6.5x55 / 140 SMK

[MtnCreek]

Anyone tried loading moderate loads in 6.5x55 w/ a 140gr SMK (or similar) and H414? I'm a little concerned the H414 will not perform well at lower pressures (compared to 4895), but I have some that I hardly ever use. I have a hundred bullets and would like to find a decent load pretty quick. If anyone has used it in 6.5x55, please let me know your thoughts.

Thanks!

 

[MtnCreek]

How bout if I add a pretty picture???

 

[Ky Larry]

I just got my CZ-550 in 6.5 Swede. All I've tried in it are IMR-4350 and Re-19.

 

[splattergun]

Oooooh! Perty!
Sorry, I haven't tried reloading for the GF's 1941 Swede yet. My interest in this thread is to learn from the other responses you get. But I just had to comment on your photo.

 

[Ky Larry]

I just got my CZ-550 in 6.5 Swede. All I've tried in it are IMR-4350 and Re-19.

 

[NWcityguy2]

I haven't used that bullet but 140's are all I shoot in 6.5x55. I got good results with H4831SC and better results with Reloder 22.

 

[Coltdriver]

43 grains of RL22 under that 140 grain bullet. My Husky M38 loves that combo. Got it from Floatpilot on this forum. It is a mild load but gives great consistent results.

 

[guntech59]

I just got my CZ-550 in 6.5 Swede. All I've tried in it are IMR-4350 and Re-19.

Me , too. But I went with 140 gr Speers and RL-22.

I was given 400 of the speers and seem to work great.

 

[gunner69]

My two Model 38 like this load alot. 140gr Nosler Partition, Fed LR Match Primers, 43.0 grains of IMR 4350. Everything I have hit with this load has hit the ground. One doe went 30 yards, before dropping, but I didn't do my job in bullet placement.

 

[MtnCreek]

gunner69,

Does your rifle shoot really high at close range? It's been about 10yrs since I shot mine, but best I remember it shoots really high inside of 200yds. Assuming yours does too, how do you use your sights for hunting? Have you swapped out the front sight or do you hold under?

Thanks!

 

[atblis]

This spherical powder has an extremely wide range of use. From the 22-250 Remington to the 375 H & H, it will give excellent results. It is simply ideal in the 30/06. As with all of our spherical powders, it delivers incredibly consistent charge weights through nearly any type of powder measure. H414 yields similar results to H4350 in most cartridges, although charge weights will vary. Available in 1 lb. & 8 lb. containers.

Based on Hogdon's description of H414, it sounds like it would work well in 6.5x55. Stick to Hodgdon's published data (both min and max), and you'll be fine. Ball powder, so I imagine it will meter well.

 

[Flatbush Harry]

My best results in my Ruger No. 1A in 6.5x55 SE have come from 40.0gr of VV N550 under a 139gr Lapua Scenar bullet. I have also gotten very nice results from 36.5gr of IMR 4895 under the 142gr SMK.

FH

 

[gunner69]

Mtn Creek, I used the higher front site at first. Worked great as the sweeds zero'ed at 300 meters which made their rifles shoot very high at 100 yards. Later I went to optics.

 

[GooseGestapo]

MtnCrk,
Most didn't anwser your original question.
Yes, it should shoot fine. Though I've not got a 6.5x55, I do have a .260Rem.
My rifle dosen't particularily "like" H414, It did shoot "ok". Like your rifle, it "wants" something a bit slower.. like Reloader 22 or H4831.

My .257Roberts however, really, really "likes" it. With loads that are within normal pressure limits (44,000cup or so), it runs a 100gr bullet to over 3,000fps. It shoots them under 1" at 100yds, reliably. Though slightly faster than IMR4350, it is "slow" enough that it'll give you some decent results. Only way to tell for sure is to load and shoot some!

 

[Swampman]

CAUTION: The following post includes loading data beyond currently published maximums for this cartridge. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Neither the writer, The High Road, nor the staff of THR assume any liability for any damage or injury resulting from use of this information.

I don't have the moderate load data that you're looking for, but I've had good accuracy with 42 grains of Winchester 760 (exact same powder as H414) under a 140 grain Nosler Custom Competition HPBT.
You were correct in your original post about moderate pressure loads with H414/W760, until I got up near max, I had very poor accuracy.

A few caveats:
This load is a half grain over max according to Hodgdon, it was also worked up in Berdan primed Norma military brass.

As always, work up carefully and watch out for any pressure signs. The old Swedes are well made, excellent rifles, but the 96 Mauser action is not known for its strength or ability to safely handle gas in the event of a case failure.