technique ie consistency and meticulous records. Dont get too hung up on product quality at this point.
 
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I checked my OAL, and if I did everything correctly - the OAL is approx 3.155"

neal, I've got a full container of RL22 to use up prior to looking at switching powders. From what I have read RL22 is supposed to work well with the 6.5x55

Cheers
Ryan

Go Pack!!!
 
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Rl22 tends to work well in the long barrel sweds (30" barrel). You may find better results with a slightly faster burning powder in your 22" sporterized barrel. My 6.5 CG80 shoots the tightest groups with 43.5 gr of rl22 behind the 140gr smk's, you may find your 'swed spot' in a lighter load as well... I use lapua brass which I got from Hirsch precision at a very reasonable price, prvi has also been good but if lapua is available than go for it.

Good luck, developing your own suitable load for the Swede can be a lot of fun.
DeltaOps
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Here is my official first re-load after noodling with the Lee 'not so perfect' Powder Measure.

I used some Remington Brass that I put through the Swede last year. I neck sized the brass, used a winchester Large Rifle Primer, 44 gr of RL22 under a 140gr Sierra GameKing. Cartridge length at 3.155"

8404556422_aefdc33bbd_z.jpg
 
Nice, i look forward to hearing about your results. I was seating my 140gr smk's to 3.150 but now i seat them to 3.100, i find i get a better seal after firing and less blow back on the case...im not sure if those game kings are longer than the match kings but i would seat them in as deep as the bullets width as a minimum.

DeltaOps
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Can you close the bolt on a round with the bullet seated out that far? Try a dummy round if uncomfortable using a live round, but it looks long to me.
 
Ice,

I did try a series of trials with dummy rounds to determine the OAL. It was just over 3.155", so I backed the load off to 3.155". I've tested a dummy round, with no issues closing or fitting in the magazine. I will check as suggested about the seating depth vs. bullet width .. And most likely make an adjustment..
 
So like you've got a thou or two (theoretical) clearance at the lands. I really doubt you can hold that from round to round - meaning some will jam - not good. Additionally, the ogive profile can vary from box to box of the same bullet...I really dont understand your pre-occupation about seating length.
You state that you will use your complete pound of Re22 (160 rds), before trying another powder. Big rookie mistake... H4350 has consistently outshot Re22 in all my 6.5X55's, going sub-moa with more than 30 thou jump.
 
Cosmic,

Points taken and thanks for the feedback. I am definitely going to re-look at my seating. The OAL preoccupation was based on talking with some precission guys as well as reading a couple of articles about accuracy and bullet seating while reloading. Perhaps the merits are more justified with an F-class rifle, which clearly I do not have :)

My comments about the powder - perhaps originate from my Scottish origins. Again, point taken & I may look to pick up some H4350 to do a comparison.

Thanks for all the feedback!!
 
cosmic said:
So like you've got a thou or two (theoretical) clearance at the lands. I really doubt you can hold that from round to round - meaning some will jam - not good. Additionally, the ogive profile can vary from box to box of the same bullet...I really dont understand your pre-occupation about seating length.
You state that you will use your complete pound of Re22 (160 rds), before trying another powder. Big rookie mistake... H4350 has consistently outshot Re22 in all my 6.5X55's, going sub-moa with more than 30 thou jump.
Click to expand...

Seating depth can vary in these Swedes, most can be seated longer than the mag would accept. My main concern was reaching the appropriate pressures for a proper seal in the chamber...Only way to know what works well in his rifle is by trying various lengths and seeing what works. I haven't tried any H4350 in my Swedes but I have compared other powders to RL22, and my results were always best with the slower RL22 . Keeping in mind all my Swede rifles have 30" barrels, so plenty of time to burn up the slower magnum powder, and it is made in Sweden too I believe ;)

Goodluck, and again I look forward to hearing back about your results.

DeltaOps
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