6.5x55 Heavy Bullet Loads

[farmerlifter]

Hey all, Im loading 6.5x55se as stated in the title, looking for some help on load data for heavy bullets (153-160gr). All reloading manuals I find are showing loads for old swedish mausers so the loads are quite enemic. I have a brand new tikka t3x in the mail that Im putting open sights on. Has anyone pushed a bullet that heavy past that 2400-2500fps range? Loading for a zastava m70 I had a load of 43.5gr of IMR4350 and was getting around 2350-2400avg out of it. I have new Lapua brass and access to Norma oryx 153gr and Hornady 160gr interlocks. I have tried looking at current 260 rem loads for reference but have not had much luck finding anything in that weight range. Any info is appreciated.

 

[bigunit]

I didn't shoot anything that heavy but 7828ssc was money for 143gr bullets. Just over 2900fps and excellent accuracy

 

[farmerlifter]

I didn't shoot anything that heavy but 7828ssc was money for 143gr bullets. Just over 2900fps and excellent accuracy

Pretty hot load, you use it for hunting or targets? Im going to be using this as a light weight brush gun so to speak.

 

[bigunit]

I used it for both. Only shot one deer with it but I was happy with the results. I actually ended up using some 6.5x284 data. It was warm but not too hot. Easy bolt lift and no excessive brass stretching. It was a t3 as well.

 

[Ozarkansas]

Sorry this is old, but I got 156 grain Norma oryx to 2590 with a full case (but still not quite compressed) of H1000. It was an extremely accurate load in my tikka as well

 

[Oropi]

Hey I have a Tikka T3 Varmint 6.5x55

My recipe

156 Berger EOL
45.8 gr H4350
Fiocchi lrp

Get 2721fps out of 22” barrel

 

[Choupique]

Heavy bullets were what the 6.5x55 was designed for. I think i have an older Lee manual that has some good stuff in it, I'll look this evening.

 

[Oropi]

It’s also silly accurate


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[farmerlifter]

Sorry this is old, but I got 156 grain Norma oryx to 2590 with a full case (but still not quite compressed) of H1000. It was an extremely accurate load in my tikka as well

Interesting the Oryx is what im trying to find a box of to load for. Got 2 boxes of their ammo in it. Hoping to improve it now.

 

[farmerlifter]

Hey I have a Tikka T3 Varmint 6.5x55

My recipe

156 Berger EOL
45.8 gr H4350
Fiocchi lrp

Get 2721fps out of 22” barrel

Wow. That seems like the fastest and heaviest load Ive seen for something over 140. Any pressure signs or bolt stickage?

 

[farmerlifter]

It’s also silly accurate


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Crazy good dude! Thats your load with 4350?

 

[Oropi]

Yes, I hit pressure and heavy bolt lifts around 2830 ish with (don’t quote me I don’t have my booklet) from memory around 48gr of h4350 (ADI 2209). I also was getting higher ES as I approached pressure and accuracy left with that.

 

[Oropi]

Crazy good dude! Thats your load with 4350?

Yep, I got faster speeds with RL26 but that stuff was hard to find for a while so I swapped to a more plentiful powder.

 

[Choupique]

You might try one of those $10 caliber specific load books from midway as well. I have one somewhere but I can't find it.

 

[Oropi]

Especially the Swedes in a modern action you usually won’t at pressure even at book max, but of course work up slowly.


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[Ozarkansas]

Interesting the Oryx is what im trying to find a box of to load for. Got 2 boxes of their ammo in it. Hoping to improve it now.

I think they stopped importing the 6.5 oryx bullet for a time, I had to change to a different load because I couldn’t find them anywhere. Idk if they’re available as a reloading component these days or not.

I should also note that my velocity number is from a 22” barrel and had no pressure signs. I’d have been comfortable going up significantly, since a lot of load data has H100 getting compressed quite a bit. I just stopped there because it shot so well and hit the speed I was hoping for.