6.5X55 Swedish Mauser advice?

[Mr. Buttons]

Here's another 6.5X55 Swedish Mauser reloading question.
I want to use IMR 4895 and as I couldn't find any recipes in the Lee reloaders guide for this particuliar powder I checked the 2005 IMR reloaders guide. On page 12 of the IMR guide it states that to use IMR 4895 in a 6.5X55 Swedish Mauser load with a 140 grain bullet I need to specifically use a 140 grain Sierra soft-point boat tail bullets with Remington cases.

This recipe seems narrowly specific with no room for change. The only reason I seem obsessed with this particular load is that I already own IMR 4895 so I'm trying to match a load with a powder I already own.

QUESTION: Can some of these components be changed (for example a 140 grain Hornady soft-point instead of a 140 grain Sierra soft-point boat tail) or Norma brass instead of Remington brass or is this the recipe and that's the end of the story.

any advice/opinions?

thanks

 

[joeschmoe]

If you are going to change brass or bullets, start again with the starting load listed in the IMR reloaders guide. Then cautiously work your way up watching all the while for pressure signs.

Sierra 6.5mm bullets have a longer bearing surface than other brands. And Speer bullets are actually 0.263" in diameter and not 0.264" in diameter.

All of this means that you just cannot switch bullets any time you want. Start your load development over and be safe.

Finally, for the 6.5x55mm, you will find that H-4350, IMR-4350 and IMR-4831 are the best powders.

 

[todbartell]

you can change out components (ie brass type or primer type or bullet type) as long as you start low and work up slowly.

if you had developed a max load with one set of components, you'd want to reduce the powder charge 5% when changing anything, even the lot # of powder.

better safe then sorry


PS I agree, for 140 gr. loads in the Swede, 4831 or similar is a much better choice. something to keep in mind before you buy your next supply of powder
​

 

[.330Dakota]

I much prefer the Hodgden line of powders specificaly H4831sc.

 

[Slash5]

They are not telling you what to use - they are telling you what they used to come up with the fps and pressure in the book.
Reduce the load shown by 10% and use whatever 140 gr bullet and brass you want. Make sure your OAL is correct for the bullet you use.
Then you can increase the powder slowly as you watch your accuracy and for pressure signs. Stop when you hit their recommended load.

 

[sinus-]

Finally, for the 6.5x55mm, you will find that H-4350, IMR-4350 and IMR-4831 are the best powders.

I tried some RL22 whit some Hornady 140gr and it gave me some great result and whit varget too but I'd use some Nosler 120gr. bt whit varget

 

[Glockster]

I've done a ton of load development for several 6.5x55 rifles. Tikka's. Rugers and M96. These are the best best consistent loads I've found:
120gr Barnes XLC - RP case/ 48.0 grs RL-19
140gr Hornady - RP case/ 45.0 grs RL-19
140gr Rem Bulk - PMC case/ 46.5 grs RL-22
160gr Horn. RN - RP cases/ 42.0grs IMR-4350
I've tried most of the popular IMR powders as well as some VV powder and the RL-19 and 22 gives the most consistent velocity and superb accuracy. The 160gr load in my M96 (1900) is spectacular.
I've tried the Nosler Partiton and for the price the Hornady gives almost identical penetration and really kills out of proportion for its size/velocity. But the Barnes XLC is definetly a step up in performance.