Vihtavuori with 6.5x55

[charlieboy-shooter]

it’s a bloody minefield.

It certainly appears to be with the 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser /SE /SKAN when you look at PHS.1952 post - 6.5x55 Swedish Nosler data for 140gr, N160 max load listed at 41.0gr so I guess for old Mauser. Yet my Lee manual 2nd addition list as 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser 140gr jacket bullet, max load as 43.1gr and my Lee reloading dies also labeled as 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser list for 140gr jacket bullet max load as 46.7gr.
So from another current thread regarding 6.5x55 dies that the die regardless of stating 'Swedish Mauser' ( as the Lee) or 'SE/SKAN' is all irreverent as the case dimension is the same. Correct ? Its the pressure rating of the particular rifle that matters I.e the older Mauser types.
Now I've read, to cross check data sources, but with my limited experience most other data sources have been close with other calibre s But the Swede, 6.5x55 or what ever.

I probably should not post when I've been on nights but I'm going to bed now and hopefully someone will enlighten me by the time I get up.
Thanks

 

[I. Farticus]

I moved from N160 with 140gr SSTs to N560 with 143gr ELD-X in my Sako 75 with 20 1/2" barrel. 2,700fps MV is plenty to knock everything over

 

[Ozalid]

I moved from N160 with 140gr SSTs to N560 with 143gr ELD-X in my Sako 75 with 20 1/2" barrel. 2,700fps MV is plenty to knock everything over

Agreed and I think N560 is the way forward for me, I just want to be legal MV for Scotland, some may not worry about this, but I like to be covered.
Cheers

 

[Milligan]

My experience with the swede is the load data is poor across the range and using one manufacturers max could see you below min cited by another.
This is made worse, I think, by some positively sketchy data around N160, even in QL which I've seen from other posts across tinterweb (including here).

I think the only way to go is to chrono and test in your combination and make small increments while holding other variables constant.
I've used both 140gr and 120gr 6.5 in my .260 and 6.5x55 and tend to come back to the 120gr as I find it easier to drive.

It does work, its just not fast enough with 2500fps getting near the maximum load.



Thanks for these contributions, I was starting to regret buying the 6.5, for the record I am using a Sako 85 Finnlight.
Look, I really enjoy reloading it appeals to the pedant in me, but since buying the 6.5 I was first surprised by being unable to accurately calculate the bullet jump with the bullet having to come so far out of the case to meet the lands, then all the conflicting data from the various loading manuals I have, it seems mainly trying to cater for safety in older actions, anyway N160 will be fine according to Viht and I will try this first.

If anyone could please share how they calculate the seating depth/bullet jump I would be very interested to hear about it.

Thanks again all!

Forget trying to reach the lands, you'll have them hanging out of the case before you get there.
Load to SAAMI spec and see how you go.

 

[muddy216]

N160 and sst 140 gr in my sako 22in 75 shots fantastic groups nothing that has been shot with it has argued yet

 

[Burnies Boy]

I use N560 in my 6.5 x 55, 48.1grain of powder behind at Nosler 120grain ballistic tip (0.5 moa), seems to do the job quite nicely on mainly roe and reds

 

[Foxyboy43]

Viht N160 and 120 gns Sierra Prohunters are a very accurate mix. I tried Sierra TMK 130 gns only recently and they too are devastatingly accurate - both with only moderate amounts of N160. Quick example shot off sticks only a few days ago at c.130yds.

 

[BigPat]

N140 seems to work well in everything, including my 6.5x55, .308win, .204ruger & .375 H&H Mag.....it literally seems to be a do it all powder for me.

one thing I would say is that I find All of the 6.5x55 loading tables to be very conservative. So I’m not saying go mad but don’t be surprised if when you work up a load in safe increments that you find yourself above max with no signs of pressure whatsoever.

 

[Ozalid]

Ok, thanks very much for all the comments, I’ve invested in a Kg of N160 to try and have worked up sample half grain increment loads from 43g to 47g with 129gr SST’s and will see how they go at the range today, unfortunately I sold my chrono as I didn’t think I’d need it anymore, so for now it just accuracy I’m going for and I’ll check the MV at some point but apparently 43g gets me over 2450 anyway and I can check the drop at up to 250m when I’m out. I’ll post the results for anyone who’s interested.
Cheers
Al

 

[Sonicdmb73]

Ok, thanks very much for all the comments, I’ve invested in a Kg of N160 to try and have worked up sample half grain increment loads from 43g to 47g with 129gr SST’s and will see how they go at the range today, unfortunately I sold my chrono as I didn’t think I’d need it anymore, so for now it just accuracy I’m going for and I’ll check the MV at some point but apparently 43g gets me over 2450 anyway and I can check the drop at up to 250m when I’m out. I’ll post the results for anyone who’s interested.
Cheers
Al

If you have it Strelok will work it out for you based on drop at two know distances.
It’s accurate enough to give good drop data out to long range. There’s probably other apps that do it too.

 

[Ozalid]

If you have it Strelok will work it out for you based on drop at two know distances.
It’s accurate enough to give good drop data out to long range. There’s probably other apps that do it too.

To be honest it’s easier to just zero at 100 then shoot at 200 and 250 which is my maximum, then I know for sure.

 

[Sonicdmb73]

To be honest it’s easier to just zero at 100 then shoot at 200 and 250 which is my maximum, then I know for sure.

The app has a function if you’re not aware of it. That takes the difference between your 100yds and 250yds say it’s 3”. And tells you the speed of the bullet. It was just a thought as you were quite specific about being above the legal requirement.
I am using N550 in my 6.5x55 I have just checked and I am getting 2720fps out of a 129 sst. It’s not iirc a particularly hot load.
Edit just checked it’s under VV app Swedish Mauser data (supposedly the lower pressure) at 42.8gn.

 

[Milligan]

Viht N160 and 120 gns Sierra Prohunters are a very accurate mix. I tried Sierra TMK 130 gns only recently and they too are devastatingly accurate - both with only moderate amounts of N160. Quick example shot off sticks only a few days ago at c.130yds.
View attachment 204091

I had sooty cases at that charge weight. Do you know the velocity and load length pls?

 

[Ozalid]

I loaded up some N160 with 129gr SST’s at various charges and while they were all acceptable for hunting, the winner was 44g which gave a very neat 5 shot group, the top one was me, I knew as soon as I pulled the trigger, back again Friday for some more tweaking, but I’m liking N160.

 

[Foxyboy43]

I had sooty cases at that charge weight. Do you know the velocity and load length pls?

From memory around 2,700 fps for the 120s and remember the 6.5 has a very long chamber so start with seating the bullet by .264“ then go out incrementally until you find your node. I have also loaded some 130 Sierra TGCs and they have proved very accurate but not yet chronoed or shot any deer yet.
Good luck.

 

[Ozalid]

Hi,
I thought I would post my finding's on this matter just to draw a line under it, I messed around with all the main adjustable factors in reloading over the weeks and think I have found the recipe that suits my rifle, namely Hornady 129gr SST bullets, 46 grains of Viht N160 powder and 2.300" OAL giving an average MV of 2,633 FPS.
This was with Sierra 130gr Gamekings

This was with Hornady 129gr SST's

 

[Foxyboy43]

Nice. The 130 gns Gamechangers with 45 gns of N160 proved to be very accurate and devastating on Perthshire roe. Your rifle may be different so start low as per all previous cautions!

 

[borbal]

Hi,
I thought I would post my finding's on this matter just to draw a line under it, I messed around with all the main adjustable factors in reloading over the weeks and think I have found the recipe that suits my rifle, namely Hornady 129gr SST bullets, 46 grains of Viht N160 powder and 2.300" OAL giving an average MV of 2,633 FPS.

Barrel length...?

 

[Ozalid]

My rifle is a Sako 85 Finnlight, 22.44" barrel with an 8" twist.
Actually the top pic was with Sierra Gamechangers #4330 not Gamekings, I was very impressed with them and they are cheaper than the Hornady's. I started to get a very slight sign of primer cratering at 46.5 & 47gr but 46 looked absolutely fine, interestingly I got almost the same average MV with 140gr SST's but again signs of pressure at >46gr