Thread: 6.5x55 Swedish Start Load - Short 16" Barrel CFE223

Greetings Joelhenton,
I don't have any data for CFE223 but it may be a little fast for this application. The belief that you need a faster powder for shorter barrels is a bit of a fable although repeated ad nauseum over the years. The bookshelves yielded a couple of old manuals from the 1970's that gave loads for the 6.5 x 55 mm with 18 inch (or a little less) barrels. The more complete data in Speer no 9 manual showed the powders giving the highest velocity as IMR 4831, N 205 and IMR 4350 from fastest to slowest. IMR 4064, IMR 4320 and H 380 lagged well behind. This would indicate that AR2209 or AR2213SC should give the best results. Velocities ranged from 2,560 fps to 2,600 fps. In your 16 inch barrel about 2,500 fps should be possible. Hodgdons list 44 grains of AR2209 for the 140 grain projectile at around 46,000 CUP. This data was developed in the early 1990,s and current AR2209 is faster. I would regard 44 grains of AR2209 as max in a strong modern action and 47 grains of AR2213SC as max for the 140 or 143 grain Hornady projectiles. These loads should not be used in ex military rifles or with any other than lead core projectiles. I would suggest that you load a couple of cartridges with 40 grains of AR2209 or 43 grains of AR2213SC and chronograph them to see where you are. Following that work up to the maximum loads or 2,500 feet per second whichever comes first.
I haven't quoted any of the loads from the old manuals and suggest that the not be used. The loads from this time were worked up without any sort of pressure testing and many are excessive by modern standards. They are intrepid loads from the past and in the past is where they should remain. Have fun with my favourite cartridge.
Regards Grandpamac.