Modern loads for 6.5x55

Your Steyr SM12 is a modern CIP gun, so it can handle the higher European pressures around 55k psi just fine US manuals stay low to protect old Mausers.

With the 156/160 gr bullets, IMR 4350, IMR 4831, and H4831 all work well. Start in the middle of published Hodgdon or Nosler data for those powders and work up carefully while watching for pressure signs and using a chrono. You’ll get solid performance without needing the unobtainable MRP or RL 22.
 
Your Steyr SM12 is a modern CIP gun, so it can handle the higher European pressures around 55k psi just fine US manuals stay low to protect old Mausers.

With the 156/160 gr bullets, IMR 4350, IMR 4831, and H4831 all work well. Start in the middle of published Hodgdon or Nosler data for those powders and work up carefully while watching for pressure signs and using a chrono. You’ll get solid performance without needing the unobtainable MRP or RL 22.
 
All good stuff here. I watched the podcast on the 6.5 Swede using Reloader 16
Am seriously considering the APEX program. Been a while since I loaded this cartridge. Found a load that worked and went from there. With all the hoopla with the Creedmoor I am tempted to get the AV out and go shoot something just because . . . I used Lapua data for this cartridge and the 38 Super Lapua for many years shooting IPSC and of course small game such as groundhogs etc. Same situation as the Swede. An old cartridge for modern guns at higher pressure than the older guns could safely handle. Example: Supported Chamber Match barrels for 1911s. It wasn't till I read Matt85s reply about the Lapua data. Lapua and Vhitivouri are all owned by Nammo. Again, I figger I better get into the 21s century here. I used Lapua for data for many years. Thanks for the heads up folks!
 
I use Norma 204 and N560 with good success
 
matt85 said:
Thank you, I should mention I actually have a variety of other powders such as IMR 7828SSC (among many others). I'll take and advice anyone is willing to give.

I believe part of the reason the 6.5x55 is not more popular in the USA is lawyers. Much of the data and pressure levels are set based on the antique 6.5x55 Krag. Companies in the USA will only load the 6.5x55 to the lowest possible levels in order to avoid getting sued. I have a suspicion that the main reason the 6.5 Creedmoor is more popular here is because it is loaded to modern pressure levels.

Rant aside, I'm not looking to load the 6.5x55 to 60k+ PSI. I would just like to at least be able to load the cartridge to the modern 55k PSI standard. Currently the most powerful data I have been able to find is 51k PSI.
Click to expand...
Barnes gives load data to 51k PSI as per SAAMI,

Vihtavuori lists modern Data for 6.5x55 SKAN/ SE for 380 KPA which is about the 55.000 PSI that you are looking for.

Slow powders is what you want RL 26/Magnum/ MRP or N550/555/560.
 
Hi,

In a modern rifle, even good M98 Mausers, there are no reasons to not use "modern" pressures, as the standard ones for the "modern" 270 Winchester from 1927...65000 psi.
The same as in the 7x57, 30-06 and 8x57, 35 Whelen and 9,3x62 by the way.

Good luck!

CF
 
matt85 said:
I've got a new Steyr SM12 in 6.5x55 on order. So, I am trying to get prepared for the rifles arrival (scope, rings, and loading materials). However, I am struggling to find good modern load data for this cartridge with powders available in the USA. For the most part the data I find is lawyer approved data for the oldest flimsiest of rifles. I swear the Hornady manual loads this cartridge to something like 45,000psi!

I am looking for modern data for 156/160gr bullets. I believe in Europe they are loading to 55,000psi and many people are loading to 60,000psi.

Anyone have some information? Norma has loads for MRP but that is no longer available in the USA as far as I can see. I've read Alliant Reloader 22 is similar but at $75 per pound it might as well not exist here either. I have some IMR 4350, IMR 4831, and H4831... I've read in some sources those can be used.
Click to expand...
@matt85
You can go online and find 2 different loads for the Swede.
I know in my load from a disc they list loads for the 6.5x55 and the 6.5x55SE.
The loads for SE are a lot more potent than the standard.
Bob
 
MooseHunter said:
All good stuff here. I watched the podcast on the 6.5 Swede using Reloader 16
Am seriously considering the APEX program. Been a while since I loaded this cartridge. Found a load that worked and went from there. With all the hoopla with the Creedmoor I am tempted to get the AV out and go shoot something just because . . . I used Lapua data for this cartridge and the 38 Super Lapua for many years shooting IPSC and of course small game such as groundhogs etc. Same situation as the Swede. An old cartridge for modern guns at higher pressure than the older guns could safely handle. Example: Supported Chamber Match barrels for 1911s. It wasn't till I read Matt85s reply about the Lapua data. Lapua and Vhitivouri are all owned by Nammo. Again, I figger I better get into the 21s century here. I used Lapua for data for many years. Thanks for the heads up folks!
Click to expand...
@MooseHunter
It's the same with a lot of the older cartridges. In a modern rifle with modern powders they can equal or out perform a lot of the newer cartridges.
Makes the older cartridges new again.
Bob
 
Bob Nelson 35Whelen said:
@MooseHunter
It's the same with a lot of the older cartridges. In a modern rifle with modern powders they can equal or out perform a lot of the newer cartridges.
Makes the older cartridges new again.
Bob
Click to expand...
Right on point! Modern powder's sure breath in new life for the classics in modern rifles.

Re17 has been a winner for me in my 8x57. CZ with 24" barrel.

180gr NBT=2950+ fps
200gr NAB=2768 fps
220 SGK= 2678 fps

All of these loads run around 60-62k psi based off quick load and show no sign of pressure in my rifle. Testing done in warm weather too.

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@30-06Ken Does Apex list loads using monolithic copper (preferably Barnes) bullets? I have a No. 1 in 7x57 that can handle modern loads but Barnes seems hesitant to publish that data.
 
6,5x55 mauser/krsg/skan is the same cartridge/case loaded to different pressure levels.
In theory there is a tiny dimensional differences between the skan and the 2 old ones. In reality they are identical.
 
matt85 said:
I've got a new Steyr SM12 in 6.5x55 on order. So, I am trying to get prepared for the rifles arrival (scope, rings, and loading materials). However, I am struggling to find good modern load data for this cartridge with powders available in the USA. For the most part the data I find is lawyer approved data for the oldest flimsiest of rifles. I swear the Hornady manual loads this cartridge to something like 45,000psi!

I am looking for modern data for 156/160gr bullets. I believe in Europe they are loading to 55,000psi and many people are loading to 60,000psi.

Anyone have some information? Norma has loads for MRP but that is no longer available in the USA as far as I can see. I've read Alliant Reloader 22 is similar but at $75 per pound it might as well not exist here either. I have some IMR 4350, IMR 4831, and H4831... I've read in some sources those can be used.
Click to expand...
You can try with Viht N560. I remember that a friend told me that he uses it with the Scirocco 2 and that he has excellent results. The pressure is much higher than 45000psi. That's too low
 
ClarkC said:
@30-06Ken Does Apex list loads using monolithic copper (preferably Barnes) bullets? I have a No. 1 in 7x57 that can handle modern loads but Barnes seems hesitant to publish that data.
Click to expand...
PM sent to keep this thread on topic.
 
I sure hope that you find a suitable powder, the chances are good you will. As for MRP (and RL22), you're probably out of luck. Eurenco Bofors (the actual manufacturer) is no longer producing that powder.

If you're lucky you could probably find some retailer that still has it in stock, but there won't be any more made. Probably better to find a new load for which there will be powder in the future.
 
cmk said:
I sure hope that you find a suitable powder, the chances are good you will. As for MRP (and RL22), you're probably out of luck. Eurenco Bofors (the actual manufacturer) is no longer producing that powder.

If you're lucky you could probably find some retailer that still has it in stock, but there won't be any more made. Probably better to find a new load for which there will be powder in the future.
Click to expand...
PowderValley has RL22, but at $75 per pound... Ill pass.

According to Apexload's data, RL26 should work very well. Luckily, I have about 1.25 pounds of the stuff on hand.

IMR 7828ssc is also a good option (I have some as well). If that doesn't work out Winchester StaBALL HD is also a good option and is available at a couple sources for slightly more reasonable prices.
 
Choupique said:
The swede gets along with the same stuff as .30-06 for the most part, which is to say a lot of stuff.
Click to expand...
I agree, and I have both. For the heavier bullet weights (156gn/6.5 and 200+gn/06) Norma MRP is what I have been using. I still have a few cans left, but after that it is going to be something similarly slow-burning. Norma 204 is probably the likely candidate.
 
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