120 grain Non Toxic in Blaser 6.5 x 55

[Dorsettaff]

Morning All,

Is anyone shooting 120 grain (or 140 grain for that matter) non toxic in a Blaser 6.5 x 55?

Have used Lapua Naturalis 140 grain in the past and have a successful load for that but really struggling to find another good grouping bullet. Tried 120 TTSX and 120 GMX but they are looking like a shotgun. Tried 140 GMX but they went sideways into the target.

Used a load based on one that shot well in a friends rifle.....same thing.....not stabilising.

So...back to square one! Interested to find a 120 load

Anyone else had this problem with a Blaser 6.5 x 55?

DT

 

[Davee]

Not in a Blaser, but a Sauer 202 1 in 8.3 twist, 118grn VLR4 works a treat as does Fox 123. 124VLR4 and 120Hunt don't stabilise. Both of these should but don't for some reason.

 

[Dorsettaff]

Thanks Davee.
Yes..Peregrine are next on the list. Nielsens 120 will shoot but still need to test some more

 

[pip308]

I have loaded some Nielsen 120gr in 6.5x55 and they are grouping 0.5 moa.
This is in a Sauer 404.

 

[Cris]

I have loaded some Nielsen 120gr in 6.5x55 and they are grouping 0.5 moa.
This is in a Sauer 404.

What kind of load are you using? I have a box of Nielsen and some Vit N165 to try. Short if primers at the mo.

 

[Leec6.5]

Morning All,

Is anyone shooting 120 grain (or 140 grain for that matter) non toxic in a Blaser 6.5 x 55?

Have used Lapua Naturalis 140 grain in the past and have a successful load for that but really struggling to find another good grouping bullet. Tried 120 TTSX and 120 GMX but they are looking like a shotgun. Tried 140 GMX but they went sideways into the target.

Used a load based on one that shot well in a friends rifle.....same thing.....not stabilising.

So...back to square one! Interested to find a 120 load

Anyone else had this problem with a Blaser 6.5 x 55?

DT

Did you clean the barrel before load testing?

I initially had the same problem cleaned the barrel and and bang sub MOA

 

[Dorsettaff]

yes...clean barrel.....same results!

 

[pip308]

What kind of load are you using? I have a box of Nielsen and some Vit N165 to try. Short if primers at the mo.

Hi Cris, I am using N150, seems to like from 40.4gr upwards, depending on seating depth.

 

[pob]

I have to use factory. I bought a load of Sako Powerhead II 120gr for my Blaser R8 6.5 X 55 as I had heard that this was a round that the Blaser liked.

The accuracy is not what I am used to. I have now lost confidence in my rifle. But I am sure that most would consider it acceptable accuracy for stalking at reasonable ranges.

Good luck with your experiments. Did you see the Fieldsports Britain piece recently on non-toxic?

 

[Tom_Ov]

I'm using the 120 grain etips in my R8, with 46.5 grains of reloader 19 under them and COAL of 3.080. Good results (I can take no credit for the load development, which a mate gave me!).

 

[andychas]

using 120gn TTSX in a Blaser R8 and a Sauer 101, both very accurate and good velocity
initially tried using N160 and didn’t get anything remotely satisfactory, switched to RS60 and things improved dramatically.
Followed Barnes recommendation on seating depth, started at 50thou off and worked back. Best accuracy in Blaser was at 100thou off, Sauer at 60thou off.
From what I can work out, and I’m sure someone will correct me if I’m wrong, copper/lead free benefit from somewhat faster powders than you'd expect, or powders that give a more pronounced starting force to the bullets travel. Certainly RS60 has proven very consistent in the 6.5x55 and 30-06 that Ive developed lead free loads for so far, where the old reliable N160 has failed.

 

[Dorsettaff]

Interesting...I was using RS60 with the TTSX. Might have to try a bigger jump!

 

[Leics_stalker]

Using 120 TTSX over 41.5gn N150 out of a Mauser M12 in 6.5x55 and they shoot very well coming out at around 3000 fps. All test loads were half inch or less groups and I could probably go a little faster as there were no pressure signs but having just changed my two other rifles for a Blaser I will be swapping the 6.5x55 soon anyway so don't see the point in messing around with it any further.
Loaded to SAAMI specified OAL which was exactly 50 thou off the lands for me and that was as far as I went. Once you get a powder charge you are happy with play around with the seating depth, I believe the Barnes like a jump even up to 200 thou?? Interested to see how you get on as I may find myself in the same position soon. Good luck.