6.5x55 Light bullets Modern action

[CheeseBurger]

Wondering if anyone has loads for the lighter bullets in the 6.5x55. Looking to load up a bunch of 100 and 120gr Ballistic Tips for plinking, gophers. I have lots of load manual data, just curious about real world experiences.

Cheers.

Tyler

 

[kayaker1]

Following for interest. It seems lots of relaoders do well with Varget and 100 gr and less bullets. I still want to try the 100gr TTSX.

 

[CheeseBurger]

Yeah, that is what I was thinking of using. Nosler has max load for 100gr BT Varget max 43.5gr for 3094 fps and 120gr BT Varget max 41 for 2828 fps.

 

[burnt_servo]

the problem with light bullets with this round is , the 6.5x55 is ment to be used with a 160 grain bullet .

what this means is the throat is very long .

in my rifles i haven't been able to get the 125 grain nosler partition to seat anywhere near the rifling , i would expect other light bullets to be the same .

as long as your groups don't open up too big this shouldn't be a issue .....

 

[CheeseBurger]

I know light bullets are not ideal in the 6.5 but I'm not using this for hunting. Hunting rounds for my rifle are already fairly established. Even though you can't get the 125gr Partition to seat near the lands, how does it group for you? My T3 Lite really likes that bullet and it's what I shot my first deer with this past fall.

Hahaha forget it guys, I just found reloading data the previous owner gave me and sure enough I have his load data for the 120gr Ballistic Tip using Varget. Hahaha I make myself laugh sometimes....

 

[burnt_servo]

the best i could do was around 3 " at 100 meters .

140grain x bullets and 140 hornady interlocks where around 1" to 1 1/2 " in the same rifle .

at one time i was considering making a special reamer to lengthen the neck , then making up some brass with a longer neck to see if that made much of a difference .

 

[CheeseBurger]

What rifle is it burnt servo?

 

[Goldenlakepete]

My Winchester M70 Featherweight (1 in 7.87" twist) really loves 100 gr Hornady Spire Points. 49 grs H380 with CCI 200 primers.

It does well with 120 gr Speer Spitzers too. 49 grs H4831or 44.2 grs H380 or 48 grs H414.

 

[bearhunter]

You say modern rifle. You don't mention make or twist rate.

I have a Tikka T3 that I load 95gr Vmax into at appx 3000fps. I use 46.5grains of H414 over CCI 250 magnum primers.

In my rifle, that is a fast, extremely accurate load and I use it for everything from gophers to coyotes with good effect.


For heavier bullets, like the Hornady SST 140 grn Interlock, I use the old standby H4831. 46.0grns of H4831 over 250 CCI mag primers. Again, extremely accurate.

These loads are safe in my Tikka but I certainly wouldn't use them in the old Swede Mauser actions. TO HOT for those old girls.

 

[CheeseBurger]

bearhunter - Sorry it's hidden in post#5. It's a Tikka T3 Lite.

I have found good accuracy with the 140's and RL22. I do want to try the 140's with some H4831.

 

[kamlooky]

Just something to keep in mind when reloading for those smaller bullets.
Don't trim your brass as far back.
Keep them on the long side of the spec's given.
A little more bite on the bullet this way.
Need to remember this with the 358 win and a full case of power.

 

[CheeseBurger]

Good point Looky, hadn't thought of that. Getting ready to go make some prairie salsa, I mean shoot some gophers. Little overkill, ya think?