Loading 6.5 x 55

[Dougan]

I'm soon to start reloading for the Swedish Mauser, and have some questions please....

I'm only looking to shoot to 300 yds, so:

Firstly - What bullet? ...what is generally regarded as the right weight of bullet for this rifle, and what other weights have people tried?

Secondly - Powder? I would prefer to use Vhit powder, and have N140 for other loads - however the Vhit manual only gives loads for bullet weights upto 130 gn for N140...so what powder would be best for heavier bullets?

[richard]

What are you shooting targets or live stuff?Normally 140g bullet for this cal,however i use 120g BT for deer.Powder N140,N150.Best to get a selection of bullets,powder,primmers and see what your rifle likes.

[Dougan]

So 140 gn is the 'standard' - I'll be using them for target shooting and McQueens, up to 300 yds.

Cheers Richard :cheers:

[ovenpaa]

The 142 grain SMK is another option with N160/N165 behind it. Another to consider if the Lapua 139 Scenar

[Mossy]

I've found Reloader 22 to work well with 140gn A-Max with my rifle. If you want to stick with Vit powders then N160/N165 might be worth a try.

[Ballistol]

+1 on the 139g Lapua Scenar, most bullets in this calibre offer an excellent BC.
These are a popular bullet in use in several cartridges way out to 1000yds, and work well with many different powders. My personal favourites are V165 and Varget.

[Dougan]

Ok thanks for your replies - I've done some checking on the suggestions, and have a starting point - Will start with the 139gn Lapuas (they're available, and it looks like you can get cheap copies for practice). I'd also like to experiment with some lighter Lapuas (even lower BC!), and the 142gn SMK (which look that little bit longer).

As for powder - I don't think I need the slower N165, as I'll be loading relitively light loads - but I can't make my mind up between N150 and N160?

Thanks again :cheers:

[ovenpaa]

Cheap copies of 139 Laps??

[Dougan]

Cheap copies of 139 Laps??

PeterLawmans has 139gn FMJs for £9.95 per 100 - obviously they won't be the same as real scenars - they're probably open at the back, and would need batch weighing. I used his cheap 174gn .303s, and got some good results with them...

Unfortunatly I can only afford to use Scenars and SMKs for 'best', so have to use some easily interchangable (i.e. with the same load) cheapies :)

[ovenpaa]

They are probably S&B's then so might be copper washed steel over lead, test them with a magnet! I have used Peter's budget bullets in the past to great effect at 300/600 yards.