How to reload my new old 6.5 x 55 Swede

I used to own a carbine from 1907 - it liked 140s but really shined with Sierra 120s - I was using IMR 3031 and IMR 4350 the most. Don't know about Reloader or Hodgdon. Even with a short barrel, I could get three-shot 100 yard groups less than an inch from the bench - that was with a Burris 4X scope

Reloader 22 is a very good 6.5x55 powder (perhaps the best).

H4831SC is good, and it meters decent.

If you're after good metering, something from Ramshot may work as they do offer some slower ball powders.

IMR XBR8208 will probably work, but is certainly not ideal so you'd giving up some velocity. It meters awesome and it's sort of like Varget in that it works in many things. You'd have to call Hodgdon/IMR and ask for data.

Yes you can. There is no seperate load data for H4831SC.

Glen said:

One of my friends (now my best friend) just gave me a 6.5 x 55mm Swedish Mauser and I am starting to figure out how to reload it. It was made in 1942and is in good shape. I think I will shoot 140 gr Hornady bullets. I am looking for a powder. I was looking at the 7th Edition Hornady Handbook and there are 4 powders that take that bullet to 2600 fps. They are: IMR 4350, RL-19, H 4831 and AA 3100.
It would be nice to have a powder that meters nice too. Anyone have anything to say on this subject?

Click to expand...

If made in 1942, it is a M38 with the turned down bolt handle.

The M38 (or at least for my 1942 Husky) is going to have a bore that runs on the large size for the .264" diameter 6.5 bullets of today and accuracy could be problematic..

My Husky's grove diameter slugs at .2675" so I shoot .269" diameter cast boolits in it.

Thanks for the thread. Just this week I was looking at dies to buy for reloading my 1909 swede and now have some timely powder information.

Jim

With 140 grain bullets my Swede does best with RL-22, then IMR4831 or H1000.

I compared the velocities I received with Swedish ball in several M1896 rifles, and I consider my load of a 140 Hornday with AA4350 to be a service rifle equivalent load.

AA4350 is a copy of IMR 4350 and it shoots very well in this case.

It shoots just fine in a sporter rifle. My 100 yard group is entirely sufficient for a hunting load.


M1896 Infantry Rifle 29' barrel Carl Gustafs mfgr 1903

17-Aug-06 T = 85 °F
143 gr FMJ 1986 Swedish Ball

Ave Vel = 2610
Std Dev = 14.38
ES = 45.59
High = 2633
Low = 2587
N = 8



M38 Infantry Carbine 24" barrel
28-Oct-94 T ≈ 60 °F

143 gr 1986 Swedish Ball OAL 3.065" 47.4 grs powder average

Ave Vel = 2427
Std Dev = 22
ES = 62
Low = 2395
High = 2457
N = 10



M700 22" Barrel

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

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

45.5 Grains of Reloader 22
140 Grain Hornady SST or [Sierra MK( velocity slightly higher)]
2513 fps avg. velocity
10.40 ES
4.69 SD

This load was developed for hunting and target shooting based on the Military ball velocities and safe pressures for the rifle, which is a sporterized M-38 that SAMCO sold years ago. I have made several changes to the rifle to enhance accuracy. The last gruop that was shot was 3/4" at 200 yards with the SST. I have tried different loads with these two bullets, and have noted that the SST will lose an average of 70 FPS to the MK. I am assuming that the thicker, and possibly harder jacket of the SST, is the contributing factor. But I am not a ballistician.