recipies for a Sako 85 65.x55 ? & Foster die capping unit question

[Mudduck]

Santa has come early and made a dream come true - a Sako 85 Stainless in 6.5x55
Anyone have a Sako 85 6.5x55 load recipe that works well bullet weight, powder type & grain and bullet type seating depth - I know I am asking a lot but figured I might as well ask for everything at the same time. I know every rifle is different but this may reduce my experimentation time

#2 I know you can use a Foster die capping units in a RCBS die. Can you also use it in a Redding Die? I assume you can but figured I would ask first. I prefer the Forster units because the expander ball sits up much higher on the rod and seems to give me much better results

 

[Pathfinder]

For a hunting rifle, you can hardly go wrong with 140gr. Partition pushed by a hefty dosage of RL-22. Lapua cases are nice if you can get them.

 

[prevost12]

In my tikka a 140gr accubond over 44gr of H4350 works awesome.

 

[604shooter]

140gr bullets and 46.5gr - 47gr H4831sc have shot well in several Swedes I've owned.

 

[stang]

140s and work up a load of H4831. Incredibly accurate.

 

[stubblejumper]

My T-3 likes R-22 behind a 129gr Accubond LR for hunting, or behind a 142gr Matchking for target. I always use Lapua brass.

 

[DaveMachine]

While not a hunting bullet, I've had good luck with 46.4gr Rl22 behind a 142gr smk from my tikka t3 varmint.

 

[Silverado]

A Finnish rifle chambered in a Swedish cartridge? You really should call or email Hirsch Precision and get some Lapua brass and bullets for it, or try to find some Norma stuff?!

 

[bearhunter]

Your best bet is to Google loads for the 6.5x55 for modern rifles that can be safely loaded to higher pressures. There are some very good loads mentioned like 49.0 to 52.0 grains of IMR 7828 over magnum primer under a 140 grain bullet.

I will not recommend these loads but I have started using 50 grains of IMR 7828 over magnum primers with very good results in my Tikka T3. No visible signs of high pressure. Your rifle may be different so approach these loads carefully. Do not use them in the old Swede 38/94/96 rifles.

 

[Mudduck]

Thanks for the feedback. I have a lot of IMR 4831, IMR 4350 and Varget but have not seen any Alliant Reloader powder for sale in a long time ((. However, I still have a 1/3 of a container of RL 17 & 22 left .... but have been keeping them hidden away - just in case.
I have a couple hundred Norma brass all sized and primed and picked up a whack of 6.5 bullets this week - Hornady, Nosler partition, Sierra and Barnes - 125 gr - 140 gr so I should have some good playtime. For hunting I will use 140 gr
Putting a Leica 2.5-10x42 scope with the IBS reticle on it - I tried one of my bigger scopes on it but it just looks weird because the sako barrel is only 22.5 inches long - which for me is short compared to my other hunting rifles