Reloading for the 6.5, AAAAAAAGGGGGGHHHHH!

[flytie]

Now after a fair bit of tuition and mentoring i have started making up some work up loads. Lapua Brass, N160 powder, Federal LR primers (I couldn't get CCI anywhere) and Hornady 129gn SST's on the business end.

 

I have bought some reloading manuals and i am surprised by the differences of powder weights stated. Been looking on the web too, it's no clearer there either. I know that there are some old 6.5's which is why the powder loads are kept low, but it is such a big spread. But I know what they say............ start low and work up :blink:

 

The Hornady book says maximum load of N160 is 43.6gn, Lee says 46.1gn of the same powder.

 

Do not get me started on OAL, :blink: Even the bullets are different lengths. At least all the brass is of the same length, I know because I had to trim most of the brand new cases I reloaded.

 

I have done a fair spread of powder weights, and I have increased them gradually. And hopefully safely!

 

Now I just have to wait for a nice day and I will go and try them out

 

ft

[AndyCM]

Yes, frustrating eh!

But if you stick with hornady weights & get good accuracy - who cares what Lee say?

I have a few mid range loads that give great accuracy.

OAL - safe for your rifle is all that matters - have you measured that - with each bullet brand you plan to use.

Remember same weight bullets can have wildly differing profiles (bearing surfaces) and therefore pressure differences.

It's worth it when you get 3 touching !

Cheers

AndyCM

[flytie]

Yes, frustrating eh!

But if you stick with hornady weights & get good accuracy - who cares what Lee say?

I have a few mid range loads that give great accuracy.

OAL - safe for your rifle is all that matters - have you measured that - with each bullet brand you plan to use.

Remember same weight bullets can have wildly differing profiles (bearing surfaces) and therefore pressure differences.

It's worth it when you get 3 touching !

Cheers

AndyCM

 

Andy, yes i have measured with the SST's, and made up a dummy round. If or when I use a different bullet I will make up another. I have tried them through the rifle too, they chamber ok and the bolt closes :blink:

 

If I ever manage 3 touching, I will post the picture. It might be a while though :blink:

 

ft

[seeker]

FWIW I found the LoadAll book the most useful ... it had a good number of powder and bullet makers in one place. What I found frustrating was the spread of velocities .... that was cured by a trip out with the chrono.

My 'most accurate' loads were at speeds in line with those accuracy loads in the Vihtavouri manual 4. and at mid-range speed too.

Fortunately it hasn't been particularly fussy .....

good luck

[flytie]

Thanks for that, I found the vit 4 on line; http://www.lntrade.dk/pdfdoc/Vihtavuori_ladedata.pdf My loads seem to be mid range to high /ish, but only time will tell.

 

I ordered the Lee reloading manual from Tim Hannam along with loads of other gear, it has been arriving in dribs and drabs for the past fortnight. I have even had an apology from Mrs Hannam. But I never got the Lee manual. Looks like another trip on Amazon!

 

ft

[seeker]

Sounds like you're having fun ..!

The LoadBooks series comes in a single calibre and has culled the data from most major bullet and powder makers: its about £8-9 . I got mine from Norman Clarke.

Also worth a look at Speer #14 .. they have divided the 6.5x55 loads into 'old and new' guns.

When working up loads I like to have hard copy to cross reference net-data. I also found some of the manufacturers are less conservative than others.

There is an article on Guns&Ammo website from October(?) 2008 about making the most of the Swedes potential. Seems as though the discovery of the 6.5 in the US behind a a growing range of bullets and loads.

[Harnser]

Flytie ,

You dont know what you have let yourself into . You will spend a small fortune on different powders only using small amount to try out another load ,slow powders ,fast powders ,medium powders , light bullets ,heavy bullets , medium bullets ,standard primers ,magnum primers ,different makes of primers ,different profile bullets , different makes of bullets ,core bonded bullets , soft nose expanding bullets , ballistic tips I could go on , you are a fool man , stop it now If you want to save your marriage and want your kids to speak to you . You will become a reloading bench recluse that nobody wants to talk to and your only conversation will be with other reloaders on this forum . There is still time to avoid all this ,take advice from an old reloading recluse and stop it . Or get rid of the swede and buy a .308 much better to load for .

 

Harnser .

Edited November 26, 2009 by Harnser

[henry d]

......My loads seem to be mid range to high /ish, but only time will tell.

 

Most tested accurate loads for the 6.5 seem to be in that range and as has been said, you`ll find a load and you will swear by it and to save you turning into Harnser, stick with that load !!

[Dunkield]

Do what it takes FT, even go back to factory loads, but gods sake don't sell it an get a .308, I will never talk to you again :unsure:

[flytie]

Flytie ,

You dont know what you have let yourself into . You will spend a small fortune on different powders only using small amount to try out another load ,slow powders ,fast powders ,medium powders , light bullets ,heavy bullets , medium bullets ,standard primers ,magnum primers ,different makes of primers ,different profile bullets , different makes of bullets ,core bonded bullets , soft nose expanding bullets , ballistic tips I could go on , you are a fool man , stop it now If you want to save your marriage and want your kids to speak to you . You will become a reloading bench recluse that nobody wants to talk to and your only conversation will be with other reloaders on this forum . There is still time to avoid all this ,take advice from an old reloading recluse and stop it . Or get rid of the swede and buy a .308 much better to load for .

 

Harnser .

Get thee behind me Satan.

 

I also like fly tying, bet you never guessed? That can be addictive too and get people in a real tizzy when people do silly things like tying the wings of a grey wulff sloping forwards :o How the fur did fly! Sea trout fishing can do the same thing to you, fish all night, sleep all day. Perhaps i am just naturally anti-social :unsure: Anyway it's too late to back out now, I need to escape out to the garage occasionally, as all married men will understand.

 

Unless i manage to find some regular boar shooting in the Forest of Dean I do not think I will go for a .308, even then i think a 30-06 might, just might, be a better bet. Was that heresy?

 

ft

 

Do what it takes FT, even go back to factory loads, but gods sake don't sell it an get a .308, I will never talk to you again

Stuart, no chance my man. I don't think I will ever be without the Swede in one form or another I really like it .

 

ft

[Drovers]

Flytie,

If your in deepest Worcestershire and want some small trial amounts of powders/primers and 6.5 x55 heads drop me a PM.

Can use a short range if you want to make a lot of noise.

Mike

[njc110381]

It's a nice day, get out and test what you've done! I'm sure you'll get on fine, it's not as fine an art as it's made out to be especially in these big cartridges. The 6.5 isn't hard to load for. If you want a laugh you can have a go at making me some .17AH loads where .1 of a grain makes a difference! That really is an **** of a job! I'll list what 6.5 stuff I have in a PM, you're welcome to try some.