6.5x55 Reloading

[MovedWest]

I'm well into my development of some loads for my CZ550 and have accumulated some questions along the way. I'm hoping some of you swede loaders can help me out with some info.

First, has anyone used RL-17 in their loads? I'm currently using RL-22 for my 120-140gr bullets and accuracy is mediocre-to-good (Berger 130 VLDs grouped best of everything I've loaded so far).

Also, has anyone loaded the Sierra GK 130's in their swede? I couldn't find ANY info on them at all, but tested them out with 44-47 gr of RL-22 in 1gr increments and watched for pressure signs. The OAL I came up for the GK's with based on the length of the VLDs was 2.960". The 46 & 47 gr loads grouped ok, but I want to see how far off I am for obvious reasons.

Also, does anyone have any pet loads for Barnes TTSX 120gr with RL-22 or RL-17? The grouping I got was rather disappointing based on the recommendations from Barnes' data.

-MW

 

[4season]

You missed the sweetest powder out there for the 6.5. Between RL-17 and RL-22 is RL-19.
Try RL-19 with Hornady 129 or 140 grain SSTs. I think you will like it.

 

[MovedWest]

I've actually heard really good things about RL-19, but the current freak out in the market right now is keeping it out of my reach. Hopefully that will change in the near future.

-MW

 

[guntech59]

I have had excellent results with RL22 and Speer 140gr Hotcors. Right at 1 MOA all the way out to 300 yards. I have not shot any farther than that yet.

 

[Kachok]

I shoot alot with a 6.5x55, RL19 is the only powder I use in 120-130gr and RL 22 is so perfect with my 140s I dare not touch another powder. Question for you, what charge range have you tried with RL22 and 140? And has any 140gr load grouped well for you? The CZ has a 1:9 twist and might not like some of the longer bullets. 45.5gr of RL19 and a 129gr SST with PPU brass and a Rem primer was the most accurate centerfire round I have ever fired, tiny little one hole groups might want to give that one a try
I am working up a load for 120gr TTSX right now, I was supposed to be at the range today to test it out but it just won't quit raining here, the few breaks we have had with the rain we had 35mhp gusts of wind

 

[MovedWest]

I shoot alot with a 6.5x55, RL19 is the only powder I use in 120-130gr and RL 22 is so perfect with my 140s I dare not touch another powder. Question for you, what charge range have you tried with RL22 and 140? And has any 140gr load grouped well for you? The CZ has a 1:9 twist and might not like some of the longer bullets. 45.5gr of RL19 and a 129gr SST with PPU brass and a Rem primer was the most accurate centerfire round I have ever fired, tiny little one hole groups might want to give that one a try
I am working up a load for 120gr TTSX right now, I was supposed to be at the range today to test it out but it just won't quit raining here, the few breaks we have had with the rain we had 35mhp gusts of wind

The only 140's I've worked with so far are the Remington Core-Lokt soft points and those printed like a shotgun with a cylinder choke. I loaded 43-46 gr of RL-22 under those with an OAL of 2.985". I think those were a bit too bulky, but I also have a box of Rem 140 gr Core-Lokt Ultra Bonded that are a bit sleeker and I have higher hopes for them.

I tried the 123 gr A-Max over 42.7 gr of RL-22 with a OAL of 2.905". I got that right out of the Hornady manual and it produced remarkably tight groups, but they were 3-4" lower than any other loads. It's a medium load, so I thought upping the charge might help bring it in?

The 130 gr Sierra Game Kings grouped pretty well around 46-47 gr, but not the grouping the swede is notorious for. No load data kinda left me doing a lot of guessing and extrapolating.

The 120 gr TTSX grouped best at 46 gr, but it was far from good.

The best groups I achieved were with the Berger 130 gr VLD hunting bullets. Over 45-47 gr of RL-22, I could cover a 5-shot group with a quarter. Those were my longest rounds at the full 3.150". I'm most optimistic about getting those to fly right.

Honestly, the types of results I'm wanting to achieve are exemplified here:
http://forums.gunboards.com/showthr...y-test-results-with-Reloader-17-updated-11-17

Good luck with the rain and let me know how you make out with those TTSX rounds. I've never measured rounds with my caliper that were so dead on consistent. Fit a and finish are remarkable, but I wish I could get them to group.

-MW

 

[Kachok]

Well I am not the world's biggest fan of Core-Lokts for that reason right there, never have been able to get superb grouping out of them though I have had a couple rifles that shot them OK. Most of your loads except the VLD seem a little short to me, I load my BTs and SSTs to 3.095-3.098" you might have a short throat though so you very well may be doing everything right. My best advise to you would be get some quality 140gr SGKs or SSTs and try them loaded a little long with 46.5gr of RL22, ignore the Hornady manual for 6.5x55 they only list 100 year old Mauser pressures Nosler lists the good stuff. RL22 is a little slow for the lighter bullets as I said RL19 is where it is at for them, 48.5gr is where the magic happens in my rifle and 120s though it was really good the whole way working up, that load is so fast it was grouping just over 2" inches high with a factory 140gr zero at 100! Though I was missing the target completely until I got my target, all three shots took the top edge off the paper, have not run that through the chrono yet but I bet ya that is 3,000fps easy.
BTW AA3100 is listed as the most accurate powder for 120gr 6.5x55, they don't make it anymore and it is hard as hell to find, but if you have some stashed away give it a try I lucked up and found an unopened pound at a pawn shop of all places.

 

[627PCFan]

I would give IMR4831 a go. Its hotter than H4831 for the lighter bullets and I got less velocity deviation while shooting it.