My son has one of the new Winchester 1885 High Walls in 6.5 x 55 on order to go along with 22 Hornet he got a few years ago. The dealer told him not to expect it before the first of next year if then. That will allow time to round up supplies. He traded into an older set of RCBS dies several years ago and has been itching to get them some use ever since. Between the current shortages and the creedmore fad, bullets are pretty scarce. He found some Lapua brass, Hornady 129 Interlocks, and a 6x36 Leupold and has them on the way. I load everything for both of us, have a couple pounds of H4350 and H4831SC on hand. Also have a pound of imr4451 and one of Magpro so I guess we'll have something to play with when it finally gets here.
What's old and older is new again
- Thread starter Ole_270
- Start date
oscarflytyer
Well-Known Member
Bret - RL21 or RL22? Asking because I have 2x 6.5s, and always been told RL22 is the go to for real Swede performance. I got started with it, but haven't found anything yet.
Bret4207
At the casting bench in the sky. RIP Bret.
Probably 22, my re-member-er ain't all that great these days!
oscarflytyer
Well-Known Member
so... RL22 is also supposed to be great in 6.5x55. AND, StaBall is supposed to also be good for 270. So, HOPEFULLY, StaBall will also be good in the 6.5x55! (hopefully my logic trail is sound!)
Joshua
Taco Aficionado/Salish Sea Pirate/Part-Time Dragon
When Reloder 22 was first introduced it was the same powder as Norma MRP. Made in the same plant with the only difference being lot to lot variation.
Now they are made in different plants, but the published load data is still with in a grain or two of each other.
Now they are made in different plants, but the published load data is still with in a grain or two of each other.
Spindrift
Well-Known Member
What a beautiful rifle!
The 6,5x55 is a very capable and versatile cartridge. I have three, in strong commercial bolt actions. And one factory rebuilt target gun with a Norwegian Krag action, that should have reduced loads.
There are many good powders for this cartridge. If maximum velocity with 140grs+ bullets is the goal, H4831sc is probably a good choice. I haven’t tried it. I have imr4831, which is a hair faster, I believe? It is also a good powder for the heavier bullets.
Norma MRP is fantastic with the heavier bullets. With 140grs bullets, 47grs is a «sensible max» load that seems to always shoot good. Or 45grs, with 155/156grs. Don’t use these data with old swedish mausers! MRP is probably very similar to RL22.
Hodgdon Superformance have also given me good accuracy and velocity. 46grs with 140grs bullets, or 44grs with 155grs bullets is what I consider sensible max loads in strong actions.
With the 129 grs bullets, I would expect 4350 to work well. I haven’t tried it.
I got amazing accuracy with 100grs ballistic tips, and imr 4064.
Among jacketed bullets, the 156grs Norma oryx and 155grs Lapua Mega are the most popular moose bullets in Scandinavia for this cartridge. They are proven bullets, if you want to maximize the game-getting potential. They are, however, rather blunt and the BC is not the best.
I have loaded some Nosler accubond 140grs for my caribou rifle, just have to find a caribou!
The 6,5x55 is a very capable and versatile cartridge. I have three, in strong commercial bolt actions. And one factory rebuilt target gun with a Norwegian Krag action, that should have reduced loads.
There are many good powders for this cartridge. If maximum velocity with 140grs+ bullets is the goal, H4831sc is probably a good choice. I haven’t tried it. I have imr4831, which is a hair faster, I believe? It is also a good powder for the heavier bullets.
Norma MRP is fantastic with the heavier bullets. With 140grs bullets, 47grs is a «sensible max» load that seems to always shoot good. Or 45grs, with 155/156grs. Don’t use these data with old swedish mausers! MRP is probably very similar to RL22.
Hodgdon Superformance have also given me good accuracy and velocity. 46grs with 140grs bullets, or 44grs with 155grs bullets is what I consider sensible max loads in strong actions.
With the 129 grs bullets, I would expect 4350 to work well. I haven’t tried it.
I got amazing accuracy with 100grs ballistic tips, and imr 4064.
Among jacketed bullets, the 156grs Norma oryx and 155grs Lapua Mega are the most popular moose bullets in Scandinavia for this cartridge. They are proven bullets, if you want to maximize the game-getting potential. They are, however, rather blunt and the BC is not the best.
I have loaded some Nosler accubond 140grs for my caribou rifle, just have to find a caribou!
Bliksem
Active Member
What I did to help feed my M96 Swede was buy a case of M14 blanks, pulled the wooden bullets, discarded the powder and reloaded the brass. See this link: https://www.jgsales.com/6.5x55-swedish-m14-blank,-wooden-projectile,-4800rds.-p-92711.html
Some of the brass I got was tarnished but grabbing the wooden projectlie in a drill and running the case in some scotchbrite cleaned them up good. The brass is not boxer primed but at the price not a deal breaker. The blank powder is very fast so use it on your lawn.
Some of the brass I got was tarnished but grabbing the wooden projectlie in a drill and running the case in some scotchbrite cleaned them up good. The brass is not boxer primed but at the price not a deal breaker. The blank powder is very fast so use it on your lawn.
Missionary
Well-Known Member
That is a fine solution ! 4800 hunks of brass then sold as scrap !