Powder Advice for 6.5x55

[scrumbag]

Hi folks,

Looking for a powder to reload rounds in a 20" barrel Tikka T3 in 6.5x55

Likely bullets to shoot will be:

140gr Sierra Game SBT
136gr Lapua Scenar - L

(Though by no means set on those bullets - just a decent hunting bullet and a target bullet for occasional longer range sessions).

Advice welcomed and thanks in advance.

Scrummy

 

[Milk no sugar please]

I found N160 admirable in my sako 75 with 120-140 gr bullets and particularly favourable for the 130gr Sierra game changer which gave superb accuracy and excellent terminal results on roe and fallow. I found no need to test other powders as 160 was locally available and did the job well.

The Viht data is a little anaemic and I was able to go over their max comfortably but found the sweet spot around their book max. As always work up slow and incrementally YMMV

 

[sh1kar]

My load for Sako 75 Swede btw not Creed

Norma brass
210 CCI primer
140gr Hornady interlock
46g Rel 22
COAL 2.99"

0.5 MoA

Interestingly I couldn't get N160 to work at all


S

 

[Jelen]

The problem with a 20" barrel is that the commonly touted powders (N160 etc) are too slow and waste unburnt powder out of the muzzle. RL22 quoted above only burns 96% of the powder.
I'm using Vit N555 which gives a good case fill, velocity and full powder burn at decent pressure. I suggest you have a look at P-Max pressure.cgi and you'll be be pleasantly surprised. RS62 and RL16 are also good contenders for bullets 140gr and lighter.

 

[bullet chucker]

RL19,or RL17,.....120GN NOSLER BALLISTIC TIP.

BC.

 

[Bigkev81]

I have a Tikka T3X, 20 inch barrel and find the Viht N150 works well.
I use Peregrine 118grn bullets with very acceptable velocity and sub 0.5 MOA.

 

[sh1kar]

The problem with a 20" barrel is that the commonly touted powders (N160 etc) are too slow and waste unburnt powder out of the muzzle. RL22 quoted above only burns 96% of the powder.
I'm using Vit N555 which gives a good case fill, velocity and full powder burn at decent pressure. I suggest you have a look at P-Max pressure.cgi and you'll be be pleasantly surprised. RS62 and RL16 are also good contenders for bullets 140gr and lighter.

Just FYI Sako 75 barrel length is 22 1/2 inches

S

 

[Irishyorkie]

I used to shoot 140 grain scierra gameking over vitavouri n165, very accurate, clover leaf groups and good bullet for everything quarry wise in uk.

It was shot out of a tikka t3 stainless.

 

[josh759]

I have only tried 2 powder so far, H4350 with 140gr SSTs (.527") and N160 with 140gr Speer Hot Cor (.835"). So far, the H4350 shot better (at least with the SSTs).

Would like to try the N160 with the SSTs just so I can have an apple to apple comparison.

 

[big ears]

Search on here been done a few times.

The issue is the 20” barrel. Most of the N160 data is for longer 24”+ barrrls. With a 20” barrel the powder burn is in low 90s% which give variable results, same for Rl22. You need a faster powder. N150 better than N160 but even better are the double base powders N550, Rl17 or RS60.
I’ve shot Rl17 for years over 1000 rounds through rifle and no throat wear.

 

[quis1]

RL19,or RL17,.....120GN NOSLER BALLISTIC TIP.

BC.

I find it interesting as no one gives indication of load weights and velocities achieved are you able to provided these?

 

[big ears]

Rl17 46.5gr 123gr Amax 2832fps
Rl17 45.9gr 140gr Sierra BTSP 2750fps

T3 stainless 20” barrel

 

[quis1]

Rl17 46.5gr 123gr Amax 2832fps
Rl17 45.9gr 140gr Sierra BTSP 2750fps

T3 stainless 20” barrel

Send me up one them pasties. Can’t get em up yer. Miss em

 

[njc110381]

I like Reloder 19 and 22 for that weight range in the Swede. RL15 is good with light bullets.

 

[big ears]

Send me up one them pasties. Can’t get em up yer. Miss em

My mate who makes the best pasties in the world is thinking of opening up a mail order frozen pasty line. Will let you know when he does.
Gear farm pasties it’s called.

 

[25 Sharps]

N160 was my powder of choice for that weight range, that’s running a 24” barrel, with a 20” I’d probably go slightly faster or double based.

 

[quis1]

My mate who makes the best pasties in the world is thinking of opening up a mail order frozen pasty line. Will let you know when he does.
Gear farm pasties it’s called.

Please do will be interested. Tried getting some posted up but no one willing to do it.

 

[plumber01]

N550 would be a good place to start. good luck

 

[scrumbag]

N550 would be a good place to start. good luck

I thought that, looks quite versatile and being a "500" powder gets burnt within the shorter barrel

 

[Jelen]

Just FYI Sako 75 barrel length is 22 1/2 inches

S

Aaah, my bad. My Sako 85 is a 20".