Which powder?

[BsChoy]

I am trying to decide what to feed my x swedish. Since its the only round I load for that shoots a slower powder I am torn between Reloder 19 and H4350. These 2 powders seem to give the best balance between velocity and economy. I was wondering how they fair in the lot variances and temp sensitivity since I have never used them. Any input guys?

 

[CZ57]

No good question should go unanswered. I don't presently have a 6.5 X 55mm. I do have a keen interest and I keep up with load data. I'm stuck between the 6.5 X 55 and the 6.5 X 284. The CZ 550 is chambered in the former and the custom shop will chamber the latter. These two powders are very similar and I don't think you could wrong with either. I suspect that the higher number of recommendations would be for R-19, but from what I see, there are a good number of handloaders that use faster burners. Even when they are building loads for rifles with actions strong enough for the 60,000 PSI data that's available. I'd be inclined to use either of the two powders you mention for high velocity loads. Barrel twist rate is a factor and one reason I like the CZ 550 is because of its 1 in 8.6" twist vs some military rifles with a 1 in 7.5" twist. Nonetheless, I've seen a lot of guys loading fairly high velocity loads for military rifles that have suitable action strength. Two others that I would consider also would be IMR-4350 and IMR-4831, which is probably the one I'd choose from the list of extruded propellants.

More than likely for my own loads, I'd use one of the newer ball powders available to us because it's very stable in regard to temperature. Ramshot Hunter is a dense ball powder that will meter exceptionally and its temperature stability is supposed to rival extruded powders. Burn rate is right next to R-19 and it has very good velocity potential.

 

[Ol` Joe]

I`ve had the best luck with H4831 & R22 in my Swedes with bullets from 120 -142 gr. R22 has gave the best velocity but not enough over 4831 to make a difference. I`d try both and stay with the one that gives the best accuracy for your rifle.

BTW the Reloader powders are not as temp stabile as the Hodgdon Extreem with the possible exception of R15. If you work your load up in the summer months and not at real low winter temps you will likely never notice the difference over most temp ranges.

 

[BsChoy]

Thank you gentlemen. I was thinking of ramshot as well but I don't know anyone in my area that has it in stock

 

[cheygriz]

Consider WW760 and H414.