6.5x55 load data needed

[LeeC]

I'm building a long range rifle....I know, 6.5-284 is the popular caliber, but I don't want to change barrels as often as skivvies. So, I need some load data to push the Swede to 2800-3000 fps with 140-142 SMK's. Appreciate any ideas. Thanks.

[acloco]

Lee - what are you using for an action? Barrel? I am at the same place as you. But, I already own a couple hundred brand new x55 cases.

From Hodgdon's website...but...the max pressure is geared towards the old Swede action. Work up....

140 GR. SPR SP 140 H1000 .264" 3.030" 46.5 2423 37,600 CUP 51.5C 2651 46,000 CUP
140 GR. SPR SP 140 H4831 .264" 3.030" 42.5 2382 38,100 CUP 47.0 2586 45,700 CUP
140 GR. SPR SP 140 H4350 .264" 3.030" 39.5 2418 38,600 CUP 44.0 2617 45,700 CUP
140 GR. SPR SP 140 H414 .264" 3.030" 37.5 2393 40,000 CUP 41.5 2565 45,600 CUP
140 GR. SPR SP 140 H380 .264" 3.030" 36.5 2316 37,600 CUP 40.5 2520 45,100 CUP
140 GR. SPR SP 140 Varget .264" 3.030" 32.5 2312 37,500 CUP 36.0 2528 46,000 CUP
140 GR. SPR SP 140 H4895 .264" 3.030" 32.5 2305 38,100 CUP 35.8 2493 45,700 CUP
140 GR. SPR SP 140 760 .264" 3.030" 37.5 2393 40,000 CUP 41.5 2565 45,600 CUP
142 GR. SIE HPBT 142 H1000 .264" 3.050" 48.0 2453 37,500 CUP 51.5C 2601 41,600 CUP
142 GR. SIE HPBT 142 H4831 .264" 3.050" 42.5 2383 37,300 CUP 47.0 2604 45,300 CUP
142 GR. SIE HPBT 142 H4350 .264" 3.050" 39.0 2427 38,400 CUP 43.7 2653 45,800 CUP
142 GR. SIE HPBT 142 H414 .264" 3.050" 39.0 2399 37,200 CUP 43.0 2653 45,300 CUP
142 GR. SIE HPBT 142 H380 .264" 3.050" 35.0 2239 35,600 CUP 38.5 2437 45,300 CUP
142 GR. SIE HPBT 142 Varget .264" 3.050" 34.0 2334 38,100 CUP 38.0 2559 45,700 CUP
142 GR. SIE HPBT 142 H4895 .264" 3.050" 32.5 2311 37,800 CUP 35.8 2511 45,800 CUP
142 GR. SIE HPBT 142 760 .264" 3.050" 39.0 2399 37,200 CUP 43.0 2653 45,300 CUP

[jo191145]

As acloco said most data is slightly conservative for all the older actions out there.

I did find one spot that has some data for both a standard new action and below it for a custom(Hall) action that produces the velocitys your interested in. From what I've seen to push a 140 at 2800-3000 fps you'll be burning just as much powder as the 6.5-284 I could be wrong tho.

The data for the custom action was developed with moly bullets. Please keep that in mind. If your not using a custom action then just forget you ever saw it

http://www.accuratereloading.com/reload.html

[skipper]

Try working up to 44.5 gr. of H4350 with the Clinch River 147. Better go slow with the development though. You might not get the velocity your looking for but the accuracy should be there.

[LeeC]

Acloco-I found a practically unfired Sav 110 in 30-06 I'm using as a donor rifle. I'll be putting on a Shilen heavy barrel, B&C Duramaxx stock and SharpShooter trigger. Remington makes their brass from 06 cases, even so, the Swede case is only .003 larger and should be no problem with the bolt head. Strange to me, but my donor rifle came with Savage (simmons?) scope and Savage marked rings. I'm given to believe it is an F series package gun, but it had a wood Monte Carlo stock. The guy I got it from said he sometimes had trouble opening the bolt. Turned out to be a long front stock screw was crimping the bolt lug. Another reason I believe it was originally a Tupperware stock.

[gwglave]

Hi Lee,
I too am doing load development for a 6.5x55 in a Tikka T3. I have not done any development with the SMK bullets, but
I will give you a couple of loads that, so far, have worked very well for me. Generally, I find that IMR4350, H4831SC and RL22 seem to work very well.

1. Speer cases, Win WLR, Nosler 125 Partition, 45.5 grs IMR4350, ~0.500", 5 shots, 100yds
2. Speer cases, CCI200, Nosler 140 Partition, 47.0 grs H4831SC, ~0.500", 5 shots, 100 yds

I have not had any luck, so far, with the Sierra 140 SBT or Hornday 140 Interlock. I have not been able to chronograph
any of these loads as the weather has not been very cooperative lately. Since I've been searching for a good hunting load,
I was really "tickled" with the Partitions. I am going to try some Hornady 140 SST and Nosler 140 Custom Comps. I would also like
to try some Nosler 130 Accubonds, but no one has any, including the Nosler Pro Shop.

I have been trying to learn to use Quickload to see how its predictions line up with my "real world" loads and rifle. Assuming a chamber pressure of 52,000 psi,
Quickload seems to think I can go to 49 grains of H4831SC and the Nosler 140 Partition. Obviously, this is not a load that would be safe in one of the old Krag's, etc.
Before I go any higher on the powder charge, I need to chronograph the current load and see how that matches with Quickloads predictions.

Keep us posted on your project.....let us know what works and what doesn't.
Have a great Turkey day.

Rgds, Gerry