6.5 Swede components

S

saskminer

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Somewhere between here and there
I've finally decided to reload for my Swedes so I'm off to the big city to buy all my stuff (everything including the press, etc).

Looking at bullets, brass and powder for general shooting:
  • Nosler Accubond 140 gr bullets
  • Nosler 6.5x55 Swede new brass
  • IMR4831 or H4350 powder
What kind of primer do I need?
Will Federal Champion 210 Large Rifle Primers work?

The weather is pretty variable up here so I want a stable primer. I also shoot milsurps so I don't want hot loads.

Any suggestions out there??
 
I would use Lapua brass instead of Nosler (pretty sure it is cheaper) and would suggest H4831SC instead of the IMR as it should be more temperature stable.

I use CCI primers as I found Federal primers to be pretty soft but that is just me.

Good luck on the journey - buy more than you think you need...
 
I'm thinking the reloads I load in warm or hot days should be good at lower temps , but not the other way around and for my mil surps I load mild and have had luck matching the sights calibration , makes it a fun challenge
 
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Ryan.M.Anderson said:
I would use Lapua brass instead of Nosler (pretty sure it is cheaper) and would suggest H4831SC instead of the IMR as it should be more temperature stable.

I use CCI primers as I found Federal primers to be pretty soft but that is just me.

Good luck on the journey - buy more than you think you need...
Click to expand...

So far I'm unable to find CCI primers or Lapua brass in stock
So new load is:
Nosler Accubond 140 grain bullets
Nosler brass
H4831sc @ 42.5 gr
Remington 9 1/2 primer

That pretty well matches up verbatim with the Nosler datasheet.

Question: do I need to crimp the bullet onto the brass. I have a Lee 2 die set which doesn't include the crimping die.
 
What rifle will be slinging 6.5x55? I have 'surps which can't really make the most of the rounds potential.
I have used H380, and IMR 4064 under 140gr, and lighter. All my older manuals suggested H380 so I stocked up on that, and didn't experiment much with other powders. I'm gettin' some pretty good results, and the only issue I've had was on lower end starting loads. When I pulled the trigger I could actually hear the "click" before the bang on 3 out of 5. Solution is either seat deeper, or add powder. I was working up a load with all rounds seated the same way, and it didn't happen again.

My mentor for reloading assures me Rl22 is what I need to try next, and modern manuals also confirm that. Most manuals will have a note/mark suggesting which combo provided the best results in their data.

Crimping...what are you slinging your venerable 6.5x55 from? I don't crimp for bolt actions, but would for a Ljungmann. Pretty sure the seating die can apply a crimp if set properly.

edit:
duh...looked at your sigline. Bolts won't need a crimp
 
saskminer said:
So far I'm unable to find CCI primers or Lapua brass in stock
So new load is:
Nosler Accubond 140 grain bullets
Nosler brass
H4831sc @ 42.5 gr
Remington 9 1/2 primer

That pretty well matches up verbatim with the Nosler datasheet.

Question: do I need to crimp the bullet onto the brass. I have a Lee 2 die set which doesn't include the crimping die.
Click to expand...

2-die rifle sets have crimper built in to the bullet seating die.
 
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Like others I would suggest H4831sc. Very stable powder that is very clean. H4350 works well with 129gr bullets but barks pretty well with 140gr. The cartridge is small but likes slow powders. Don't forget about PRIVI brass it is fairly cheap and has proper rim thickness. As far as data goes I stay away from Nosler. Ken Waters of Pet Loads has done two articles on 6.5x55mm I use them a lot. You can buy just the supplements.
 
jethunter said:
2-die rifle sets have crimper built in to the bullet seating die.
Click to expand...

I know for rcbs/lyman dies that is the case, but is it with Lee? I thought the two die sets (rgb dies i think they call em?) Were the same as the 3-die sets, just without a crimp die, shell holder and powder scoop?
 
Suther said:
I know for rcbs/lyman dies that is the case, but is it with Lee? I thought the two die sets (rgb dies i think they call em?) Were the same as the 3-die sets, just without a crimp die, shell holder and powder scoop?
Click to expand...

Lee seating dies can apply a taper crimp.

"Screw the bullet seating die in until you feel it
touch the case mouth. If no crimp is desired,
back the die out 1/2 turn. If a crimp is desired,
turn the die in 1/4 turn. The bullet must have a
crimping groove or it cannot be crimped. Case
must be trimmed to same length to provide a
uniform crimp.
Bullet depth is adjusted by screwing the
adjusting screw in or out to suit. Bullets
should be seated deep enough to work
through the gun’s action"
Click to expand...
 
Suther said:
I know for rcbs/lyman dies that is the case, but is it with Lee? I thought the two die sets (rgb dies i think they call em?) Were the same as the 3-die sets, just without a crimp die, shell holder and powder scoop?
Click to expand...

Some still have the combo seater/crimp dies...got some 7x64 "Limited Production" that came with one.
 
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