6.5X55 swede

[kennedy]

tested some reloads in my M96 swede made in 1903, using a 144 gr bullet and some were loaded with varget and some with RL22. the gun hated the varget, at least a 6 in pattern at a 100yds, but it loved the RL22, so now I need to fine tune the load for the best results

 

[Kachok]

46.5gr of RL22 with 140gr SSTs works like magic in mine (aprox 2740fps), although mine is a modern Tikka T3........I LOVE that gun, by far my all time favorite. You might need to start well below that since you have an old mauser. I want to try TTSXs too. High 6.5mm SD with all copper construction that should open quickly and blast through any hog that ever walked.

 

[kennedy]

I am using 43.5 of the RL22

 

[Sunray]

Doesn't like the Varget load you used with that bullet. Did you work up the load or just pick one? It makes a difference.

 

[kennedy]

used starting loads in lee book,

 

[oneounceload]

My 1907 Swede liked 3031 with 120n Sierra's

 

[GooseGestapo]

I've been working a lot lately with the .260Rem. (very close to the Swede). I've found that with RL22, that I can't get decent velocities with bullets 140gr or lighter.

I'm getting best performance with IMR4350. With a 140, I get best accuracy at ~2,650fps with a 140gr bullet, and 120gr bullets at 2,900fps (20"bbl Rem. M7).

However, with the Sierra 160gr RN, 43.0gr of RL22 gives 2,430fps and 1-moa or better groups (5-shots). 44.0 is too hot, (cratered primers and burnished case heads), but was near one-hole accuracy at 2,470fps.

I had just a tad of RL19 left from an older lot#. It never was good in anything I tried it in. I did get 3,000fps from a 120gr bullet, but accuracy was over 3". Same bullet with 44.0gr of RL17 gives .5moa-5shots at 2,850fps or 42.0gr of IMR4350 for 2,650fps for near 1-hole groups (too slow for my purposes).

The individual lot# of powder can make a huge difference with some powders. I suspect that Varget is one of them... The Varget I've used neither gave me the accuracy or velocities claimed.....

 

[USSR]

I've been working a lot lately with the .260Rem. (very close to the Swede). I've found that with RL22, that I can't get decent velocities with bullets 140gr or lighter.

GG,

How much RL22 are you using with the 140gr bullets? I can understand not getting good velocity with the lighter bullets, but RL22 should drive your 140gr bullets quite fast. With my 28" barrel, I can get 2925fps with 139-142gr bullets and RL22.

Don

 

[Kachok]

Yikes, that is pretty darn quick, are you getting any pressure signs at that speed, my reloading manual has the 260 and 6.5x55 neck and neck with the 140s and I am only getting 2740 out of my 22" barrel sweed. How much RL22 are you using?

 

[USSR]

Yikes, that is pretty darn quick, are you getting any pressure signs at that speed, my reloading manual has the 260 and 6.5x55 neck and neck with the 140s and I am only getting 2740 out of my 22" barrel sweed. How much RL22 are you using?

Well, you have to understand, I am shooting a 28" Obermeyer barrel. The Swede in a modern bolt action rifle (not M94 or M96 Mausers), will be good for about 75fps more velocity than the .260 due to it's greater case capacity. When it comes to slow powders, there is no substitute for case capacity. My RL22 load uses 48gr in Lapua brass with Russian primers. I also use 47.4gr of N160 for a similar velocity. These loads only require about 25.5MOA of up to reach 1k from a 100 yard zero.

Don

 

[Kachok]

I have not tried any more then 46.5gr in my Tikka. I might try working up if I ever feel the need for more power, but at the moment my 140 SSTs are working as well as anything else I have ever used. I wounder how much of your extra speed id due to the longer barrel you use.