6.5 x 55 in T3
- Thread starter Vic1
- Start date
I use IMR 4350 and Sierra Matchkings in 120 and 140 grains. The brass is R.P. and the primers CCI BR2. The bullets are loaded 10 thou. off the lands. I hit best accuracy in each load before I hit the maximum load in any of my Reloading manuals. I get about two inch groups at 300 metres, and am happy with that.
I use near max loads of R22 under 139g Lapua's and BR2 primers, Lapua brass. Gives me good groups out to 1,000 yards from a T3 Varmint. My hunting weight 6.5's perform well with 4350 and 123g Lapua's or 120g Speer Hot Cor, and as has been said, best groups well below max loads. You should be able to wring something better than 1MOA out of the load. If the T3 is a synthetic stock, they respond well to some ballast in the cavities if you are not carrying too far.
My T3 6.5x55 really likes 95grn hornady V max over 47.4 grns of H414SL10, over CCI 250 magnum primers. The H414SL10 is about 5% slower than W760. I've loaded the same bullet and primers with 45 grns of W760 with close to identical results. These loads may be to hot for your rifle and should be approached with caution.
The T3 I have also doesn't like bullets over 140 grs very much. The groups with 140s open up to about an inch at 100yds.
The lighter bullets 129grns and less do very well though, 3/4in and less if I do my part right.
You don't mention the scope you're useing. If it has a fixed paralax objective lens, that may be the reason for the large? groupings.
I honestly don't think 1 inch groups from an out of the box production rifle is anything to complain about by the way. T3 rifles are noted for their accuracy capabilities and I can see you hopeing for more.
Maybe your shooting technique needs to be tweaked, although if you're consistantly shooting 1inch it can't be to bad.
The T3 rifles are supriseingly resilient, they digest just about anything accurately and without much fuss. I wouldn't feel deprived to just shoot factory ammunition. All brands and weights tried so far have been more than acceptable for hunting purposes, includeing coyotes beyond 300 yds.
Maybe try loosening off the rear gaurd screw 1/4 turn, it may be causeing some distortions.
bearhunter
The T3 I have also doesn't like bullets over 140 grs very much. The groups with 140s open up to about an inch at 100yds.
The lighter bullets 129grns and less do very well though, 3/4in and less if I do my part right.
You don't mention the scope you're useing. If it has a fixed paralax objective lens, that may be the reason for the large? groupings.
I honestly don't think 1 inch groups from an out of the box production rifle is anything to complain about by the way. T3 rifles are noted for their accuracy capabilities and I can see you hopeing for more.
Maybe your shooting technique needs to be tweaked, although if you're consistantly shooting 1inch it can't be to bad.
The T3 rifles are supriseingly resilient, they digest just about anything accurately and without much fuss. I wouldn't feel deprived to just shoot factory ammunition. All brands and weights tried so far have been more than acceptable for hunting purposes, includeing coyotes beyond 300 yds.
Maybe try loosening off the rear gaurd screw 1/4 turn, it may be causeing some distortions.
bearhunter
RL-22 near max, load with a 140 grain SMK, or 142 Kissing on the lands, fed GMM match primer, Lapua Case. For hunting I seat the same load but use a 139 Hdy sp. You should do better than MOA unless something is bedded wrong or not together right and thats possible as they can be hard to put in the stock
My T-3 loves RL-22 tried moost other that were mentioned, and it did not like RL-19. that twist is built for 120-140 grain bullets.
My T-3 loves RL-22 tried moost other that were mentioned, and it did not like RL-19. that twist is built for 120-140 grain bullets.
Pathfinder
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
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- Northeast Ontario
As far as I can tell that seems to be a winning combination with all rifles chambered in 6.5x55 .
that's what I was thinking. Why complain about MOA accuracy right out of the box with little to no load development?
bullet choice would depend alot on what your intended use will be
Pathfinder
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Northeast Ontario
Im talking about the book max which is usually tested in a M-96/38 Mauser. For example I will use Sierra's Fourth edition data for 6.5x55 since that data was tested with an M-38
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Iv'e had great luck with the old N-204,IMR 4350 and RE#22 and 140gr bullets.My son just bought a T-3 SS 6.5x55 from WSS Calgary and there's one more in the store.I have a Husky 38 + a Win FWT as well.The FWT will not stabilize the Hornady 160gr but will put Sako 156gr on the same hole at 100 Yards.Haven;t loaded for the T-3 yet needs glass + mts.It won't be anything aluminum ie "Millet"....................Harold
Watched Savage 12 shoot his Tika 65/55 varmint barrel at 100y one hole just under .250" he then moved out to 300y 3 shot 1" I was some very impressed with a out of box gun, He was using 142gr Sierra's with IMR 4064 He also did quite well at 1000 y at Conaught with his Tika
My Tikka Syn/Blue really likes RL-19 and Nosler bullets.
I use Rem cases and Win LR primers.
My two loads I used this year are:
100 gr Nosler BT - 49.5 grains RL-19 (2.9" OAL)
125 gr Nosler Part - 46.5 grains RL-19 (3" OAL)
Each load gave me between 0.5 to 0.75" groups.
Both loads are under just under the max load from the Nosler manual.
Devastating on two coyotes and 3 deer.
May work for you as well......Good luck.
I use Rem cases and Win LR primers.
My two loads I used this year are:
100 gr Nosler BT - 49.5 grains RL-19 (2.9" OAL)
125 gr Nosler Part - 46.5 grains RL-19 (3" OAL)
Each load gave me between 0.5 to 0.75" groups.
Both loads are under just under the max load from the Nosler manual.
Devastating on two coyotes and 3 deer.
May work for you as well......Good luck.
One may not need this type of accuracy for hunting but it's sure reassuring when you know you can slip a bullet through a narrow window in the poplars if necessary.And the only thing preventing that buck from getting a truck ride is 3lbs of trigger pull.............................Harold
