Predator loads for 6.5x55

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Northman999

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Fellows,

I'm just getting a 6.5x55 and I definitely want to use it for coyotes and wolves, as well as bigger stuff. I've got some loads for 140 grain bullets for caribou and the like, but I can't find reloading data for Sierra Varminter 85 gr HPBT that I want to use on predators. Does anyone have any data for this bullet? I'd probably like to have one for long range wolves (max velocity) as well as a mild load (maybe 500 fps less than max) for coyotes at closer range. Any help would be appreciated.
 
I can't remember what I used to load that bullet with. I had data from the One Cartridge Load book. Those Sierra 85's really open up on impact. I never tested them at any great range to see what the accuracy was like at say 200-300 yards.
 
the ligher hollow point bullets are so blunt that they give poor trajecotory and energy at 250+ yards (85 sierra hp, 90 speer tnt, 100 sierra hp). Better would be the 95 gr hornady vmax or the nosler 100 BT. They reach out there and whallop stuff, and drift less in the wind
 
6.5 x 55 data

Well there are 9 different powder combinations for the 85 gr Sierra bullet, so I'll give you their best load which is 45.1 gr of IMR 4064 which sails out there at 3400 fps and the min load is 40.3 gr at 3000 fps. fs
 
I have tried some light bullets in my T-3 6.5 x55 and it just seems to not like them? it key holes 140s, shoots 120s about Moa +- and spits out anything under 100 grs? It could just be me? or my loads.
Good luck with it
 
Thanks guys. I have heard from a couple of local fellows that the lighter bullets are definitely not as accurate out of their military swedes, as you have noted. I'll experiment will several weights, trying to get some of the bullets you suggested. I think between your responses and what I managed to dig up on the internet myself, I've probably got enough information to get going. Thanks again!
 
i have run both the 85hp and the 100 nosler bt,,,imr4064 in my m96
cant remeber xactly but it was in the mid 40 grains ... will edit in when i get home .....
edit:
85grain sierra hp
win case
cci large rifle primer
47.0 grains imr4064

100nosler ballistic tip....
win case
cci large rifle primer
45 grains imr4064

these worked fine in my rifle please Reduce and work up or refer to a manual for a starting load l
 
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The problem with milsurp swedes and light bullets is the long throat. There is just to much freebore in a generous chamber fo the bullet to jump befor it reaches the lands. If the neck isn't long enough to hold the base of the bullet until it reaches the lands the bullet, no mater how well it's made will "####" before entering the lands, resulting in inaccuracy.

I've seen a few rifles that have had the barrels set back and rechambered with shorter throats. They shoot very well. Especially considering how little money was invested in the package.

Be careful to keep velocities to a decent level, the 1-7 1/2 inch twist can overstabilise and cause fragmentation at higher speeds by very fast rotation stresses.

I load with 47 grains of H414SL10 (surplus Higginson powder) which is slightly slower than W760, behind a 95 grain Hornady Vmax. This load is for the Tikka T3 and is very accurate right out to 500 meters on coyotes. IF I DO MY PART.

For the milsurp swede, I use the 129 grain sst Hornady bullet with 42.0 grains of W760. Less velocity but very accurate. This load is still on the warm side fo some rifles, but OK with mine. The 129 grain bullet is long enough to bridge the gap in the long throat satisfactorily.

bearhunter
 
I would tend to think the long throat would make the 85 gr. loads Accuracy challenged but I read about quite a few people that are shooting good groups using imr 4064, I will at the very least give that combination a try working up using Sierra's latest data .
 
Anybody shooting 85's with a 6.5x55. Ive only been out once shooting these so I only have a high / low range. High speed seems to break/spin these little guys apart. Hopefully going back this weekend testing in the 43-45 range (4064)
 
Well - I've been shooting the good ol' Hornady 100's with relative success in both my 595 and various milsurp sporters. Surprisingly, the one with the longest (most shot out) throat shoots the best - about 1 1/4 moa - go figure.
 
I have a 95 gr Hornady Vmax load that shares the same point of impact at 100 yards with a 120 gr Nosler BT load and a 140 gr Barnes XLC load. All three are very accurate in my Rem 700 Classic. I can post the Vmax load data if you like.
 
I have a Remington 700 "Classic" that is on it's third barrel. I had Guntech short-throat this one to use the 100-129 grain bullets to best advantage. I get under MOA with the 100 Ballistic Tip at over 3100 fps, using the W760SL10 that Bearhunter mentioned in an earlier post. I tried the 85 Sierra in this rifle, but the 1-8 twist at high velocity resulted in some bullets blowing up in the air before the target. Regards, Eagleye.
 
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