Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles 6.5x55 at modern pressure levels

I am going to start playing around with the Swede in a Tikka T3 or a Sako Finnlight. I wish the powder people had real data at reasonable (higher, modern) operating pressures for these rifles.

I am assuming there is no issues with running normal pressure in new 6.5x55 cases. Has anyone seen otherwise? I will be using Norma cases. I could section one to see if it has a web thickness consistent with other cases that operate at normal pressures.

I am not trying to go crazy with the velocity but would like to hit 2950 with a 120 NBT.

I you have any loads for modern Swedes (Sakos, Rugers, CZs), throw them out here.

Loaddata only lists a few 120gr loads that reach 2950fps.

Vihtavuori lists 2 and 1 that is close. Here they are.

120 Sierra HPBT Vihtavuori VV-N550 40.6 2625
Remarks: starting load; COL (in.): 3.024

120 Sierra HPBT Vihtavuori VV-N550 44.5 2914
Remarks: maximum load; COL (in.): 3.024

120 Sierra HPBT Vihtavuori VV-N160 45.8 2707
Remarks: starting load; COL (in.): 3.024

120 Sierra HPBT Vihtavuori VV-N160 50.7 2975
Remarks: maximum load; COL (in.): 3.024

120 Sierra HPBT Vihtavuori VV-N560 48.1 2700
Remarks: starting load; COL (in.): 3.024

120 Sierra HPBT Vihtavuori VV-N560 52.7 3056
Remarks: maximum load; COL (in.): 3.024


Nosler 6 lists a few.

120 Nosler Hodgdon H-4350 47.0 3,000
Remarks: maximum load

120 Nosler IMR IMR-4350 45.5 2,902
Remarks: maximum load; most accurate load tested

120 Nosler Accurate AAC-3100 50.5 2,974
Remarks: compressed load; maximum load; most accurate powder tested

120 Nosler Alliant RL-19 48.5 3,002
Remarks: maximum load


Sierra 5 has several that clock 2900 and a couple which go 3000.

120 Sierra SPT or HPBT MatchKing Hodgdon H-380 45.9 3,000
Remarks: maximum load

120 Sierra SPT or HPBT MatchKing Alliant RL-19 49.6 3,000
Remarks: maximum load



Given the data here I'd say what you're seeking is possible but really is max.

Thanks! i have the Sierra and Nosler manuals. I have just been looking at the web so far. I guess I should go read an old fashioned book.

I pulled out that 2950 number because Federal claims their .260 Rem load with 120s is 2950. I figured with the extra capacity of the Swede we could hit that with no trouble. Also the Finnlight has a barrel that is a touch over 24"

While I really like to have printed reloading manuals I don't use them nearly as often since I got a subscription to www.LoadData.com 2 years ago.
LoadData includes nearly all the printed reloading manuals as well as the data from 40+ years of Handloader and Rifle magazines.
Really is a great resource.

Here is a method of checking your pressure by measuring the case head.

Determining Max Pressure by measuring Case Head

I checked my 1960's Lyman reloading manual and they are pretty conservative loads no where near 2900. I don't think your issue is the powder manufacturers, it is the SAAMI spec for the Swede which is very conservative 46,000 CUP. This is due to the guns in service which were not built to take the more modern rating of 50-53,000.

With a modern gun and careful handloading it should be easily possible to go beyond the SAAMI limits safely. You can also use the 260 Remington as a bit of a guide, as it has just slightly less case capacity, but is loaded to normal modern pressures.

Before you rely too heavily on CHE you may want to take a few minutes looking at this article .

The Speer #14 manual states their data is max at 58K psi instead of 46K as SAAMI recommends. Nosler doesn`t say where their pressures are but has a couple loads exceeding 3000 fps with the 120 gr bullet in their #6.
The idea the manuals load wimpy for the Swede just isn`t always true. The 260 Rem BTW is only ~3-4gr water less in capacity and the 2 cartridges with same pressure loads can find their average velocities with in the ES of the other cartridge.
I`ve a couple rifles chambered in both and max vel from one to the next with book loads are moot for all field purposes

There is no reason that the 6.5x55 cannot be run at modern 30-06 pressures, or even at modern 260 pressures in a strong, modern action.

No two rifles will give exactly the same result. Recognize that results in your rifle will be different from results in my rifle.

CCI200 primer, Win brass, 49.5 grains H4350, 120 grain Sierra bullet, 3.000" COL gives me 3075 FPS at a measured 59.4 KPSI. That's the measured test load that I use as a baseline. In practice, I back this down about a grain for about 3000 FPS and something probably closer to 57 KPSI.

HTH.

denton, how did you get a measured pressure? Minus 75 fps and a reduction in 2000+ psi in pressure seems to be a great trade off.

I recently purchased Quickload, and really like playing with various loads and seeing the pressure curve. For that alone, Quickload really shines. It surprised me how much .5 grain affects pressure.

I've loaded up the Swede to the old levels in a Speer # 7 manual...

That really puts the old supercharger on the 6.5 x 55...

I can run 120 grain Ballistic Tips upwards of 3250 with some of that load data, worked up of course..

i run Rem brass, as the case head is incorrect for a Swede.. it is an 06 sized rim.. which works out just fine in a push feed Model 70 action...

giving the source, it can be looked up..

if I post it, the usual crowd will be in here, claiming that the load will be an atom bomb of pressure..

but since I have cases that have ran over 10 reloads.. I am figuring the rifle is just fine with it..

Lapua brass would probably be a better invest no less..just haven't worn out my 200 rounds of Rem brass yet..

Seafire - do you use H4831 at all in the 6.5x55?

The only 6.5x55 that I don't load on the warm side is a Krag. Nice workmanship, but 1 lug is 1 lug, know what I mean?

I have also found a throating difference between the Remington 700 Classic, short(er) throat, and the Winchester/USRA 70 Fwt, long(er) throat.

I also have Swedish Mausers that have been rebarreled to 22-250, 243, 257 Roberts, and 308 that digest pretty warm loads without any issues (yet).

Jeff

Strain gauge on the barrel over the chamber.

I don't have exact numbers on the exchange between MV and pressure for the load (at least not handy), but the 308 tends to run roughly 75 FPS and 3,000 PSI per grain for middle of the road bullet weights. 2,000 PSI estimate gives room for possible error.

IMO, 3,000 FPS is a neat 120 grain load.

Should have mentioned: 24" barrel.

Thanks denton. I have been playing with quickload for my .350 mag, and it's amazing what pressure drop you can get without sacrificing fps that matter in hunting situations. Even 1/2 a grain is significant giving as you said, room for possible error.

Nope, 4350 is as slow as I go... or RL 19....

normally I use the RL 15, IMR 4064, IMR 4895, H 380, H414...

I just sold one to a friend of mines son for his first deer rifle. It was and old military rifle with a 18" barrel. I was cramming 50gr of H-380 behind a 120 Nosler and got an average of about 2800. I realized later that those were prone to cracking so when I loaded some for the kid I backed them off to about 45gr but did not chrony them.