6.5x55 and Vit powders

[big ears]

Hi need some help. Want to load 120gr for the swede. I would like to use vit N160. Vits on line data has two set for the 120gr one with a max at 45.7 the other with a starting load of 45.8!!
is this because of the old rifle/new rifle issue and one is set at lower pressures? I will be loading for a new Tikka T3 so am I ok to load the higher loads starting at 45.8? Could I use 260rem data at a push?
thanks for your help

​BE

 

[deeangeo]

You're using a modern rifle, so commercial load data should be used. I'm currently trying to develop a load for the 120gn Nosler BT and at around 48.5 to 50.2gns using Vit. N160.
49.2gns Vit N160 looked promising, with 50.2 appearing as though it might be better.....too early for me to comment properly about that right now.
​
How well a 120gn bullet may work in your rifle can easily depend on the twist in your barrel. Mine is 1-9 1/2.......but a Sako Finnlite a friend has is 1-8 and 140gn bullets work better in his rifle than 120's.
​ATB

 

[ckwoodland]

hi big ears I load vit 160 44grs pushing a 140grn sierra gameking at 2660ftps out of my sako 6.5/55 85 finnlite clover leaf groups good for fallow and munties if this load suits your rifle it will cause less meat damage than the 120s

 

[I. Farticus]

I have 50.7 grains of N160 behind my Nosler 120gr ammo and 46.7 behind the 140gr SSTs...

Both group well, but I've settled on the 140gr as my "do all" ammo traveling at a chrono'd 2,660fps

 

[big ears]

hi big ears I load vit 160 44grs pushing a 140grn sierra gameking at 2660ftps out of my sako 6.5/55 85 finnlite clover leaf groups good for fallow and munties if this load suits your rifle it will cause less meat damage than the 120s

Why will 120 cause more damage is it related to velocity?

 

[big ears]

You're using a modern rifle, so commercial load data should be used. I'm currently trying to develop a load for the 120gn Nosler BT and at around 48.5 to 50.2gns using Vit. N160.
49.2gns Vit N160 looked promising, with 50.2 appearing as though it might be better.....too early for me to comment properly about that right now.
​
How well a 120gn bullet may work in your rifle can easily depend on the twist in your barrel. Mine is 1-9 1/2.......but a Sako Finnlite a friend has is 1-8 and 140gn bullets work better in his rifle than 120's.
​ATB

Twist is 1:8 so thanks for the heads up. I have tried factory 120gr Norma/Nosler and they group at about 1.25" which is OK but thought I could do better with home loads. From what you say I may not so will give it a go but not persevere too hard if it doesn't work out.

 

[deeangeo]

Twist is 1:8 so thanks for the heads up. I have tried factory 120gr Norma/Nosler and they group at about 1.25" which is OK but thought I could do better with home loads. From what you say I may not so will give it a go but not persevere too hard if it doesn't work out.

If you have the kit to load your own, then do go for it. You will ultimately do better in closing up your groups...however, what you have isn't so bad. You'd certainly be able to shoot deer. I've just been trying some factory Hornady 140 SST's and they show a similar group size, but reloaded 140 SST's will shoot to at least .700"
or better ​and that is good enough to give confidence for a longer shot should it become necessary to take one. ATB

 

[big ears]

Thanks for that advice it would be good to try and get the 120's working. Intrigued that they may cause more carcass damage than 140. Not sure why this should happen and whether it is enough to worry about.

 

[Little Jon]

44-46gr here on 120 & 139gr fmj , give a sub 1" group to 100yds

 

[Tackleberry270]

Thanks for that advice it would be good to try and get the 120's working. Intrigued that they may cause more carcass damage than 140. Not sure why this should happen and whether it is enough to worry about.

Meat damage has no relation to bullet weight. It has everything to do with bullet make-up, terminal velocity and what it hits!. I'll be reading this thread with interest as I will be loading for 6.5 soon.

 

[Dovebob]

BE,

I reload for a Sako 85 Swede using N160 and 120 grain Sierra Game Kings. I use CCI large rifle primers.

I've seen the same apparent anomely between the data for the "6.5 x 55 Swedish Mauser" and the "6.5 x 55 SKAN" in the Vit tables. My understanding is that the former is for older / historic rifles, whereas the SKAN loads are for modern ones. This suggests the SKAN loads should be heavier, which I think they are for most bullet weights. However, its the other way round for the 120 grain sierra bullet. The max and min SKAN loads are lighter than the "Swedish Mauser" loads.

When I worked by load up I used the Swedish Mauser data. I recall starting out at about 46 grains and worked up in half grain increments to 50. I got no pressure signs from my rifle. The best load for me was 49 grains, which produces a touching group if I'm on form.

I'm no expert, but I've found the Swede easy to get good accuracy from with N160. I did a load for 129 grain SSTs with the same powder. It was very accurate.

I've tried to prepare ladder loads all about 20 thou of the lands (although I'm never sure how accurate this measurement is with my equipment) and have got very good accuracy by changing powder weight only. I've never need to fiddle with overall length.

Hope this helps.

Bob

 

[cambsman]

I reload for my Sauer in 6.5x55 and have had some interesting results which prove that every rifle is different. I have ended up using what appears to be a light load of 42 grn of Viht 160 with 140 grn Nosler partitions. If I go much higher I get pressure signs. To get 120 grn A Max target rounds going well I have had to switch to Viht150. I also have to use a relatively short coal as when I measured my rifle with different bullets using a Hornady aol guage i got surprising results. All I can suggest is you tread carefully and work out for yourself what works in your rifle. Cheers.

 

[big ears]

Thanks for all advice. It's good to know others have had same dilemmas.

​BE

 

[flytie]

I think Viht N160 is a fabulous powder for the 6.5x55. I recently posted a picture of my first attempts at zeroing in my (new to me but second-hand) Sako 75 SS 6.5x55. The top and far right hand shots were bore sighting, then we did three three shot groups which averaged at just under 0.66".

http://www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk/gallery/sako-75-ss-65x55/p6899-100m-target.html

The surprising thing about this is that the rounds had been made for my old Blaser 6.5x55. Full length re-sized and made to book length. Given some fire-formed brass and some playing about with OAL, maybe even some powder variaitons and i'm sure i will be able to do better.

The target above was made with Nosler 120gr Game BT's with 47gr of N160, which is a very light load, but it worked in the Blaser.

II am not saying that N160 is the best powder for the Swede, just one that is very worthy of consideration.

​Simon

 

[Dovebob]

Good to see you back Simon.

​BE - the above is good advice.

Take care mate.

Bob.

 

[big ears]

Thanks for that great advice. I was hoping to give it a go this weekend but I am still waiting for some scope mounts. I have been a fan of Vit powders and like the way they behave so will try N160 and work up a load using the higher value data