6.5 x 55 Load - Yew tree TLR 114 Gr with Reloder 17 - help required

[rob4586]

Hi folks,

I’ve had a fair bit of help so far, but I’m still left scratching my head and I’m fairly novice. I’m struggling to sort my 6.5 x 55 round. I’ve had some great advice, including Rich at yew tree but I’m struggling. Initially I loaded at the max COAL of 3.15” and conducted a ladder test from 43.5 to 49.2 gr in 3 batch loads. I got a consistent burn at 48.6 gr giving 3127 fps. I know this seems fast, but the primers, case face etc were all good. This seemed to group okay, but gave a very long bullet. I didn’t want to seat the bullet any deeper at this charge weight, as I’m cognisant I’m running hot. Anyway, I loaded a batch of 10 which gave some crazy fliers of 3-4 inch, the rest grouped well….more work to be done. I wondered if this was because the concentricity of the bullet wasn’t good enough, or because I was using new Lapua brass that hadn’t been fire formed to my chamber.

In doing so, I measured what COAL would engage my LANDS, which gave a whopping 3.289”. So at max COAL, I was 139 thou off the lands (which seems large). If I compare a factory Sako 120 gr copper bullet, it’s got a COAL of 3.03” and shoots around 3050 fps. So it’s obviously not uncommon in Swedish to have a huge jump? Is this correct?

Here’s the recipe:

Norma brass
CCI large rifle primer
Reloder - 17
Yew tree TLR 114 Gr

I’m now at that point where I’m doubting myself, so any advice or lived experience would help me.

Im shooting from a Sako 85. Maybe someone has load that works for them in a Sako 85 with the receipt above - that would help steer me.

Thanks,
Rob

 

[Foxyboy43]

I can’t help with R17 loads but I can advise that the 6.5 chambers are very long - to accommodate heavy bullets - for large species in the far north and I don’t mean Inverness!
My own trials of Yew Tree and Viht N160 were very good - much better than any other copper bullet but unlike you I got early signs of high pressure so reduced charges and increased COAL.

 

[SCC]

The 6.5x55 has a long leade. I don't try to chase the lands.
It may not be perfect but what works for my 85 is col 3.0512 in (77.5mm), 47gn RS60 for approx 2990ft/s. In Lapua brass.
I believe RL17=RS60
IMO it may be worth trying a ladder test while aiming to cover either side of 3000ft/s

 

[swede]

Copper likes a jump. I would take which charge weight you are happy with and do a ladder test starting at 50 thou off lands, working back in 10 thou increments. See what that produces.

 

[Twodogs]

As per @swede above, start 50 thou off the lands. Measure cartridge base to ogive not COAL. I have always found the YewTree projectiles to be very consistent. Check that the round will fit in the magazine.

 

[devon deer stalker]

I use Barnes TTSX 120g in my Steyr 6.5x55 22''barrel, and they work great 50th off the lands.

But I have just run out, so below is the result of the above Yew Tree that works for me (although I am no expert and a different rifle!)
As @SCC states RL17=RS60
I use 46.5g RS60
COAL 3.166
25th off the lands
Lapua brass

What I noted last week was a poor group, I cleaned the barrel (not like me!) and the rifle grouped again.

 

[big ears]

RS60 is RL17. Use same data fir both. 46.5gr is a sweet spot and you just need to play with the length. 50-70 off lands will probably do it

 

[Dorset Shakari]

My 6.5x55 114 gr Yew Tree load is 43.5 grains of N550 with a 0.55 jump. Lapua brass. Groups to 10mm at 100 metres. 24" barrel gives 2810 fps, and since I'm a woodland stalker and I don't shoot at longer ranges (200+), I'm very happy.

 

[rob4586]

Wow, thank you gents. This is really useful and gives me some confidence and areas to focus on. I’ll let you know how I get on!! Happy shooting.

 

[andychas]

My 6.5x55 114 gr Yew Tree load is 43.5 grains of N550 with a 0.55 jump. Lapua brass. Groups to 10mm at 100 metres. 24" barrel gives 2810 fps, and since I'm a woodland stalker and I don't shoot at longer ranges (200+), I'm very happy.

Same here with RS60 in my R8, uses 44.7gn and a 60 thou jump for 2810fps, all I need velocity wise and super accurate

 

[Utectok]

So new lapau brass is very tight in the neck so run it through a neck die first. I always run copper bullets short up to 120tho is normal. I am currently at an COAL of 77.3mm for yew tree tlr 114gn. I use 49.3gn of n555 the powder need a to be dropped through a drop tube and then you have plenty room for seating. This is quite a potent load but I have shot about 3k of them so consider them very well tested with no pressure signs. I’m getting 3030fps with a 24” barrel.

Lots of things can cause fliers almost never concentricity…..very often shooter error! Try with a good front and rear bag.

 

[disco_ike]

Hi folks,

I’ve had a fair bit of help so far, but I’m still left scratching my head and I’m fairly novice. I’m struggling to sort my 6.5 x 55 round. I’ve had some great advice, including Rich at yew tree but I’m struggling. Initially I loaded at the max COAL of 3.15” and conducted a ladder test from 43.5 to 49.2 gr in 3 batch loads. I got a consistent burn at 48.6 gr giving 3127 fps. I know this seems fast, but the primers, case face etc were all good. This seemed to group okay, but gave a very long bullet. I didn’t want to seat the bullet any deeper at this charge weight, as I’m cognisant I’m running hot. Anyway, I loaded a batch of 10 which gave some crazy fliers of 3-4 inch, the rest grouped well….more work to be done. I wondered if this was because the concentricity of the bullet wasn’t good enough, or because I was using new Lapua brass that hadn’t been fire formed to my chamber.

In doing so, I measured what COAL would engage my LANDS, which gave a whopping 3.289”. So at max COAL, I was 139 thou off the lands (which seems large). If I compare a factory Sako 120 gr copper bullet, it’s got a COAL of 3.03” and shoots around 3050 fps. So it’s obviously not uncommon in Swedish to have a huge jump? Is this correct?

Here’s the recipe:

Norma brass
CCI large rifle primer
Reloder - 17
Yew tree TLR 114 Gr

I’m now at that point where I’m doubting myself, so any advice or lived experience would help me.

Im shooting from a Sako 85. Maybe someone has load that works for them in a Sako 85 with the receipt above - that would help steer me.

Thanks,
Rob

Hi,

Just ask @Yew Tree Fieldsports he gives great advice. I emailed him for a load in my swede and it’s cracking advice got it bang on first time.

For context I measured my chamber using a Hornady tool then backed it off 80thou. I use 44gr superperformance and in my Ruger gets me cloverleaf at 100

 

[Dorsettaff]

My go-to for the 6.5 x 55 is Yew Tree 112gr N160 45.2 grain with a COAL of 3.01 (Blaser R8)

Great round!

 

[Davee]

6.5x55 Sauer 202, 112grn Yew Tree, 46.2grn of RS62, MV of +-2800fps, COL of 75mm ie 112 thou in my rifle, and 11-14mm 5 shot groups at 100m.

 

[Hairysausagefingers]

For what it's worth, don't let the idea of a really big jump put you off with copper. I can't vouch for Yew Tree, but Barnes in my .243 work best at over 140 thou off the lands. It's a long way back compared to lead.