Substitute 139 gr for 140 gr in 6.5x55?

[jambie]

Has anyone safely substituted the Lapua 139 gr. Scenar for the SMK 140 gr., using the commonly available data for the 140 gr. load? I recently scored the Scenars, but have only found specific reloading data for them using the Vihtavouri powders.
Thanks,
Tom

 

[Random 8]

As with any component change, you should work back up. That being said, as similar as these are there will likely be little difference

 

[greyling22]

Weight-wise, you are fine. I bet if you weighed a bunch of those 140grn bullets you'd find some 141 and 139's. Unless the scenar OAL requires them to be seated significantly deeper than the smk, you should be able to swap them out no problem.

 

[Random 8]

Just an FYI, if you're using Hodgdon data, I found it a little warm for my M96 at the top end of Imr 4350. Be safe.

 

[jambie]

Just an FYI, if you're using Hodgdon data, I found it a little warm for my M96 at the top end of Imr 4350. Be safe.

Thanks! Good caution for those rifles. These will be for my forthcoming Ruger African.

 

[Random 8]

Thanks! Good caution for those rifles. These will be for my forthcoming Ruger African.

you may wish to run the Viht 6,5 SKAN data then to maximize performance in that rifle!

 

[jambie]

Weight-wise, you are fine. I bet if you weighed a bunch of those 140grn bullets you'd find some 141 and 139's. Unless the scenar OAL requires them to be seated significantly deeper than the smk, you should be able to swap them out no problem.

I found a length of 1.31” online for the SMK, but can’t find that measurement for the Scenars. Guess I’ll have to measure them when I get them. Sierra’s data lists a coal of 3.050”, and the Lapua load shows 3.071”.
TR

 

[jambie]

you may wish to run the Viht 6,5 SKAN data then to maximize performance in that rifle!

Right you are! That’s where I got the coal for the Scenar. I’ve yet to find published U.S. data that’s specifically for stronger actions, but I’ll keep looking. I did order some Lapua 123 gr ammunition that spits it out at a listed 3,015 fpm. Haven’t seen any domestically published loads that fast.
TR

 

[.308 Norma]

Not exactly related, but I remember reading an article in a gun magazine about the then new 7mm-08 Remington. The author was testing a 7mm-08 rifle using what he thought was Remington 140gr factory ammo - at least "140gr" was what it said on the box. However, when the author pulled a round apart, he discovered it had a Hdy 139gr bullet in it.

 

[jmr40]

I started out loading 143 gr Hornady ELD bullets in my 6.5 CM and found the same powder charge of H4350 worked best with 139 gr Scenar's as well. Of course I did reduce the charge slightly and worked back up. I'd imagine you'll find something similar with the 6.5X55.b

FWIW I've found the Scenar's to be the most accurate bullet I've tried and it is the only thing I load in the Creedmoor anymore. I'm using a lot of the 155's in my 308's as well.

 

[Random 8]

https://load-data.nosler.com/load-data/65x55-swedish-mauser/ Nosler stomps on them a bit. I wouldn't want to run their maxes in a military action.

 

[jambie]

https://load-data.nosler.com/load-data/65x55-swedish-mauser/ Nosler stomps on them a bit. I wouldn't want to run their maxes in a military action.

Thanks for the link. IMR 4350 is one of the powders I do have left.
TR

 

[Weflyfast]

Just an FYI, if you're using Hodgdon data, I found it a little warm for my M96 at the top end of Imr 4350. Be safe.

Yep- I found the same- work up