6.5x55 @2950fps
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Re: 6.5x55 @2950fps
I used to use 6.5x55 as an F class rifle, 30" 8 twist. Best velocity and accuracy combination for me was N550 with 139 scenars (moly) in Lapua brass, @2970. This was a top end load. Throat erosion at this level was comparable to 6.5-.284, accuracy at 1k was no better and perhaps not quite as good, so went back to the .284 case. RL22 didn't deliver as well in either accuracy or velocity (though plenty accurate at slower speeds); never tried Retumbo or the new 7828. In my experience you can get there with x47 and RL17, but you've already committed to the swede.
Best,
James
I used to use 6.5x55 as an F class rifle, 30" 8 twist. Best velocity and accuracy combination for me was N550 with 139 scenars (moly) in Lapua brass, @2970. This was a top end load. Throat erosion at this level was comparable to 6.5-.284, accuracy at 1k was no better and perhaps not quite as good, so went back to the .284 case. RL22 didn't deliver as well in either accuracy or velocity (though plenty accurate at slower speeds); never tried Retumbo or the new 7828. In my experience you can get there with x47 and RL17, but you've already committed to the swede.
Best,
James
Re: 6.5x55 @2950fps
<span style="text-decoration: line-through">How fast are you looking to push that 140?</span>
I don't think you have enough capacity to do anything special with Retumbo.
H-1000, 4831 are as slow as I'd go in that case.
I shoot a larger volume short 6.5 and had good accuracy with H-1000 and 142 Sierras.
<span style="text-decoration: line-through">How fast are you looking to push that 140?</span>
I don't think you have enough capacity to do anything special with Retumbo.
H-1000, 4831 are as slow as I'd go in that case.
I shoot a larger volume short 6.5 and had good accuracy with H-1000 and 142 Sierras.
Re: 6.5x55 @2950fps
In a 23 3/4" Barreled Factory Sako 6.5x55:
140 Nosler Partition Case Norma
53 Grains H-1000 Note: Compressed load 2781 FPS 3.15" COAL
50 Grains RL-22 2698 FPS 3.15" COAL
That's all I have w/140 grain class bullets.
Bob
In a 23 3/4" Barreled Factory Sako 6.5x55:
140 Nosler Partition Case Norma
53 Grains H-1000 Note: Compressed load 2781 FPS 3.15" COAL
50 Grains RL-22 2698 FPS 3.15" COAL
That's all I have w/140 grain class bullets.
Bob
Re: 6.5x55 @2950fps
James
ya maybe right but x47 will only do it with a single powder RL17
where as numerous powders will do same with swede, hate to be stuck with one powder....
plus sure swede will burn more powder but at much lower PSI so dont imagine to much difference in throat life etc
James
ya maybe right but x47 will only do it with a single powder RL17
where as numerous powders will do same with swede, hate to be stuck with one powder....
plus sure swede will burn more powder but at much lower PSI so dont imagine to much difference in throat life etc
Re: 6.5x55 @2950fps
I hear you on the one powder thing, but I'm on a x47 kick at the moment, and that cartridge with RL17 has really impressed me. Don't get me wrong, love the Swede, just couldn't make it run competitively at 1k compared to 6.5-.284, but if you would settle for around 2900 fps with 140s you've got lots of good choices. I also had great accuracy with H4831 right around 2900-2925, pushed faster for me and the accuracy fell off (but I'm talking F-class accuracy, still very acceptable for ringing steel). H1000 is worth a look too but possibly a little slow for the velocities you want...burn rate around H4831/RL22 is probably about right for the case. I thought about going to 6.5x55 Improved and even have a no-turn reamer for Lapua brass but decided it was easier to just screw on a new 6.5-.284 barrel every 1000 rounds. If you ever need the reamer, let me know.
Best,
James
I hear you on the one powder thing, but I'm on a x47 kick at the moment, and that cartridge with RL17 has really impressed me. Don't get me wrong, love the Swede, just couldn't make it run competitively at 1k compared to 6.5-.284, but if you would settle for around 2900 fps with 140s you've got lots of good choices. I also had great accuracy with H4831 right around 2900-2925, pushed faster for me and the accuracy fell off (but I'm talking F-class accuracy, still very acceptable for ringing steel). H1000 is worth a look too but possibly a little slow for the velocities you want...burn rate around H4831/RL22 is probably about right for the case. I thought about going to 6.5x55 Improved and even have a no-turn reamer for Lapua brass but decided it was easier to just screw on a new 6.5-.284 barrel every 1000 rounds. If you ever need the reamer, let me know.
Best,
James
Re: 6.5x55 @2950fps
I was shooting the 139 Scenars not the 140s at 3.065" through a 29" Tru Flite barrel.
I've used 46.0 of N560 and 43.5 of RL17 to get 2950 with a little room to spare.
I just got the rifle back after having a new 30" Bartlein barrel installed. With the new chamber and throat I'm at 3.045" with the Scenars. This past Monday I took it out for break in and some chrono testing. With 43.0 of RL17 I was getting 2950 with the temp at 95F.
I was shooting the 139 Scenars not the 140s at 3.065" through a 29" Tru Flite barrel.
I've used 46.0 of N560 and 43.5 of RL17 to get 2950 with a little room to spare.
I just got the rifle back after having a new 30" Bartlein barrel installed. With the new chamber and throat I'm at 3.045" with the Scenars. This past Monday I took it out for break in and some chrono testing. With 43.0 of RL17 I was getting 2950 with the temp at 95F.
Re: 6.5x55 @2950fps
Maybe try the JLK 130 grain bullet. It gives nothing up to the 139 scenar and will allow a little bit more velocity. Just remember, accuracy beats speed.
Maybe try the JLK 130 grain bullet. It gives nothing up to the 139 scenar and will allow a little bit more velocity. Just remember, accuracy beats speed.
Re: 6.5x55 @2950fps
I shoot a 260 and a 6.5-06, my 6.5-06 only has a 28" barrel which I used to think was plenty long enough. The 6.5x55 Swede is probably much more suited to that length than the 6.5-06 which seems to need about 31-32" to really shine.
I'm currently shooting Retumbo from the 6.5-06 under 140 Bergers at 3175fps. It's flat and laser-like, but it's not what I'm looking for. The next barrel ( in about 1000 more rounds) will be a 32" tube with an 8 or 8.5 twist. I get 103% case fills to show pressure signs from my 6.5-06 with Retumbo, you won't get pressure signs from the 6.5x55 because the case capacity isn't there.
RL-25 or H1000 might give you something, I don't know for sure.
I just start to see pressure from H4831sc in the 260 with long loaded 140 Amax, the Amax has a much longer bearing surface than the Berger. The Amax tops out at 3075fps and pressure signs show at 58.5gr instead of 60.3gr
One thing I do know for sure, 4831sc is rather fast for the 6.5-284 and very fast for the 6.5-06. Accuracy is awesome with it, but I have to give up about 300fps to use that powder, so I only use it for fireforming
The bullet you could take a look at is the 130 JLK. It has the same BC as the 140 Berger but a slightly shorter bearing surface and lower core weight so it goes faster. My next experimentation with the 06 case will be to shoot the JLK's and see how quick they run. The other nice thing about the 130/140 JLK's is that the die set used to make them is the same, the only difference is the core weight. You can take your seating depth info for the 130 or 140 and just optimize the charge weight when you switch from 130 --> 140 JLK and visa versa. The BC's on those 140 is flat out AWESOME
I shoot a 260 and a 6.5-06, my 6.5-06 only has a 28" barrel which I used to think was plenty long enough. The 6.5x55 Swede is probably much more suited to that length than the 6.5-06 which seems to need about 31-32" to really shine.
I'm currently shooting Retumbo from the 6.5-06 under 140 Bergers at 3175fps. It's flat and laser-like, but it's not what I'm looking for. The next barrel ( in about 1000 more rounds) will be a 32" tube with an 8 or 8.5 twist. I get 103% case fills to show pressure signs from my 6.5-06 with Retumbo, you won't get pressure signs from the 6.5x55 because the case capacity isn't there.
RL-25 or H1000 might give you something, I don't know for sure.
I just start to see pressure from H4831sc in the 260 with long loaded 140 Amax, the Amax has a much longer bearing surface than the Berger. The Amax tops out at 3075fps and pressure signs show at 58.5gr instead of 60.3gr
One thing I do know for sure, 4831sc is rather fast for the 6.5-284 and very fast for the 6.5-06. Accuracy is awesome with it, but I have to give up about 300fps to use that powder, so I only use it for fireforming
The bullet you could take a look at is the 130 JLK. It has the same BC as the 140 Berger but a slightly shorter bearing surface and lower core weight so it goes faster. My next experimentation with the 06 case will be to shoot the JLK's and see how quick they run. The other nice thing about the 130/140 JLK's is that the die set used to make them is the same, the only difference is the core weight. You can take your seating depth info for the 130 or 140 and just optimize the charge weight when you switch from 130 --> 140 JLK and visa versa. The BC's on those 140 is flat out AWESOME
Re: 6.5x55 @2950fps
..my $0.02....I currently shoot a wildcat 6.5WSSM
Current recipe calls for:
45.1 grains of RL-17 pushing a 140 gr. Berger VLD at 3,090 fps, 1,050 ft. elevation, 90 deg.F
QL confirms my results with my 30.5" Pac-Nor 1.25" Straight Cylinder 1:8 twist RH 5-groove.
My throat measurement is currently 2.697" [I had the chamber cut with a LONG freebore]
My loads are 2.680" COL, 0.017" off the lands.
I have heard that others have said that RL-17 is too dirty compared to say 4350, My Pac-Nor barrel cleans up like a dream..so I reckon the hand-lapped barrel has helped in reducing the carbon fouling.
..my $0.02....I currently shoot a wildcat 6.5WSSM
Current recipe calls for:
45.1 grains of RL-17 pushing a 140 gr. Berger VLD at 3,090 fps, 1,050 ft. elevation, 90 deg.F
QL confirms my results with my 30.5" Pac-Nor 1.25" Straight Cylinder 1:8 twist RH 5-groove.
My throat measurement is currently 2.697" [I had the chamber cut with a LONG freebore]
My loads are 2.680" COL, 0.017" off the lands.
I have heard that others have said that RL-17 is too dirty compared to say 4350, My Pac-Nor barrel cleans up like a dream..so I reckon the hand-lapped barrel has helped in reducing the carbon fouling.
