6.5X55 swede

[kennedy]

I have 1000 pieces of 144gr fmj boatail bullets made by pmc, and want to reload for my M96 swede, anyone have a favorite load? My powder choices are varget, H4895, and reloader 22, all which I have on hand. Looking for 100 yd benchrest performance.

 

[atblis]

RL 22 is a great powder for 6.5x55 and 140s. Use whatever the books say.

 

[NCsmitty]

Looking for 100 yd benchrest performance.

The 144gr fmj boatail bullets made by PMC, may not give you the accuracy that you seek. I believe the bullets have a open base design, and that style often does not give the best accuracy compared to closed base bullets.
The M96 usually has an accurate barrel and it may make a difference with this bullet. You'll only know by working up loads. You do have to load to the old Mauser design limits.
I have used H4350, Rel-19 and Rel-22 in my 6.5x55 rifles. Some of the new powders coming into the market, when available, may give you more velocity with lower pressures, and that is always welcome, if they prove accurate.



NCsmitty

 

[evan price]

In my experience the Swede likes slower powder like 4064 or Varget or RL22. I load the 129-gr SP Hornadys with Varget; not the PMC bullets so I can't help with them, but my Swedes like slower powder.

 

[Clark]

7828, H414, Re19, N560, Re22, 4831, W760 are good powders for 144 gr

 

[azar]

Of the powders you listed, RL-22 would be my hands down first pick.

 

[rmorgan]

my M98 likes IMR4895 w/140 gr SBT's. best group to date is about .7" at 100 yds. it's a hunting gun, and works great for Tx whitetails.

 

[Slamfire]

I shot Swedish ball in my M1896 to determine the velocity, then I shot ball in my Rem 700 and developed a load that was comparable in velocity.

I consider 140 gr Hornday Spire Point 43.0 grs AA4350 to be a ball equivalent and it shoots well. AA4350 is a duplicate of IMR 4350, H4350 is a bit slower in my rifles. Any of these powders will do very well in the 6.5 Swede.


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




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