Advice in calibers

[jim37]

Just looking for some advice long story short I have a 6.5x55 in my ticket and was wondering if it was worth putting in a variation for a .308 I do like the 6.5x55 and suits more of my needs it just seems hard to come across ammunition and when I do it seems expensive although I would like to try reloading. questions are do I start reloading for my .223 and 6.5x55 and if so how do I go about learning to reload and what do I need to start?

Or do I just put a variation in for a 308 buy shop ammo then try reloading later down the line ?

Hopefully this hasn’t come across as a silly question

 

[finnbear270]

Have a look at the link for the topic on here, The Stalking Directory

Reloading will have an initial outlay, but will allow you much more flexibility in what you shoot, No1, buy a quality reloaders handbook, No2, watch some Youtube reloading instructional videos such as,

 

[finbar]

Keep both & reload it’s no that difficult & that’s coming of someone who is dyslexic

 

[pob]

I am in the same situation. Started with 6.5X55 which I love, but began to struggle to source reliable non-toxic ammo. Bought a .308 which is better for getting ammo, but far from perfect.

The majority advice I've had from experienced guys is to start reloading. But I don't need another expensive hobby I'd be no good at, and I am contracted to use Factory non-toxic ammo. Hopefully, you might be in a different situation.

I have considered chopping in the Swede for the 6.5CM; there seems to be a lot more ammo about for that.

 

[Mike1979]

Just looking for some advice long story short I have a 6.5x55 in my ticket and was wondering if it was worth putting in a variation for a .308 I do like the 6.5x55 and suits more of my needs it just seems hard to come across ammunition and when I do it seems expensive although I would like to try reloading. questions are do I start reloading for my .223 and 6.5x55 and if so how do I go about learning to reload and what do I need to start?

Or do I just put a variation in for a 308 buy shop ammo then try reloading later down the line ?

Hopefully this hasn’t come across as a silly question

One thing to consider is the cost of changing your 6.5 x 55 for something else. I would keep what you have and put the money towards some reloading kit and then you can reload for the 6.5 and .223.

 

[shbangsteve]

I am in the same situation. Started with 6.5X55 which I love, but began to struggle to source reliable non-toxic ammo. Bought a .308 which is better for getting ammo, but far from perfect.

The majority advice I've had from experienced guys is to start reloading. But I don't need another expensive hobby I'd be no good at, and I am contracted to use Factory non-toxic ammo. Hopefully, you might be in a different situation.

I have considered chopping in the Swede for the 6.5CM; there seems to be a lot more ammo about for that.

As @finbar said, reloading is not difficult. Load the 6.5x55 to decent pressures and it will out perform the 6.5CM

This video is a bit longwinded but speaks about the Swede potential

 

[trickie]

For the outlay of a 308, you’d likely be able to pickup the reloading tooling needed. The 6.5 is a relatively easy calibre to reload for. I’d start with that first (on calibre is enough until you are confident with the 1 cartridge imho.

Don’t buy a “kit” as there will be items of dubious quality and most likely stuff you won’t need.

Also there is a decent market on here for most of the stuff you need at a reasonable price.

Hopefully, you have a buddy who reloads already/ If so that’s a great help.
How many reloads a year for each calibre also changes what you equipment you need. For example, if your 6.5 is a stalking rifle and you shoot 40/50 rounds a year, it may not be worth while reloading at all, unless the alternative is north of £1k on a new rifle

The 223 for Ferdy and range work shooting 200+ rounds a year possibly could be. Above that it would.
It isn’t a simple calculation to be honest

 

[jim37]

For the outlay of a 308, you’d likely be able to pickup the reloading tooling needed. The 6.5 is a relatively easy calibre to reload for. I’d start with that first (on calibre is enough until you are confident with the 1 cartridge imho.

Don’t buy a “kit” as there will be items of dubious quality and most likely stuff you won’t need.

Also there is a decent market on here for most of the stuff you need at a reasonable price.

Hopefully, you have a buddy who reloads already/ If so that’s a great help.
How many reloads a year for each calibre also changes what you equipment you need. For example, if your 6.5 is a stalking rifle and you shoot 40/50 rounds a year, it may not be worth while reloading at all, unless the alternative is north of £1k on a new rifle

The 223 for Ferdy and range work shooting 200+ rounds a year possibly could be. Above that it would.
It isn’t a simple calculation to be honest

Im blasting through.223 ammunition between foxes and roe mostly through is just shooting targets at the farm hence why I thought reading for .223 would be somewhat sensible plus always wanted to try it and just get a set of dies for a 6.5x55 don’t shoot Great amount of 6.5 my though was if im reloading for .223 might aswell load for the 6.5 but I could be completely wrong in what im expecting

 

[Leec6.5]

Just looking for some advice long story short I have a 6.5x55 in my ticket and was wondering if it was worth putting in a variation for a .308 I do like the 6.5x55 and suits more of my needs it just seems hard to come across ammunition and when I do it seems expensive although I would like to try reloading. questions are do I start reloading for my .223 and 6.5x55 and if so how do I go about learning to reload and what do I need to start?

Or do I just put a variation in for a 308 buy shop ammo then try reloading later down the line ?

Hopefully this hasn’t come across as a silly question

Why on god earth would you want to do that?

 

[25 Sharps]

if

Im blasting through.223 ammunition between foxes and roe mostly through is just shooting targets at the farm hence why I thought reading for .223 would be somewhat sensible plus always wanted to try it and just get a set of dies for a 6.5x55 don’t shoot Great amount of 6.5 my though was if im reloading for .223 might aswell load for the 6.5 but I could be completely wrong in what im expecting

If you are planning on reloading for the .223 then 100% load for the swede.

It will give you much more control of your ammunition supply (provided you are happy to buy consumables in relative bulk) and will more than likely increase the accuracy, ballistic and terminal performance of your rifle.

6.5x55 is a bit of a tricky one, there are generally 2 sets of data, 1 for older weaker service rifles and one for modern rifles, marked SE or SKAN that can run at higher pressure.

If you have a modern rifle then use the latter to get the most out of the cartridge.

Some people will take this a step further and load to creedmoor or even .270 pressure levels which are higher than the SE/SKAN maximum and get even more performance. This is possibly safe as the same actions are used for the cartridge and good quality brass, think lapua/norma/Nosler will cope with the higher pressure. As a new reloader this is NOT a good idea, you have no way of actually measuring the pressure, you can only read the signs set out in any good reloading manual. So stick with the load data for the cartridge and stop before you get to/ drop back from any pressure signs.

Before you do anything buy a decent reloading manual, read and understand it. DO NOT use data or advice off of the internet, as a new reloader you won’t know how to decipher the good advice from the bad. Reloading is perfectly safe if you do it and follow the process and data correctly, if not you can blow your face up or injure someone stood next to you.

As a case in point, I recently saw a rifle blown into several pieces, and I mean multiple pieces, because the person loading used the wrong powder for their rounds. They luckily got away with just needing new pants, but you effectively have a pipe bomb mounted in your shoulder with your face at one end. Follow your manual, data and process correctly and this will never happen to you.

 

[jim37]

Why on god earth would you want to do that?

Chop on for a 308 ?

 

[jim37]

if

If you are planning on reloading for the .223 then 100% load for the swede.

It will give you much more control of your ammunition supply (provided you are happy to buy consumables in relative bulk) and will more than likely increase the accuracy, ballistic and terminal performance of your rifle.

6.5x55 is a bit of a tricky one, there are generally 2 sets of data, 1 for older weaker service rifles and one for modern rifles, marked SE or SKAN that can run at higher pressure.

If you have a modern rifle then use the latter to get the most out of the cartridge.

Some people will take this a step further and load to creedmoor or even .270 pressure levels which are higher than the SE/SKAN maximum and get even more performance. This is possibly safe as the same actions are used for the cartridge and good quality brass, think lapua/norma/Nosler will cope with the higher pressure. As a new reloader this is NOT a good idea, you have no way of actually measuring the pressure, you can only read the signs set out in any good reloading manual. So stick with the load data for the cartridge and stop before you get to/ drop back from any pressure signs.

Before you do anything buy a decent reloading manual, read and understand it. DO NOT use data or advice off of the internet, as a new reloader you won’t know how to decipher the good advice from the bad. Reloading is perfectly safe if you do it and follow the process and data correctly, if not you can blow your face up or injure someone stood next to you.

As a case in point, I recently saw a rifle blown into several pieces, and I mean multiple pieces, because the person loading used the wrong powder for their rounds. They luckily got away with just needing new pants, but you effectively have a pipe bomb mounted in your shoulder with your face at one end. Follow your manual, data and process correctly and this will never happen to you.

What equipment would you recommend?

 

[Leec6.5]

Chop on for a 308 ?

That is something you will regret!

The 6.5x55 does everything a 308 can do and with elegance

 

[jim37]

That is something you will regret!

The 6.5x55 does everything a 308 can do and with elegance

I do understand that and to be honest I don’t really want to I would just like options for ammunition and would also like a pretty stalking rifle hence why im thinking do I buy a nice 6.5x55 and reload or just buy something in 308 and not have the hassle of reloading. But I would like to try reloading for my .223 so making more sense to keep the 6.5x55 and try my hand at reloading

 

[Leec6.5]

Reloading is easy enough, treat it like an adventure,
Once you’ve got the hang of it these no going back

 

[cjm1066]

You need 2 rifles, it takes time to get confidence with a rifle, having g a spare is ideal when something happens to you using g rifle.

 

[Leec6.5]

You need 2 rifles, it takes time to get confidence with a rifle, having g a spare is ideal when something happens to you using g rifle.

I hear that from a lot of people including a good friend of mine, me I’m the carbon opposite- 1 rifle, 1 calibre crack on and I’ve been that way for well over 10 years.

 

[jim37]

Reloading is easy enough, treat it like an adventure,
Once you’ve got the hang of it these no going back

What reloading kit would you recommend for someone starting out ?

 

[Leec6.5]

What reloading kit would you recommend for someone starting out ?

Lee kit will serve you well, I used a it in the beginning and once you find your feet the world is your oyster!

Be warned it is a slippery black hole and there’s no going back once you start

 

[jim37]

Lee kit will serve you well, I used a it in the beginning and once you find your feet the world is your oyster!

Be warned it is a slippery black hole and there’s no going back once you start

Just a quick Google search but somthing like this ?

LEE BREECH LOCK CHALLENGER KIT

This kit features the same components as the 50th Anniversary Kit, but we have replaced the Safety Prime with the New Auto Prime and a set of Hand Priming Tool Shell Holders. This kit is for those who prefer to prime off the press.

www.henrykrank.com