Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles 6.5 Swede and Trailboss

I am planning on loading some 6.5x55 plinking loads
using 140 grn RCBS hard cast bullets with gas checks and
Trail Boss powder. I'll be using new remington brass.
The Hodgdon rep explained the procedeure of filling the case to the bullet baseline, establishing the max powder charge. Then, using a 70% factor of that results as a starting charge
That makes the max at 15.5 grains of TB and min at about 12grns.
Has anyone had any experience with this load?
I will be using a gustav 1915 vintage rifle and want to baby it. I am more concerned about safety than accuracy at this point.

I haven't seen any load data using Trail Boss. There's other powder out there that you might want to check out that might be easier to find loads with - IMR 4064, IMR 4350, Reloader 22 to name a few. Speer at one time lists SR 4759 as a reduced load in their 120 gr and 140 gr. but have never tried that. Lyman also lists load data using cast bullets that you might take a look at too. Good luck with such a fine rifle.

Got back from the range. The best load ( no chrono.. just WAG )seemed to settle on 14 grns of TB under those lead bullets. I seated them at 2.925 OAL.
Very mild recoil, about like a .223 and very quite report.
But, my 140grn Hornady jacketed rounds over 35 grn 4064 was more accurate. But, I was just shooting at 50 yards.
I'll try the trail boss formula in my Swede 38 asap and post the results.