120 pro hunters

wrong powder mate try using 4350 or vit 150 i would not waste good brass by crimping there is no need for it
 
I apologize for that. I was trying respond to someone else about a 120-gr PH load for the 7mm-08, and my foggy brain carried over into this one, and I forgot that this was about the 6.5x55 and the 120-gr PH.

But H4895 or Varget ( about 35.0 to 37.0 gr ) works well with 120-gr in the 6.5x55mm, but so will any 4350. I have a modern one, which can take modern pressures, but I load 120, 129, and 140 grain bullets for my original 1893 Sporting Mauser in 6.5x55 SWE with its 25.5 inch barrel. H4895 if great for mild loads, but any of the 4350s or RL-17 are great powders for original pressure loads and for loads 10,000 PSI higher in my Ruger 77 (2,900 fps easily at around 45.0 grains. Work up to it. ).
 
Here are some loads I've used in my Sako 85 Classic 6.5x55

120gr Sierra Pro Hunter - R17 / 44.6g @ COL 3.000" - Velocity 2,850 f/s - Accuracy @ 100 yards 5/16" (best and consistently close)

120gr Sierra Pro Hunter - IMR 4350 / 46.0g @ COL 3.000" - Velocity 2,800 f/s - Accuracy @ 100 yards 1/4" (best and consistently close)

120gr Nosler BT - IMR 4350 / 45.5g @ COL 3.000" - Velocity 2,790 f/s - Accuracy @100 yards 5/16" (best and consistently close)

This is using Lapua brass and Federal Match 210 Primers with a small crimp. As I remember these powders worked well back in 2013/14. I tried some others but obviously binned the results or I can't find them, probably not much good.
 
I apologize for that. I was trying respond to someone else about a 120-gr PH load for the 7mm-08, and my foggy brain carried over into this one, and I forgot that this was about the 6.5x55 and the 120-gr PH.

But H4895 or Varget ( about 35.0 to 37.0 gr ) works well with 120-gr in the 6.5x55mm, but so will any 4350. I have a modern one, which can take modern pressures, but I load 120, 129, and 140 grain bullets for my original 1893 Sporting Mauser in 6.5x55 SWE with its 25.5 inch barrel. H4895 if great for mild loads, but any of the 4350s or RL-17 are great powders for original pressure loads and for loads 10,000 PSI higher in my Ruger 77 (2,900 fps easily at around 45.0 grains. Work up to it. ).
cheers southern thanks,atb doug
 
Here are some loads I've used in my Sako 85 Classic 6.5x55

120gr Sierra Pro Hunter - R17 / 44.6g @ COL 3.000" - Velocity 2,850 f/s - Accuracy @ 100 yards 5/16" (best and consistently close)

120gr Sierra Pro Hunter - IMR 4350 / 46.0g @ COL 3.000" - Velocity 2,800 f/s - Accuracy @ 100 yards 1/4" (best and consistently close)

120gr Nosler BT - IMR 4350 / 45.5g @ COL 3.000" - Velocity 2,790 f/s - Accuracy @100 yards 5/16" (best and consistently close)

This is using Lapua brass and Federal Match 210 Primers with a small crimp. As I remember these powders worked well back in 2013/14. I tried some others but obviously binned the results or I can't find them, probably not much good.
thanks its looking more like i need another powder,regards doug.THANKS EVERYONE hands in pocket time!!:D
 
This post has made me have another look at the results of the 120gr loads and it ceases to amaze me how people say the 'old' 6.5x55 is pedestrian?!

Putting it up against the 243 with 100gr loads, which some people seem to think is the best thing since sliced bread, the 6.5x55 mimics the trajectory almost identically but still retains 200 ft/lbs of energy more than the 243 at 200 yards!
 
I use the 120 Sierras and N160 in my Swede. Primers are CCI LR. Never had a problem with dirt. Give the primers a try before you give up on the N160. It's a great powder for this cartridge.
 
I use the 120 Sierras and N160 in my Swede. Primers are CCI LR. Never had a problem with dirt. Give the primers a try before you give up on the N160. It's a great powder for this cartridge.
cheers deer man and dovebob out of interest more than anything what rifle is this ,I,m actually amazed the bang for buck this round has with these loads!! they must be going a fair lick ,no chrono,destroyed my targets and half the hill i zeroed on, i have to be honest here as well, a blonde moment because there where no deer around i decided to try the homeloads at 100mtr but like a fool chose the wrong mark so it was actually 150mtr i was shooting from!!!:doh:
 
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I have been using 120 grain Sierra Pro-hunters in my .260 with N160 for two years now. I appreciate that the cartridge is shorter so not like for like. I use CCI standard primers, seat to SAAMI length, crimp and get a clean burn at velocities of 2,700 fps from a 20 inch barrel.
 
bump as it may interest anyone else in the same predicament,,,,,this in my case is just for my 120gr sierras,,,, as all the others are ok with my original powders,;)
 
Rifle is a Sako 85.


cheers deer man and dovebob out of interest more than anything what rifle is this ,I,m actually amazed the bang for buck this round has with these loads!! they must be going a fair lick ,no chrono,destroyed my targets and half the hill i zeroed on, i have to be honest here as well, a blonde moment because there where no deer around i decided to try the homeloads at 100mtr but like a fool chose the wrong mark so it was actually 150mtr i was shooting from!!!:doh:
 
Rifle is a Sako 85.
THANK YOU atb doug,,,,,,flowing over from other thread CHEERS boydy i will try these seated deeper if that doesn,t work then its h4350 time,but i have a hope its cured i never thought of pinching more seating as i thought you had a minimum and that was where you started from i don,t want or need hopefully to chase the lands just a nice lighter hunting round plus i,m enjoying this reloading caper!.,,,,,,,,,,,, found some!!! H4350 to day so here we go again!! now got the older ones seated deeper in n160 plus some of the newer ones done same depth and in h4350. happy day.s i hope!!.:thumb:
 
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