kennedy
Member
I have been given a whole bunch of 144 gr PMC bullets, I have tried reloading different loads of reloader 22 with out good results, are these bullets worth reloading?
anyone load for 6.5x55 swede?
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oneounceload
member
When I had my Swede, 3031 and 4895 did a great job
Reloadron
Contributing Member
While I haven't loaded any in years I had pretty good luck with the Sierra 140 grain HPBT and Spitzer BT bullets which are close in weight. The powders I liked in 6.5 Swede were IMR 4895 and IMR 4064, VV N-165 and last but not least RL22. I really liked the IMR 4895 and 4064 and got the best results with those powders as I recall. I also liked the Sierra 142 grain HPBT Match bullets. While I never used the bullets you mentioned I would think a good load could be worked up with any of the powders I mentioned. All depends on the rifle. If RL22 won't give good results tray any of the others mentioned by myself and the others.
Ron
Ron
Curator
Member
If RL22 won't work there's something wrong with those bullets. 6.5X55 Swedish rifles seem to perform best with heavy bullets and slow powder. Sometimes certain bullets are not correctly supported in the larger (.266-.268") military bores.
Archie
Member
6.5 Swede is good...
I tend to find the slower powders work best in the 6.5 Swede. My 'standard' load is a 160 grain bullet over a fairly full charge of H4831. (Check local manual and work up.)
The 144 grain bullet should do well, I should think. My first instinct is a slower powder, H4831 or IMR 4350 or one of the Vihtavouri slow powders. However, IMR 4895 does pretty well in everything (maybe not as fast velocities, but...)
Are they a good bullet? Only matters if they work in your rifle. Sounds like the price was right, so they should at least serve for general plinking and such. Maybe they'll do you really well. Please post results, all information is good.
I tend to find the slower powders work best in the 6.5 Swede. My 'standard' load is a 160 grain bullet over a fairly full charge of H4831. (Check local manual and work up.)
The 144 grain bullet should do well, I should think. My first instinct is a slower powder, H4831 or IMR 4350 or one of the Vihtavouri slow powders. However, IMR 4895 does pretty well in everything (maybe not as fast velocities, but...)
Are they a good bullet? Only matters if they work in your rifle. Sounds like the price was right, so they should at least serve for general plinking and such. Maybe they'll do you really well. Please post results, all information is good.
Have you tried R-22 with any other (quality) bullets?
Could be the bullets, could be the powder, could be both.
My Swedes do very well with slow powders like R-22 and MRP,
If I had to guess, I would say these bullets are the culprit, but ya never know until you experiment with all the variables.
CarJunkieLS1
Member
If your Swede doesn't like RL-22 try IMR4831 and IMR7828...I've seen and shot several Swedes that do well with those 3 powders and 140gr class of bullets.
kennedy
Member
thanks all, looks like my loads have been too light, and need to work up to max and see what happens
2ndtimer
Member
In my experience, it is nearly impossible to make small groups with crummy bullets. I never had much success with bulk bullets in the .223 and I wouldn't be surprised if your 6.5x55 struggles with the PMC bullets no matter which powder you try. I have had the most consistent results in my Howa 6.5x55 with Sierra 120 gr ProHunter flat based spitzers loaded with IMR-4064. Heavier bullets have given acceptable performance with the same powder, along with slower powders like IMR-4350, RE-22, Accurate Data 86 (3100), but the Sierra 120 gr IMR-4064 load has been the best in my rifle.
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