Favorite Mould For The 6.5x55
- Thread starter Paden
- Start date
JonB
Halcyon member
It pays to know the groove size of your barrel, I've heard they vary.
I had a swede that the groove dia was .2665, but had a roomy throat, so I was able to use a NOE 269-145 FN mold that drops bullets .271 x .2715, that I size to .270 for my custom Jap 38 (which has a groove dia of .2685)...because of that roomy throat on the swede, this bullet fit.
I had a swede that the groove dia was .2665, but had a roomy throat, so I was able to use a NOE 269-145 FN mold that drops bullets .271 x .2715, that I size to .270 for my custom Jap 38 (which has a groove dia of .2685)...because of that roomy throat on the swede, this bullet fit.
Paden
Active Member
Appreciate the input so far. I have three rifles chambered for the 6.5x55, all of contemporary manufacture. All three have the same twist (1:8) and thankfully, all three slug the same (right at .264), tho the throats are slightly dissimilar... Distance to lands as follows:
Win Low Wall: 2.450
Ruger 77: 2.450
Win M70: 2.482
I'm currently having fun exploring loads for them up in the SKAN/SE data range (up to 3,100 fps / 55,100 psi). Goes without saying that we're not interested in attempting same with a cast bullet. That said, I'd like to find a nice accurate bullet I can eventually cast for these. Have never yet shot cast in a rifle, so am still learning pros/cons of different styles etc. Feel free to add any bits of wisdom you care to. I'm quite willing to have a custom mould cut, if someone recommends a fabulous bullet from a no longer produced mould. Photos always appreciated. Anyone like the RCBS 57904? Maven, can you say mould numbers for the two you mentioned?
Win Low Wall: 2.450
Ruger 77: 2.450
Win M70: 2.482
I'm currently having fun exploring loads for them up in the SKAN/SE data range (up to 3,100 fps / 55,100 psi). Goes without saying that we're not interested in attempting same with a cast bullet. That said, I'd like to find a nice accurate bullet I can eventually cast for these. Have never yet shot cast in a rifle, so am still learning pros/cons of different styles etc. Feel free to add any bits of wisdom you care to. I'm quite willing to have a custom mould cut, if someone recommends a fabulous bullet from a no longer produced mould. Photos always appreciated. Anyone like the RCBS 57904? Maven, can you say mould numbers for the two you mentioned?
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I don't have nearly as much experience as some of the other fellows here on the forum with the 6.5 X 55 , but I took my original pristine condition Model 96 to the range and shot some cast in it.
I shoot the Lee 170 " Cruise Missile " sized .266. Mine shoots IMR 4227 pretty well. This group is at 50 yards with military open sights from sand bags.
Thanks,
Ben
If you don't keep the speed up, I found that the bullets won't stabilize properly
causing the bullet holes to be oval. When the speed reaches
1,300 fps + this condition disappeared in my test.
I shoot the Lee 170 " Cruise Missile " sized .266. Mine shoots IMR 4227 pretty well. This group is at 50 yards with military open sights from sand bags.
Thanks,
Ben
If you don't keep the speed up, I found that the bullets won't stabilize properly
causing the bullet holes to be oval. When the speed reaches
1,300 fps + this condition disappeared in my test.
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Ian
Notorious member
I've taken that bullet (Midsouth Shooter Supply version, which is all jacked up in the dimension department) to the high side of 2700 fps at it's full 170 grains (paper patched for .270 Winchester) and my conclusions were it's unstable at any speed. The Oldfeller bullets with the smaller, lighter nose did MUCH better, but it took me five years to find someone willing to turn loose of an original Oldfeller group buy mould. MP is supposed to be running the "correct" Cruise Missile design sometime around A.D. 2225 if anyone here lives that long 
. Cutting the Midsouth mould down to 150 grains did quite well, but only with the most cavernous of Swedish Mauser throats.
BTW, my modified Lyman mould finally turned in ~ 2200 fps with MOA or better after a couple of years of trying, but I had to use all the esoteric loading techniques outlined on the CB forum plus exactly the correct alloy to pull it off. My advice is to just stick with 1600 fps and save your hair for pulling out on more worthwhile projects...unless you want a graduate degree in learning how to shoot extremely high velocity cast which will transfer to most other calibers. Contemporary, SAAMI-spec rifle chambers and groove arrangements look to be much less challenging for the cast bullet shooter than the military rifles.
. Cutting the Midsouth mould down to 150 grains did quite well, but only with the most cavernous of Swedish Mauser throats.BTW, my modified Lyman mould finally turned in ~ 2200 fps with MOA or better after a couple of years of trying, but I had to use all the esoteric loading techniques outlined on the CB forum plus exactly the correct alloy to pull it off. My advice is to just stick with 1600 fps and save your hair for pulling out on more worthwhile projects...unless you want a graduate degree in learning how to shoot extremely high velocity cast which will transfer to most other calibers. Contemporary, SAAMI-spec rifle chambers and groove arrangements look to be much less challenging for the cast bullet shooter than the military rifles.
quicksylver
Well-Known Member
Green Ben's Red?
Nice Shooting BTW.
Nice Shooting BTW.
Paden
Active Member
Can't find any reference to it; nothing between 266469 and 266673... Who made it?
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Ian
Notorious member
Not really, the 266673 has a long, skinny nose almost like a silhouette bullet, though it does have the tapered band like the 644. I've found the 673 completely unsuitable for military Swedish Mausers, but as always, YMMV.
Ian
Notorious member
The more I look at them, the more I agree. The 673 lacks the nose groove and has a longer nose than the .30-caliber one, which changes the appearance but the principle features remain intact. Interesting about Ed Schmitt, I always wondered who came up with the 311644 in an era of chronically two-dimensional rifle bullet designs.
Maven
Well-Known Member
Funny thing about #311644, which cast a tad small (.310") for my '06 (Win. Mod. 70 "Westerner"), it was the only CB that grouped into one big hole @ 100 yd. (9 shots in ~1" + 1 out of group, just to keep me humble!). I've got a CBE bore rider that may come close, but I've never been able to duplicate that accuracy in any of my rifles.
Paden
Active Member
MBW conveniently has Lyman 266469's and RCBS 57904's available. Will trial a few of both and see how they shoot before committing to buying mould(s).
Western Bullet Co is casting the Lyman 266673 as well, so I can trial a few of those.
Mr. Ben, that 170 Cruise Missile is a good looking bullet! I presume it's of the original design and not the Mid-South version Ian referenced? I've found a dimension drawing dated 12/02 which I presume to be the original spec's (?). I'm guessing it might run a little fat for current day chambers/bores (?).
Some of these bullets have crimp grooves...are any of you guys crimping your loads?
Western Bullet Co is casting the Lyman 266673 as well, so I can trial a few of those.
Mr. Ben, that 170 Cruise Missile is a good looking bullet! I presume it's of the original design and not the Mid-South version Ian referenced? I've found a dimension drawing dated 12/02 which I presume to be the original spec's (?). I'm guessing it might run a little fat for current day chambers/bores (?).
Some of these bullets have crimp grooves...are any of you guys crimping your loads?