Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Good 6.5x55 loads

I finally had a chance to get out and start testing some loads. I'm using Lapua brass and CCI BR2 primers on all loads tested. Rifle is a Ruger 77 with a 22 inch barrel. Chronograph is a MagnetoSpeed V3.

120 NBT, 47 grains of H4350, 3.05 COL 2789 FPS AVG
140 Partition, 44.5 grains of H4350, 3.05 COL 2577 FPS AVG
155 Lapua Mega, 42 grains of HV100, 2.95 COL 2452 FPS AVG

All of them shot right about 1 MOA at 100 yards so good enough for hunting. I'm going to play a little more with the Partitions. I'd like to get around 2650 FPS. I'll probably load up some 140 Core-Lokts next time too.

Working loads for a free range Axis hunt June 1st.

O P
I have run several CnC 140s with RL19 and IMR 4831 with excellent results in my 77 MK II. The 4831 is slower but spot on and the 19 isn't far behind in accuracy but way out in front in velocity. DRT on 4 critters but I have not stretched the range past 225 so far with my Swede.
ODS

In a ruger77 mk2 48.0gr. of imr7828 wlr primers w-w case topped with a rem. 140gr.pspcl 2655 fps avg.,In a CZ550 20.5" barrel,46.5gr. of H4831sc,w-w brass,fed210 primers,topped with a Norma 156gr. Alaskan,2525 fps ave. Both loads have worked for me.

I use 46 grains of H4350 with 140gr speer hot cor or 140gr ballistic tips in my Ruger M77. It runs from 2775 to 2800.

Great info. I'm limited to H4350 and my next plan was to work up from 44.5 in .5 increments with the NP. I'd like to stay about MOA and get 2650-2700. Your info seems to support what I was thinking.

I started using Lapua brass and the groups went to .5 to .75 from 1.25 to 1.5. I use CCI 200 primers. I use 46.5 grains H4350 with 129gr Hornady interloks. My Ruger likes the H4350. It also likes RL19 but it's harder to find than H4350.

52 grs of H1000 and a 140 gr. Nosler Partition worked well out of my brothers tikka. Was just at 2800 and bang flopped a nice cow elk.

Thinking outside the box...a handloaders flexibility...

100 grain Partition or Ballistic Tip....IMR 4064, RL 15, IMR 4895

" for the kids"....or fun plinking....

30 grains of IMR 4198, or RL 7, or 25 grains of SR 4759 with a 90 grain Speer TNT or Sierra 85 grain HP...or the 100 grain Sierra HP...

Exactly my thoughts with the first load I ever developed for my Turk Mauser. A 120gr NBT in front of 39grs of Varget makes a hole that measures .274" (if memory recalls) from three shots @ 100. My problem now is I have a box of 140gr Berger's and a box of 130gr Barnes that will probably sit on my bench till I can't find any 120gr NBT. :-)

Went back out over the weekend and tried Lapua Brass, CCI magnum primers with 45.5 of H4350 with:

140 NPT (3.08 COL)- 2675 FPS
140 Core-Lokts (3.02 COL) 2650 FPS

Groups were very erratic, I think I have a bedding issue. I'm taking it out of the factory wooden stock and dropping it back in a McMillian and will try again this weekend.

My 120 NBTs are still back ordered, so I'm still waiting.
I have 4350, IMR 4831, Surplus 4831 & IMR 7828 powders. IMR 4831 is my first choice but I have options.

Seems to me most load data out there for Swedes is designed for old Mausers being used. No problem getting 2800 fps safely in my M70 Fwt with 140 gr Hornady BTHP and H4831 in WW brass. Magnum Man

IIRC both the Nolser and Barnes manuals warn that there load data is not safe in older military actions.

My Cooper came with a test target showing 36 Gr of Imr 4064 ( a light but deadly accurate load with NP 140's as well as Sierra 140's) Have not chronographed it yet. hits the same hole (cloverleaf) at 100 yards.

My question is this... Since the ballistics of the 6.5x55 and the 260 Remington are basically the same, would similar loads work within reason?

I always said I get around to load the speer bullet in one of my 10+ 6.5's. Never have tho. You have any good hard use you might add to the topic. Sorry to hijack, thought it may help other also.

tag it

That's exactly what I used to get a feel for how high I wanted to go in the 6.5. The 6.5 has a little more capacity so you should have a little wiggle room. Only applies to modern guns, and of course your gun.

Win 70 XTR FWT: 140 Horn SP, 48 Ramshot Hunter, Lapua Brass, 3.10 OAL to kiss lands in mine. Low 2800's. 3/4" triangles. Same results with 48.5 gr powder with Win Brass.

GE

I tried some 143 ELD-X the other day. They showed some accuracy potential. I just wasn't having a good day at the range with any rifle. One of those days.

143 ELD-X, Lapua Brass, CC Magnum primers, 3.10 AOL.

45 H4350- 2675 FPS
45.5 H4350- 2710 FPS