6.5x55 reloading help

You can also check pressure by running a Pic or a bent paperclip on the inside of the empty brass you should be able to feel a scratch on the inside, measuring the exterior case is easier and maybe faster. As you read, bullet setback is also something we are working on as both our rifles share about the same length

Decided to load up 140 partitions in my new Hornady brass.....lets just say I had an abismal day at the range that included breaking the stock on my .22!!!!! So, bottom line is the 6.5 is off to the gunsmith, the 22 is going back to browning, and the 30-06 will be accompanied by the 7mm RM moose hunting in two weeks.

I appreciated the assistance on this problem. I am going to have a drink - what a s%&t show of a day.

Pheroze said:

Decided to load up 140 partitions in my new Hornady brass.....lets just say I had an abismal day at the range that included breaking the stock on my .22!!!!! So, bottom line is the 6.5 is off to the gunsmith, the 22 is going back to browning, and the 30-06 will be accompanied by the 7mm RM moose hunting in two weeks.

I appreciated the assistance on this problem. I am going to have a drink - what a s%&t show of a day.

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So what happened?

Rob44 said:

So what happened?

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After success with loading my '06 and a 270 win, I have made a total hash of this 6.5. Here we go, my embarrassing tale of incompetence but I have to describe some background info too:

On the GS Custom website there is a method to properly size your case. You FL size a piece of brass and chamber it. You then stick a single piece is masking tape to the head and rechamber. Repeat until you feel increased pressure as you close the bolt. Now, go and add the same number of layers to the case holder and screw down the sizing die. This method is claimed to adjust the sizing die to the exact measurements of your chamber. For my 6.5 it was two pieces of tape.

With the Nosler partiton the lands measured 3.151. Previously I had loaded the partitions at 3.136. I had only worked up to 41.5 gr of H4350 with 1.5+" groups. Recall I got best groups with 160gr with .01 set back. This time I set the partitions to 3.141.

Recall also that I have taken my bolt apart to clean. When I put it back together I checked that the pin projected when not cocked.

Resize new hornady brass. Load from minimum to max, grab my son who grabs the .22 and off we go.

Place is packed. I get my bench and asked for a target change. Everyone waits patiently as I set up my chrono..crap one of the arms is missing that hold up the sun shield. Much tinkering and we get her set up.

Load first case..."click"...wait and then open the breech.. The bullet is stuck in the barrel and the cartridge pulls apart spilling powder everywhere! Wtf. Check the bolt, the firing pin is not projecting. I abandon this farce and my son decides to shoot the 22 over the chrono from my lead sled. As he is very gently putting it in "crack" the stock breaks clean in half.

I ask for a green flag and with my tail between my legs I clean up my mess and head home.

I check the col. They are all in a range of 3.141+- . check headspace with a resized case and tape method. As itwas previously set up i should feel too much preasure on the bolt with one piecebof tape. I get up to five pieces of tape before I stop. Something is really wrong.

I pull and decap all cartridges. Call the gun Smith. Loosen the holder and reset my sizing die to a basic FL as per manufacturer. Brief report to AH and off for copious amounts of Greek food and wine.

To be honest this whole fiasco has rattled me somewhat. I am just going to go back to basics and, once the bolt and chamber are checked, I will start again. As a newbie to reloading this has undermined my confidence more than a bit. Also, embarrassed by my obvious screw ups.

There we go, my tale of woe.

Froze......................while I just found your thread, and see your tale of woe, I must say a little belatedly that the primers in the initial fotos look like they were fired in a rifle with excessive headspace. I have also seen Swede brass made with Mauser casehead diameters, and this caused off center pin hits and erratic performance and pressure signs. (remember the Swede case head is 12.2mm diam while the standard is 12.01 for most sporters.............measure a new S&B case head just to be sure they dont have an incorrect batch. Of course, the resizer will not address this issue, and it is too subtle to rupture the case.

This redemonstrates that every gun is a law unto itself............................................good shooting ................................FWB

Head space is usually checked at the factory,,but in my book after re-barreling 2 rifles and using a go-no go gauge if the bolt closes to firm, not enough headspace if it closes to easy not enough headspace,what did yours feel like, I have an M48 tat closes a little on the stiff side, I'm on my way to the range today

Rob.......you have good info and it sounds like a lot of experience, but for those newer in the game of reloading, I would just remind them that a common cause of excessive headspace cannot be checked by the factory. It is pushing the case shoulder back too far in the resizing process. Upon firing, the pin pushes the case forward, upon ignition the case expands, grips the chamber wall and the unsupported primer backs out to the bolt face. A millisecond later, the case stretches to push the head back tothe bolt face, but the primer recesses into the pin a little. Hence, looks like the foto. But you are quite right, go/no go and snugness on bolt closing usually tells you things are fine. Just couldnt think of anything else that should cause this problem with such a mild charge.......................Regards.....................FWB

Hey guys, I did my usual setup as described so not sure why it went all sideways on me this time. But, the factory rounds I used first did not have any problems so I bet there is some misstep somewhere.

Rob44 said:

Head space is usually checked at the factory,,but in my book after re-barreling 2 rifles and using a go-no go gauge if the bolt closes to firm, not enough headspace if it closes to easy not enough headspace,what did yours feel like, I have an M48 tat closes a little on the stiff side, I'm on my way to the range today

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Sorry I meant to say to easy to much headspace

Well My range time today tells me that 6.5s like 140s, i shot 120s to 160s and no matter what bullet depth I could not get a keyhole shot, I loaded three different bullet set-backs and the best group was at 3.00 with the 140s.about a quarter at 100yd I couldn't stretch it out because the wind was whipping at about 20 Mph, I also shot my Chrono I think but thats another story

Rob44 said:

Well My range time today tells me that 6.5s like 140s, i shot 120s to 160s and no matter what bullet depth I could not get a keyhole shot, I loaded three different bullet set-backs and the best group was at 3.00 with the 140s.about a quarter at 100yd I couldn't stretch it out because the wind was whipping at about 20 Mph, I also shot my Chrono I think but thats another story

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Shot your chrono! Crap! I am telling you, this situation is cursed.

The keyhole issue is not related to headspace, is it? That's why I think there is more than one problem afoot.

Pheroze said:

Shot your chrono! Crap! I am telling you, this situation is cursed.

The keyhole issue is not related to headspace, is it? That's why I think there is more than one problem afoot.

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After close inspection the Chrongraph is safe I was getting an error message. It's one of those new style Chronos that attach to the barrel called Magneto Speed and I'm just learning how to use it and it is possible to shoot the Damn thing if it's not set-up right.
key holing has to do with barrel twist verses bullet weight and powder charge. I don't understand why you think your head space is off, the difference between go and no go is the thickness of a piece of scotch tape ,and if your bolt closed snug I'd say your alright, I also don't measure case length

How goes the 6.5 project

I'm planning on taking my Swede to Africa next year. I went through the same consternation as you. After a lot of searching, reading posts on AH etc. I decided on the following. Barnes 140 Gr. TTSX bullets over 46.5 Gr. of H4350. In my 24" barreled Swede this load averaged 2775 fps and grouped well under an inch at 100 yds. Do a Google search for "Terminal Ballistic Research" then go to their Knowledge Base and look up the 6.5 x 55 Swedish Mauser. There you will find the best treatise on that rifle that I have ever seen. Follow Nathan Foster's advice and work up a load for your gun based on the pressure signs noted. NOTE what Nathan Foster has to say about the cartridge OAL and the FREEBORE designed into this sweet old rifle.

My plans are to limit the Swede to Impala, Warthog, and Blesbok all of which are in the 150 - 175 lb. range. While I'm confident that I could take a larger animal with that load, I don't want to risk a long tracking job or worse yet a failure to recover. Like you I've read that the Swede is used successfully on Moose so why can't you use it on larger African game? Nathan Foster answers that question as well.

I'm heading back to the range this weekend and will get busy with this 6.5 business, I was getting some good groups without trying to hard and hope to get mine dialed in a little better. I have to give the swedes a tip of the hat, the shortened military barrel got way to hot to touch and the groups didn't open up and I also noticed no barrel walk .Summers are short in Minnesota and I like to work with minimal cross winds so time is limited and I generally work on several projects, I believe Pheroze has his rifle at the GS right know because of a possible headspace issue, I'm anxious to see how things turn out for him

Rob44 said:

I'm heading back to the range this weekend and will get busy with this 6.5 business, I was getting some good groups without trying to hard and hope to get mine dialed in a little better. I have to give the swedes a tip of the hat, the shortened military barrel got way to hot to touch and the groups didn't open up and I also noticed no barrel walk .Summers are short in Minnesota and I like to work with minimal cross winds so time is limited and I generally work on several projects, I believe Pheroze has his rifle at the GS right know because of a possible headspace issue, I'm anxious to see how things turn out for him

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It will be going to the gunsmith and I will definitely follow up on new developments. My focus now is getting organized for the moose hunt. My son is now going to use a 7mm RM instead and I want to make sure it is zeroed and he is OK with it. I am actually happier with that change because I am seeing this 6.5 as more of a deer rifle. The short barrel will make it really great in a blind or tree stand. Time is of the essence.

.....also, my 375H&H is back with a new trigger and that has to be taken up north for sure!