6.5x55 powder

[yzerman19]

Hi folks,

I got a Howa 1500 6.5 swede that I'm going to be shooting 140gr hornady interlocks through. It only has a 22" bbl I am curious if the slow powders like RL22 are too slow for that short of a barrel. What do you guys think?

 

[Snow Dog]

I use RL22 and H4831SC in my Tikka 6.5x55 with a 23 1/2" barrel. They'll work well for you too!

 

[steve4102]

Tough to beat R-22 in the Swede, unless you can get some MRP. Same stuff only better.

 

[NCsmitty]

Welcome to THR, yzerman19.

You will generally find that powders that provide top velocities from a 26" barrel will still provide the top velocities from your 22".
With the onslaught of new powders hitting the markets monthly it seems, it's hard to keep up with it all.
I have a modern style M98 Mauser, and a M38 Swede Mauser, and find that Rel-19 and Rel-22 are excellent in the 6.5x55, as are several other powders in that burning range.

With your Howa, you have a wonderful platform to perhaps push the envelope of the 6.5x55, as I do with my M98.

Here's a link to Realguns site with some interesting reading and some loads for use in modern rifles, not the Swede Mauser.

http://www.realguns.com/Commentary/comar190.htm


NCsmitty

 

[Slamfire]

I used 4350 and stayed close to factory velocities with my 140 Hornady's. Sure I could push it faster but I did not want to.

AA4350 and IMR 4350 are for all intents, the same powder. AA told me they mix theirs to duplicate the pressure curve of IMR 4350. When H4350 was introduced back in the 80's, it was advertized as a duplicate of IMR. I think the differences you see in reloading manuals is just the lot to lot variation. All of these powders will work well in the 6.5 Swede case.

IMR 4350 is an excellent powder in a number of applications, 6.5 Swede, 270, 30-06. I know some buds that are using it in the 6 XC's.

I personally think you can load 99% of all rifle calibers with just two powders: IMR 4895 and IMR 4350.

In my Remington Classic, powder and bullets were not the issue, rather it was bedding. The action had to be bedded. As you can see in the first target, the action slide around in the stock. Once I bedded the thing the group size became very acceptable for a hunting rifle with a lightweight barrel. Lightweight rifles are so twitchy that they are hard to shoot.


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

 

[yzerman19]

Thanks for all the answers. That's about what I thought but wanted to verify it. Looks like there's a lot of 6.5 swede fans on here.

 

[GJgo]

I'm actually having the best luck with H1000 in my W70 22" 8 twist with the 130s & 140s. Less pressure sign & lower ES than with H4831SC or H4350 in my rifle. Of course, mine can safely go ~2850 but it's the most accurate at ~2700 so I run it slow. YMMV..

 

[41 Mag]

While ours is the older 96, I have found that both RL-19 & 22 are two top powders for accuracy with the 140gr bullets. I don't push the ol girl hard and most loads only hit around 2600fpr on the upper end, but the results I have seen out to past 300yds with it have been overly impressive.

Up until year before last I never used any factory loaded rounds. I happened across a great deal on some Privi in 139gr SP's and picked up 12 boxes. I have to honestly admit, this has been the most consistent and accurate ammo fired through this rifle in the past 18 or so years we have had it. Just something to consider if you want some decent affordable factory to try out.

 

[RentaCop]

I ve used RL-22, IMR7828, IMR4350, and H4350 with good results. IMO anything in that class is good take your pick.

 

[Caddisflied]

My old 96 seems to like RL-22 as well, but it's got the long barrel.
Didn't have to max out chamber pressure either.
The lighter loads shoot well, behind 142gr Matchking HPBT's.