downloading the 6.5 swede....any issues with bullet tumbling?

saskgunowner101

saskgunowner101

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My 6.5 Swede bubba is about ready to go and I'd like to try some lower velocity loads. The rifle is originally an M-96, so IIRC the barrel twist is 1 in 7.5 or something close.

I'm wondering how low you can go velocity wise before the bullets might tumble? Or would the fast twist keep this from happening? I'd like to use 139-140 grain bullets and Unique powder and velocity between 1600-2000 fps. TIA:)
 
They work out to around 1-7 1/4" but don't matter.Why are you loading it down ?Hide hunting?I have some Speer #10 book data on reduced loads if you like........don't think Unique will work but it's worth a try better for cast..........Harold........SR4759 17gr-1797fps............16gr-1682fps.................15gr-1570fps [all for 140gr bullet]
 
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ATOM said:
JBM Ballistics calculations: www.jbmballistics.com/calculations/calculations.shtml

Go to the bottom, look under Stability. There are a bunch of factors you can massage.
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saskgunowner101 said:
mbogo3: Just loading down for the fun of it....I like mild to wild....no hide hunting involved.

ATOM: That link will come in handy for more than just the 6.5 swede.
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Based on that calculator, a 140gr. Hornady SST (about the longest 140gr. .264 caliber bullet going) will be stable in a 1:7.5 twist barrel all the way down to 1500fps. There should be no problem downloading the shorter flat base bullets or cast bullets if you go that way.

Mark
 
burnt_servo said:
is that 1:7.5 accurate for a swedish mauser ?

i could have sworn when i measured mine years ago it around 1:6ish ??????
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My Hornady manual lists their 6.5x55 test rifle as a Mauser Model 1896 with a 1:7.5 twist. The Hodgdon site lists their test rifle as a 1:7.87 twist. I'm not sure if all M96's had the same twist rate or not.

Mark
 
Depends on which book you're reading I guess?Harold..... They will shoot both 160 +140gr .My 1-8 Win FWT won't shoot anything over the old Sako 156 in weight.160 grainers make oblong holes in the paper
 
Don't overlook Alliant 2400 as a powder choice. It is not very 'position-sensitive'. If a case is not filled to near capacity, some powders give unpredictable results (pressure spikes, vertical stringing, etc) that make reduced loads less fun than they are supposed to be. 2400 does not appear to suffer from this affliction. It is also a favourate of cast bullet shooters. I use it in my M38 Swede with 170 grain cast bulelts and it is very pleasant to shoot. The fast twist rate of most Swedes out there make shooting heavy bullets at reduced velocities fairly easy.

There is published data for 2400 and the 6.5x55 so I won't bother listing my load here.

Nick
 
I think you are on the right track by using a fast powder for your reduced loads and there has been some good advice here.....dont' bother further downloading the slow burning powders....S.E.E is not a myth.
 
DrNick said:
I use it in my M38 Swede with 170 grain cast bulelts and it is very pleasant to shoot. The fast twist rate of most Swedes out there make shooting heavy bullets at reduced velocities fairly easy.
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Nick, where are you getting .264 cast bullets from? I have been looking for some with no luck.

OP, have a read through this thread for more info on using pistol powders and lead bullets for reduced loads in milsurps:

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=423660&highlight=8mm+red


Mark
 
Blue Dot

Blue Dot is very good for reduced loads in just about any cartridge and can provide very accurate practice or plinking ammo at reduced cost.

Here's how to go about determining what load to use (taken from another forum). I've had good success with this method, use at your own risk:

___________________________________

Take a case in the calibre you're working with and fill it with Blue Dot. Scrape it off level with the case mouth and weigh it to determine how much Blue Dot the case holds.

20% of that figure is the recommended Minimum load...

30% is a good starting point to work up loads..

40% of that figure is a good point to proceed slower...

This is where it gets important....

50% of that figure should be in the neighborhood of Max, if the case is based on a 30/06 case....

work up slowly and in small increments above 50% of max in magnum cases, 308 and 7 x 57 based cases...

Max will be near 60% of full capacity in most cartridges depending upon bullet weight...( except 30/06 based cases.. IE.. 25/06, 270, 280, 30/06, 338/06, 35 Whelen)

Large Rifle primers are recommended, even in Magnum cases...

Blue Dot is not position sensitive in rifle cases, even with only 20% of max as a charge...

NO FILLER is recommended, as it will actually increase pressures....

Do NOT consider Blue Dot for maximizing velocity potential of a rifle case..
Consider it for accuracy and reduced velocity loads... at 40 to 50% you are not shooting reduced pressure loads.. just reduced velocity loads...

This formula is independant of bullet weight.
w
 
As Pathfinder pointed out; do not underestimate the consequences of (i'll add this) too much fast powder and too little slow powder. Also, most very little charges of powder will burn better (and safer) if held in place by a buffer when using large capacity cases (large for load).

As for the twist rate, the M/94/96/38 were made with a twist rate of 1 twist for 200mm (1:7.87") - pitch adopted in 1893.
 
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