It seems everywhere I turn the 6.5x55 is downloaded for all the older rifles in which its chambered. What can a guy expect out of a modern rifle loaded to it's true potential. Looking for what velocity range a guy could expect using 140gr bullets. It just doesn't seem right that all my reloading manuels have the .260 Rem shooting bullets faster when the 6.5x55 has more capacity. Thanks
Modern rifle 6.5x55 loads
- Thread starter Jayph
- Start date
I have a Remington 700 Classic in 6.5x55, and I load the 140's to around 2850+ without any problems. the 120/125 grain bullets make close to 2950 and the 100's will go close to 3100. If you run "warm" loads in the standard 6.5 x 55, you will need to full length size every other firing, since that tapered case tends to get tight as it is fired. Regards, Eagleye
I had a Savage (CIL) in 6.5x55 and loaded it with Sierra 142 for F Class competittion. It was throated so the long bullets could be seated well out. This increased powder capacity.
The 30" barrel got 2900 fps with 48 gr of RL22 or 52 gr of RL25. After about 4000 rounds it was shot out. It was re-barreled with a 260 Rem Ackley, that has about the same case capacity.
I still have the same 500 6.5 x 55 cases I started with. The 2900 fps did not seem to be too hot. If I still had it I would try H1000 in it, too.
The 30" barrel got 2900 fps with 48 gr of RL22 or 52 gr of RL25. After about 4000 rounds it was shot out. It was re-barreled with a 260 Rem Ackley, that has about the same case capacity.
I still have the same 500 6.5 x 55 cases I started with. The 2900 fps did not seem to be too hot. If I still had it I would try H1000 in it, too.
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velocity depends alot on your barrel length. my research show that with a 140gr moly coated bullet and 50gr of R-19 out of a 22.5" barrel will produce about 2828fps while a 26" barrel with 50gr of R-19 will put you at about 3056fps.
I believe this is why all the old military swedes had a 29" barrel(correct me if i'm wrong) so that all the powder in the case could be burned to achieve max velocities with minimal barrel erosion.
I believe this is why all the old military swedes had a 29" barrel(correct me if i'm wrong) so that all the powder in the case could be burned to achieve max velocities with minimal barrel erosion.
You should be able to get to 3000 fps with a 120 Ballistic Tip (RL-19) and close to 2800 with a good 140. A real interesting sort of compromise weight that still has excellent SD that I will try soon (once I sort out my 7mm-08/Barnes bullet problems), is the 130 gr Nosler Accubond @ around 2800 fps, though these .264 calibers thrive on the 140 gr with it's ridiculously high SD.
