[kennedy]

going to big gun show in louisville ky this weekend and want to pick up some power to reload for my M96 swede, I am using 144gr bullets and have tried varget, which works ok, is there something better?

[Gewehr98]

IMR4350 is another good one for the venerable 6.5x55, if you cannot find Accurate Arms' version. I've had excellent results using such in 129-160gr loads.

[azar]

144 grain .264 caliber bullets ? Hmmm, who makes those? I've never seen them before.

Reloader 22 and Reloader 19 are good choices too.

[viking499]

Reloader 22

[retrieverman]

Reloader 22

I second that!

[kennedy]

they are made by pmc, bought 1000 from a friend for $70

[USSR]

Reloader 22

+2. VihtaVouri N160 or H4350 also work well.

Don

[NCsmitty]

There are several good powders that work well in this beautifully designed cartridge. I've used Rel-19, H-4350 and have work up shells with Rel-22 and 140gr Rem, Hornady, and Prvi-Partizan 139gr SP waiting for good weather. I have some shells loaded with H414 behind Hornady 100gr to try also. I'm hoping the lighter bullets perform well in the 1in9 twist.
I have some H4831SC waiting to try with the heavier bullets too.
AA3100 looks like it has potential on paper.

I can't test this weekend because of a trip to Commerce, GA that's upcoming. Things will be warming soon and I'll be able to chrono and check groups.

NCsmitty

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

According to Lyman's 49th, these are the most "potentially accurate" powders for 140 gr bullets:

IMR 4895

IMR 4227

Some others recommended for accuracy, for other bullet weights:

IMR 4064 (129 gr)
N 150 (120 gr)
RX 22 (160 gr)
SR 4759 (150 gr)

[SlamFire1]

H4350/IMR 4350 and AA4350 all shoot well in the 6.5. Accurate Arms 4350 is a copy of IMR, they told me it duplicates the peak and pressure curve of IMR 4350. In my experience, I can’t tell a difference.

I loaded up some 140 Hornaday’s over AA4350 to closely duplicate Swedish ball. However I did not need to limit myself. My M700 is a strong action built from modern steels. I believe Swedish ball is lower pressure, because of all the M96’s built from pre 1900 plain carbon steel.

And article in Handloader claims that some factory ammo was loaded to 200 fps higher velocities before all those M96’s that flooded the market.

What really improved the accuracy of my rifle was my bedding job. Powder choice makes a difference, but only after you have a good barrel, good bullets, and good bedding.


M700 22" Barrel

140 gr Hornday Spire Point 43.0 grs AA4350
R-P new brass CCI-200 OAL 2.990"

2 Feb 2008 T = 52 °F

Ave Vel = 2512
Std Dev = 27
ES = 72
High = 2547
Low = 2475
N = 5


143 gr Swedish Ball 1986 headstamp

2 Feb 2008 T = 54 °F

Ave Vel = 2470
Std Dev = 18
ES = 48
High = 2491
Low = 2443
N = 5

Group shot at 100 yards

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v479/SlamFire/M700%20Remingtons/Reduced140Hornady43AA4350t2.jpg