6.5x55 swedish with Hybrid 100V

artom.h

artom.h

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I am fairly new to reloading, but I started with my m/38 Swedish Mauser in 6.5x55.
Got a can of Hodgdon Hybrid 100V at LeBaron.
The chart for 140gr bullets says I should be starting at 40gr with maximum being 44.5gr.
I loaded 41gr and the accuracy is nowhere near factory rounds at 100yards.

Has anyone tried this combination or power and caliber?
Also how closely can I safely approach the max load?

Does anyone have any recommendations or perhaps using a different powder with this caliber?
Thanks.
 
Swedes tend to like their loads quite warm for best accuracy. Usually near, at, or even slightly above max published loads. My M96 really likes H4831 (or the SC version) and the load I have for best accuracy is only a smidge below the max published load (I don't remember the exact numbers off the top of my head). My receiver is dated 1900 and is from the Oberndorf plant in Germany. The Swedish government shipped Swedish steel to Germany for the rifles made there from 1899-1900 before they started production at the Carl Gustaf plant in Sweden.

How high you can go depends on a lot of factors. The Swedish rifles were made with excellent Swedish steel so could handle quite a bit. Some rifles aren't in the best condition or were neglected and have issues that could be internal and render them very unsafe. If you have the rifle checked out by a competent gunsmith you can know for sure. Since the rifle didn't blow up with factory ammo it's probably a solid action. I would use standard load development to the published max, stopping if you encounter anything weird (like sticky cases). Depending on the brand of primer you're using they may flatten well below max pressure is reached so don't trust a primer. A chrony to check velocities will be more reliable for estimating pressure (based on published numbers) than any primer will be.

I've read that a lot of the load data is kept down for the 6.5x55 because the Krag rifles action isn't as strong as the Mausers. I've never really looked into this so maybe it's just a rumour.

Was the factory ammo you used US or European? The US SAAMI max pressure for the cartridge is quite a bit lower than the European CIP max and US manufacturers load some pretty anemic ammo for a lot of European cartridges. If you were shooting something like Prvi or S&B it's more likely it was good ammo loaded to the proper specs.
 
Up until last year I used H414sl10 in my T3 in 6.5x55. Then I decided I wanted more velocity. I switched to IMR7828. It works well and gives good accuracy. It also gives me velocities in the 2850 fps range without pressure signs of any sort. IMR 7828 isn't overly popular but it certainly shines in the 6.5x55 and there doesn't seem to be any hassles finding it. I have noticed though that a few guys who wouldn't look at it before are now enamored by it, especially in short cut version.
 
Thanks for the good info.
My m/38 is an 1899 oberndorf. So very similar to LUTNIT's rifle.
I will try to make it a little hotter and also experiment with other powders.
What is the best supply to use? LeBaron? Cabelas.ca? etc...
 
LeBarons gets orders in and they sell out within days. You need to get on the waiting list for any real chance of getting powder.
Cabela's is still charging ridiculous shipping fees for powder I believe. Last I checked it was around $150 per order regardless of size.
The Stittsville Shooting range had some powder in the back when I was there this past weekend. They had some of those new IMR powders but I don't remember what the other ones were.
 
To answer your question about loading - Start at minimum charge and work up in 0.5 grain increments. Stop when you start getting pressure signs. Hopefully you will find a charge that looks promising and then load some up and down from there, never going over max published load. You may need to try a different powder is the rifle doesn't like the 100V. If you find that 44.0 is showing promise, load up 43.6, 43.8, 44.2 and 44.4 and see what that does. You can step up and down in 1 grain increments if you like as well cause you'll likely get there when fine tuning. There are a lot of variables and each rifle is different. Mine might work best with 4350, yours might like 100V. Mine might not shoot Accubonds and yours will drive tacks with them. Trial and error - it's all part of the fun. I tell the Mrs. that all the time I spend at the bench and then at the range keeps me safe and out of the bars! :D
 
Have not seen a caliber yet I load for that 100v hasn't shot great with. These include .7mmrem and wsm, .300win and wsm, .257 Roberts, .30-06, to name a few. Keep working I'm sure you will find a sweet spot. Most accurate has been near max
 
Haven't read all this thread but here goes; first of all make sure you choose an accurate bullet, that would be Berger, Lapua or Sierra in 140 grain. Load them a bit longer than specs, even if you have to load them single shot. Once you establish an accurate load shorten them up to fit the mag. POWDER to use is IMR or H 4831, start at 10% below max and work up.
enjoy
 
I have loaded 6.5x55mm successfully with IMR 4350, H4895, Varget, and Hybrid 100v. The 6.5x55mm has a myriad of different combos to use. Currently 38gr of Varget with Hornady 140gr SST is working well.
 
My 6.5X55's have always preferred H4350 with the 140 gr bullets. Not the highest MV, but most accurate in my guns. H4831 has always been close behind.
 
I have had excellent results with nearly all the powders above. But they all worked even more accurate with the Norma brass!
I've found a guy in Sweden that gets all the once fired brass he wants from some ranges their and competition shoots which are all 6.5x55 guns. He sells it to US and Canada. I buy it by the 150 to 155 pc. bag they use. I can give you guys the email address if I can post it. What do you think Eric?
Steve
 
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