Thread: 6.5x55??

I pretty much only loaded the good old 129gr interlock in the two 6.5x55's I've owned.. Just a great old performer for me.
The 130gr TGk's I use know in my PRC are something I'd loved to of tried in a swede though.

I think Im using those 130s in my Tikka it doesnt seem to like the 140s as much

Originally Posted by Ground Control

I’ve only ever shot 143gr Eldx through my T3 .
They group better than I can shoot and travel at 2730 fps .
Everything that I have shot with those has been Dead when I walked up to it .
Another question though in my brain is ….
In my 6.5 CM I have gone to lighter projectiles 129 SST and 130 TMK with great results, I’m wondering now if my 6.5x55 would shoot/group them OK and they should be able to be pushed a fraction faster than the 6.5CM .

Greetings @Ground Control,
I am using 129 SST projectiles in my 6.5x55 T3. I have not done any extensive testing but they shoot well for me. The T3 mag and throat allows setting out the projectile close to the rifling which should help with accuracy. 46 grains of AR2209 chronographed 2,850 fps with the 129 grain SST in my rifle which is still below max. The data for the 6.5x55 is highly varied and conflicting. Based on case capacity of the .260 Rem or 6.5 Cr the 6.5x55 should be able to reach around 2,900 fps with the SST 129 grain in a standard T3 barrel.
Regards Grandpamac.

I favour 139 Lapua Scenar for target work and 143 eldx for the field. Both ahead of ADI 2209 powder. Targets here @100 yds from my Tikka have been shared before, but worth showing again for newbies.
FWIW, I’m wondering what my future holds as I’m getting a tad long in the tooth. I have several 6.5’s, several Kg of powder, thousands of projectiles and several hundred new Lapua brass + multiple resized cases of various brands.

I tried small sample of the 140gr myself and they were "ok" but recently tried the 145gr and from the small sample group I've tried they seem to shoot better than I can, haven't tried them on an animal yet though.

Originally Posted by Ingrid 51

I favour 139 Lapua Scenar for target work and 143 eldx for the field. Both ahead of ADI 2209 powder. Targets here @100 yds from my Tikka have been shared before, but worth showing again for newbies.
FWIW, I’m wondering what my future holds as I’m getting a tad long in the tooth. Attachment 284443I have several 6.5’s, several Kg of powder, thousands of projectiles and several hundred new Lapua brass + multiple resized cases of various brands.

I would say your future looks really bright, you have a nice rifle, and plenty of components. I'd suggest not worrying about the long tooth thing, keep reloading as you need more boolits. Keep shooting, and when you get a bit tired of it at times, take a young fella under your wing and teach him how to reload and how to shoot. And tell 'em stories, lots of stories, so these young 'uns continue to be enthused. And when one has gone on and bought his own rifle, pick another.

@Matt610
how you getting on with the swede? I also got this caliber a few weeks ago, in a browning and love it so much more than the CZ 308 i was using.

Originally Posted by Matt610

Thanks mate,

Yeah the more research I've done on the round the more I see why people love hand loading them so it will certainly be road I go down.

Blown away with the knowledge and willingness to share in this community. I've joined NZDA North Canterbury, will be heading to fist club night on Monday. Looks like ill be joining MISC too haha.

Good on you, that's an ideal setup you have bought until you decide you want to shoot things a loooooooong way away. Great shopping.

Second, I thought the first rule of Fist club is that there is no fist club.......

Playing around testing with some 123gn SSTs the other day. This was 100m. MV 2853. SD 6.5.

Originally Posted by Ingrid 51

I favour 139 Lapua Scenar for target work and 143 eldx for the field. Both ahead of ADI 2209 powder. Targets here @100 yds from my Tikka have been shared before, but worth showing again for newbies.
FWIW, I’m wondering what my future holds as I’m getting a tad long in the tooth. Attachment 284443I have several 6.5’s, several Kg of powder, thousands of projectiles and several hundred new Lapua brass + multiple resized cases of various brands.

Selling them all cheaply to us other over-age old-bastard blokes lol

Originally Posted by bjp

So did you manage to win the auction?

Yes I did, the seller was a dealer who has been great to deal with.

Originally Posted by grandpamac

Greetings @Matt610,
You have set out on an interesting journey. The 6.5x55 is a great cartridge that has tipping over large deer for way over a century. Handloading the 6.5 can be bewildering for the novice. Much of the published data for the available ADI powders is low pressure and contradictory. Some of the loads that appear on the internet are smoking hot. After 20 years fiddling with a M38 in 6.5 my T3 arrived in 2,011 and I wrestled with the light and conflicting data for a bit. Eventually I settled on working up to the velocities listed for the 260 Remington plus a little due to the larger case capacity. For the 147 grain projectile this works out to around 2,700 to 2,750 fps in a 24 inch barrel.
I also strongly suggest that you find a mentor to guide you through the process. Happy to answer questions including by PM if you prefer.
Regards Grandpamac.

Many thanks @grandpamac and yes it certainly is bewildering at this early stage. But from what ive seen on just this post alone, there is a wealth of knowledge in this community so that puts the mind at ease. Appreciate your wisdom and will certainly take you up on that when the time does start to get into handloading.

Originally Posted by smidey

@Matt610
how you getting on with the swede? I also got this caliber a few weeks ago, in a browning and love it so much more than the CZ 308 i was using.

@smidey @bjp

Its a bit of a story, but I still haven't got it yet! I arrange with the seller to pay for it and he was to hold it until I completed my FAL. At the time I had done the safety course and was told it would be a matter of a few weeks until it was all done but..... I only just heard from the police vetter on Friday just been. I've got the vetting meeting setup for mid December, am hoping like hell that after that there will be no more hold ups so I can get some range time in over xmas holidays!!

Great to hear your loving yours @smidey have you knocked anything over with it yet?

Originally Posted by Matt610

@smidey @bjp

Its a bit of a story, but I still haven't got it yet! I arrange with the seller to pay for it and he was to hold it until I completed my FAL. At the time I had done the safety course and was told it would be a matter of a few weeks until it was all done but..... I only just heard from the police vetter on Friday just been. I've got the vetting meeting setup for mid December, am hoping like hell that after that there will be no more hold ups so I can get some range time in over xmas holidays!!

Great to hear your loving yours @smidey have you knocked anything over with it yet?

Yeah shot 11 or so pigs so far, it’s very quiet and soft to shoot for what it is

I’m a big fan of the 6.5 caliber, 6.5 x55, .260 Remington, 6.5 Creedmoor. I got my first 6.5x55 in 1987 a Sako Hunter. This is an awesome caliber for any of our deer species.
Those high BC 6.5 projectiles penetrate well even at moderate velocities, while doing so with manageable recoil.
The 6.5x55 is often used to shoot Moose in Finland so would certainly be adequate for NZ game.
I think this caliber would be ideal for someone new to hunting.