4831 in 6.5 x55

Thumbcocker

Active Member
I have a Ruger 77 in 6.5 x 55. I size boolits .266 for it. Been thinking about speeding it up a bit. Boolits weigh 159 + grains trade to load.

I have jacketed data for 160 grain bullets with 4831. I was thinking, always dangerous, about rounding up the starting load for the jacketed bullets and loading cast.

Am I asking for trouble?
 

Ian

Notorious member
Probably, but other than it potentially making huge patterns or leading the bore, neither of which are a big deal unless the bullets go over the berm, I see no reason not to try it. If you powder coat the bullets and size them just smaller than throat entrance diameter, they might do close to an inch at starting jacketed load levels without too much fuss. I think most load data is pretty anemic due to pressure limits of the M96 Mauser.
 

burbank.jung

Active Member
A softjacket helps prevent leading and can take higher pressures? Does the bullet take a gas check? What alloy are these cast bullets? I think you should make them as hard as possible. At least heat them to 400% and water drop them to temper the alloy.
 

Thumbcocker

Active Member
These are gas checked and lubed with Ben's red. ACWW. I have seen where folks using 4831 have gotten respectable velocity in .308 with 1:10 twist.

Figured I would give 4831 a try since I have some on hand. Hoping the longer pressure curve will ease the boolit down the barrel.
 

Bret4207

At the casting bench in the sky. RIP Bret.
Shoot a few and see. I've taken ACWW well over 2K in 30 cals, Bhn is just an internet answer that doesn't tell even half the story but it sure appeals as an easy answer.
 

Thumbcocker

Active Member
trying to run a swede straight out the gate at jacketed velocities is what i like to call a learning experience.
the only way your gonna get a really hard bullet to help you is to wrap it in copper.
I have cast for 6.5 x 55 before. Got good accuracy with this boolit with 2400. Rx7, and 4759.

I will give it a try and see what happens. Gonna load some with 4198 too.
 

burbank.jung

Active Member
I have cast for 6.5 x 55 before. Got good accuracy with this boolit with 2400. Rx7, and 4759.

I will give it a try and see what happens. Gonna load some with 4198 too.
Thumbcocker, please let me know if 4198 improved your accuracy compared to R7 or whether it was about the same. I'm running out of R7 and had to resort to trying 4198 for my sks loads. Thanks