Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Handloader 6.5x57 Article

Did anybody read the article by Patrick Meitin in Issue 332 of Handloader magazine? I thought WOW!, finally some modern data. But I was a bit surprised by the low velocities he reported, especially in a 26 inch barrel and the strong Arisaka action. Anybody hazard a guess why he kept velocities so low? He writes the case capacity of the x57 is one grain less than the x55 so I would have thought velocity in the x57 would have been up there with modern data for the x55 Swede.

Or was he just being careful in the borrowed rifle from his dad. There is some data on Load Data.com that list higher velocity in 24 inch barrels.

I read it, much lower velocities than I get with a Steyr in 6.5X57. Also stated the 6.5X55 holds more powder?? In my RWS cases, they hold more powder than a Lapua in 6.5X55. Yes, one is longer, the other fatter. Overall not impressed at all with the article.

Yes me too. I'm loading the 140gn Woodleigh PP to 2870 fps with H4350 in a 24inch barrel. I used data on Load Data.com. I ended up using one less grain than was published to get about the same velocity so thought it prudent to stop there.

Patrick mentioned that case capacities were about the same (1 gn difference between x55 and x57) so Swede data was Ok to get starting loads for the x57 Mauser but then didn't really bother to work up. But it was his dad's rifle so maybe he was a bit conservative with the powder.

owing a 260 Rem, a 6.5 Swede and a 6.5 x 57

when I built the 6.5 x 57 on a Model 70 Long Action, for load data, I just used the 260 Rem's load data...

If I thought I'd need more velocity I'd just work up....

my 6.5 x 57 is the same thing as the Creedmoor concept every one in the USA rants and raves about.

I get more than enough velocity out of my 6.5 x 57.. It'll equal a 6.5/ 06 with less powder...

of course I am cheating tho, as my 6.5 x 57 has a 28 inch barrel on it...heavy magnum contour.. 1 in 7 twist

Its not a Walk About Barrel unless you are a young Arnold Schwartzenegger...

Any of those improved like the CM shoulder diameter, with a 30 degree shoulder ?

I’d like to see a LA or even MA cat with the CM neck & shoulder. Maybe on the 6.5x55 with its long neck.
Of course there is always the 6.5x284, and 6.5 RPM Wby. to play with.

Elvis,

You might consider e-mailing Wolfe, asking the same question.