[viking499]

Anybody making loads for the swede using something under 120 grain bullets? Anybody having luck with anything around 100 grain in the swede?

What rifle are you shooting it in?

[NCsmitty]

I've found that the lighter bullets do not shoot as well as the 140's and up, in the military twist barrels. I admit not spending a lot of time in load development with the lighter bullets.
I currently have some 100gr Hornady's loaded to modern action pressure levels, to try in my 98 Mauser 6.5x55 when the weather warms a bit. It's a 1in9 twist.

NCsmitty

[viking499]

I have a military version and a Tikka. Didn't figure it would work in the "old" rifle. Just wondering what the capabilities of the Tikka would be on the lower end........

[NCsmitty]

I believe the recommended loads for Varget, or the twins, H414 & Win 760 will be very good for your Tikka, with lighter bullets. I'm not sure of the twist but it should be very adequate for anything that you use.
The new Rel-17 powder may be a sleeper and it has received rave reviews in tests.
Any of the med-slow powders should be good, you just have to try them with a selection of lighter bullets.
Good luck.

www.hodgdon.com

www.alliantpowder.com

NCsmitty

[Bear2000]

Here is some data for 120 gr SMKs in a Tikka T3 Hunter.


1)
120 SMK
Remington Brass
Win LR Primer
VV N540, 39.1 ga
3.0"

2559
2526
2514
2480
2535
2527

Grouped about 1". Could have gone hotter, but this was the first load I developed for this rifle. I'd say 41 gr would have been fine.

2)
120 SMK
Rem Brass
Win Primer
VV N540, 40.1 gr

2611
2601
2685
2620

So next time I try this powder w/120s I'm going to go to 41 gr.

My tightest groups so far have been with the SMK 140

SMK 140
Rem Brass
Win LR
N160, 46 gr (this is a slower powder than the N540)

2560
2536
2569
2541
2550 (very consistent, .5" group)

Finally, Lapua 139 Scenar, also very good (.6" group)

Lapua 139 Scenar
Win Brass
Win LR primer
RL 22 (this is really the gold standard for the 6.5), 46.5gr
3.012" OAL

2562
2557
2553
2577
2567 (.6" group - I would bump this up to 47 - 47.5 gr next time around)

I think with a better rest, a better scope (this is my hunting rifle and I'm using a Bushnell 4200 3x9 duplex), and a better shooter (I am, alas, not so great), this gun would shoot .25" groups all day with the SMK 140 and 142 and Lapua 139s.