6.5X55 Swede Mauser Cartridge Burns?

Drachenblut

Drachenblut

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Hello,

I am rather new to reloading and have made up some 6.5X55 loads. I happened to get to the range this morning and fired off 10 rounds of each loading. 5 rounds of the Gas Check were fired out of a Swedish M94/14 and the other 5 fired out of a Norw. Krag Sporter.

The 10 jacketed rounds were fired from the Swede. I did not trust them in the Krag (pressures).

On the first loading:

140 Grain Gas Check Lead – 37.5 Grn. Winchester 760 Ball Powder, Cartridge Overall Length 3.020, Winchester Large Rifle Primers, Federal Brass

All went well with a little bit of cartridge burn around the neck and shoulder of the cartridge.

On the second loading:

100 Grn. Hornady Copper Jacket Spire/Soft Point – 46.5 Grn. Winchester 760, C.O.L. 3.000, Winchester Large Rifle Primers, Federal Brass

On this loading, I have experienced a phenomenon that unsettles me: massive black carbon burns down the cases of my rounds, nearly to the rimless groove! I have no idea what would have caused this. My initial thought was low pressure issues, but that loading is a mere 2 grains under what Hogdon Reloading Data Center states as maximum!

Please see below and advise; what am I dealing with here? How can I correct it?

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Thank you,
Drachenblut
 
Exactly, the loads are too light!! The brass case does not expand enough to seal properly, and the powder gases enter the area between the case and the chamber, blackening the case. Up the powder charge, this will go away. Eagleye.
 
BTW, those are plenty light loads, in my experience. I regularly shoot 51 grains of W760 behind the 100 Partition in my 94 Swede. Additionally, that 100 grain bullet is quite short, and the Swedes tend to have long throats. This accentuates the problem, since it tends to lower pressures somewhat. Regards, Eagleye.
 
X3.....up your load...I shoot basicaly the same load as Eagleye and find that my rifle performs better with the longer bullets. my2cents.
 
Wow... alright. According to my load data, 51 grains is 1.5 grains over maximum! I will have to find a load around the 49.0 mark and see if that solves the issue.

Interesting... Now. I am looking for something to shoot in a Krag, let's say around the 40,000 pressure mark and no more. What can you recommend?
Eagleye I would love to see pictures of your M94 Swede! PM me for an e-mail or post here!
 
burned cases?

That is great powder for heavier bullets. It provides some of the best velocities with lower pressures with bullets 140 grains and over.

120 grain bullets need to be loaded with faster burning powders. The fellows are correct. The pressures being generated are to low. That also means your velocities are low as well.

A faster powder, may even make your loads more accurate.

Because pressures are low, the case isn't expanding enough in the chamber to make a good seal. This can be dangerous in extreme cases. That gas can escape around the bolt or into it and cause gasses to get crap in or even burn eyeballs. That would be a worst case scenario though and not likely in this case.
 
My Speer Manual #11 says (page 152) that both the M94 and the Krag were designed for pressure of about 45,000 psi. I and another friend had Norwegian 6.5 x55 Krags and always used the same loads as other friend's Swede with no problems. However, we stayed away from MAX loads.

You're using the wrong powder. In the Lyman #47 Manual they list IMR-4198, RX7, IMR-4895 and SR-4795 for +2000 fps loads with a cast lead 143 gr bullet. Red Dot and Green Dot shotgun powders for lower velocity.

For the 100 gr. jacketed bullet try 3031. 38 to 43 grs.

My M70 Winchester Featherweight's favourite load with a 100 gr. bullet is 49 grs of H380.
The Lee #2 Manual says that 48 grs of H380 creates a pressure of 47674 psi. Lee recommends 43 grs H380 as a starting load.
 
Goldenlakepete said:
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For the 100 gr. jacketed bullet try 3031. 38 to 43 grs.

My M70 Winchester Featherweight's favourite load with a 100 gr. bullet is 49 grs of H380.
The Lee #2 Manual says that 48 grs of H380 creates a pressure of 47674 psi. Lee recommends 43 grs H380 as a starting load.
Click to expand...

Good call, You can also try something like 4064 / 4320 , Ive been using that for 85 gr. loads - 40 gr. of 4064 (fairly light) gives me the same POI as my 140 gr. hunting load at 100 yards....a nice plinking / varmint load.
 
Hmm. The main reason I chose Winchester 760 is it's cross compatibility with .303 British and 7.62X54R Russian, two other rounds I fire. What is a good powder to use in .303 and 6.5? I used to use IMR 3031 and IMR 4350. Will these work?
 
The Lyman #47 Manual has 3031 loads for all the calibres you mentioned. They don't list IMR 4350 for the .303. If all you have is 3031 - go for it. It's not the best but it will work.
 
Drachenblut said:
I was hoping for a choice between the two LOL. I am a 1-2 powder sort of fellow.
Click to expand...

Depends what bullet you plan on shooting the most....Your swedish mauser was designed to shoot bullets 139 gr. and up so I suggest something heavy and a slower burning powder.

There is H4350 data for 303 british and 6.5x55 data on the hodgdon webiste. IMR is a little slower burning I think it could be used for both also but probably not optimal for the 303.
 
The best powder I have had luck with across multiple calibres is IMR4320. Best powder for my No4(.303Br), great in my M96 swede(6.5x55), and also the most consistent shooter I have in AIA enfield (.308). I think Lyman has it listed for all three powders, but you may have to check Hodgdon's site and other manuals for recipes.

I see you are shooting some cast, Try out SR4759 if you can, with no filler. It's an MOA shooter in my No.4 with Lyman's 200 grain .314 bullet.

But as always, YMMV
 
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