Light 6.5x55 Loads

[mmattockx]

My oldest son will be hunting with me next season and I am planning on starting him off with an M96 Swede Mauser sporter using lighter loads with 129-130gr bullets to keep the recoil down.

Has anybody found any powders that work well at the lower end of the load spectrum with 130gr bullets? I will be starting with 129gr SST's and see how they work, then go from there.

I have RL-19, RL-22, IMR4350 and IMR4831 on hand to start with. Any preferences or experiences with any of these?


Thanks,
Mark

 

[junkdude]

I have a M96 that likes 140gr Bergers with 44gr RL22, velocity 2400ft/s, computer was acting up so didn't capture the pressure. Very mild recoil and easy on the older action.

 

[kentjt]

42 grains of rl22 under 130 grain swift sirocco II bullets blew the primer out in my 96 swede so be carefully.

 

[mwjones]

I use 140 SSTs with 42 grains of BL-C(2), and they'r pretty tame. Also have found some success with, coincidentally, 42 grains of IMR 4895. Shoots REAL good out of my m96.

 

[mmattockx]

42 grains of rl22 under 130 grain swift sirocco II bullets blew the primer out in my 96 swede so be carefully.

Wow, I am running 48.0gr of RL-22 under 140gr SST's in my BSA CF-2 with no pressure signs. Pressure should be no issue for this project, though. I plan to stay with the milder loadings to keep recoil to a minimum.

I use 140 SSTs with 42 grains of BL-C(2), and they'r pretty tame. Also have found some success with, coincidentally, 42 grains of IMR 4895. Shoots REAL good out of my m96.

4895 with 140gr bullets? What was the velocity? I have lots of IMR 4064 and it is very similar to 4895. My Hornady manual lists nothing faster than IMR 4350 with 129gr bullets.

EDIT - Would you look at that? the Hodgdon site lists loads for both 4064 and 4895. I may start there and see how it works.


Thanks,
Mark

 

[kamlooky]

Here is the load I use now.......
CCI Large Rifle #200 primers.
IMR 4350.............39 grs.
140 gr Hornady Interlock bullets.

I have good accuracy with this load.
I have stepped up the powder on this but
haven't shot them off yet.
Next time at the range I will bring this tack driver along and
see what happens.
Cheers.
Looky.

 

[Goldenlakepete]

I loaded up some light loads for a friend's Swede Carbine:

38.5 grs IMR 3031 with Speer 120 gr spitzers and CCI 200 primers. Shot into 2" at 100 yds with iron sights. Penetrated 12" into tightly packed newspapers.

 

[Newmer]

I have used both 4064 and 4895 with 120 and 140 grain bullets, and found the 4064 to shot as bit more accurate with my CG 63. My M38 likes 4064 better as well.

 

[Old Ranger]

I've got a couple M38's. Years ago when turkey shoots were commom I put a lot of birds in the freezer with 140gr Hornady SP's and 35.0 grs of 4064. This is a midrange type load that was/is quite accurate in my rifles. Check at least one manual before using any load you see on the internet!

 

[gpracer]

Nosler BT 120g Lapua brass, 210m, 40.1 Varget 3.150 COL.

This was the load I used last fall, produced a spectacular one shot bang flop on caribou...

 

[snomad]

Check out the Speer book for loads recommended for the military actions. I used H4831sc and 140 grain SST's but I don't recall the loads. I think they ran 2400-2500fps.