6.5x55 reloading data

[Alpha1]

Any body had any experience with the 6.5x55 using 120grain or the 140grain jacketed bullets.
I will be using Vitavouri powders.

[Dougan]

I started loading for an M96 Swedish last year - I was trying to develop a lowish load for 200 yrd accuracy, and to be honest found it a bit tricky...cutting a long story short, I found that I had problems getting new brass to expand enough to seal on the first firing without upping the powder beyond what I wanted...

...In the end I got best results (accurate with no sooting beyond the neck) using once-fired PPU that was only neck sized...

...the best loads were between 35 and 36 gns of N150, with a 140 SMK seated to 3.050 (I found the seating depths in the Vhit manual too shallow).

So, considering the problems I had I'm probably not the best to give you advice, but the one piece that may be of value, is that I think N150 isn't slow enough for the M96, so plan to try N160...which I now wish I'd started with....

[Alpha1]

I have some N160 and N140.

[Dougan]

I have some N160 and N140.

Well that's handy, as the Vhit manual gives plenty of data for 120 bullets using N140, and 139/140 bullets using N160....

....when you get to testing please let us know how you get on; obviously after getting 'mixed' results myself, I'm very interested...

[Alpha1]

I plan on spending a couple of evenings this week re loading and then shoot them next Saturday.
The rifle is a Carl Gustaf Swedish mauser by the way.

[Dougan]

If it's an M96 then it's the same as mine...which makes me even more interested...

...the Vhit manual quotes a test barrel of 26.5", where as the M96 has a 29.1" barrel...which is one reason why I'd like to try the slower powder.

I did a 'burn test', comparing equivalent amounts of N140 and whatever is in PPU (which shoots quite well in the rifle) - it wasn't particularly scientific, but it was obvious that the N140 was faster....

The other main issue I had was with the seating depths in the Vhit Manual - 3.110" for a 140 SMK ...which barely left any of the bearing surface in the case neck; and I just didn't trust it for rounds being used from the magazine...

... I'd appreciate your opinion on this please when you've decided your seating depth...

[dromia]

My M96 accuracy load is 43.5 gns of VV N160 under a 139gn Scenar, OAL 3.125".

M38 preferred 43 gns, M94 43 gns and the CG63 grouped best with 44 gns. So 43-44gns seems to be my swede sweet spot

N160 was the best grouping powder although my records show I wouldn't feel disadvantaged with Reloader 19 either.

[dromia]

Average velocity in the M96 was 2,623fps.

[Alpha1]

Thanks Adam I have a starting point. I have some notes some were I will dig them out before starting re loading.

Dougan I have selected 100 cases they are in the tumbler getting a good clean before I start. I will ream the primer pockets once they are out of the tumbler then check the case lengths and trim them. Then de burr the case mouth. In the mean time I am setting up a RCBS powder dispenser and the target master trickler.
All the cases will be sized on a Lyman crusher press using a Lee full length die and primed using the tool as comes with the press.

I have several different makes of bullets I will let you know what make I go with later. I have 120grain and 140grain bullets. Looking at Adams data makes me think for this exercise I will give the 140grain bullets a spin.

I will check with a Hornady over all length gauge before I start for seating depth all though I think it will be a wasted exercise with it being a Military rifle but I will check any way.

I have re loaded for this rifle before but it has been a long while ago. So any further input is welcome.

[dromia]

Don't start with that load.

Work up carefully as it is over the Vihtavuori maximum of 41.2Gns.

Their start load is 37 gns, so begin there and work up carefully looking for pressure indications with your chronograph and case head measurements.