6.5 x 55 AI load data

[Bobcat]

Hi all, I'm running out of 130gr Berger VLDs and have a box of Seirra 140gr SMK as that's all I could get.

Anyone able to help with load data, min, max and what you found please.

I'll work up my own load, just looking to narrow the process down to save components.

FYI I'm running the 130gr vld at 2950, 47.8gr 2209 with a big jump.

Cheers

[TMK]

Hi Bobcat.
Ive use them with 45.5gr 2209 20tho jump. shot a 60,8 at 300 yards with them. Cant remember the velocity but i think it was abt 2880.
TMK
0458120780

[GuyLuke]

The 6.5x55 has a long throat to due to some of the big projectiles it comes with: https://www.americanhunter.org/media/tf ... inset1.jpg

What is the action this rifle is chambered in? Gotta be a bit careful with the Swede as it's an old cartridge and you don't want to be putting hot ammo in an old Mauser action.

47.8gr of 2209 is a pretty hot load for that. Are you getting pressure signs? I was running 44gr of 2209 in my non AI Swede for about 2750fps with 130gr Sierra TGKs in a hunting rifle.

What fps do you want?

[Bobcat]

Thanks TMK, I'll start lower than what you have and see how I go, thx.

GuyLuke, Barnard S action with a 30 inch barrel, no pressure signs. I'm after accuracy over speed, seems I've found a good node at this speed and have been shooting it for a while. I was thinking about trying a lower speed, just haven't got around to it.

[KentLC]

bit late to this party, I am running a 6.5x55 AI, but about to give up on it, have not had any luck with finding a good tolerant node. It is the most finicky rifle I have ever loaded. I've been running 140VLDs 47.0gr 2209 and about .040" of jump. running about 2950fps, best I can get consistently is about .5MOA it rarely goes under that. I am taking note of the slower speeds, I'll try winding it back a bit. would be curious how your 140 Sierra's are going Bobcat?

[Bobcat]

Hello KentLC, haven't got back to the 6.5x55 AI as I'm sorting out a 6BR to shoot up to 600m. I'm running a 30 inch barrel, you speed seems about right however I'm no whiz on the 6.5 data. I'm jumping the 130s more than .100" to get it to shoot, boat tail well into the case which worried me at the start. I have 2 consecutive seating depths 3 thou apart with a powder charge spread of 0.4gr that shoots. Took a while to work it out with a big jump but got there. At 100m, group varies to one hole to all touching clover leaf. I did find a single seating depth just touching that put all through the same hole, it wouldn't shoot at distance.
Not sure if you've seen this on Berger website https://bergerbullets.com/vld-making-shoot/ worked for me.
My 6BR likes a jump, every barrel different. I probably won't get to the 140s for a few months due other commitments. I will post when I get to testing.

[KentLC]

yeah I also have a 6BR and its the reason I'm about to give up on the "super swede" its just so easy to tune. Yes have read the VLD post on bergers site but its been a while and just noticed they tested up to .150. will try some further in the case then.

[Bobcat]

Finally got around to initial load development for the 140gr SMK. Fire forming cased so had the bullet jammed, found a nice node at 2875 fps, new brass, cci br2 and 2209. Went up to 47.0, no pressure signs.
46.4 2874 2874
46.7 2877 2873
See how it goes otherwise more powder to get the next node about 2930-2950.

[KentLC]

I hope you have better success with yours Bobcat!

I have retired mine, its in the safe, probably staying there a while yet, I just re tubed my other Savage 12 in 6BR just shot 60.6 back to back, second session at the range with zero jump testing. Looking at my history on hexta, I have not managed to punch a 60 in a VERY long time. disappointingly running the swede was just kicking a dead dog in this case. suspect the barrel is finished. Might try a rebarrel if I can be bothered, more likely to rebolt face and go 7SAUM and be done with it

I have learnt some lessons with this rifle, if a rifle isn't shooting and you have tried everything, move on. Just wasting time and money.

[KentLC]

Just had a quick look at my pressure testing data, sounds very similar, Berger 140 VLDs .040" from the lands, started at 44gr of 2209 and got quite a bit further north of 47gr and at what I thought was max managed to run around 3100fps. I settled at 46.5-47gr running around 2950-2975fps. Its certainly capable of driving the heavier 6.5s. I just couldn't get any consistency out of it.