I need some guidance as I develop loads for my new 6.5x55

[RichieG]

View attachment 656856
3 shot group at 200m. Load consistently shoots like this, whether it’s 20 or 35 degrees Celsius.
Norma 143gr Bondstrike.
46.3gr VV N555
Norma book length
Can’t remember the velocity offhand, but it’s right at 2700fps.
All the above groups were shot from my Mauser M03 with a 600mm 1: 8.6” barrel.

Great groups well done! Love the M03, mine’s also a tack driver. Better rifle than the operator!

 

[FlyGuy]

140gr Nosler Ballistic Tip
45gr Somchem S365
Nosler Book Length
2821fps
WARNING!!! This load proved to be too hot. Great on a cold day, Sticky bolt on a warm day.
Dropped back to 43. something grains of 365.

 

[FlyGuy]

I always roll my eyes when I hear people or watch influencer’s waxing lyrical about the accuracy and efficiency of the 6.5CM.
The Norwegians and Swedes perfected the 6.5 cartridge 132 years ago

 

[FlyGuy]

Great groups well done! Love the M03, mine’s also a tack driver. Better rifle than the operator!

Yeah Richie…
At some stage, I’ve owned almost every switch barrel rifle in the Blaser Group stable.
Blaser R93 and R8, Sauer 202 etc.
They’ve all gone down the road, except for my M03.

 

[Rimshot]

I load for several 6.5x55 including a drilling. The high BC 140+ gr bullets (ELD, accubond long range, etc) won't stabilize in the euro twist 1:8.6" at lower density altitude.

I've tried a variety of powders and RL-17, H4350, IMR 4831, and H1000 have worked well. My favorite by far for the 140-160gr bullets is H1000. It gives the best velocity at the lowest pressures, and has been very accurate and consistent in most of my swedes.

My pet load in my drilling is a 140 partition using H1000. 2 grains below max gives 2690 fps avg in a 22.4" barrel and QL estimates 50k psi. Very accurate.

Another great bullet is the 155 Lapua mega. It is crazy accurate and H1000 is ideal. 2550 fps

 

[FlyGuy]

I load for several 6.5x55 including a drilling. The high BC 140+ gr bullets (ELD, accubond long range, etc) won't stabilize in the euro twist 1:8.6" at lower density altitude.

Mmm… that’s odd.
I live at 5700+ feet with low air density, and have the same Euro twist rate.
The Nosler PT is like a Sierra Pro Hunter.
If the rifle won’t shoot it, sell it!
Would love to use them but haven’t seen PT’s in SA for years.

 

[Rimshot]

Mmm… that’s odd.
I live at 5700+ feet with low air density, and have the same Euro twist rate.
The Nosler PT is like a Sierra Pro Hunter.
If the rifle won’t shoot it, sell it!
Would love to use them but haven’t seen PT’s in SA for years.

Sorry, I think you are confusing "low density altitude" with "low density" but these are opposite. The lower the density altitude, the higher the air density. Density altitude is a way of expressing density related to an altitude at ISA standard temperature and pressure. For example, at an altitude of 1000 feet with standard pressure, but a temperature of 35C (22 degrees above standard), the density altitude is 3600 feet, because the current air density under these conditions is equal to being at 3600 feet above sea level at standard temperature and pressure.

 

[sgt_zim]

I always roll my eyes when I hear people or watch influencer’s waxing lyrical about the accuracy and efficiency of the 6.5CM.
The Norwegians and Swedes perfected the 6.5 cartridge 132 years ago

I don't know about the rest of the world, but the factory ammo I've run across in the US seems to be manufactured with Krags in mind.

 

[RichieG]

I don't know about the rest of the world, but the factory ammo I've run across in the US seems to be manufactured with Krags in mind.

I think that’s right. Norma factory ammunition lists the 156gr Oryx at 2560fps and the 143gr Bondstrike at 2720fps. Both are loads for modern rifles and as much speed as you need in a 6.5x55. My experience fwiw with the Oryx factory ammo is that it is a superb bushveld load. I load eldx 143gr at 2650 and they have also been very effective especially at longer ranges where the softer projectile can do its work.