Loads for 6.5 x 55

[ppkny]

I'm taking the plunge into highpower...I bought a Tikka T3 / 6.5 x 55. Can anyone share any loads there using. I would prefer to use Varget but any help would be appreciated.
ppkny

[Jason]

I think Cloninger bought the same gun in the same caliber. I'm sure Mr. Chatty Cathy will be willing to share and bump his post count even more.

[BCloninger]

I think Cloninger bought the same gun in the same caliber. I'm sure Mr. Chatty Cathy will be willing to share and bump his post count even more.

Thanks for the plug Jason, but the best I can offer is the earlier threads - all talk and no range time.

I plan to begin with 123 grain Sierra Matchkings over 34.5 grains of Varget, bumped in increments of .5 grains every 20 rounds for 100 break-in rounds to get a feel for the rifle. Testing is limited to a 300 yard range, and Commander Kitty has final say on the process of course, and may recommend a hotter starting point. He has already suggested lighter weight bullets, particularly for break-in and practice.

[ppkny]

Can someone please point me to the early threads about the 6.5 x 55. I searched and found nothing. Thanks for the help.
ppkny

[jneihouse]

Pete,

Go to the Lapua website.
http://www.lapua.com/fileadmin/user_upl ... ition8.pdf

Lots of good stuff there. My personal experience with the VV powders has been very good.
We're going to start load development for BB's 6.5X55 very soon...I'll pm you what we work up for his....every gun is different but it'll give you a starting point...Though Bob259 and I have found that guns chambered with the same reamer to the same length shoot remarkably the same...

Kitty

[ppkny]

Kitty, Thanks I'll be interested in your load data. I did notice one thing....I bought some loaded ammo Prvi Patizan so I'd have some ammo to get the scope roughly sighted in before I tried hand loads and the overall dimensions end to tip is a lot less than the specs on reloading call for. Factory ammo is 2.80 Load data is 3.15. Any comments from anyone on this.
Thanks, ppkny

[BCloninger]

Something to remember with the Swedish Mauser round is that it is an old round, and there are a lot of old rifles, including military surplus, out there that folks still try to use. This old metallurgy gets indigestion on modern loads, so factory ammunition may be pretty conservative to protect the ignorant. A final thought on factory loads is to use something like Lapua that's worth reloading - high quality brass is worth the (sometimes painful) price.

[lone ringer]

Kitty, Thanks I'll be interested in your load data. I did notice one thing....I bought some loaded ammo Prvi Patizan so I'd have some ammo to get the scope roughly sighted in before I tried hand loads and the overall dimensions end to tip is a lot less than the specs on reloading call for. Factory ammo is 2.80 Load data is 3.15. Any comments from anyone on this.
Thanks, ppkny

Would not that depend on the weight of the bullet, how long the bullet is, the length of your magazine and the throat of your rifle?

[jneihouse]

In a factory rifle like the Tikka that I'm going to work on load development for BB you will have a lot more compromises than a rifle that you have built and the chamber cut to your specs...I suspect that magazine length will be our biggest limiting factor...I suspect, but have not measured, that the leade is going to be pretty generous and the bullet is going to have a jump to make to get to the lands and grooves..

John

[BCloninger]

The Tikka receiver is an unusual size, somewhere between the traditional short and long action, so getting the dimensions will be interesting.

[ppkny]

Guys, Thanks, interesting. I did check some of the loading data for different weight bullets and the overall does vary a lot depending on the bullett weight. I'll have to check loaded ammo in the magazine when I get up and running. Yes, I did order Lupua brass.
ppkny

[1999]

107's and varget work well on the first 3 but for the rams you will need something in the 140gr range and a slower powder. You will end up using 4350,4831 or 7828 for your ram load.

[ppkny]

I've tested the Varget loads out to 300M and they are great. Saturday I'll be able to go out to 500 with the 142's and still use Varget. I'll see what it does.
ppkny