load for 6.5 x 55

the beast

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Sep 1, 2012
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I am new to reloading and I am looking for a good load for deer hunting for a 6.5 x 55 built on a modern action by rayhill. Does anyone have any suggestions?
 
The 6.5x55 is SAAMI registered at 51,000 psi max average pressure.
Quickload thinks the max is 55,114 psi, maybe they are using CIP standards for this.
I like Nosler 120 gr Ballistic tip bullets.
Nosler 5th edition 2002 says 47gr H4350
Quickload thinks that load is 53,879 psi
I have Swedish Mausers with 18", 29", and 24" barrels.
Quickload thinks that is 2917 fps with 24" barrel.

But I want to run 67,000 psi, moly coat the bullet, and my jug of H4350 is 4% slower than the QL library.

So I would do 45 gr H4895 for 3120 fps
 
First, regardless of bullet type or brand, establish your rifle's preferred seating depth using a starting to mid-range load and perform the following test:

http://www.longrangehunting.com/for...accuracy-berger-vld-bullets-your-rifle-40204/

Using 140g Berger VLD's, my final load consists of the following:

Lapua brass
Federal 210 primer
140g Berger VLD
COAL 3.020
48.2g H4831

Two pieces of advice:

1) Use YOUR rifle's preferred seating depth/COAL.

2) Back off 10% from my listed load and work up carefully.
 
These days you have to get what you can find as to loading components. With the 6.5X55 you are in luck. It will do really well with any medium to slower burning powders. It is not hard to find a very accurate load with the Swede. Most any hunting style bullet from 120 to 160 gr works really well on deer. I prefer the 120 Nosler ballistic tip or 120 Sierra SP but either of the 140s from Hornady or Sierra work really well. I have been shooting a small ring M-96 Mauser that I sported. I left the 29" barrel alone and with, according to Accurate powder ballistics person I talked to on the phone, 46 grs or AA4350 with 120s is under 46,000 CUP for the small ring Mauser. I get 3000 fps as well as 45 grs AA4350 with 140s gives me a little over 2800 fps. Both kill deer dead in their tracks with proper bullet placement. With modern actions you are kind of on your own like a wildcat caliber because all the loading data that I have seen is for under 46,000 CUP for the older small ring Mauser or Krag actions.
 
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