Help figuring out my 6.5x55 with 4064...

T

thepitchedlink

Regular
Super GunNutz
Rating - 100%
255   0   0
Location
Lumby Town!!
So ran so loads through my new tikka 6.5x55 with 4064 and h4831
Using reminton 140 bulks and 4831, this is what it gave me...
45g 2424,2445,2487,2437,2428 - about 1 inchgroup
46g 2543,2533,2562,2555,2568 - 4 in.75inch, one out at 1.5
46.5g, 2632,2517,2600,2550 - 2.5 inches
47g , 2661,2597,2597,2560 - 2.75 inches
SO what do you think? Above 46g grains it just can't handle it?

IMR 4064 gave all 1.5 inch groups from 35.5g to 38g giving 2300 - 2430
I'm thinking I should bump up the charge with 4064 and see if I can get 2600+ and see what it will do, but all my manuals top out at 38g.

Any thoughts from 6.5x55 and 4064 users? thanks
I like the groups with 46g of h4831 but wanted a bit more speed.
 
You need to work up your load beginning with the 'Starting' load. Not just pick a starting load. The Starting load for a 140 grain bullet and H4831 is 42.5(2382fps). The max is 47.0(2586fps).
35.0(2394fps) to 38.0(2563fps) of IMR4064. Do not exceed max loads in your manual.
IMR4831(not the same as H4831. IMR4831 burns faster)) will give you higher speeds with a 140 grain bullet. However, there's no guarantee of accuracy out of your rifle.
Min: 43.0 2507fps
Max: 46.3 2700fps.
 
I like IMR4064, but it's not a great powder for anything but the lightest bullets in the 6.5x55 (e.g. 85-100gr). The H4831 is a very good choice for 120gr and heavier.
 
IMR 4350 for 140-160gr,RE22 for 120-140gr,N-204 for 156-160gr [this is what Norma uses in it's factory ammo] or H-4831 for the lot................Powder friendly like a .308Win.............Harold
 
I have used 4064 in my swedish mauser for 20 years now with 140 gr sierra spitzer boat tails 39.5 of 4064 would average a little over 2600fps with my chroney and group about 1.5" all the time, this didn't always work in other mausers, I guess mine has a long throat
 
Last Sunday my friends 6.5x55 was in a Tika Varmint he was using IM 4964 and 142gr Sierra match kings, in the high 30grs 38 39 ? 100 Yards
100_4117.jpg

This was at 300 yards
100_4128.jpg

some fine shooting cartridge
 
Try your groups at 200 meters. Sounds like your bullets are not stabilizing at whatever range your using. My 6.5 Sako will drop coyotes at 500 meters with no problems Here is my recipe.

Remington brass
129 grain hornady SP
39.4 grains IMR 4350 pushing 2500
winchester primers

My Sako loves 129 grain bullets. It also likes 140 grain AMax bullets as well with 39.9 grains instead of 39.4

Works for me.
 
I believe that Norma Factory 139's are loaded with Norma MRP, which is close to the same as RL-22. I have had great success with the 6.5x55 and Norma MRP using 140 Partitions. Often groups under 1 moa right out to 400 meters. Regards, Eagleye.
 
I've had the best success (in terms of accuracy and velocity) with H4831 and H414 in the 6.5x55, using both 140 grain Hornady Interlocks as well as 129's.

If you're looking for more velocity without running in to pressure problems, you're best choice is a slower-burning powder like H4831 or Reloder 22. I wouldn't expect "high velocity and low pressure" with IMR 4064 in that calibre.
 
Hey, great responses thanks...I guess the different thing about loading this gun is that most info I find maxes and about 37-38g of imr4064 and 2450fps.. Most people seem to be exceeding this at 39g and 2600fps. That's the info I was looking for as I guess my loading manuals are showing info for the older M96's and I'm loading a new Tikka
 
I use RL 22 with my 140 gr SST's and IMR 4064 with 95 gr VMAX bullets, all loaded with much more powder than you're talking about, and with bullets seated as far out as will fit in my mag, which is notably longer than commercial stuff. I've got one CG63 and one commercial sporter and I've getting way more out of them (in terms of power) than the loads you listed; I did work up my loads however.
 
There seems to be a split here between guys using faster and slower powders. Maybe it is just between light and heavy bullets. But, I always used slower powders with the 6.5 and I recall articles, probably Pet Loads but not sure about that, giving this advice. On the other hand, maybe it is time to make some distinctions between the old 6.5X55 Swedes with their very fast twists and more modern 6.5's that might have different twists. I also wonder about how old those actions are getting and whether their is any possibility for deterioration of same. For my own part I wouldn't push to hard for extreme velocity in the older actions. Just my $0.02...respectfully, fred
 
I've reloaded for one of my M38's since the early 80's. ($75.00 rifle from LeBarons.) 35.0 grs of 4064 and Hornady 140 gr SP's. I know this is a light load but it was accurate enough to put lots of turkeys in the freezer at the local turkey shoots which were very popular in the "good old days". The competition was everything from 308 sporters to Rem 788's in .222. Whatever you had- centerfire with open sights.
Great rifles and cartridge. Still have 2 38's and a 42b
 
The load that I use in my tikka t3 for the 95gr v-max is 47gr of H414 SL10. Shoots half minute consistantly out to 400+meters. This is or was one of the bulk powders available from Higgonsons.

H414sl10 is roughly the equivalent of W760. It is slightly slower. It has the attribute of being extremely consistant under all conditions.

I tried IMR4064, but with unsatifactory results, both on the 95gr and 140gr interlocks.

I also tried 45gr of W760 with the 95 gr V-max, not bad but not as good as the H414sl10.

Next tried the 140gr interlocks, working up to 43.5gr of V-N160, very good accuracy, 1moa average. I don't know if the interlocks are capable of a lot better than that because of their construction. Maybe, but not in any of my rifles

Also tried H4831 but the results weren't any better and maybe a little worse, but not enough to make a real difference to N160.

CAVEAT The loads I've listed are well above anything listed in the manuals for the 6.5x55 and I wouldn't under any circumstances use them in a Krag or 96/38 mauser. The loading manuals defer to those dated actions for legal purposes.

I use CCI 250 magnum primers for all loads by the way, especially for the ball powders.

bearhunter
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom