Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles RL17 and 6.5x55se

Hornady in their 8th released some datas for this combo but they re on the light due to old mauser 1896. any of you used or got higher datas for a modern 6.5x55se ?

thanks

Take a look at the .260 data. I used that plus 1/2 skootch in a Ruger 77 MkII. Standard disclaimers. Have no idea why Hornady chooses to use an antique firearm with a 30" barrel for their only 6.5x55 data when they have 3 different levels of 45/70 loads ranging from trapdoors to Ruger #1. Not to mention different levels of .45 Colt as well. Another very conservative listing is for the .270 Weatherby. Just their way I suppose.

I called Alliant once and asked about RL17 in a Military Action. The person I spoke with said it was on their website. I said it wasn't and he said it should have been there. He later sent me the data, but as I recall it was fairly light.

I wish Allient would list pressure data (PSI or CUP) instead of just the max charge. When RL17 first hit the scene it was hard to find either IMR 4350 or H4350. So I worked up a load using RL17 for my 30-06. There is a half a grain difference between my I4350 and the RL17 loads. So if the performance between powders is similar for that cartridge ... and 4350 (you pick) has just the right characteristics to make it a good choice for the Sweed ... then I'd like to see what the tested pressure data is from Alliant.

@Phil, what are the stated ranges from Hornady for that cartridge?

Hodgdon's listed data for the 120gr NOS BT is 41.5 - 46.0 at 36,800 - 45,800 CUP respectfully. The max CUP for the Sweed from SAAMI is 46,000. They base their data on older military actions.

DISCLAIMER: I'm not saying to use 4350 data for a RL17 load just that I wish Alliant would list charge range and pressure data.

It is very frustrating loading for the 6.5x55 in regards to loading data. I have a Tikka T3 and a Sako 85. Both of these actions are used on WSM cartridges that routinely run up in the 60k psi range but every bit of data you can find has the 6.5x55 running at least 100fps slower than a 260 Rem.

Even if you use 260 data you will still not achieve 260 performance because of the extra case capacity of the 6.5.

It seems to me you are going to have to throw away the loading manuals or be happy with antique velocity.

I'm not 100% sure, because I'm not at home looking at my manuals, but I believe its the Nosler manual that states their loads are not meant for the older military actions (or was it the Barnes manual?). When comparing the Nosler data to Hodgdon's, the Nosler stuff is warmer.

Speer #13 goes up to 50k cup IIRC. They advise their load be used in modern firearms. Even at that the data is a bit conservative, but better than Hornady.

I have the Nosler manual and every other manual on the market including the Lapua and Vitahvouri.

ALL the data is lame for the 6.5x55 when compared to 260 Rem. I have loaded 130gr bullets over 2900 fps with no pressure signs. I need to slap a strain gage on my guns and just settle this pressure guessing.

The new Speer #14 states their data for the modern 6.5 Swede is maxed at 58K PSI the older #13 claims 50K CUP vs SAAMI`s 46K CUP.
I don`t know how close 50,000 CUP is to 58,000 PSI but suspect it is close. Their data for the 260 in the new book is rated 62K PSI.

Alliant is a sister company to Speer and all the data on their web site is built around Speer bullets only, so I strongly suspect the web site data for the 6.5 is probably the same 58,000 PSI claimed in the book

PSI vs CUP article HERE

or

USE AT YOUR OWN RISK

PSI TO CUP
(PSI + 17902)/1.516

CUP TO PSI
-17902+(1.516XCUP)

To build on what Shootem stated. Speer's #13 states on pg203 for the 6.5x55 Mauser

"The industry operating pressure for this cartridge is 46,00 CUP (crusher) or 51,000 psi (transducer). these loads are slightly higher (up to 50,000 cup) for use in modern rifles. Model 94 and 96 Swedish Mausers and Krag-Jorgensen rifles as not as strong as late Mauser designs or modern sporters. REDUCE THE MAXIMUM LOADS BY ONE GRAIN IF YOU ARE LOADING FOR A m94/96 MAUSER OR KRAG. Some late military rifles were built on the excellent M98 Mauser and can use these loads as shown."

And to build on what I said earlier, it was the Nosler #6 reloading guide that stated on page 224
"These loads are intended for use only in new firearms in good condition. If you are using an older military rifle, or are unsure to the condition of your firearm, it must be thoroughly inspected by a gunsmith before use."

That said, Nosler lists:

NOTE all load data above is from Noslers #6 Reloading Manual. I have neither tested nor am I recommending any of this data. It is strictly for information use only. Always develop loads from a starting charge and work your way up slowly and carefully observing all over pressure indicators.

Have a nice day

Da HaYen

When I look at SAAMI 1992 centerfire rifles page 13, 6.5x55 and 7x57 are maximum probable lot mean of 471 (CUP/100).
7x57 is also described at page 18 as 523 (psi/100) maximum probably lot mean.

This would suggest that in 1992, that SAAMI registered the limit of 6.5x55mm Swede Mauser as 52,300 psi.

Now your post suggests that "Speer 14" 2007 calls the 6.5 Swede as 58,000 psi.

That seems odd.

Not that it makes any difference at all.

You know I just went back and read the quoted text I posted above. Speer is recommending that we reduce the Max loads by 1 grain for m94/m96 military actions. So can the opposite be true for loads that are intended for military actions? Increase the Max load by one grain for new firearms in good condition?????

Nah