Modern loads for 6.5x55

[matt85]

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.

 

[112Savage]

Be smart, but case capacity is about 10% more than a creedmoor, 6% more than a 260Rem, and less than a 6.5-284.
I think H4831SC may be great for 140+gr bullets. Go research this, but based on case capacities I figure you’ll be north of 45gr and south of 50gr.

 

[matt85]

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.

 

[AckleyHunter]

Reloader 16 is best option. If you can find it. H4350 is second best.

 

[MooseHunter]

Go on Lapua.com Look at 6.5 x 55 Swedish Mauser then scroll up to 6.5 x 55 SKAN
You can compare the two and go from there. I have AV Sako marked SKAN.
Bought it in England about 30 yrs ago at Game Fair. Never heard of it but it was Sako and beautiful. How bad could it be. Got brass. Loaded mid range charge of IMR 4350 behind 140 gr Amax. 3 shots Cloverleaf at 100 yds Have played with 123 and 129 SSTs They are accurate but do massive meat damage. Settled on 130 Accubonds. H 4350 and N 560 all work. The Accubonds run 2800 The SSTs can go to 2900
Excellent cartridge. Accuracy comes easy. I use Lapua brass

​

 

[Choupique]

I use Lapua brass

Excellent stuff. Sometimes you can find the loaded ammo on sale for about the same price as the brass alone.

Also, the PPU ammo can be found for cheap sometimes, shoots very well, and has good brass.

Load data wise, I dont have much to offer. Our swede loads are very mild, not much over starting with IMR 4350 and 156gr soft points. Accuracy is always exceptional and recoil very mild.

 

[30-06Ken]

I've been using ApexLoad Pro software for a year now and it is a godsend for reloaders. It covers literally every catridge/powder/bullet combination out there. Its a German based program so all the EU powders and cartridges are listed as well as the typical US based. I ran the simulator on a 6.5 x 55 swede with a 140 gr. Nosler Accubond, min velocity required was 2600 fps, case fill 85% min., min pressure 90% - max pressure 110% just on your typical US available powders (Alliant, Hodgdon, Accurate, IMR) and got 24 different load combinations in about 10 seconds. See attached screen shot of results.

 

[Coues106]

It’s not manual data, but I’d look online at the Milsurp forums for folks’ loads for replicating the Swedish m41 cartridge. Very good round that your 202 should like. I mostly shoot 6.5 out of Swedish Mausers, but my wife totes a tikka t3 that we use 140 gr ppu soft points on for most hunting and shooting and then Nosler Trophy Grade factory loads with their Accubond for higher stakes hunts.

 

[MooseHunter]

You could try something like Quick load or one of the products where you plug in the bullet and powders you would like to try. Set your pressure level to 55,000 if that is your goal and they will spit out load data. I have never used them. Many people do.
The Creedmoor is popular. It fits in short action. Seems to have some features harkening back to Mr. Ackley. And yes it operates at high pressure. Swede does not. As been said load data is scarce for fear of being used in older rifles. The ones marked SCAN or SE do run at higher pressures than original cartridge. Not a chance in hell of picking up old military rifle stamped as such. I played with 4831 also. Ran out of barrel for that powder. The SDs were single digit. Of all loads tested highest SDs were 12 to 15. Accuracy was there as always. My barrel is around 22'' or whatever metric measurement it is. The Lapua data lists loads for two different barrel lengths. Mine is the short one. One advantage of the Swede needing a long action is the ability to shoot some of the new coppers like Hammer or Cutting edge or 156 Norma that the Creedmoor cant in short action.

 

[MooseHunter]

There you have it! The modern(efficient) way to get load data!
Here are some of my results the old fashioned way.
140 gr AMAX H 4350 45 gr. 2660

142 JLK 46 gr 2700 7 SD

140 gr. AMAX IMR 4831 48 gr. 2770 8 SD
Lapua BRASS



130 gr ACCUBOND IMR 4350 47 gr 2850 8 SD*

Too hot. Very accurate heavy bolt lift
Backed this off to 46 gr and get 2800. Excellent Accuracy

129 Hornady flat base N560 48 gr 2700 8 SD

 

[matt85]

Thank you for the replies!

@MooseHunter I went to Lapua's website but was unable to find load data.

@30-06Ken I looked up Apexload pro and $35 for a year of access seems reasonable, if the data is good.

 

[112Savage]

The first photo is 6.5x55 with Speer 140 hot core

Second photo is 260 REM 140 accubond

Last image is 6.5-06 with 140 Speer

So long story short somewhere between 47 grains and 49 grains of H4831 you’re going to be getting up to pressure, but still should be safe. Obviously work up to these loads. In a 24” barrel, 2750-2800 should be possible. H4350 and RL16 should not be overlooked either as stated above.

 

[leslie hetrick]

i have been running 140 gr noslers with N560 out of my CZ 550 with good results. start medium and work up.

 

[matt85]

I'm sticking with 156/160gr bullets.

I went ahead and paid the $35 for Apexload and found some helpful load data using Reloader 26 (which I have) using the 160gr Hornady bullets I have on hand.

 

[MooseHunter]

My mistake . . . . on which website

Reloading data tool | Vihtavuori

Vihtavuori has developed a new online search engine to make reloading data even easier to access! Our new reloading data search tool enables you to search for

vihtavuori.com

 

[MooseHunter]

The link I sent you was the SKAN version page. Just drop back to the Mauser version on the caliber page You can compare the two side by side and choose what works best for you. Unfortunately no 156 gr listings. One of the computer programs may be the answer. Good luck and good shooting!

 

[quandary]

Take a listen to a recent episode of the Big Game Hunting podcast discussing the 6.5x55. The guest is JVB who is getting some pretty impressive numbers from a 6.5x55 he recently had built.

 

[MooseHunter]

P. S. It's time for me to move into the 21 Century realm of handloading. I think I will order this APEX program. Any advice is appreciated!! It would have saved lots of time and components coming up with a load for the 338 06 using Hammers or Cutting Edge bullets. $35 bucks doesn't buy a box of bullets or a pound of powder.

 

[50Gunner]

H-1000 is THE powder for hi-po 6.5x55 Swede loads.

Newer SC FN Winchester model 70 with 27" 7.5 twist barrel, 147 ELDM's clock 2950 fps over 51grs H-1000, took doe with final tag last season, 534 yard rain shot from covered ground blind, tight in white patch at shoulder crease, she fell, scrambled to her feet to fall the last time 10 yards away.

'09 DWM 98 Mauser custom with 26" 9 twist barrel clocks 2900 fps with 140gr Partitions over 49grs H-1000, it's name is Ladybug for the size of groups it fires, every deer or pig I've pointed it at for the last near 20 years has folded at the shot, no bullet recoveries to date, pick your path to the vitals regardless of angle presented and let fly.

Both loads use Lapua brass and CCI-BR2 primers.

COL's run 3.120 inch, each rifle is a standard long action, SAAMI chamber reamers for the 6.5 Swede do have this much throat for long seating of the bullets.

I don't care if these loads clock 65K PSI, the 147 ELDM loads are on their third firing, primer pockets remain tight, bolt lift, feed and extraction is butter smooth.

NO ONE ever thought twice about firing 65K+ PSI loads in ancient Winchester Model 54 rifles chambered in 270 Winchester over 100 years ago.

You can start at 44grs H-1000 with any of the heavier bullets you mentioned working up to what you and your rifle want.

 

[Jefferry404]

@matt85
the reason for the difference of 55k vs 51k psi is how the PSI is fixtured and measured. Saami transducer is on the external case wall whereas CIP has a hole thru the case into the cartridge.
Supposedly, they are equivalent.

Nosler published data (max. is typically set to max PSI or just below):

per the program output posted above:

I use QL and always calibrate a starting load against published data with PSI, mostly Hodgdon and sometimes Asquare. The data above illustrates this point.
If a cartridge does not have data, I find one with similar case capacity, load density and PSI, then use that to calibrate QL, then use that for the unknown cartridge.

In defense of Hornady, their test rifle was a Mauser Model 1896, hence the commiserate loads and was a 29" barrel to boot! Good of them for those with an old rifle.

Speer also has data test with universal receiver, i.e. modern rifle.

FYI, Asquare for 160gn.

and finally, Finnish data (26.5" modern)

Looks like the consensus is for a 160gn bullet in a 24" barrel, is somewhere around 2400-2500fps at near CIP max psi.
hope this helps