Let’s discuss the 6.5x55 SE

[NinjaVanish]

First of all, I love this round, and I don’t want this to turn into a debate. I’m just now getting into reloading. Using Hogden’s online tool, I’m seeing Max loads reaching around 2700 fps in a 140 gr and 2800 in a 120 gr respectively. Curious if anyone here has pushed these weights closer to the 2900 fps range safely. What powders are you using, etc? Fwiw, this will be getting fired from a Tikka T3 Hunter 1-9 twist with a 22.4” barrel. Will be used for Coyote and Whitetail predominantly.

 

[Mtnmilsurp]

I’m seeing 2,845 FPS with 120 TTSX over 45 gr of StaBall 6.5 with no signs of pressure in a Swedish Mauser manufactured in 1898. Accuracy is better than my shooting ability. I also got 3,150 with 100 TTSX over 46 gr H4350. Barrel is a Shilen 1-9 25.5” DIY prefit from midway USA.

 

[NinjaVanish]

I’m seeing 2,845 FPS with 120 TTSX OVER 45 gr of StaBall 6.5 with no signs of pressure in a Swedish Mauser manufactured in 1898. Accuracy is better than my shooting ability. I also got 3,150 with 100 TTSX over 46 gr H4350. Barrel is a Cheapo Shilen 1-9 25.5” prefit from midway USA.

That’s pretty impressive.

 

[S-3 ranch]

Hornady 129 gr interlock at 2915 fps with 48.6 grs of IMR-4831

What gives with modern 6.5x55 loading data?

Was just looking at 6.5x55 loading data compared to 260 Rem. The 6.5x55 has a larger case by a few grains of water but the 260 loaded to the same load produces over 100fps more velocity. The barrel difference is 1 inch in favor of the 260. Is the Sweedish cartrage a weak case desing like the...

www.longrangehunting.com

 

[stealthgoat]

129g Interlock, 45.0g H4350, Lupua brass, BR2 primer, @ 2,827fps.
Essentially a duplicate of Hornady American Whitetail 6.5 Creed

Winchester 70 Classic 6.5x55 replacement featherweight profile barrel with shorter throat is slightly faster 2,827 fps, versus 2,738 fps ave same load with Winchester factory barrel with longer throat.

 

[SDHNTR]

I’m about 2850 with a 120 TTSX, Horn brass and I think 45gr of h4350 in my CZ 550, with room to go. 2900 shouldn’t be hard.

 

[Mtnmilsurp]

Essentially a duplicate of Hornady American Whitetail 6.5 Creed

…that you can shoot while wearing men’s clothing

 

[NinjaVanish]

Hornady 129 gr interlock at 2915 fps with 48.6 grs of IMR-4831

What gives with modern 6.5x55 loading data?

Was just looking at 6.5x55 loading data compared to 260 Rem. The 6.5x55 has a larger case by a few grains of water but the 260 loaded to the same load produces over 100fps more velocity. The barrel difference is 1 inch in favor of the 260. Is the Sweedish cartrage a weak case desing like the...

www.longrangehunting.com

So considering I'm using a modern action/barrel in the Tikka, I could chase the .260 numbers and be okay?

 

[Runningwater]

No help here but a thumbs up for a great cartridge. I've got an old sporterized 1896 mauser with an 18.5 inch barrel with a mannlicher stock. Was my only scoped big game rifle for about 10 years. Shot whitetail, mulie, coyote, prohorn, elk, moose, and a mountain goat with it. All I pretty much ever shot were the factory Norma 140s which were pretty stiff for factory. If I recall they were supposed to be about 2800 in a full length barrel. I would think you could look at 260 numbers and just be careful and aware of what your gun is telling you as you work your way up.

 

[stealthgoat]

So considering I'm using a modern action/barrel in the Tikka, I could chase the .260 numbers and be okay?

Yes with all the usual loading safety caveat's of 'start lower & work up' etc. I'm not sure of Tikka throat and where you'll end up with OAL.

But I also should point out you probably don't need to push for absolute max speed - 2,800 fps seems to work very well.
I have gone faster, especially with lighter bullets and longer barrels, but with 20/20 hind-site believe I also spent a lot of time and components chasing some arbitrary fps numbers that really didn't matter much for me at least downrange .... But that's what we do sometimes

 

[SDHNTR]

Yes with all the usual loading safety caveat's of 'start lower & work up' etc. I'm not sure of Tikka throat and where you'll end up with OAL.

But I also should point out you probably don't need to push for absolute max speed - 2,800 fps seems to work very well.
I have gone faster, especially with lighter bullets and longer barrels, but with 20/20 hind-site believe I also spent a lot of time and components chasing some arbitrary fps numbers that really didn't matter much for me at least downrange .... But that's what we do sometimes

This. Find accurate, not fast. 100fps in either direction is meaningless.

 

[NinjaVanish]

Thanks for the advice, guys. I just want to make sure it's safe above all else.

 

[wind gypsy]

So considering I'm using a modern action/barrel in the Tikka, I could chase the .260 numbers and be okay?

The 6.5x55 case is slightly bigger than a 260 case. In a modern action, i see no reason why one couldn't safely match or exceed 260 charges/velocities.

 

[Tberg]

My favorite cartridge! The swedes really had their poop together when they designed this sweetheart.

I hunt with and reload for two T3's in 6.5X55. I started load workup with Reloder 23 when I got the first rifle. You should be able to achieve 2850fps safely with 140 class bullets. Accuracy is outstanding in mine with 143gr eldx. Search for load data for 6.5X55 SKAN; this is the European designation for 6.5X55 loads in modern rifles. Your Tikka is modern. Vitavouri has some good performing loads with N560, which is a very similar burn rate to R23. I think Norma has data too. FWIW my T3 with 22" barrel is a 8 twist, seems like yours would be too. You should expect velocities closer to published 6.5-284 than 6.5c. Buy Lapua brass, It's worth it. I often use published 260 rem max loads as a starting point when I begin working up new loads in my T3 Swedes.

Here's 10 shots from my 20" T3 Sporter from this past weekend.
142gr SMK, R23, Lapua, CCI200
147gr ELDM shoot even better.
You're shooting one of the best cartridges ever made.

 

[NinjaVanish]

Awesome. Thank you. That’s a beautiful rig you have there.

 

[Tberg]

Tikka chambers these rifles with a very generous throat. Be sure to measure, because you can seat the bullets quite long. This is the 143 edlx at 0.020 jump.

 

[NinjaVanish]

Tikka chambers these rifles with a very generous throat. Be sure to measure, because you can seat the bullets quite long. This is the 143 edlx at 0.020 jump.

View attachment 503390

Good info. Thank you.

 

[Gallahad]

My last 3 rifles were 6.5x55. I load a 156 gr ppu round nose behind 42 gr of imr 4350. It's right around 2500fps. Hammer of Thor stuff! Better performance on game than when I was using anything else. Very little meat damage, but very quick kills. I'll tell you one thing, you don't need to worry about penetration! By the way, my best group with this cheap hunting bullet was 5 shots at a hundred yards with a 3.9 center to center.

 

[NinjaVanish]

My last 3 rifles were 6.5x55. I load a 156 gr ppu round nose behind 42 gr of imr 4350. It's right around 2500fps. Hammer of Thor stuff! Better performance on game than when I was using anything else. Very little meat damage, but very quick kills. I'll tell you one thing, you don't need to worry about penetration! By the way, my best group with this cheap hunting bullet was 5 shots at a hundred yards with a 3.9 center to center.

There's no doubt that thing is a hammer. Thanks for the input! I doubt I'll go that heavy. I've been using the Trophy Grade 140 gr Accubond ammo with fantastic "bang-flop" results. In all likelihood, if anything, I may bump down to the 130. I have some 120 gr Nosler BTs currently that I'm going to test out with a lighter charge. Hoping to get it so mild that my kids can shoot it eventually. When it's all said and done, I'd like to have 3-4 combinations to run through it.

 

[wind gypsy]

Tikka chambers these rifles with a very generous throat. Be sure to measure, because you can seat the bullets quite long. This is the 143 edlx at 0.020 jump.

View attachment 503390

Wow. Yep, definitely would push it faster than a 260 given the throat and ability to load in long action mags.