Reloading the 6.5x55 Swedish for a modern rifle?

[Bcviking]

For years i have reloaded for the old Swede Mauser, I know they are fine rifles, but limited on the pressure side.

I recently ordered a Tikka T3 in 6.5x55 but all the manuals have the loads geared toward the old M96 M38 and Krags
Does anyone have a hotter recipe for a modern rifle, or can point me in the right direction for some modern load data for this fine old round? cheers

 

[unstableryan]

I have a tikka t3 in 6.5 and I start with what I know and work up to where I am comfortable.
if you like a bullet or your rifle does, buy 2-300 of them, so you dial it in and have lots left.

 

[PeterPan]

For years i have reloaded for the old Swede Mauser, I know they are fine rifles, but limited on the pressure side.

I recently ordered a Tikka T3 in 6.5x55 but all the manuals have the loads geared toward the old M96 M38 and Krags
Does anyone have a hotter recipe for a modern rifle, or can point me in the right direction for some modern load data for this fine old round? cheers

This is my load. It is very safe and accurate:
Re22-47.5
SMK 140gr
CCI200
I load 2.610" - ogive
Rifle is Tikka T3 HB Varmint

Very good load in my rifle, I do not want to brag about groups, but they are under 1/2MOA x5 all day long.

 

[Pathfinder]

I think speer list modern and surplus load data om their books, at least they did in the one I used to have. A good load is what is listed in Revloo's thread about his rifle not shooting good. He ended up used the same load as I do in my Tikka M-65 - 48 gr. RL-22, WW brass, WLR primers (140gr. bullets). You can play with the OAL but in your Tikka you will be limited by your magazine which should be fairly long for that lenght of action. 3.1-3.15 is a good place to start.

 

[martinbns]

I have the same gun, I took 260 remington data and worked up to max loads. The 6.5 case is slightly larger than the 260 and iot worked just fine. I used H4831sc and re22.

FWIW, i asked John Barsness, the writer for Handloader if he thought it was reasonable and he agreed.

 

[Bcviking]

thanks guys .. it seems r22 is a popular powder for the 6.5 , but for now i have a large supply of varget on hand ..

 

[mmattockx]

I have the same gun, I took 260 remington data and worked up to max loads. The 6.5 case is slightly larger than the 260 and iot worked just fine. I used H4831sc and re22.

FWIW, i asked John Barsness, the writer for Handloader if he thought it was reasonable and he agreed.

+1, this is exactly what I did as well to get an idea of the upper limits in a modern action. Worked well for me using RL-22 with 140gr bulelts.


Mark

 

[martinbns]

thanks guys .. it seems r22 is a popular powder for the 6.5 , but for now i have a large supply of varget on hand ..

Varget is less than Ideal, it's a bit quick burning. It's a bit quick for hunting weights even in the 260. I used H4350 with 125/130 grain bullets in the 260, Varget is a good powder for 100 grain bullets but with the 6.5 calibre you are losing the great BC's that come with the 6.5 bullets.

 

[blacktailslayer]

6.5x55

I am using 47 gr of RL19 with the 130 Berger and Lapua brass.

 

[CV32]

A couple of Varget loads for the OP ...

40.1 gr Varget, 120 gr Nosler BT, 2875 fps
35.8 gr Varget, 140 gr Hornady Amax, 2562 fps

These are out of a Remington 700 Classic in 6.5x55. Your own mileage may vary.

 

[Pathfinder]

thanks guys .. it seems r22 is a popular powder for the 6.5 , but for now i have a large supply of varget on hand ..

As mentioned that Would work well with the varmint bullets in respect to velocity.

I use 4064 with the Sierra 85gr. HP's. I move them at about 3300 fps. Nice and accurate with the same POI as 140's at 100 yards.

 

[mark k]

Anyone have any thoughts on powders and loads for 120gr TTSX and 130gr Accubonds? I tried RL22 with the TTSX's and WW760 with the 130AB's with good accuracy, but poor velocities. (approx 200fps behind manuals.) I'm loading Lapua brass and shooting it in a T3 SS.

 

[noneck180]

 

[junkdude]

thanks guys .. it seems r22 is a popular powder for the 6.5 , but for now i have a large supply of varget on hand ..

Varget works well for the lighter bullets. 85gr Berger target with 44gr Varget gives about 3200ft/s.

 

[Bcviking]

Heres my target from sighting in my scope on my Tikka T3 Lite stainless in 6.5x55, 15 shots fired at 100 yards using a Nikon 4x12 , my trigger is set at 2 lbs . once i had it zeroed i punched one solid hole ..my handloads were Hornady brass , 130gr Nosler accubond ,37 grains of varget, OAL 3.025

 

[mark k]

What kind of velocity are you getting?

 

[308BAR]

Recently worked up a load using H4831sc for my friends T3 6.5x55

The load we finally decide on was 48.5gn of H4381sc 0.75" group two touching. Avg. Vel. is 2650. No pressure signs. Good luck.

 

[martinbns]

Anyone have any thoughts on powders and loads for 120gr TTSX and 130gr Accubonds? I tried RL22 with the TTSX's and WW760 with the 130AB's with good accuracy, but poor velocities. (approx 200fps behind manuals.) I'm loading Lapua brass and shooting it in a T3 SS.

RE22 works great if you load up to 260 rem max(working up of course) Slow burning powders need a bit more volume to generate adequate pressure to get good velocities. Your Chronograph is the best pressure guide you can use.

 

[martinbns]

Here are some of mine with a T3 hunter

I settled on the 3rd load, 49 grs of re22, fed 210m primer, 129 gr hornady spirepoint, I think it was WW brass

 

[Goldenlakepete]

The Lyman 47h Loading Manual has a MAX load of 49 grs of H380 with a 120 gr bullet. I think this must be a miss-print. I started at 44 grs H380, worked up to 47 grs which was too hot. My most accurate load with H380 was 44.2 grs with the 120 gr Speer spitzer.

I'm shooting a Model 70 Winchester Featherweight.