Looking at Hodgdon's reloading website recently I noticed the new IMR Enduron 4955 powder as showing a lot of promise in the 6.5x55. I recently tried out Reloder 23 in the 6.5x55 as a substitute for Reloder 22 with the 129 grain Hornady SP (my current favorite combo). The only thing I had to go on was QuickLOAD and a chronograph (and perhaps a slight lapse in safety precaution). blush

In any case, Hodgdon's data for IMR 4955 intrigued me and I picked up a pound. As you can see from the numbers gleaned from Hodgdon's website, it is commonly one of the top powders with regards to velocity for a very wide range of bullet weights.

Code
100g Sierra HP
H414/W760    49.5    3,183    45,400 CUP
Varget        42.0    3,177    45,800 CUP
H4350        50.0C    3,172    46,000 CUP
IMR 4955    50.0C    3,089    45,000 CUP ****

120g Nosler BT
IMR 4831    48.5C    2,913    46,200 CUP
IMR 4955    48.1C    2,901    45,500 CUP ****
IMR 4350    46.8C    2,863    46,000 CUP
Varget        39.0    2,812    45,300 CUP

129g Hornady SP
IMR 4955    48.0C    2,827    45,300 CUP ****
IMR 4350    46.0    2,793    45,800 CUP
IMR 4831    47.0C    2,792    45,100 CUP
Hybrid 100V    45.5    2,743    46,400 CUP

140g Speer SP
IMR 4831    46.3    2,700    45,400 CUP
IMR 4955    46.3    2,684    45,500 CUP ****
IMR 7828 SSC    48.2    2,678    45,800 CUP
IMR 4350    45.0    2,677    46,000 CUP

160g Hornady RN
IMR 4955    46.8    2,563    46,100 CUP ****
H4831        48.0C    2,524    46,000 CUP
H1000        50.0C    2,517    45,300 CUP
IMR 7828 SSC    47.0    2,512    45,600 CUP


While it's definitely on the slow side for a 100g BT it still turns up with the 4th fastest velocity. It shows the fastest velocity for the 129g Hornady SP and the 160g Hornady RN, while taking second place with the 120g Nosler BT and the 140g Speer HotCor. Obviously, velocity isn't everything, but it is something. smile Getting 2,900 FPS with a 120g Nosler BT while still being at the 46,000 CUP SAAMI limit is very impressive.

I was wondering if any of you have tried this powder in the Swede and with which bullets? I'd love to know if you found an accurate load that you'd be willing to share...

“There are three things all wise men fear: the sea in storm, a night with no moon, and the anger of a gentle man.”
― Patrick Rothfuss, The Wise Man's Fear