range report..Bullet? Powder? Primers?

C

crout

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Looking for a new powder primer combo for a 6.5x55 swede , what works well for you? I am currently using 35year old imr4895 with cci200 primers and 100gr hornady sp. But I am changing my bullets to something with a higher BC. and in need of some new powder. I am thinking of trying some 140gr nosler custom competition if i can find any in canada. My other choices are 123/140/142gr HPBT sierra matchking, 130gr BTSP swift, 130/140gr VLD berger, 123/140gr HPBT scenar. I just don't have the money or time to try them all.
 
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I know where you are coming from. I have left over bullets and powder from reloads that didn't perform to my expectations. I too shoot a 6.5 X 55. I found two bullets that work really well in my target rifle; 140 gr A-max and 142 Sierra Matchking. I'm leaning toward the 140 A-max's. I was using Varget for powder and accuracy is actually pretty good. However CGN member Mysticplayer has helped me with the following suggestion:

"You may want to put your load over a chronograph. If you are only using 37gr of Varget in a case as large as a Swede, you are likely not getting the most performance available.
Most of us use H4350 or H4831SC with the 139/140's. I expect to get close to 47/48gr of H4831SC when lit by a CCI BR2 primer.
You should have no issue getting 2900fps. Might tighten the vertical component of your groups too."

So when I have time for a new load I am starting with the H4350 powder (as I have some). Here's an article on one of his rifles:
www.6mmbr.com/gunweek075.html

Here's a pic of my 6.5 and last Fridays target.
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That is one awesome rifle. Mine is a 1899 date carl gustaf. I get groups like that at 100yards. I do use R-19 with 140gr Hornady SP. My first powder choice was the h4350 but the store had none so R-19 was next on my list

A-max or matchking. for the .03 BC difference and the $6/box differnce as well.....i'd choose the A-max. In your rifle you should try some 140gr vld berger. a BC of .64 vs .55 for the A-max.
 
Well - There was a post on this recently - military 6.5's tend to prefer heavier, longer bullets than the 100's. Try the 129 or 140 Hornady SP's with H4350. I've found this combo to be the best in several Swedes (and Rugers and Tikkas). H4350 works better than Re19 and Re22, pretty well across the board.
 
OK, off to the range tomorrow. Picked up some Hornady 140gr SST, H4350, federal 210 primers and some CCI BR primers. Gonna compare the R-19 to the H4350.
 
Gun: M96 Mause Carabine by Carl Gustav 24" original Barrel (crica 1900)
Scope: Nikon Buckmaster 6-18x40
Mounts: Holden (see thru crap)
Stock: Modified synthetic, of unknown make

Currrent and most accurate load for my M96 carabine 6.5x55 Swede, 5 shot group:
Reloader 22 (RE22) powder = 47gr (starting load is 44gr and max 48gr)
Hornady AMAX 140gr (.264)
Remington Brass
Winchester Large rifle primers
OAL: 3.100"

Smallest group was in .75" range and the largest 1". (5 shot group)
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Previous load was using Winchester Magnum primers as the only difference between this week. Group was rather unimpressive 1.5-2" size, with over 5 groups shot.

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I am starting to really like that target rifle of mine. For the price I figure I got my moneys worth. Can't believe the previous owner parted with it for $1500.00 with scope (figure the gunsmith labor alone was $600.00 or better). My gain I guess. Going to gun store tomorrow for more supplies then to the range. See if a different powder suggested by Mysticplayer will do better. We are forecast for a high of 0c tomorrow...keeping my fingers crossed.
 
Range report.

I was hoping for some better groups. I seated these out as far as I could. Next range session will involve messing with the OAL. What I really learned was that the Federal 210 primers don't like H4350 in my gun. How do I measure group size? I have never learned the proper method so I have never done it.

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Don't ask what happened to the 5th round on the next group. ( was shooting at something else ;)
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Not a bad group to start with Crout, remember the SST is a hunting bullet. Group size: furthest distance of 2 bullets apart (measured center to center of bullet hole) your target # 1 looks around 1.25" to 1.5". Target #3 looks around 1". Since I have never used Reloader 19 I won't comment. For the H4350 (target 1) 44 grs. Not a bad group. I only use CCI primers, don't think the primer is the issue here. I think your group could get a little tighter though. So some information is needed.
1) type of rifle - be specific as possible, target or hunting. 2) barrel length. 3) Over all length (OAL) of your cartridge with bullet (mine is 3.095" but it for my rifle) generally bullet is seated just off the lands of the rifling.
4) Trigger (origional?) an aftermarket trigger can and usually will make a world of difference. If you can post a pic of your rifle. Don't be discouraged, you shot a good target, but if I can help, I'll try, after all we all want one ragged hole from our rifles.
 
Sporterized Carl Gustaf 1899 (not bad groups for a 109 year old barrel) barrel length is 24" (20" if your just talking about the length of rifling) crown is good.
cartridge OAL for this test was max 3.165 I know this put the bullet into the lands.
Original trigger but has been modified. spring has been cut (one full ring and not a 2 stage anymore) I have been looking into ordering a Bold trigger.
And the action has been bedded and the barel is now free floating. This did not seem to help as compared to before. I'll post pics of bedding job if you want.
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Those are pretty good groups - no shame there! They are showing fairly random displacement ie no stringing, etc. To shoot better requires a fair amount of operator skill - did your groups get better with time?
One thing - IIRC SST's are boat tailed. Time and time again, I've found that flat based bullets shoot better at 100 y than their boat tailed counterpart. I find the good old Hornady 129/140 SP's to be the best.
 
cosmic said:
One thing - IIRC SST's are boat tailed. Time and time again, I've found that flat based bullets shoot better at 100 y than their boat tailed counterpart. I find the good old Hornady 129/140 SP's to be the best.
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I have found this also. But the 140SP dropped so much at 300yards I didn't think they would be good enough. I am curious as to see what groups I get at 200 and 300 yards with the SST. If the bullet still drops too much I'll try some 123-129gr with the same BC as the 140SST
 
I know the 300 yard bullet drop issue (300 m in my case). That target I posted earlier was 37 varget powder. I did two higher loads of 38 and 39 grs. My zero is 300m and with the 39 gr load the bullet impact was 8" higher. As Mysticplayer told me alot of 6.5 shooters run over SAAMI spec and the bullet trajectory flattens out, thus his reccommendation to me to change powder type and start adding powder (my barrel will take it). But since you have a sporter rifle I don't suggest that. On another note I have a WW1 Swedish Mauser (6.5 x 55)that groups about the same as your getting, and I am content with it's perfomance considering it's age.
 
M77
check out this link for your swede. If you haven't already. He goes up to 43gr of varget. He has the guns I want. http://www.accuratereloading.com/65smauser.html
I have run my swede over recommended powder loads, only 1gr over but no problems. I used my norma brass for these loads.
Yeah the groups are pretty good for the age. I think I may end up selling the old swede and fund a custom build job.
 
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