TIKKA t3x 20 INCH BARRELL 6.5X55 ADVICE

[Landy1]

Hi , I am looking for advice, I am looking to purchase the above rifle they are due in ,in about 4 weeks apparently. They are standard 20inch barrels , I have read a lot on various forums about the need for a longer barrel in the 6.5 as it benefits from a slower powder like N160. I don't want to spend the money on the rifle if its not going to perform but TIKKA claim 1 moa out of the box, so I don't understand what all the fuss is about barrel length. I am also looking for a leg up on a starting load powder etc if I go forward with the purchase , I am going to use LAPUA brass. not sure about primers powder or tips . I shoot Fallow/MJ and Chinese with the odd foray further afield for Sika and Roe

Any sensible advice appreciated

Thanks

 

[derek treherne]

Hi Landy 1 i have a new cz sporter in 6.5x55 it has a 20in barrel i use n160 with 120g heads no problem i also use R19.

 

[stephentri]

Hi I have the same rifle and have found reloader 17 works the best in the 20 inch barrel I get 2700 fps with 140 grain sst. Before I got onto reloader 17 I used n560 good accuracy but the fastest I was getting with the 140 grain sst was 2450 fps as all the powder was not burning in the short barrel.

 

[Conure]

Personally I think there is a lot of bull posted about 6.5x55. Yes with a shorter barrel you will lose some velocity but remember that the Swedish Military used carbines with 18 1/2" barrels or there abouts in length. The Swedish M94 carbine is sort after by sollectors and shooters alike.

So I think your worrying to much. Use a medium buring rate powder and you should be fine just follow the manuals and normal safe handloading proceedures and you should be fine.

 

[tom308w]

Hi landy I have a t3stainless light loves n160 and 120 seirras
Tab tom

 

[RPA.260]

I had a 6.5x55 in a sako finnlite with a 19" barrel about 10years ago and I couldn't get near any stated velocities so got a 260rem which performs well in a more compact SA rifle

 

[Milligan]

Personally I think there is a lot of bull posted about 6.5x55. Yes with a shorter barrel you will lose some velocity but remember that the Swedish Military used carbines with 18 1/2" barrels or there abouts in length. The Swedish M94 carbine is sort after by sollectors and shooters alike.

So I think your worrying to much. Use a medium buring rate powder and you should be fine just follow the manuals and normal safe handloading proceedures and you should be fine.

To be fair the old style 6.5x55 did post some ***** velocities.
To the OP, I have a 6.5x55 Blaser, use N150 under 120gr. It's adequate.

 

[big ears]

Hi I have a T3 20" barrel and all above statements are spot on. However watch N160, it is often quoted as the go to 6.5x55 powder but with many loads when put over a chrono it will not be deer legal even though it groups a dream. N150 however is spot on. I have been through most of the Ramshot powders, all good, and also IMR 4350, H4350 again good but due to not 100% burn a bit variable. Two years ago on this site I was recommended Rl17 and have never looked back. Standard load 46gr rl17 with a 140gr gameking doing 2700fps drops everything with little damage.
if you are starting out fresh buy yourself a tub of Rl17 a box if 120gr prohunters and 140gr gamekings and go and shoot some deer.

BE

 

[Hereford]

1MOA guaranteed with factory ammo, surely?

 

[ziggy]

Just out of interest what's the case fill like with RL17?

 

[big ears]

Just out of interest what's the case fill like with RL17?

About 90%

 

[Border]

Over here the go to powder for 6.5x55 is Norma MRP. The 6.5x55 tends to favour longer barrels, both because of velocity and bullet stabilisation.
tests have shown that the old fallacy of loading with a quicker powder to compensate for shorter barrel doesn't work. The powder that gives best velocity will do it irrespective of barrel length. Faster powders will however give less muzzle flash/pressure at muzzle. Again academic if using a moderator.
Norma MRP is near as dammit the same powder as Reloder 22 as they are both made by Bofors in Sweden.

 

[otbed]

Like Big Ears said, RL17 (or Elcho 17 which is the same stuff but cheaper). 2600+ fps comfortably achievable with 140gn bullets out of the 20" barrel = big thump without the shoulder bruise (your shoulder!).

 

[Milligan]

Hi I have a T3 20" barrel and all above statements are spot on. However watch N160, it is often quoted as the go to 6.5x55 powder but with many loads when put over a chrono it will not be deer legal even though it groups a dream. N150 however is spot on. I have been through most of the Ramshot powders, all good, and also IMR 4350, H4350 again good but due to not 100% burn a bit variable. Two years ago on this site I was recommended Rl17 and have never looked back. Standard load 46gr rl17 with a 140gr gameking doing 2700fps drops everything with little damage.
if you are starting out fresh buy yourself a tub of Rl17 a box if 120gr prohunters and 140gr gamekings and go and shoot some deer.

BE

+1 echos my experience with N160 in both the 6.5x55mm and the .260, it's just too slow unless you have a long barrel.
N550 is an option as well, for added oomph.

Not a massive fan of the RL as they are relatively expensive (vs. N) and don't meter well in my thrower.

 

[jimsim]

I use n160 with 120 nosler bt and 140 grain sst all loads are deer legal, that's with a 22inch barrel , shot around 100 fallow this season n160 seems to work well anouth for me

 

[Milligan]

I use n160 with 120 nosler bt and 140 grain sst all loads are deer legal, that's with a 22inch barrel , shot around 100 fallow this season n160 seems to work well anouth for me

out of interest what charge are you using?
Could be the extra 2" make enough of a difference...

 

[stephentri]

I use n160 with 120 nosler bt and 140 grain sst all loads are deer legal, that's with a 22inch barrel , shot around 100 fallow this season n160 seems to work well anouth for me

Hi what fps are you getting with the 140 grain sst

 

[ziggy]

2730fps for me with 47.5 grains N160

 

[jimsim]

2720fps with the 140 sst , with 46.7 grains of n160 SAKO 85 FINNLIGHT 22 Inch barrel

 

[pendle]

To be fair the old style 6.5x55 did post some ***** velocities.
To the OP, I have a 6.5x55 Blaser, use N150 under 120gr. It's adequate.

I have two 6.5 x55 one is a tikka 695 and the other is a RWS titan 6 both 20" cut by Mike Norris and using 120grn prohunters with vit 150 i am going to try 129 grn sst tried on paper group well.
Both rifles with this powder are spot on roe and fallow really good burn rate