Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles 6.5x55 to 60k.?

Tejano, thanks. Only Viht lists 2 different pressure levels, that I can find. Norma loads to CIP standards only, Viht loads to the CIP standard, plus has downloaded data available for older, weaker actions.

I don't actually think there are 2 'different' cartridges. Even Viht says to use what they label as "SKAN" in 6.5x55 SE marked guns. I think there's just some downloaded data available from some sources (like Viht) for weaker guns, and full-pressure (which is 380 MPa) CIP data. I'm sure you're right about multiple, nearly-identical reamers being available. Shoot, that's the case with lots of cartridges that have been around for more than a couple decades.

Anyway, thanks. I don't want to take this any further away from what you guys are talking about.

Visual inspection, after charging, before seating, is never a bad thing. It only takes 30 to 60 seconds. And may save some excitement later. I always do a visual inspection when charging a full block of cases.

However, for my situation of load development (3 cartridges at a time), it would not have made a difference. For load development I charge, seat, charge, seat, charge, seat, 3 cartridges and then go shoot. Given that it was both a new cartridge and a new powder for me at that time, I did not have any idea what the "normal fill level" was supposed to look like.

1 for 1, primer pocket sorta stretched, primer sitting in the action.

DF

My situation exactly.

If you're loading a bottle neck round and the powder fills only part of the case, that's not easy to do (or think of).

If the powder can be seen just below the neck, as in most cases, that's an easy one to monitor.

DF

I probably wouldn't change a darn thing, but I would like to see the 130 class hit the 3000fps mark. Guess you could say it's a personal thing.

What would the 130 VLD or 130 NBT velocity be in the Swede at 60K?

DF

DF,

Actually, I am not really sure about that, but if anybody knows, I'd sure like to hear about it myself.

Look in a manual for the velocity a .260 Remington would get with that bullet. The 6.5x55 at the same 60 kpsi pressure should get about 40-50 fps more, all else being equal.

DF,


I DO know that "some" powders in the 6.5x55 when loaded to 64,000 psi will get the 130's to 3000 fps.

If I guessed RL-17, would I be getting warm...?

DF

I see no reason why the 30-06, 280 7x57 etc can not be ran at 308 pressures with Modern guns and supplies.

BINGO..!

64K is off the Swede reservation, but really not that reckless when one considers other rounds at 60K and even higher, using that same action. Swede data has to take in account older military actions.

I can testify that Lapua Swede brass is some really good stuff.

I have other guns for that level of performance, but I wouldn't be afraid to push this Swede to 64K, after all it's an 80K gun...!

Well, sorta...

DF

DF, my Swede is built on a DWM 98 Mauser action, I run the 140 gr Partitions in Lapua brass to near 2800 fps with RL-22, bet I'm real close to 60K.

You da man, gunner.

You'd be the one to know where the ceiling was...

Seriously, thanks for the info. A Swede with good brass in a modern action is probably one of the most under performed round out there, largely due to old data and the niche it's been in all these years.

DF

LOL, I stopped at near 2800 and fired a half inch three shot group and thought, hell, I'm done, IIRC that load development and zero took 8 total rounds fired from a newly built rifle.

That said, I have had no brass failures, overuse signs, or any lug setback/head space issues to near 300 rounds fired so far, I do love the little round, well mannered, not too loud, next to no recoil and punches game much harder than one would initially think.

Think ya'll should check the Alliant Powder reloading data website. Its interesting that Alliant shows two sets of data for the 6.5x55 cartridge. One set is for military action 6.5x55 and other is for a commercial action 6.5x55.

In short, what is a MAX load for one of their recommended powders in a military action (94/96 or M38 Swede military rifle) is actually a lower charge than the START load for the same powder in a commercial action 6.5x55 rifle.

Shoot with a gent who has a 6.5x55 SKAN built on a Remington 700 action. Generally, with a powder new to him, he will start near the recommended MAX load for the standard 6.5x55 and work up from there till he has pressure signs with his brass, hard bolt lift and etc. Chuckle, sometimes he doesn't get too many reloads out of his brass.

Me, I own a 6.5x55 built on a Stevens 200 action and a couple of 6.5x55 Swede military rifles. The reloads I shoot in my military Swedes does not have the velocity of my reloads in my Stevens 200.

How long is your barrel?

Blue, My barrel is a 25" 8 twist #1 contour Shilen.

Too much work and worry imho. If you want a 130 at. 3000 buy a 270.