6.5x55 Reloads

Paul_T

Your T3X a lite or Varmint?

T3x Laminate Stainless 20" - beautiful rifle.

With the Accubonds I'm seeing 200fps less with the 20" barrel than published loads for a 23"

With a modern action I'm not concerned with bumping the loads past Max (so far). I have seen 0 pressure signs at Max in the loads I have done thus far.
The next 10 Accubonds I'm going to try are up to 1gr over Max. If I don't get a tight group at 100 (looking for ~0.5") I'll drop those bullets - best group has been 0.9" so far.


This load for the 160 Hornady was book Min.
Front Bipod (not getting any good preload on the wooden bench) and no rear bag. Next time will go with front and rear bags, no bipod.

Labradar says 2330 fps. I'm going to work this load to the next harmonic to get more pressure.

As is, a deer at 200 + I would have no issues with this load. The 4 shot group was 0.58"
I will be zeroing at 200.

 
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Very nice, I love how long you can sit the bullets in the Swede. Mine are sitting 0.015 off the lands. I was consistently getting 2650 from my bergers using H4350.

Because this Tikka has such a long throat there is a large jump. I can go out almost another 0.250 (not a typo - 1/4"). Does not seem to mind the jump at all, at least with the 160's.
 
It's awesome for sure. Thinking once I shoot the barrel out of the t3 I'd rebarrel it to a 26 or 28" tube. This cartridge is so underrated, and I love showing up my friends who shoot their creedmores at the range!
 
I think the 6.5 Creedmore has become 'trendy' to say the least.

I worked in Norway for a number of years and most of my friends shot "Swede's" - plus they get to shoot suppressed for Health and Safety reasons..... bastards, lol.

They regularly take down moose even with the old actions and lower pressures (European moose are smaller than ours but it is still is a great calibre for our game here).
 
I think the 6.5 Creedmore has become 'trendy' to say the least.

I worked in Norway for a number of years and most of my friends shot "Swede's" - plus they get to shoot suppressed for Health and Safety issues..... bastards, lol.

They regularly take down moose (European moose are smaller than ours but it is still is a great calibre for our game here) even with the old actions and lower pressures.

As I've heard. While I most likely wont be shooting Moose or Elk with my Swede it's nice knowing I could If I needed to!
 
My tikka varmint will shoot a 140 SMK half MOA or better with Reloader 22 and CCI primers using Nosler's max load data.
https://load-data.nosler.com/load-data/65x55-swedish-mauser/

Nosler book Max and RL22 with the 140 Accubonds (new Lapua Brass, Win Primers) I got 0.95" in mine - but I'm working up a hunting round at the moment. The Tikka should definitely be a half MOA rifle (which is what I am aiming for loading for hunting).

Next I'm testing Hornady but I also have some 140 SBT Sierra's to try for hunting.

As previously posted for long range/target I'm going to try the new Sierra 150 grain #1755's

Too many bullets, too many powders........
 
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Awesome stuff! Thanks guys for all the awesome feed back. I'll make sure to post some of my data when I get the chance.

One last question, is there a significant difference in velocity when 6.5 Swede is fired from a 22" barrel to a 24" barrel? Is 22" enough?
Never noticed an accuracy issue or a large jump in velocity between 2" of barrel, no
Cat
 
Never noticed an accuracy issue or a large jump in velocity between 2" of barrel, no
Cat

Awesome, my varmint was 24" and now the T3 lite has a 22" so I'm hoping it doesnt show less accuracy because of a velocity drop.

Paul_T look at using PPI brass, it's much cheaper than the lapua brass but has worked very well in my Tikka.
 
I have some experience with the Swede in a Tikka T3 Varmint. It was an excellent shooter with the 139 Scenars, was approx 2770 FPS with a max load of H4831SC. Approx 9 mils to get to 1000 meters, and was a consistent 1/2moa performer. Sad I let that one go...
 
I sold my Varmint as well, beat my self up about it so I went and bought a t3x lite in 6.5 Swede. Once the barrel goes I'll upgrade to something custom. I think I'm going to try the 139gr. Scenars with the H4350 powder I have. Should yield roughly 2800 FPS if load is developed right.
 
I sold my Varmint as well, beat my self up about it so I went and bought a t3x lite in 6.5 Swede. Once the barrel goes I'll upgrade to something custom. I think I'm going to try the 139gr. Scenars with the H4350 powder I have. Should yield roughly 2800 FPS if load is developed right.

That should be a winner. I am waiting on a T3X left hand for my son in 6.5 Swede, should hopefully be here soon-he is getting impatient. He has already gathered some bullets and brass, of course he intends to raid old dad's supply of primers and bullets! He is going to try the 143 ELD-X, we have H4831SC, H4350, and we might grab some Reloader 22, but I am sure he will find a good load with the two we already have on hand.
 
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