Loading info required for 6.5x55 with 120gn Barnes TSX and H 4350 powder.

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Archer Sam

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As the title says, I'm looking for loading info for 6.5x55 with Barnes 120gn TSX or TTSX bullets and H4350 powder with Winchester standard primers. I will be shooting this in a Tikka T3 lite.
I'm not new to reloading I just can't find the info I'm looking for. I've read a few places guys were getting between 2900 and 3000 fps with this combo but can't remember where I saw it. All the reloading data I've found is for old military rifles where the pressures are kept low due to possible use in the older actions.
Anything loads someone wants to share would be great.
Thanks,
Scott...
 
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I can only speak to using 130gr TSX's also in a T3. I am using 45gr H4350. I get just short of 2800fps (win brass CCI200 primers).
From my searches 45gr was about max for the 51kpsi standard. I could likely go higher but have no need to.

I was easily able to get 2900fps with 120gr TTSX and RE19 powder but accuracy wasn't as good.
 
check out gunboards.com or reloaders.com. They have worked up some very stout loads for the Tikka T3 as well as other modern bolt action receivers. They caution heavily against using these loads in the early milsurp rifles and for good reason.

One of the loads I use regularly in my personal T3 is 51grains of IMR 7828SC over CCI 250 magnum primers under 140 grain SST bullets. You need to make sure you are using good brass as well. This load is very quick according to my Chrony and way over anything that can be found in any of the manuals which are reluctant to list higher pressure loads in deference to the older/weaker actions. The 7x57/8x57/7.65x53 etc suffer from a similar issue. All of them when loaded up to their potential and used in modern actions are very impressive performers. The 6.5x55 is in the same boat. It is also a very impressive performer when used in such rifles as the T3.

I will not recommend my load to anyone but I did find it on the net and it was verified by some very astute people with access to the equipment needed to assess pressures and velocities. IMR 7828SC is a progressive powder and very temperature tolerant, especially with magnum primers. Again, this load is safe in my rifle but may not be in your rifle. Approach this load with extreme caution.
 
Hey Scott! I'm in the process of working up loads for exactly the same bullet & calibre. My Lyman reloading manual doesn't even show that powder/bullet combination, but the Hodgdon site shows 41.5 gr. min (2545 ft/sec.) to 46 gr. max. (2792 ft/sec.) for 120 gr. Nosler BT. Assuming a similar ballistic coefficient for the TSX and that should be a good start point for you. Let me know how those loads work out for you. I hope to use the TSX for deer this year, depending on how it shoots. I've worked up 2 loads, one with IMR4895 and one with Varget and I'll let you know how they perform for me. I hope to get a block of modelling clay to use in lieu of ballistic get to test expansion. I've read mixed reviews on the bullet and it's effectiveness as a game getter, but lets keep in touch about the performance. Lawrence
 
Hey OP- I was just out at the range yesterday with my t3 lite in 6.5x55 as well. I was using 129 grain accubond long range, 142 grain accubond long range, and the 127 grain Barnes LRX.

I ran out of time for the accubond load development but was able to test ladder loads for the 127 LRX. I used reloader 17 which is very similar to H4350 in burn rate. My max load gave me 1" @ 100m and a velocity of 3030-3050 fps. I was shooting prone with a backpack under the front of the rifle and a rolled up sweater under the back. I forgot most of my shooting gear but had my chrony. 3 of the 5 were touching, two were just off to the side. I started at the bottom and worked my way up. I set my c.o.a.l at 3.170". I'm going to back off 0.2 grains of powder as I did see a very slight ejector mark on two of the 5 cases at the max load. Primers showed slight flattening.

You should be able to hit 3000 fps with the 120. Check out the 127 LRX, better bc, and is supposed to open down to 1600 fps.
 
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Throttle_monkey1 said:
Hey OP- I was just out at the range yesterday with my t3 lite in 6.5x55 as well. I was using 129 grain accubond long range, 142 grain accubond long range, and the 127 grain Barnes LRX.

I ran out of time for the accubond load development but was able to test ladder loads for the 127 LRX. I used reloader 17 which is very similar to H4350 in burn rate. My max load gave me 1" @ 100m and a velocity of 3030-3050 fps. I was shooting prone with a backpack under the front of the rifle and a rolled up sweater under the back. I forgot most of my shooting gear but had my chrony. 3 of the 5 were touching, two were just off to the side. I started at the bottom and worked my way up. I set my c.o.a.l at 3.170". I'm going to back off 0.2 grains of powder as I did see a very slight ejector mark on two of the 5 cases at the max load. Primers showed slight flattening.

You should be able to hit 3000 fps with the 120. Check out the 127 LRX, better bc, and is supposed to open down to 1600 fps.
Click to expand...

I had a look at the 127 LRX and they look like they may be a better option. At this time I have a box of the TTSX and a box of the TSX that I'm working with for this deer season. I will pick some of the 127 LRX up for next year.
Scott...
 
LawrenceN said:
Hey Scott! I'm in the process of working up loads for exactly the same bullet & calibre. My Lyman reloading manual doesn't even show that powder/bullet combination, but the Hodgdon site shows 41.5 gr. min (2545 ft/sec.) to 46 gr. max. (2792 ft/sec.) for 120 gr. Nosler BT. Assuming a similar ballistic coefficient for the TSX and that should be a good start point for you. Let me know how those loads work out for you. I hope to use the TSX for deer this year, depending on how it shoots. I've worked up 2 loads, one with IMR4895 and one with Varget and I'll let you know how they perform for me. I hope to get a block of modelling clay to use in lieu of ballistic get to test expansion. I've read mixed reviews on the bullet and it's effectiveness as a game getter, but lets keep in touch about the performance. Lawrence
Click to expand...

I'll let you know if I drop one with this load. I took my buck last year with Sellier and Bellot 139 gn but it was only 30 yds away. He was quartering away from me. I shot on an angle to go through the lung and close to the heart. Ended up punching a hole clean through the heart and exited. Went down hard and went nowhere.

Scott...
 
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