6.5x55 Load Data

[Sika77]

Has anyone had experience of loading 140 SST with either N160 or N165? Thoughts, results……

 

[NOTSHARP]

Steve.

 

[cjs66]

Yep but, my load is up there and my R8 likes them loaded short.

Lapua brass,
140g SST,
46.7g N160,
Fed LR primer with an oal of 2.955".
Touching groups going at 2750 fps.
But I know I don't have to tell you that what's safe in my rifle may not be in yours.
Mine shoots the factory 140g SST really well also.

cjs

 

[plumber01]

It will depend upon what rifle you are using, if its am older swede, you probably know its not going to take the pressure of a modern SKAN 6.5 X 55
Mine is a sauer 202 with a heavy barrel. So its capable of higher pressures.
I found n560 to be noticeably better than n160, same with N550 ( compared to n150 )with slightly lighter bullets. I use a brisk load with a magnum primer.
Mine got better between 2700 and 2800.
I dont suppose its as gentle on the barrel, but I dont shoot that many rounds through it, so it will probably outlast me!
good luck.

 

[Sika77]

@plumber01 it’s a Blaser R93 with a semi weight barrel so well placed for modern loads. Already have 160 and 165 in the cupboard so hoping to utilise of those if possible.

 

[South Pender]

It will depend upon what rifle you are using, if its am older swede, you probably know its not going to take the pressure of a modern SKAN 6.5 X 55
Mine is a sauer 202 with a heavy barrel. So its capable of higher pressures.
I found n560 to be noticeably better than n160, same with N550 ( compared to n150 )with slightly lighter bullets. I use a brisk load with a magnum primer.
Mine got better between 2700 and 2800.
I dont suppose its as gentle on the barrel, but I dont shoot that many rounds through it, so it will probably outlast me!
good luck.

Yes, VV N560 is a very good powder in the 6.5x55. I've been experimenting using QuickLoad with various powders in the Swede, and in my 23.63" barrel, 2850 fps is possible with this powder, producing 60,000 PSI pressure (Piezo CIP), which is completely safe in any modern 6.5x55. Actually, it would be safe, I believe, to go slightly higher in a modern rifle. However, if maximum velocity is the goal (and it may not be), the one powder that beats them all is Alliant Reloder 26. With Re26, 2900 fps is attainable with the same 60,000 PSI pressure.

Now I don't know about the availability of the Alliant powders in the UK these days. They're becoming increasingly hard to find here in Canada, and so this information about Re26 may be of limited value.