6.5x55 Factory ammo versus handloaded

HeadDamage

HeadDamage

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I was working up a hunting load for my Ruger M77mk2 6.5x55 in hopes that it would be a bit more powerfull than the factory loads. I ran two factory loads over the chrony as well as my handloads.

Igman 139gr averaged 2484fps

Federal blue box 140gr averaged 2452fps

My most accurate handload with a 140gr bullet averaged 2843fps

I'd say that is a bit better. My hottest load was 2962fps but the case had expansion was 0.0006" and the primers where starting to crater and flatten a bit (this was with 47.5gr of IMR4350)

The winning load was as follows (In my Ruger not your rilfe, work up to safe pressure levels yourself):

- Lapua brass
- Fed 210 primmer
- Sierra 140gr Gameking
- 46gr of IMR4350
 
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According to the Hodgdon site, that is only one grain over their shown max, which is a mere nothing with 4350. Sounds like a great load.
That is a pretty puny factory load, I wonder what kind it was? The old Norma factory loadings were probably right up there with your hand loaded variety.
 
I found max loads for IMR4350 ranging from 43 to 45 grains. I tried it starting at 44gr working up to 47.5gr in half grain steps.
 
I wish I had something as strong as the Ruger to work up a load in. My swede with a 19" barrel likes H4831 the best but I'm at max at 48.0 grains and I get 2600 on the chrono with 140 gr sbt.
I tried a lot of powders and this one worked the best for both accuracy and velocity.
 
You have a manual? 47.5 gr of IMR4350 is 2.5 grains OVER the max of 45.0. No 140 grain bullet powder comes close to 3,000fps.
Max of H4831 is 47.0 at 2586fps.
 
Manuals list max loads that are safe for M-96 actions. Nothing wrong with carefully working up a load if you know what you're doing....Looks like HD is doing just fine.

This is just the reason I moved away from my 96.....I wanted to load the cartridge's to its full potential...not that its not effective at 2500-2600 fps. I switched to a Tikka M-65and im still tweaking that one.
 
Factory ammo is usually loaded light in deference, not to the M96's that people keep refering to, but to the older and weaker Krag-Jorgensen rifles. However, the beauty of the 6.5x55 cartridge, is that you don't need to run the velocity up into the stratosphere. A quality 120 or 140 gr bullet handloaded between 2500 to 2700 fps (in a modern action) is going to do what ever you can reasonably ask of the caliber. If you want high velocity, get one of the new wissims. If you want a low recoil, accurate game killer then stick with the tried and true loads that have been getting the job done for over a hundred years. There won't be any great benefit to a bit more velocity with this round.
 
Will the swede M-96 shoot a 85gr bullet at a reasonably high velocity for coyotes.

I am considering buying a 6.5x55 but am starting to here stores about the M-96 not being much for pressure....what gives?
 
My second hunting rifle was a M96 or M38 century arms sporter, I leaned to reload with it... My reloading book says that I used to use 85gr hp bullets at 2950.. tried faster but the accuracy was best at 2950fps in the rifle that I had. The fastest I tried was 3150fps.
 
I started testing the 85's in my Tikka (long throat) nothing definite yet. Using IMR-4064.

There is a load on reloader's nest that someone posted using an M-96. I think he was pushing 3400 fps with around 44gr. of the same powder. He said the groups were group seating to just under 3 inches (doesnt leave much in the neck).
 
My new to me Ruger 6.5x55 clocks 2615'/sec with 140 gr Gamekings and 42gr of 4350. This is an accurate load in this rifle and it rings the gong at 500meters. I'll load the next batch to 43gr.
 
You're very right about commercial ammo being a tad underloaded.

When first sighting in my GC63 I first zeroed with Winchester 140gr loads and got centered. Then I tried some Swede suprlus ammo (140gr) and and it was hitting four inches highter than the commercial ammo at 100 yards! I don't know what the velocity difference was, but it had to be significant.

I have not tried IMR 4350, but I push 140gr SST's at 2905 fps with RL22 and this load shoots an inch reliably.

A fellow really starts to appreciate this cartridge once he reloads for it and isn't afraid to do a little experimenting.

I've also found that the idea that the Swede 96's can't handle lighter bullets isn't entirely accurate. I've got a load for 95gr VMAX's at 3250 fps that shoots 2" @ 200 yards consistently.
 
Norma factory loads were made using N-204 powder from what I've read both 140+156gr.I have a can of it but it's hard to find..............Harold
 
HD, I'm curious what your accuracy is like with your load.

I load my T3 in 6.5x55 with H4831 that is the old surplus stuff and worked up the load in it until the primer slightly flattened. H4831 is a very forgiving powder in smaller bores. I found I had to back off the powder charge a bit for the best accuracy though. I was just wondering if that's why you backed off your charge as well?
 
My 46gr IMR4350 load gave me the best group, 5/8 of an inch for 4 shots and I pulled the 5th shot to open it up to 11/16". Past 46gr the groups started to open up to around 1.5". 44.5gr was also good at 15/16" for all 5 shots and 45.5gr was 1" for all 5 shots. I'll admit that I'm not very good at letting the rifle cool off much when I do this so I intend to go out this weekend with some more loaded 46gr rounds to confirm that this is going to me my new hunting load.
 
I was at the range the other day with my full wood M38 Swede, the Loads were...

Barnes .264 130 grain TSX.

RL-22 Powder.

3 @ 39 grains of powder.
3 @ 40 ...
3 @ 41...
3 @ 42...

CCI 200 primers.
Winchester cases.

Target set at 100 meters.
Iron sight set to 150 meters. (150 meter spot had a bit of a bog) lol.

Most of the groups were around 4" high and slightly to the left of center, but all within 1" to 2" groups.
I suspect my lack of glasses that day didn't help as the front sight was a bit blurry.

I didn't want to push it beyond 42 grains and I wasn't sure what a safe recipe was as the ones I found listed for Barnes on their website seemed to be over the pressure limits of the military action.

She seemed to be the most accurate with 41 grains, but I'm still not too sure. 42 grains had a bit of a bark to it if that makes sense.

I do not own a chrony so I was looking more at matching the point of impact with the original iron sights so I could take her hunting next weekend.

Anyone with insight on a safe recipe for 130 grain bullets and RL 22 powder for my M38 let me know.
 
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How do the Husky 38's compare for action strength? Should I reload my model 38 at published loads or is there room for movement there? I have handloaded 160 gr at listed maximums without the least signs of pressure.
 
First some factory loads as chronied; both 140 gr, S&B FMJ 2794, Igman Sp 2513.

Some Hodgdon 47SL loads from my older '96 26" heavy bbl; 140 gr. Interlocks, all with Federal 215 primers:
40 gr. 2470
42 gr. 2580
44 gr. 2790
All these loaded to the lands, all under 1", little or no change in poi regardless of load. Three cheers for bull barrels, but too heavy for me to pack through the bush.

Loads from the new light(er) Swede 96;
Only tried IMR 7828 and so far so good. Not fired for accuracy, just for pressure signs and to satisfy the underused chrony.
Hornady 140 Interlocks again, IMR 7828, Federal 215 primers:
45 gr. 2700
46 gr. 2765
46.5 gr. 2805
47 gr. 2830

Last 2 loads flattened the primers pretty well. 45 gr. load was very pleasant to shoot and fast enough for anything I'll be hunting. I'll be playing around for best accuracy with the light bbl. when the weather warms up a bit....hopefully in early January.:D Also kinda like the load that was so pleasant out of the h.b. bbl., so will try some more around 41-43 gr. of H47sl and or H414, even though the 26" bbl. works well with the slow IMR 7828.
 
HeadDamage said:
I was working up a hunting load for my Ruger M77mk2 6.5x55 in hopes that it would be a bit more powerfull than the factory loads. I ran two factory loads over the chrony as well as my handloads.

Igman 139gr averaged 2484fps

Federal blue box 140gr averaged 2452fps

My most accurate handload with a 140gr bullet averaged 2843fps

I'd say that is a bit better. My hottest load was 2962fps but the case had expansion was 0.0006" and the primers where starting to crater and flatten a bit (this was with 47.5gr of IMR4350)

The winning load was as follows (In my Ruger not your rilfe, work up to safe pressure levels yourself):

- Lapua brass
- Fed 210 primmer
- Sierra 140gr Gameking
- 46gr of IMR4350
Click to expand...

Hornady make a light mag ammo in 129gr bullets, I think it is 2750fps, shot a few rounds of it a few weeks ago, nice performance in my Steyr Prohunter 6.5x55. FS
 
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