6.5x55 Brass Question

LUTNIT said:
Most of the lower pressure loads for surplus rifles are lower pressure in case they are fired in a Krag rifle which is a 1-lug bolt action. My M96 Swede dated 1900 has handled max pressure loads for modern rifles without issue. In fact most Swede owners I have talked to who reload say theirs prefers loads on the hotter end for best accuracy; mine is the same.
Click to expand...

The problem with hot loads in Swedish mausers is not so much catastrophic failure per se, but rather excessive head space developing.
 
c-fbmi said:
Where is this gem of knowledge that says NA standard is .473 base and rim dia? According to SAAMI it is .4803" and I don't believe that NA manufacturers are intentionally making undersize brass with 6.5X55 head stamps 'cause it's easier. As one poster said lots of guys were making their own from Roberts, 6mm and 7X57 and these would be undersize, but the NA standard for the 6.5X55 is NOT.473 !!!

Op... I have Lapua and Norma and they are both very good brass. This is the first Lapua I have used and it is outstanding brass, I am impressed with it.

This is the load I settled on because I have about 10 boxes of 140 gn Nosler Parts.........

Click to expand...

Very nice shooting and healthy velocities for a 140g bullet out of the swede.
 
While set-back is known to occur on older Mausers (especially when rechambered to "modern" calibers) , this is not a common occurance when used with the 6.5X55. Neither is the "lower" pressure of the round being related to Rolling Block, as these rifles were out of service since a very long time when the Swedes introduced the M/41 ammo.
The pre-98 Mauser actions, including the M/94/96/38 were simply not designed to handle high pressure loads and they simply don't deal with escaping gases from a case head failure as well as the M/98.
None of the pre-98 actions were designed to handle loads much over 50 000 PSI and that's why they introduced the M/98 to be used with the 8X57IS dealing with 57 700 PSI.
This does not mean the M/94/96/38 won't hold the higher pressure, but if a case head fails, the receiver (and usually the bolt too) will most likely be wrecked vs a broken floorplate for a M/98.
 
c-fbmi said:
Where is this gem of knowledge that says NA standard is .473 base and rim dia? According to SAAMI it is .4803" and I don't believe that NA manufacturers are intentionally making undersize brass with 6.5X55 head stamps 'cause it's easier. As one poster said lots of guys were making their own from Roberts, 6mm and 7X57 and these would be undersize, but the NA standard for the 6.5X55 is NOT.473 !!!

Op... I have Lapua and Norma and they are both very good brass. This is the first Lapua I have used and it is outstanding brass, I am impressed with it.

This is the load I settled on because I have about 10 boxes of 140 gn Nosler Parts.........

Click to expand...

In a 6.5X55 those velocities are blistering: I am curious the 50 gr of what powder you are using and visible pressure signs on the case/primers? I've a load with H4350 that almost reaches 2800fps but the primers are a bit flattened for my liking as I don't want to prematurely wear out the brass (Lapua). Rifle is a T3 varmint, so no concerns with pressure containment.
 
H4350 is a bit fast for the heavier 6.5mm bullets, I didn't like it in my 260, N160 is great with them and has the energy density to push them real fast without going to double base powders.(in modern/custom rifles that can take it)
 
Last edited:
Reloder 22, Norma MRP, IMR 7828 will get those velocities c-fbmi is showing there in the picture.

I would probably not recommend these loads in a 96/94/38 Mauser, but they are usually just
fine in modern arms chambered 6.5x55.

Regards, Dave.
 
New Camper said:
In a 6.5X55 those velocities are blistering: I am curious the 50 gr of what powder you are using and visible pressure signs on the case/primers? I've a load with H4350 that almost reaches 2800fps but the primers are a bit flattened for my liking as I don't want to prematurely wear out the brass (Lapua). Rifle is a T3 varmint, so no concerns with pressure containment.
Click to expand...

Sorry NC but I don't publish my loads, in fact that 50 grns slipped through my filter. My loads are all safe in my rifles and have been worked up to, using all the safety protocols working in 1/2 - 1 grain increases. This load is safe and no pressure signs in my rifle using Lapua brass and Win WLRP primers. My 700 Classic is only a 22" barrel as well. These loads would be approaching 3000 fps in a 24" barrel. My rifle has a very long throat with an COAL of 3.230 with this load. Long throats make velocities possible that a shorter throated chamber will not attain. I have gone 1.5 grns above this load but groups opened up a bit so went back to 50 and played with seating depth a bit.
 
Eagleye said:
Reloder 22, Norma MRP, IMR 7828 will get those velocities c-fbmi is showing there in the picture.

I would probably not recommend these loads in a 96/94/38 Mauser, but they are usually just
fine in modern arms chambered 6.5x55.

Regards, Dave.
Click to expand...

Ah Dave, you have a very aggravating habit of hitting the nail on the head with great regularity...............LOL :););)
 
c-fbmi said:
Sorry NC but I don't publish my loads, in fact that 50 grns slipped through my filter. My loads are all safe in my rifles and have been worked up to, using all the safety protocols working in 1/2 - 1 grain increases. This load is safe and no pressure signs in my rifle using Lapua brass and Win WLRP primers. My 700 Classic is only a 22" barrel as well. These loads would be approaching 3000 fps in a 24" barrel. My rifle has a very long throat with an COAL of 3.230 with this load. Long throats make velocities possible that a shorter throated chamber will not attain. I have gone 1.5 grns above this load but groups opened up a bit so went back to 50 and played with seating depth a bit.
Click to expand...

I was going to mention the probability that you did not disclose that information intentionally. ;) That's okay, I can find something through trial and error, but my load of H4350 is pretty close and with under 1/2moa as well. Yes, my Tikka is wearing the stock 24" barrel with a muzzle brake added by the previous owner. I had an opportunity to purchase a classic Remington 700 in 6.5X55 but resisted the temptation to purchase. :confused: Back to the loads (BTW thanks to Eagleye and SND for the input) - I'm trying to stick with powders that are available locally, so unfortunately that rules out the Vihta Vuori 160 - It's hard enough finding domestic powder, so this year I am glad the good loads I have found thus far are not with more difficult to find components. I did try a loading in H4831 which was very accurate as well (what doesn't a 6.5 shoot well?) but velocity was (from memory) at least 250 -300 fps slower than that with H4350 and pressure signs were peculiarly similar. Always liked IMR, so maybe I need to have more than a dozen different powder types around :D instead of downsizing to a more "organized" assortment. Where does it stop? I've been resisting for years, the purchase of a for fun rifle like an sks... give in says the guy on either shoulder.

Here are two targets I shot with both the loads above in the rifle mentioned: First one is a 1gr over maximum listed by Hodgdons for 4350.

DSC00671_zps36ef2d24.jpg
[/URL][/IMG]

This one I did not write the charge but it was also minutely over maximum listed by Hodgdons for H4831sc. This is the first proper target scope I've owned and I pointed out the screw up with the pen because of this unfamiliarity with the turrets in this sight in group. (Seriously, it wasn't an error in the shot, it was shooter error in scope use... screwed up an otherwise pretty group) Note: Both targets were shot at 100 yards, and are five shot groups.

DSC00659_zps6f422cff.jpg
[/URL][/IMG]

EDIT: Over the summer, I spent some time with this rifle up to 400 yards and haven't uploaded the photographs yet. Quite pleased with Tikka rifles. I hope to shoot over the isolated swamps at the farm this winter where I have already ranged 800 yards distance to challenge this "youthful" man to distance shooting.
 
Well I decided to splurge and get some Lapua brass. Picked out a set of Redding dies as well and some 129gr interbonds to start with. Looking forward to working some loads up!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom