Mild to medium load for 6.5x55

MD

MD

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A retired gunsmith I know put together a rifle for me out of a Mauser '95 action and a new Swede barrel.

MichelJuly2009071.jpg


The action locked up using Swede surplus ammo but worked fine with some handloads I had around, but I didn't have enough on hand to properly sight it in.


I was wondering if anyone here had a light to moderate 6.5x55 load they were using that they could recommend.
 
Hello Pathfinder,

Yes I did have the data written on the box the reloads were in, but I'd like to get more info from others on what works for them to compare.
 
MD said:
Hello Pathfinder,

Yes I did have the data written on the box the reloads were in, but I'd like to get more info from others on what works for them to compare.
Click to expand...

Its difficult suggesting loads that were not developed for your rifle especially if yours is locking with firing surplus ammo....that is why I suggested starting loads. The two rifles in 6.5x55 that ive owned did not like the same loads .

What bullets and powders do you have available ?
 
H4831
H4350
RL22

and Hornady 140 grain bullets.
 
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I don't have the powder myself, just the cases, bullets and primers. My buddy has the equipment and powder, and I load stuff under his direction. We have H4831, H4350 and RL22.
 
For years I shot 35.0 grs of 4064 and Horn. 140 gr SPs out of a M38 Mauser at local turkey shoots. This combination won a lot of birds. Got a couple targets filed away somewhere with 5 shot groups close to an inch at 100yds with open sites. Eyes were 30 yrs younger then. This is a starter load ( or close to it) in many manuals. I strongly recommend you check a manual (or 2 ) before trying somedody's elses pet loads.
 
All three of those powders will work very well. I've used all of them with very little difference in accuracy. Your main problem will be seating the bullets far enough out to get close to the lands. That chamber, is cut for 160 grain round nose bullets and has a very deep throat. The chamber is also slightly larger than commercial chambers, so you will want to fireform your brass, then only neck resize for subsequent reloads. That 95 action is interesting. Are you sure it isn't a 96 Swede action. The pic is not very sharp. I'm surprised that the milsurp locks up. Most of the milsurp barrels I've run accross, just screw right in with no head space issues at all.

You may have to set the shoulders on your reloads back as well. A little more to it than meets the eye. Oh, you may also have to trim your brass to use it at all. Try chambering a piece of sized but not loaded brass to see if the bolt will close on it.
 
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