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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).  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.
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.  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
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I recently worked up to 46 gr and the 140 gr Partition and Accubond in my wife's Tikka T 3. Both bullets shot quite well, I forgot the chronograph but hope to clock them next time. Like you I noticed the good looking data from Hodgdon and had to give it a try.
Gerry.
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That's pretty danged good for 45K.. I have been using 7828SSC and RL26 in my Swede. I need to get back to work with 26 and the 140 Noslers. It seems to shoot everything pretty well.
Depending on how you guys make out I might need to grab some 4955 to give a shot.
Semper Fi
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gerry35,
Would you be willing to share a bit more specific info? Case, Primer, COAL, number of shot fired, and group size (if you bothered to measure it)?
Thanks.
“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
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Here is what QuickLOAD thinks about IMR 4955 and the 129g Hornady SP. This is using my previously used COAL with this bullet (3.055"), my measured case capacity (57.2g), my brass length (2.160"), my measured bullet length (1.169"), etc. WARNING: USE THIS DATA AT YOUR OWN RISK.Cartridge : 6.5 x 55 Swedish
Bullet : .264, 129, Hornady SP 2620
Useable Case Capaci: 53.386 grain H2O = 3.466 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.055 inch = 77.60 mm
Barrel Length : 23.6 inch = 600.0 mm
Powder : IMR 4955 Enduron
Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 0.833% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !
Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms
-08.3 92 44.00 2576 1901 41936 9863 92.0 1.358
-07.5 93 44.40 2600 1936 43012 9970 92.4 1.342
-06.7 94 44.80 2623 1970 44112 10075 92.8 1.326
-05.8 94 45.20 2646 2005 45239 10179 93.2 1.310
-05.0 95 45.60 2669 2041 46395 10281 93.6 1.294
-04.2 96 46.00 2692 2076 47581 10382 94.0 1.279 ! Near Maximum !
-03.3 97 46.40 2716 2112 48798 10481 94.3 1.264 ! Near Maximum !
-02.5 98 46.80 2739 2149 50047 10579 94.7 1.249 ! Near Maximum !
-01.7 99 47.20 2762 2186 51328 10675 95.0 1.235 ! Near Maximum !
-00.8 99 47.60 2786 2223 52644 10769 95.4 1.221 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 100 48.00 2809 2260 53994 10861 95.7 1.206 ! Near Maximum !
+00.8 101 48.40 2832 2297 55381 10951 96.0 1.192 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+01.7 102 48.80 2855 2335 56805 11039 96.3 1.178 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+02.5 103 49.20 2879 2374 58267 11126 96.6 1.165 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+03.3 104 49.60 2902 2412 59769 11210 96.9 1.151 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.2 104 50.00 2925 2451 61312 11292 97.2 1.138 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Results caused by ± 5% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 5% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 100 48.00 2881 2377 58599 10975 97.9 1.163 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 5% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 100 48.00 2728 2131 49449 10635 92.7 1.256 ! Near Maximum ! That tracks pretty closely to Hodgdon's measured data...
“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
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I also noticed that with the 107g and 142g bullets in Hodgdon's data, IMR 4955 was in the top velocity spot again.
Let's hope the accuracy pans out with this powder because it sure looks great on paper.
“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
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gerry35,
Would you be willing to share a bit more specific info? Case, Primer, COAL, number of shot fired, and group size (if you bothered to measure it)?
Thanks. Absolutely. The Partitions are at 3.160", the Accubonds are similar in length I used my last few to see how they grouped and am out now. I never measured the groups but they were both under 3/4" for 3 shots. 46 gr IMR 4955 Lapua case CCI 200 When I get around to chronographing the Partitions I'll try to remember to update this thread. If the weather is decent this weekend I may have the chance.
Gerry.
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Here is what QuickLOAD thinks about IMR 4955 and the 129g Hornady SP. This is using my previously used COAL with this bullet (3.055"), my measured case capacity (57.2g), my brass length (2.160"), my measured bullet length (1.169"), etc. WARNING: USE THIS DATA AT YOUR OWN RISK.Cartridge : 6.5 x 55 Swedish
Bullet : .264, 129, Hornady SP 2620
Useable Case Capaci: 53.386 grain H2O = 3.466 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.055 inch = 77.60 mm
Barrel Length : 23.6 inch = 600.0 mm
Powder : IMR 4955 Enduron
Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 0.833% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !
Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms
-08.3 92 44.00 2576 1901 41936 9863 92.0 1.358
-07.5 93 44.40 2600 1936 43012 9970 92.4 1.342
-06.7 94 44.80 2623 1970 44112 10075 92.8 1.326
-05.8 94 45.20 2646 2005 45239 10179 93.2 1.310
-05.0 95 45.60 2669 2041 46395 10281 93.6 1.294
-04.2 96 46.00 2692 2076 47581 10382 94.0 1.279 ! Near Maximum !
-03.3 97 46.40 2716 2112 48798 10481 94.3 1.264 ! Near Maximum !
-02.5 98 46.80 2739 2149 50047 10579 94.7 1.249 ! Near Maximum !
-01.7 99 47.20 2762 2186 51328 10675 95.0 1.235 ! Near Maximum !
-00.8 99 47.60 2786 2223 52644 10769 95.4 1.221 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 100 48.00 2809 2260 53994 10861 95.7 1.206 ! Near Maximum !
+00.8 101 48.40 2832 2297 55381 10951 96.0 1.192 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+01.7 102 48.80 2855 2335 56805 11039 96.3 1.178 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+02.5 103 49.20 2879 2374 58267 11126 96.6 1.165 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+03.3 104 49.60 2902 2412 59769 11210 96.9 1.151 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.2 104 50.00 2925 2451 61312 11292 97.2 1.138 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Results caused by ± 5% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 5% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 100 48.00 2881 2377 58599 10975 97.9 1.163 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 5% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 100 48.00 2728 2131 49449 10635 92.7 1.256 ! Near Maximum ! That tracks pretty closely to Hodgdon's measured data... Looks like potentially 2900 fps is safely possible with the 129's with reasonable pressures. In a modern gun I don't mind going a bit over listed max for the 6.5x55 since the data is a bit soft because of older guns. Within reason anyways.......
Gerry.
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“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
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I finally got to the range this morning for a mini-Audette ladder test with the 129g Hornady SP and this powder.
Powder charges ranged from 45.6g to 48.3g in 0.3g jumps.
Winchester brass, 4th loading @ 2.160"
Federal 210 large rifle primer
3.090" COAL (0.008" off the lands)
The chronograph was set-up ~10ft from the muzzle (Shooting Chrony Beta Master)
It was a bright, but overcast day @ 46*F. No need for diffusers.
The 10 shot ladder was shot at 100 yards and the total group measured 1.774". Not great, but not terrible either.
Shots 3,4,5 show promise with a group of 0.632" and shots 4 & 5 basically making one elongated hole.
Velocities were higher than Hodgdon's data would lead me to expect.
1. (45.6g) 2,803 fps
2. (45.9g) 2,861 fps
3. (46.2g) 2,835 fps
4. (46.5g) 2,869 fps
5. (46.8g) 2,846 fps
6. (47.1g) 2,884 fps
7. (47.4g) 2,874 fps
8. (47.7g) 2,919 fps
9. (48.0g**) 2,900 fps
10. (48.3g) 2,949 fps
** Hodgdon's listed max with measured velocity at 2,827 fps.
So at 2.0gr below max we are exceeding Hodgdon's measured velocity at max. While occasionally I'll see an anomaly during a shot string where one shot seems out of place with regards to velocity with the small increase in powder I don't think I've ever seen a powder "jump around" as much as I see here. Conditions seemed ideal for a light sensor chronograph, but I can't explain the velocity variances with shots #2, #4, #7, #8, and #10.
Do you think it might indicate the powder is a poor fit in this application or...?
In any case, I'm going to load up 5+ rounds at 46.5g and see what I have there.
“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
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Campfire 'Bwana
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What I'm seeing is one shot at each charge level isn't enough to provide reliable statistics about actual velocity at each step.
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gerry35,
Would you be willing to share a bit more specific info? Case, Primer, COAL, number of shot fired, and group size (if you bothered to measure it)?
Thanks. Absolutely. The Partitions are at 3.160", the Accubonds are similar in length I used my last few to see how they grouped and am out now. I never measured the groups but they were both under 3/4" for 3 shots. 46 gr IMR 4955 Lapua case CCI 200 When I get around to chronographing the Partitions I'll try to remember to update this thread. If the weather is decent this weekend I may have the chance. Forgot about this thread so I'm glad to see it come up again. I did chronograph the above load and it was just under 2700 fps from the Tikka.
Gerry.
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I was able to test 5 shots of 46.5g IMR 4955 (the #4 charge above).
Hornady 129g Interlock SP (blems)
46.5g IMR 4955
Winchester brass, 3rd loading @ 2.158"
Federal 210 primer
COAL 3.090" (0.008" off the lands)
Sunny, no cloud cover, 72* F.
1. 2,837 fps
2. 2,833 fps
3. 2,856 fps
4. 2,793 fps
5. 2,836 fps
Ave. Velocity 2,831 fps
Shot #4 was a little low and left and it opened the group to 1.3" at 100 yards, the other 4 shots going into a 0.754" group. I'm not 100% sure what happened with shot #4 but I believe it was partially my fault due to having a looser grip on the rifle. The rifle jumped a little in my hands on that shot and that may have affected it some. That shot also recorded 47 fps slower than the average of the other 4 shots which may have also attributed to it opening the group up. Who knows? 1.3" for 5 shots is still a good place to start for a big game load.
In any case, I believe this load shows promise and I plan to chase it a little further.
“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
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