The 6.5 X 55 never fails to impress...

SHELL SHUCKER said:
It can be good with cast boolits but has limitations that should be carefully addressed to get good results in rifles chambered in 6.5 Swede. Folks using older M96 & M38 milsurp units will have their work cutout for them. Folks with newer rifles with SAAMI standardized chambers,throats & bore dimensions will have an easier process to produce decent results with hardcast loads kept to around 1500 fps.

Larry's posts on the thread below give proper info on the subject.

https://forum.castbulletassoc.org/thread/96-swede-6-5x55/
Click to expand...

I have known a few guys who shot cast lead, gas-checked bullets out of 7 X 57, but not 6.5 x 55. The fast twist should be a bonus with big slow bullets. I would expect the lighter loads to reduce the chance of deformation even in a long throat. I admit cast bullets in rifles is something I know little about, but when reloading supplies were minimal, I was considering it. This article has me walking away from the idea presently.
 
Meroh said:
Post Covid has proven to be a challenge regarding availability of reloading components.

Fortunately, I bought 5 lbs of Dominion D4350 and D4895 when they were available (should have bought 25 lbs of each). I had about 800 large rifle primers (have since found a bunch more), but could not find any bullets.

I have always been a Sierra guy, but bought what I could get at the time which was 100 Hornady V-Max 95 gr and 200 120 gr PPU HPBT. Neither shot well out of my Zastava M70, but good enough for ground hogs at 100 yards or so.

I was finally able to get some Sierra 120 gr. HPBT Match Kings, and had great results; sub MOA at 100 yards.

I also got a 1900 M96 is almost new condition which shot them well, but about 10" high. I picked up some 158 gr. PPU JSP for it and it shot those very well; three inch groups at 100 yards with original iron sights and 64 year old eyes.

Here is where it gets interesting...

The loads with the Sierra 120 gr HPBT are sighted in to shoot 1" high at 100 yards in the Zastava. When I fire the 158 gr. loads from the Zastava, it shoots to exactly the same point of aim at 100 yards; an inch high (the group is larger though).

I just got some 85 gr. Sierra JHP varmint bullets and loaded them at the max (about 3500 fps according to Sierra's data), and it also shoots to the same point of aim. Groups are <2"

I can shoot gopher ammo or moose ammo without having to sight in.

I don't know of any other caliber that behaves this way.
Click to expand...


Been using the 6.5x55 Swede for decades bought a Tikka 3 lite a few weeks ago used online no need to figure out the best loads. Tried 85,100,120,140 and 156 all shoot the same close to MOA. All loaded with IMR 4350
Senior now and the surplus M96 is a bit heavy. May not be hunting big game many more years but may as well hunt in a little comfort.
 
Twilldous said:
Been using the 6.5x55 Swede for decades bought a Tikka 3 lite a few weeks ago used online no need to figure out the best loads. Tried 85,100,120,140 and 156 all shoot the same close to MOA. All loaded with IMR 4350
Senior now and the surplus M96 is a bit heavy. May not be hunting big game many more years but may as well hunt in a little comfort.
Click to expand...

Tikka 3s are nice rifles!
 
Bit of an update....

I picked up a 1943 M38 a couple weeks back and finally got to the range to try it out. Likely the shorter barrel, but the point of impact with this rifle is +2" elevation with 156 gr bullets but about +6" elevation with the 85 gr bullets. I also noticed that the spent brass from the 85 gr were a bit harder opening the bolt than with the heavier bullets, and certainly harder than either my M96 or my Zastava. It is going to be range only, so I am content using only the heavier bullets in it. 2 stage trigger is much heavier than my M96, but once I got on to it, it shoots just fine. It is a dream to shoot.
 
Last edited:
7sjBcN8.jpg
 
I like the 129 SSTs in the 6.5x55 as a dedicated deer round. Gives full penetration on shoulder shots and drops deer where they stand. Took 2 whitetails and 1 muley last year with it and was very happy with performance.
 
littlehughey said:
I like the 129 SSTs in the 6.5x55 as a dedicated deer round. Gives full penetration on shoulder shots and drops deer where they stand. Took 2 whitetails and 1 muley last year with it and was very happy with performance.
Click to expand...

Sweet!

Besides, in our climate the appropriate 6.5 CM hunting camo might hide you in the city, but not in the bush:
325651934_1340150083201855_562009855565624812_n.jpg
 
Meroh said:
Post Covid has proven to be a challenge regarding availability of reloading components.

Fortunately, I bought 5 lbs of Dominion D4350 and D4895 when they were available (should have bought 25 lbs of each). I had about 800 large rifle primers (have since found a bunch more), but could not find any bullets.

I have always been a Sierra guy, but bought what I could get at the time which was 100 Hornady V-Max 95 gr and 200 120 gr PPU HPBT. Neither shot well out of my Zastava M70, but good enough for ground hogs at 100 yards or so.

I was finally able to get some Sierra 120 gr. HPBT Match Kings, and had great results; sub MOA at 100 yards.

I also got a 1900 M96 is almost new condition which shot them well, but about 10" high. I picked up some 158 gr. PPU JSP for it and it shot those very well; three inch groups at 100 yards with original iron sights and 64 year old eyes.

Here is where it gets interesting...

The loads with the Sierra 120 gr HPBT are sighted in to shoot 1" high at 100 yards in the Zastava. When I fire the 158 gr. loads from the Zastava, it shoots to exactly the same point of aim at 100 yards; an inch high (the group is larger though).

I just got some 85 gr. Sierra JHP varmint bullets and loaded them at the max (about 3500 fps according to Sierra's data), and it also shoots to the same point of aim. Groups are <2"

I can shoot gopher ammo or moose ammo without having to sight in.

I don't know of any other caliber that behaves this way.
Click to expand...

I have a Zastava M70 as well. It shoots the 120 gr. PPU HPBT, Nosler 120 gr. Partition, and 140 gr. Sierra Game King all to the same POA. I cut my barrel back to 19" so it is some what of a carbine but works extremely well and has taken a lot of game. IMR 4350 for all my loads.
 
Not that I'm necessarily suggesting this, but if you want maximum velocity at safe pressures from a 6.5x55, the best powder for this is Alliant Re26. According to QuickLoad, 2900 fps is possible with this powder from a 24-in barrel with the 140 Nosler Accubond bullet at a pressure just under 60,000 psi. That is 60,000 psi by the piezo transducer method, not the older, now obsolete, copper units of pressure (CUP) method. The 60,000 psi is approximately equivalent to 52,000 CUP, and so should be completely safe in any modern 6.5x55 action. When I do the calculation using the same pressure maximum with Re22, H4831, IMR4350, Norma MRP, and Vihtavuori 560, I get to about 50 fps short of 2900 fps. Of course, you’ll want to experiment with your rifle to see which powder produces the best accuracy, but, if possible, Re26 should be among those tried.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom