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Joined: Mar 2004
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Campfire Tracker
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OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2004
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I am looking at buying a Tikka T3 hunter in 6.5x55 and I have never loaded for it, just the 260 rem.
When I really dig into the reloading manuals there is quite a bit of difference in max load velocities, primarily I suspect because of the number of old Model 96's that might not stand up to modern pressures.
Given the rifle I am looking at is modern, is there any reason I couldn't load this to 260 velocities if I used a chronograph to verify velocities.
Thoughts?
I also posted this in the reloading forum.
Life's too short to hunt with an ugly gun.
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Joined: Oct 2002
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Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
Joined: Oct 2002
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"Dear Lord, save me from Your followers"
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Joined: Apr 2001
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 28,277 |
Thinking the Swede has just a skosh more case cap (I could be wrong on this) so I see no reason why you couldn't exceed the 260 (buy 51 fps or so)..
Dober
"True respect starts with the way you treat others, and it is earned over a lifetime of demonstrating kindness, honor and dignity"....Tony Dungy
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Joined: Oct 2007
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Oct 2007
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The Tikka is a long action as is the Swede, I think you will find past 120g bullets the Swede will flat run away from a 260. The heavier 6.5 bullets and the long throat you find in a Tikka is what the Swede was built for.
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Joined: Jul 2001
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Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 60,240 Likes: 31 |
When I was using the 6.5x55 a lot, my favorite load was a 120-grain Barnes X (pre-TSX) at 2950 fps from the 22" barrel of my Ruger 77 Mark II. This load shot into 1/2" to 3/4" at 100 yards and worked very well on deer and pronghorn out to around 375 yards, as far as I ever shot at anything with that rifle.
According to all the laws of internal ballistics that's a safe load with the right powder, and the other four 6.5x55's I've owned haven't disagreed.
Essentially the 6.5x55 is the .270 Winchester minus a little bit, which doesn't much matter in the field.
“Montana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans.”
John Steinbeck
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Joined: May 2005
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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I did most of my Swede loading with a couple of '96's and found favour in the Hornady 129 grainers. Even though I tried up to 156gn in factory and 140gn in handloads, for deer sized game, that 129gn was terrific.
Caveat: Stay away from conventional 100 grainers. You will be sorry if the game is larger than a muskrat.
JW
When truth is ignored, it does not change an untruth from remaining a lie.
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Joined: Mar 2004
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Campfire Tracker
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OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,344 |
When I was using the 6.5x55 a lot, my favorite load was a 120-grain Barnes X (pre-TSX) at 2950 fps from the 22" barrel of my Ruger 77 Mark II. This load shot into 1/2" to 3/4" at 100 yards and worked very well on deer and pronghorn out to around 375 yards, as far as I ever shot at anything with that rifle.
According to all the laws of internal ballistics that's a safe load with the right powder, and the other four 6.5x55's I've owned haven't disagreed.
Essentially the 6.5x55 is the .270 Winchester minus a little bit, which doesn't much matter in the field. My best 260 load came from your pet load article of a few years ago. If memory serves me it was 45 grs of H4350 and a 125 gr partition. The manuals don't get there, what powder were you loading?
Life's too short to hunt with an ugly gun.
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Joined: Aug 2008
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 874 |
I use RL-19 and a book load of 48 grns. Very accurate and I have dumped a 250# Mule Deer at 150 yds. I use a 120 grn. Barnes TSX may try the TTSX. Mule Deer took two wobble steps and down.
Buckfever1
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Joined: Jul 2001
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Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 60,240 Likes: 31 |
martin,
I don't think I was using quite that much H4350 with the X-Bullet, but was definitely close to 45 grains. I don't have my loading notes handy but seem to remember 44 or 44.5. That was with the old-style X, which developed a lot more pressure than the TSX.
The latest Nosler manual lists 47.0 grains of H4350 as max with the 120 Ballistic Tip (3000 fps) and 125 Partition (2990 fps), out of a 23" barrel.
“Montana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans.”
John Steinbeck
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Joined: Jun 2004
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 11,118 Likes: 3 |
There is no reason that the 6.5x55 cannot be run at 30-06 pressures or even reasonable 270 pressures in a modern firearm.
One of my loads runs a 120 grain bullet at 3075 FPS, measured 59.4 KPSI, 3.000" COL using H4350. I usually back that down just a bit, corresponding with what JB has posted.
In most cases, I prefer the 129 to 140 grain bullets.
Be not weary in well doing.
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Joined: Mar 2004
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Campfire Tracker
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OP
Campfire Tracker
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Thanks guys.
I'll post a range report when I get the gun.
Life's too short to hunt with an ugly gun.
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,512
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,512 |
FWIW, I use Lapua brass in Swede, and in 260 I use RP, or formed Federal.
Difference in my loads, 1.5 grains more for the Swede. Exact powder charge, bullet, etc. and speed is identical.
BOTH rifles have 22" bbls.
SO, you can use modern 260 data, for a modern bolt Swede, and a lil more.
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Joined: Dec 2002
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,243 Likes: 2 |
Case capacity:
6.5x55 = 56 grains in Winchester/Olin
260 = 54 grains in Winchester/Olin (reformed 243)
Jeff
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Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
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Essentially the 6.5x55 is the .270 Winchester minus a little bit, which doesn't much matter in the field.
That's it! I'm going to start calling the 6.5x55 Swedish the ".270 Jr." Any bets on how .270 fans will take that?
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Joined: Mar 2008
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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Posts: 889 |
I don't think the 6.5x55 is junior to anything (grin) after you shoot a few critters , Im sure you will agree.
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Joined: Feb 2010
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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BE STRONG IN THE LORD, AND IN HIS MIGHTY POWER. ~ Ephesians 6:10
Socialism is a philosophy of failure,
the creed of ignorance,
and the gospel of envy,
its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery.
--Winston Churchill
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Joined: Mar 2004
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Campfire Tracker
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OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2004
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Picked up the gun last night, very nice. Trigger is excellent, bought some dies, brass and 129 gr hornady's today.
Life's too short to hunt with an ugly gun.
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Joined: Feb 2010
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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martinbns
Congratulations! Great rifle and great caliber. I had a T3 stainless lightweight 300WSM that I traded for a Kimber 300WSM. After a couple of no hassle years with the Kimber I can not say that I traded up. T3 - GOOD STUFF
I will be getting a 6.5x55 Ruger #3 this week or next and would be highly interested in the loads you work up for the Tikka.
Looking forward to your results being posted here.
Thanks,
Jim
BE STRONG IN THE LORD, AND IN HIS MIGHTY POWER. ~ Ephesians 6:10
Socialism is a philosophy of failure,
the creed of ignorance,
and the gospel of envy,
its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery.
--Winston Churchill
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Joined: Jul 2004
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 46,965 |
FWIW,, last weekend I took my two T3's to the range with 140 grain Nosler Partition, Hornady Interlock and Rem Ultra CL's each loaded with 49 grains of RL22. All gave good performance, though the Partitions don't want to shoot as good as the rest. The new Core Loks and old Hornady's were particularly impressive for accuracy.
I also tried 130 TSX's and 130 Nosler AB's using 49.7 grains of RL22. Both bullets shot well out of each gun, though the load was near the top for both guns from a pressure standpoint.
We may know the time Ben Carson lied, but does anyone know the time Hillary Clinton told the truth?
Immersing oneself in progressive lieberalism is no different than bathing in the sewage of Hell.
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Campfire Tracker
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RickyD
Tried any other powders?
I will be testing 120 and 125 grainers. Any powder suggestions? Loads?
Jim
BE STRONG IN THE LORD, AND IN HIS MIGHTY POWER. ~ Ephesians 6:10
Socialism is a philosophy of failure,
the creed of ignorance,
and the gospel of envy,
its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery.
--Winston Churchill
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