6.5x55 loads w/H4831

308BAR

308BAR

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
100   0   0
Location
MetVan where damn hippys live
Hey All,

How far up the ladder have you taken your 6.5x55 loads for the modern action using H4831?

I've been doing a lot of reading and trying to determine and find the envelope "max load".

Recently I've been working up loads based on several resources (some threads below) the max loads presented in the links below are not in books.

http://www.reloadersnest.com/detail.asp?CaliberID=120&Powder=Hodgdon+H4831&LoadID=8797

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=63505

I've worked up 49.5gn of H4831SC @ avg ~2703fps. I lost my nerve to go any higher to find another node but starting to find groups tightening back up in this range.

I found a good accuracy in @48.7gns and getting ~2645fps, no pressure signs shooting the Tikka T3 Lite. There still room left in the case I'm seating the bullet 0.020" off the lands. I'm using RP brass, WLR primer, 140grn SST.

I guess my ultimate goal is to find a tighter group at 2700+fps in the T3.

Is this crazy territory? Anyone work up higher and when did you observed pressure signs?
 
A realistic max load in the 6.5x55 is around 2800 with a 140 grain bullet in a 24" tube.
I have a M700 so chambered, and it will reach 2800 and pennies safely using Norma MRP or IMR 7828.
I have not tried H4831, so cannot comment on that powder.
If it were me, I would go up in ½ grain increments till I reached 2800 and stop there. Regards, Eagleye
 
I used H4831sc and reloder 22 for mine. I was loading the 129 gr Hornady spirepoint, wiht WW brass and fed 210m primers.
Here are a few groups with the load data on them.
tikka025.jpg

tikka024.jpg

tikka021.jpg


I used 260 rem data and worked up to the 260 max. Given the case capacity of the swede is larger than the 260 case I felt this was safe, then the old argument about old rifles is mute.
 
Powders like H4350 and RL17 will produce better velocity well in excess of 2800 and will do so accurately.

As to pressures, with a modern rifle and Lapua brass, you will have no trouble extracting terrific performance from this cartridge. Start low and watch for signs of pressure.

This classic round is still a potent 1000 yard precision contender, after more than 120 years
 
I mostly use 120 gr bullets in my Winchester Model 70 Featherweight but I have used 140 gr bullets to shoot 3 deer. I haven't gone past 47 grs H4831 with the 140 gr and don't see the need to go further.

One deer was facing me at about 50 yds - the 140 gr Speer spitzer penetrated into the rib cage and broke up and broke ribs on both sides of the deer. One piece exited. The buck took 2 jumps and dropped.

Because of the Speer bullet breaking up I switched to a 140 Nosler Partition - again with 47 grs H4831. Two deer were taken with that load. One small "button Buck" at about 80 yds - the bullet drove through both sides of his rib cage , he ran about 10 yds and dropped. A large doe was taken at about 40 yds - complete penetration through both sides and she ran a few yards and dropped.
 
one of my most accurate 6.5x55 loads were done with H4831.
Today I use only Varget for all my rifle loads, not as accurate, but I like to keep it simple.;)
 
I just returned from the range. Among other things, I shot some Remington 140gr Cor-Lokts that I loaded up a while ago then set aside and apparently forgot about, out of my T3. I used 47gr of 4831SC with these bullets.

Offhand with the scope cranked to 9X, I put two rounds into about 2" at 100 yards, so I decided to use an improvised rest. I shot a couple of 3 round groups and came up with 1.75". Not as tight as my favourite load, with Berger bullets ahead of 4350, but plenty accurate for hunting.
 
Obtunded said:
Powders like H4350 and RL17 will produce better velocity well in excess of 2800 and will do so accurately.

As to pressures, with a modern rifle and Lapua brass, you will have no trouble extracting terrific performance from this cartridge. Start low and watch for signs of pressure.

This classic round is still a potent 1000 yard precision contender, after more than 120 years
Click to expand...

Any starting loads for RL17? I picked up a few pounds to run with 208 gr Amax's out of a 308 and figured it would work dandy for the Swede-
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom