The continuing adventures of the 6.5X55

[Brick]

Finally got to the ranges to chrono some recent test loads.
This time using Varget. All the pertinent data is to be found on the PDF showing the velocity results.

BUT! Let me tell all you this time out was pretty frustrating! I've finally reach the conclusion that if you're going to invest in a chrono. Get a cheap Shooting Chrony!
Their results are just as good, but most important of all they WORK! The Chrono I've been using, a 1-XP Pact, unfortunately is has more ways to fail than it does to work.

The pdf shows the results, the two jpegs are photos of the 10 shot groups formed by the test rounds at 100 yards. Note that within each group of 10 there are sub-groups that fall well within 1 MOA.

FYI to date my testing has included IMR 4064 and Norma MRP posted earlier and Varget to date the MRP has produced the best results for velocity and accuracy with theis weight bullet.

Note also the 35 and 36 grain charges shown here EXCEED the pressure limits for Military Surplus Swedish Mauser rifles. Use these charges ONLY in strong modern commercial actions!

[Noah_Zark]

Brick:

Thanks for the report; I am always interested in others' experience with one of my favorite bottlenecked cartridges.

FWIW, my "standard" load for the 6.5x55 since the late 80s has been 42 gr of IMR 4350 under either a Hornady 140 gr Spire Point, or a 139 gr Norma "Vulkan" open point (Long ago ceased production, but I found a metric crap ton of those at a gun shop going out of business in the early 90s and still have a couple thousand). Off a bench at 100 yds with open sights in any of my 96 or 38 Mausers, OR out of my scoped Ruger 77, that load will do cover with a dime or at worst a nickel three-shot groups if I'm doing my part.

Keep up the good work,

Noah

[Brick]

Thanks for the information and the encouragement! BTW Norma still lists the Vulkan bullet in their catalog. Graf's is listing one in 156 gr. Powder Valley lists a 139gr Lapua Scenar HPBT also.

I've been playing pretty much with hunting loads for hunting bullets. Maybe it time to switch over to "target bullets" like Sierra's Match Kings etc.

Keep having fun!

[cephas]

10 shot groups don't lie. SD 9.2. That's some good loading.

[Brick]

Just to add to the conversation here's aome earlier work in the same caliber.