Reloading 6.5x55SE for elk hunting

[azar]

Sierra 160g w/ Reloader 22 & Fed 210 primer

Well, here are my first results. I'd have to say that I am quite pleased! These are 7 shot groups from 100 yards. The first is the initial load of 36.5g of Reloader 22 and the second is 37.3g.

Although, the load calls for an O.A.L. of 3.062" which doesn't chamber easily in my gun. What would be the consequences of moving it down to 3.050"? Would this be unsafe to attempt or would it be the case of "just watch for signs of dangerous pressure in your gun"?

The sad part about all this is I confirmed yesterday from my favorite gun shop that the 160g Sierra Pro-Hunter is no longer being produced.

 

[dcloco]

Very little to no effect on accuracy when changing the OAL 12 thousandths.

You should try some 140 gr bullets and the 160's and compare them at 300-500 yards.

Set up some 4x4 or 6x6 oak and see the results for yourself.

 

[Ol` Joe]

Hornady also makes a 160 gr RN, if you are hooked on this weight. Data is available in thier manual. I`ve always had good luck with the Hornady inter loc bullet, but never tried this one. The 129gr SP has been a very good one in my Swedes.

 

[BsChoy]

Your rifle can handle alot more powder. Up it to a starting load of 43.0 and go to about 47.0 or so....37.5 is pretty low for a powder like RL22....slower powders require more of it to get the bullet to a faster speed. i would doubt that your rounds are breaking 2000 fps. The 47.0 grain max is per Alliants on line resource btw.

 

[Jake in TX]

I shoot a Swede m/96, made in 1900. I use 45.2 grains of RL-22 in it and it shoots quite well. Alliant's max load is 48.1 grains. This is an accuracy load for me.

Jake in TX

 

[azar]

Well, with the moving of the OAL down to 3.050" I wasn't concerned about accuracy differences, but really with a change in pressures. And I started at 36.5g because this is the load from Sierra. They list 36.5 to 40.5 as max. Do I trust Sierras data or Alliants'?

 

[BsChoy]

the 36.5 is probably for an old M94...they were weaker than the 96 let alone the new CZ you have...My 1941 Husky eats 48.0 grains without issue

 

[dcloco]

M94 and M96 are the same actions......as well as M38's, M41's, cg63's, etc.

They were made in the same plants, etc, etc.

http://www.rebooty.com/~dutchman/94swede.html

 

[BsChoy]

Question dcloco...not to hijack threads but why have I read in several places that the strengths of these 2 actions were very different? Maybe I read it was the Krags but, almost positive the 94's were weaker.

 

[azar]

Why would Sierra's load for this bullet be so anemic? Their load data claims that 40.5 (their max) will give around 2400fps and the starting load around 2200fps.

Jake in TX, where did you get the load from Alliant? I only see a load for the Hornady 160g not the Sierra. A max of 40.5g is a far cry from 48g. I know primers, gun specifics, etc can make a big difference but that is quite... eye opening. Nearly 8g of difference!

 

[dcloco]

BSChoy - no idea. The Swede actions are of superb quality and metal. But, I would not push them that hard.


Azar - because they don't want you to blow up the rifle and hurt yourself.

 

[Lupara]

46.7 grains of MRP (the mother of RL 22) here for my m/96 behind Lapua 144 grains FMJ @ 3.100". No pressure signs, very good accuracy.

 

[azar]

dcloco - I can understand that but if Alliant is somewhere showing a load with 48g, does that mean they don't care if I blow myself up.

 

[BsChoy]

not at all azar, I am sure thier lawyers have approved it in some capacity

 

[Jake in TX]

Azar,

I got the Alliant load at

http://www.alliantpowder.com/reload...typeid=2&weight=140&shellid=1059&bulletid=205

It is labelled for a Speer 140 grain bullet. I subtracted 10% for a starting load, and went up from there. Which Sierra manual did you use? I believe their 5th manual uses an m/96 as a test rifle. I think you would be safe increasing by small increments, and watching for pressurs signs. Do use a chronograph?

Jake in TX

 

[stubbicatt]

The military loadings for the 6.5 Swede were something like 45,000 CUP. The modern action can easily take up to 50,000 CUP. Due to the lower pressure limits in military actions, most of the data you find for the Swede is for that pressure limit.

I do not advocate exceeding data in loading books.

 

[azar]

Jake, I don't currently own a chronograph but would very much like to get one. Maybe I'll drop hints to the wife that it should be added to a Christmas list...

The manual I have for Sierra is actually from the Loadbook U.S.A. for the 6.5x55. It was purchased about a year ago and shows a copyright of 2004. But I'm not sure what version of the Sierra data I'm looking at. Their test rifle was a M96 Swedish Mauser and the load data indicates that pressures were for the older military rifles that could handle 45,000 psi range. Although the Speer portion mentions it's load are higher pressure and are designed to be used in modern actions. So I guess Sierra is showing data that will work in any Swede.

I suppose I'm safe as long as I'm watching for warning signs.

 

[USSR]

Why would Sierra's load for this bullet be so anemic?

All of Sierra's loads are anemic.

Don

 

[azar]

Round 2

On Nov 3rd, I went back to the range with the next two sets of reloads. The first set was decent. Definitely good enough for hunting, although a 2.1" group is a bit bigger than I'd like to see at 100 yards. The second set however, was my best grouping yet. A quite respectable 1.1" group from 100 yards. There is one hole to the lower right where someone else's bullet (or shrapnel) hit my target. (The rifle is still sighted in for a factory 140g load).

Set 1 - Sierra 160g Pro-Hunter, 38.1g Reloader 22, Federal 210 primer, PMC brass
Set 2 - Sierra 160g Pro-Hunter, 39.3g Reloader 22, Federal 210 primer, PMC brass

 

[Jake in TX]

Azar,

That's getting closer. I have both Sierra's 4th and 5th. The 4th used a 24" m/38, and the 5th used a 29" m/96. With a 160 grain bullet and Reloder 22, Sierra's maximum charge in the 4th was 43.7 grains for 2300fps, and 40.5 grains for 2400 fps. Alliant's load data for Hornady 160 grain bullets and Reloder 22 shows a max charge of 47 grains, generating a pressure of 44,000 c.u.p. My opinion is that you can still get better results with further load development.

Jake in TX

 

[azar]

Well Jake I've already loaded 40.5g, 41.5g, and 42.5g loads. But those were the last of my Federal Primers. No one else has had them in stock for ages. I have an unopened box of 100 CCI LR primers and 1000 Winchester LR primers though. What should I do? Do I start the entire load over to switch to a new primer?

I'll still shoot those others and see how they group. If Federals do come back into stock, I'll grab some. Although, I did see some Federal Premium LR Match primers. Would those be an OK substitute?

 

[Jake in TX]

Azar,

I've always used CCI primers. At the charge weights you have loaded up, I see no danger problems in switching brands. However, it will introduce a(nother) variable. By all means, though, shoot what you have and see how they group. And please keep us updated as you have.

Jake in TX

 

[azar]

Round 3

Yesterday, I was able to sneak away to the range for a couple of hours. It was a cold but clear day and I was able to test 2 more sets of loads. Again, these are 7 shot groups at 100 yards.

My first shot I believe I pulled and it hit quite low (you can see it in the 'N' on Champion). If that shot is counted against the group it gives me a 1.737" grouping for that set. If I count it as a flier the remaining shots grouped to 1.233". The second set wasn't quite as good. It grouped at 1.986". As the day got later the cold got more and more bitter. So my concentration may be at least partially to blame for the group opening up. The final shot (the lowest one) was a rushed shot as I heard the range officers cease-fire alarm go off right before he called it. I didn't want to be stuck there for another 10 minutes to shoot my final shot and then get stuck for another 15 until the next cease fire so I could collect the targets.

Set 1 - Sierra 160g Pro-Hunter, 40.5g Reloader 22 (Sierra Max load), Federal 210 primer, PMC brass
Set 2 - Sierra 160g Pro-Hunter, 41.5g Reloader 22, Federal 210 primer, PMC brass

 

[azar]

Round 4

On January 12th I finally made it back to the range. This was my last set of loads for this bullet as I am now out of Federal LR primers (as were all the reloading shops around here for what seemed like all of 2007).

The grouping was good at 1.418". This is the first time I have ever chronographed my loads and they were a bit slower than expected. The average velocity was around 2343 fps with standard deviation of 10 fps.

Load: Sierra 160g Pro-Hunter, 42.5g Reloader 22, Federal 210 primer, PMC brass