Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles 6.5x55 loads for Mauser vs modern rifle

For years all I have ever loaded for was the old M96 Swede Mauser, I new they were fine rifles, but limited on the pressure side.

I recently got a Steyr Prohunter in 6.5x55 but all the manuals have is loads geared toward the old M96.
Does anyone have a favorite recipe, or can point me in the right direction for some modern load data for this fine old round, I like the lighter bullets somewhere between 110 to 130.
Thanks ahead of time
j

Start with 260 Remington Loads and work up. A modern 6.5x55 will exceed the 260. You might check Hornady data as they seem to be the only company with "modern" data for the 7x57 as well.
Having a Chrongraph is essential.

2900 fps with a 120 TSX is no stretch and will kill any medium game that walks and even bigger stuff with careful shot placement.

Nosler and Barnes manuals, for two, are not geared toward the old Mauser. Use your M96 data and work up a grain or two from there. I have the best luck in less than 140 gr bullets with H4350. However RL-22 seems to work pretty well with Swift Sirroco or Nosler AB 130's. Not much data in manuals for that, but I can go up a couple of grains over the 140's to about 2,950.

an old Speer manual from the mid 60s has a few loads, that they tested for the old Model 96, and a short 18 inch barrel..

however I am sure that load data is fine in modern rifles such as a Ruger 77...

using the old Speer Data for IMR 4350, with a 120 grain bullet
showed an MV of 2782 fps...

out of a 22 inch barreled Ruger it hit 3150 fps in my rifle..
and 3250 out of a 27 inch barreled Model 70 and a 29 inch barrel of a 1920 Circa Swedish Mauser..

with some high quality Lapua brass and working up you can get some real eye popping velocity out of the 6.5 x 55..

using Rem and Win brass, according to my notes, the brass was reloaded 5 times and one the 6th Reload, they still were tight..

this data was referenced out of Speer Manual number 7 if anyone wants to reference it..

Thanks guys.

Interesting advice, seeing how Hornady used an 1896 in load development.

Published data tends to be on the mild side with a few exceptions. Speer Manual 13 is fairly modern with 50K CUP pressures. They give loads of close to 2900 fps with the 120 Hotcore for modern arms. Still the pressures are lower than for the 260 Rem which is the data many apparently use for the Swede. Hornady data is lame. If you're loading for a 100 yr old military arm I guess it's OK. But Hornady is conservative on several calibers. Their 270 Weatherby data is anemic. www.loaddata.com will give you a LOT of data to look over that was developed in modern actions and is all available if you pay for membership. I've read the case capacity for the 6.5x55 is about 4% greater than for the 260. With that if mind I've just used 260 data maybe plus a tic for my Ruger, which is for sale BTW. Even loading at max 260 levels you get a very good round with very reasonable recoil. Good luck.

Edit: Need to add, using .260 Rem data is how I load for a modern Ruger 77 MK II in 6.5x55. I don't imply anyone should follow this lead. But the Speer pressure data is straight out of the manual.

I have loaded both mild and hot loads of 140 gr Sierra GK for two rifles, my current Tikka T3 and Mauser 98 based sporter. My powder of choice for 140 gr and up is RL22. For 120 grainers I use IMR4320. I don't see advantage of high velocities in this caliber. The beauty of military spec (fast twist rate) 6.5x55 is that is is very effective at lower muzzle speeds (2200-2500 fps) and very long distance due to large sectional density of 140-160 gr bullets. Besides noncorrosive primer, the reason behind longevity of military Swede barrels was low velocity bullet. Plus 6.5x55 brass does not tolerate high pressures.

Nosler Reloading Guide 6 p.224 Technical Information states "These loads are intended for use only with new firearms in good condition" I have to say I was a little disappointed when I read that note. Good catch. Barnes Reloading Manual 4 p. 143 states "Because of aging 6.5x55 rifles still in service, SAAMI specifies a maximum of 51,000 psi ... While slightly warmer loads may be safe in modern rifles of good condition, handloaders should not exceed the loads recommended in this manual - Clair Reese"

Barnes comments are confusing because SAAMI rates the 6.5x55 in CUPs, 46,000 to be specific. The Commission Internationale Permanente pour l'Epreuve des Armes � Feu Portatives (CIP) rates the 6.5x55 in PSI. There is a formula some use to convert CUP / PSI although the variance in accurately converting the two could be dangerous when approaching maximum loads.

I called Western Powder about Ram Shots data being in PSI an asked what the CUP equivalents were for that cartridge. A technician by the name of Yohaan (spelling?) said they don't publish CUP because there data is based on the CIP and not SAAMI. He gave me the CIP maximum and wrote it down but left it at work. He stated that all of the loads in the Ram Shot loading data was safe for military mauser actions.

Now based on Barnes #4, the loads should be safe for military mauser actions. BUT, always be safe, verify more than one source of loading data, and work up safely. I know at one point in history CUP and PSI were used interchangeably to mean the same thing as we all know they are not.



and

HaYen,

I believe SAAMI specifies both actually: 6.5x55 SE is 46,000 CUP & 51,000 PSI. CIP rates the 6.5x55 at 55,000 PSI.

http://www.kwk.us/pressures.html

Azar,

Thanks for the data. But do you see how the 4k variance only adds to the confusion of this cartridge? I spoke to a guy at SAMMI about the pressure limits for this cartridge and the older actions, and based on that conversation, I (me, personally) will be following SAAMI standards.

If you go to the Ram Shot web site, there is a link for SAAMI PSI. On that page they state "The following list represents the Maximum Average Pressure (PSI) recommended by the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute." The 6.5x55 is rated at 45k PSI. I'm guessing they meant 45k CUP, but even then their load data is in PSI:

44.5grs of Hunter behind 120 B-TIP generates 50,630 PSI. On a good note that's less then SAAMI's max PSI rating.

I never really cared too much about SAAMI vs CIP until I purchased a Turkish Mauser being chambered for this round.

BUMP

Bob, what would you like to know?

It's even messier than that.

SAAMI and CIP test procedures are different and yield different PSI ratings.

The pressure in a cartridge can't read the headstamp on the brass. In a strong action, the 6.5x55 will tolerate as much pressure as a 30-06, 308, or 270. If you use the 30-06 spec, you'll be on the conservative side.

48 gr RL-22 gives 2780 fps with a 140 gr Partition in my 25" barreled 6.5 Swede using Lapua brass, and CCI-250 primers.

IIRC three go into around .760" in calm conditions, a very well mannered, polite, killing sombitch it is.

Man, I like everything I read about that load! That'll be one of the first ones I try in my daughter's 6.5x55.. Thank you.

Yo welcome Brudda, her report is mild and recoils like a fine Woman leaning into your shoulder, but that 140 gr 'Harpoon' is delivered with sheer female black jaded scorn.

I just bumped it up so I could read the whole thread when I could get to it. I know very little about the Swede other than folks sure like them and there are old rifles you can't load full power.

The more I study the details the more I like it.

Holy smokes. That makes it sound pretty danged deadly.

WOW old post. When I got my barreled action back from Shaw,I had Timney add a trigger and new safety.

The only load I developed / need is 120gr NBT in front of 39grs of Varget. That is the stated max load for that powder / bullet combination.